Conforming Test Tube Rack Jig for Stable Tube Handling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing test tube rack configurations are facility-specific and do not accommodate test tubes of varying shapes effectively, leading to difficulties in insertion and removal.

Innovation Solution

A test tube rack jig with protrusion portions that conform to the shape of the test tubes, providing stable contact surfaces to correct and stabilize the attitude of test tubes, allowing easy insertion and removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a dedicated test tube rack configuration is used for a specific facility, then the test tube can be securely held, but the rack cannot accommodate test tubes of varying shapes from different facilities

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure holding of test tubeVSAvoidaccommodation of various test tube shapes
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The jig employs adjustable protrusion portions that can be repositioned along the rack structure, allowing the contact surfaces to be adjusted to match different test tube shapes and sizes. This parameter adjustment enables the same rack to securely hold various test tube configurations without requiring facility-specific dedicated racks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If a fixed test tube rack structure is used, then the test tube position is stable, but the test tube cannot be easily inserted or removed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetest tube position stabilityVSAvoidinsertion and removal of test tube
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The protrusion portions are designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing them to dynamically adjust to the test tube during insertion and then maintain a stable holding position once the test tube is in place. This dynamic characteristic enables both easy insertion/removal and stable positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The protrusion portions act as intermediary elements between the rack structure and the test tube, providing a flexible interface that facilitates easy insertion and removal while maintaining stable holding. These intermediaries can be adjusted to match different test tube geometries.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If the test tube rack has a simple open bottom structure, then the rack is easy to manufacture, but the test tube cannot be prevented from falling out

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverack structure simplicityVSAvoidprevention of test tube falling out
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The rack structure is segmented into the main rack body and separate protrusion portions that can be independently positioned. This segmentation allows the simple open-bottom rack to gain additional functional elements that prevent test tube falling while maintaining the overall simplicity and ease of manufacture of the basic rack structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4617672A1Test tube rack jig
Publication Date: 2025.09.17 HITACHI HIGH TECH CORP
  • EP4617672A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4617672A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4617672A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Provided is a test tube rack jig that corrects attitudes of test tubes mounted on test tube racks having various shapes and allows the test tubes to be easily inserted and removed. A test tube rack jig 1 is a jig used for a test tube rack 102 where a bottom surface is open, in which a protrusion portion of a test tube holding protrusion portion 201 for holding a test tube 101 includes a test tube contact surface 401a with which the test tube 101 comes into contact, and the test tube contact surface 401a has an inner surface shape following a lower portion shape of the test tube 101.