Frame-Shaped Spacers for Direct Load Transfer in Pipette Tip Carriers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spacer and pipette tip carrier systems require high material demand and dimensional precision to handle vertical loads effectively, leading to increased carbon footprint and manufacturing complexity.
Innovation Solution
A frame-shaped spacer design that transfers vertical loads directly from one spacer to another without applying forces to the pipette tip carriers, using load transfer elements such as protrusions and stop surfaces, allowing for reduced material usage and looser manufacturing tolerances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If spacers and pipette tip carriers are designed to absorb vertical loads directly, then mechanical strength is improved, but material demand and carbon footprint increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces load transfer elements (protrusions and recesses) as intermediaries between spacers and carriers. These elements create dedicated load transfer paths that concentrate forces on specific structural features rather than requiring the entire component to be thick-walled. The protrusions extend from the spacer's lower surface while recesses are formed in the carrier's lower surface, establishing a mediator mechanism that enables efficient load transfer with reduced material usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the load transfer function into discrete elements: protrusions on the spacer and corresponding recesses on the carrier. Instead of relying on overall wall thickness for strength, the load transfer is divided into specific localized contact points. This segmentation allows thin-walled constructions to achieve adequate mechanical strength by concentrating structural reinforcement only where loads are transferred.
2Reliability
If spacers and pipette tip carriers are designed with high dimensional precision, then load transfer reliability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating dimensional precision requirements only at the load transfer interface (protrusions and recesses) rather than throughout the entire component. The protrusions and recesses are designed with precise dimensions to ensure reliable load transfer, while other portions of the spacer and carrier can use looser tolerances. This localized approach to precision reduces overall manufacturing complexity while maintaining load transfer reliability.
3Strength
If wall thickness of spacers and carriers is increased, then mechanical strength is improved, but space utilization and stacking efficiency decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the structural function into thin-walled carrier/spacer bodies with concentrated load transfer elements. Instead of using uniform wall thickness for strength, the design uses thin walls for space efficiency while adding localized protrusions and recesses for load bearing. This segmentation allows the majority of the component volume to be minimized while maintaining adequate strength at critical load transfer points.
Solution Approach 2:
The load transfer elements act as intermediaries that enable thin-walled constructions to achieve adequate mechanical strength. The protrusions and recesses create concentrated load paths that compensate for the reduced wall thickness, allowing the overall component volume to be minimized while maintaining the necessary structural integrity for load transfer.
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 design stabilizes the carrier stack, reduces material consumption, and minimizes the carbon footprint while maintaining effective load transfer, thus optimizing the assembly process.
Implementation Method 1
load transfer elements which are configured to transfer a vertical load directly from one spacer to a subjacent spacer
Data Source
AI summary
A frame-shaped rectangular spacer for a pipette tip carrier, configured to be stacked on top of another spacer thereby providing a vertical space between the spacers for carrier. The spacer includes a horizontal base surface, a peripheral side wall which stands essentially perpendicular to the base surface providing two longitudinal sides and two transverse sides connected to the base surface. The peripheral side wall includes an upper surface on an upper rim of the side wall and a lower surface on a lower rim of the side wall, and the upper surface of the peripheral side wall is configured to support the pipette tip carrier. The spacer includes load transfer elements configured to transfer a vertical load directly from one spacer to a subjacent spacer.