Elastomeric Pipette Tip Coupler for Low-Force Airtight Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipette devices face issues with air-tight seal failures due to compromised O-rings, requiring high press forces for attachment and detachment, and lack precision in positioning, especially for smaller volumes and multi-channel systems.
Innovation Solution
A pipette tip coupler with circumferentially disposed elements and a distal elastomeric element, such as an O-ring, provides a pre-stress force for a secure seal and controlled axial positioning, ensuring tip straightness and concentricity, allowing for precise liquid transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conical coupling stud with pre-stressed tip is used, then an air tight seal is achieved, but high press forces are required for attachment and detachment
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism is divided into multiple functional segments: a conical coupling stud for axial engagement, a circumferential groove for radial positioning, and a separate O-ring seal for sealing. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, reducing the overall force required while maintaining seal reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
An O-ring seal acts as an intermediary element between the conical coupling stud and the pipette tip. The O-ring compresses radially to create the seal, mediating the interaction between the rigid coupling components and eliminating the need for high axial press forces to achieve sealing.
2Reliability
If high press forces are applied to pre-stress the tip, then an air tight seal is created, but microfissures form in the pipette tip causing leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The O-ring seal serves as a compliant intermediary that absorbs the sealing function without requiring excessive compressive forces on the pipette tip. This eliminates the harmful effect of microfissures while maintaining the air-tight seal through radial compression of the O-ring rather than axial pre-stressing of the tip.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing mechanism transitions from axial compression (pre-stressing the tip) to radial compression (compressing the O-ring). This parameter change in the compression direction protects the pipette tip from microfissures while still achieving an effective seal.
3Manufacturing precision
If a stepped coupling stud with O-ring is used, then axial positioning is improved, but the system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling structure is segmented into distinct functional elements: the conical coupling stud provides axial engagement and positioning, the circumferential groove provides radial alignment, and the O-ring provides sealing. This segmentation achieves precise axial positioning while keeping each individual component simple and easy to manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The conical coupling stud serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides axial engagement, radial positioning through the circumferential groove, and serves as the mounting structure for the O-ring seal. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying the overall system while maintaining positioning precision.
4Device complexity
If a solitary O-ring configuration is used, then the structure is simple, but the seal becomes compromised when the O-ring fails
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing system is segmented into multiple independent sealing elements: a primary O-ring seal and a secondary seal configuration. This segmentation ensures that if one sealing element fails, the other can still maintain the seal, thereby improving overall reliability without significantly increasing structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The dual seal configuration provides a backup sealing mechanism that activates if the primary O-ring seal fails. This beforehand cushioning against seal failure ensures continuous reliable sealing, protecting the system from the harmful effect of seal compromise.
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
The solution enhances seal durability, facilitates easy tip removal, and achieves precise targeting of smaller volumes and multiple wells, improving the accuracy and efficiency of liquid handling.
Implementation Method 1
the compression of the O-ring results in the deformation of the O ring that in turn provides the axially directed force and air-tight seal against the working surface of the pipette tip
Implementation Method 2
the compression of the O-ring results in the deformation of the O ring that in turn provides the axially directed force and air-tight seal against the working surface of the pipette tip
Data Source
AI summary
Pipette tip couplers, pipette tips, coupler and tip combinations, and methods for coupling and decoupling a pipette tip to or from, respectively, a pipette tip coupler mounted on a pipette device, are disclosed. The pipette tip couplers include an elastomeric element and an annular ring shaped raceway. When the pipette tip is mounted on the pipette tip coupler, the annular ring shaped raceway abuts a first portion of the interior surface of the circumscribing sidewall of the pipette tip, and the elastomeric element abuts a second portion of the interior surface of the circumscribing sidewall of the pipette tip.