Motor-Driven Diluent Dispensing Mechanism for Contamination Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sample dilution devices face challenges in easy handling, contamination prevention, ergonomic design, and cost reduction, particularly in ensuring the end piece for distributing the diluent is not contaminated by the sample liquid or particles during the dilution process.
Innovation Solution
A device with a support for the sample container and an end piece for diluent distribution, featuring a rotary cover and motor-driven displacement mechanism that moves between positions to control diluent delivery, preventing contamination and improving ergonomics, while using peristaltic pumps for precise diluent delivery based on user-selected rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the end piece is positioned close to the container for diluent delivery, then the dilution efficiency is improved, but the risk of contamination by sample liquid or particles increases
Solution Approach 1:
The end piece is made movable relative to the container through a motor-driven displacement mechanism, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position between a first position (close to container for efficient dilution) and a second position (away from container to prevent contamination). This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction by enabling the system to optimize for either dilution efficiency or contamination prevention depending on the operational phase.
2Device complexity
If manual positioning mechanisms are used for the end piece, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The displacement mechanism incorporates a motor that automatically positions the end piece between the first and second positions without requiring manual intervention. The system self-regulates the end piece positioning based on operational requirements, eliminating the need for complex manual positioning mechanisms while maintaining ease of operation. The motor-driven system provides automated control that simplifies the user interface while ensuring precise positioning.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the outlet of the end piece is positioned laterally in the second position, then the contamination prevention is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The end piece displacement mechanism utilizes lateral movement in addition to vertical positioning, creating a two-dimensional positioning system. The outlet can be positioned not only above the container opening but also laterally away from it in the second position. This dimensional approach allows contamination prevention through lateral offset while maintaining a relatively simple structural design by using orthogonal movement directions.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a device for diluting a sample, comprising an end-piece for dispensing a liquid diluent, means, having an upright extending upwards from the base, for supporting and moving the end-piece relative to the container support between a first position in which the outlet of the end-piece lies above the opening of the container, to allow the diluent to be fed into the container, and a second position in which the outlet is further away from the container. According to the disclosure, the second position of the outlet is to the side of the first, the upright is fixed to the base, and the upright has a cover at the upper end thereof for supporting the end-piece, the cover being rotatable on the upright between the positions, a rotary drive motor for rotating the cover between the positions being housed on the inside of the cover and/or of the upright.