Dispensing Nozzle with Projection for Liquid Level Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dispensing devices and nucleic acid analyzers face challenges in minimizing reagent usage, preventing cross-contamination, and maintaining reagent integrity due to evaporation and chemical deterioration, while also requiring separate lid mechanisms that increase cost, size, and noise.
Innovation Solution
A dispensing device with a dispensing nozzle and a projection that moves vertically, allowing independent operation to aspirate and discharge liquids without contacting the lid, using a drive unit that prevents air blockage and contamination, and employing a capacitance method for liquid level detection without additional drive mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the nozzle penetrates the lid to detect liquid level, then liquid level detection is achieved, but cross-contamination between reagents occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle is divided into two independent moving parts: the nozzle body for liquid level detection and the projection for lid penetration. This segmentation allows the detection function to operate without the nozzle contacting the lid, preventing cross-contamination while maintaining detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The projection acts as an intermediary element that penetrates the lid to enable the nozzle to detect liquid level through the lid without the nozzle itself contacting the lid. This mediator structure resolves the contradiction by providing a pathway for detection while maintaining separation between the nozzle and lid
2Measurement precision
If the nozzle contacts the lid for liquid level detection, then detection is achieved, but reagent evaporation and deterioration increase due to insufficient air blockage
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the nozzle body from the projection, the system enables the projection to contact the lid for air blockage while the nozzle body maintains detection capability without compromising reagent sealing
Solution Approach 2:
The projection serves as an intermediary that provides air blockage functionality, allowing the nozzle to detect liquid level without directly contacting the lid, thereby maintaining both detection precision and reagent protection
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a separate lid opening and closing mechanism is added, then air blockage is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The lid opening and closing function is merged with the existing dispensing robot's vertical movement. The projection, which is part of the nozzle assembly, is used to penetrate and open the lid, eliminating the need for a separate lid mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The projection serves multiple functions: it penetrates the lid to enable liquid level detection, provides air blockage by sealing against the lid, and opens/closes the lid through vertical movement. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated lid mechanisms
4Reliability
If cleaning is executed from the root of the nozzle, then cross-contamination is prevented, but pure water consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The projection is extracted as a separate component from the nozzle body, allowing cleaning to focus only on the nozzle body and tip where reagent contact occurs. The projection can be cleaned separately or with minimal water since it contacts the lid rather than the reagent
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution effectively prevents cross-contamination, reduces reagent evaporation, and simplifies cleaning, while maintaining analysis reliability and reducing system size and noise by integrating the lid opening and closing mechanism into the dispensing robot's vertical movement, without the need for new software or drive units.
Implementation Method 1
With respect to detection of the liquid level, a capacitance method in which the nozzle is made an electrode is commonly employed
Data Source
AI summary
A dispensing device that achieves both of preventing cross-contamination between reagents and attaching a lid to a reagent container is provided.The dispensing device of the present invention includes a dispensing nozzle 10 that aspirates and discharges liquid, a lid opening and closing part 26 that projects downward to be lower than the dispensing nozzle 10, and a drive unit that makes the dispensing nozzle 10 and the lid opening and closing part 26 drive in the vertical direction, in which the dispensing nozzle 10 drives in the vertical direction independently of the lid opening and closing part 26. The dispensing device that achieves both of preventing cross-contamination between the reagents and attaching the lid to the reagent container can be provided.