Hybrid Manual-Electronic Pipette with Real-Time Sensor Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current manual pipettes face challenges with mechanical backlash, difficulty in accurately compensating for nonlinearities, and lack of real-time feedback on plunger position, leading to inaccuracies in volume measurement and adjustment.

Innovation Solution

A hybrid manual-electronic pipette equipped with a real-time electronic sensor, low-power microcontroller, and user interface, allowing precise monitoring and display of plunger position, enabling accurate volume measurement, calibration, and enhanced pipetting functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a mechanical volume indicator is used, then the device structure is simple, but mechanical backlash causes inaccuracies in volume measurement and adjustment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice structureVSAvoidvolume measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical volume indicator system with an electronic sensor system. The sensor detects the position of the volume adjustment member and converts it to an electronic signal, eliminating mechanical backlash and wear issues. This substitution maintains simplicity while dramatically improving measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The electronic sensor provides real-time feedback on the position of the volume adjustment member to the display, allowing users to see exactly what position has been achieved. This feedback mechanism eliminates the uncertainty caused by mechanical backlash and enables precise volume setting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of manufacture

If a mechanical volume indicator is used, then the device is easy to manufacture, but it is difficult to accurately compensate for nonlinearities in volume settings

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidvolume setting accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces electronic parameter adjustment capabilities that allow for compensation of nonlinearities in the volume adjustment mechanism. The microprocessor can store calibration data and apply correction factors to the sensor readings, enabling accurate volume settings even when mechanical nonlinearities are present.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

By replacing the mechanical indicator with an electronic sensing system, the patent enables software-based compensation for manufacturing variations and mechanical nonlinearities. The electronic system can be calibrated to account for specific pipette characteristics, achieving high manufacturing precision without complicating the physical structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If a motor drive mechanism is added to enable digital control, then volume adjustment precision is improved, but device complexity, power consumption, and size increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevolume adjustment precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of adding a motor drive mechanism, the patent uses an electronic sensor to detect the position of the manually operated volume adjustment member. This approach maintains the simplicity of manual operation while achieving digital control and precise measurement through electronic sensing and processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an electronic sensor as an intermediary between the manual volume adjustment mechanism and the digital display. This intermediary converts mechanical position into electronic signals, enabling precise digital control without requiring a motor drive system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Manufacturing precision

If a motor drive mechanism is added, then calibration capability is improved, but power consumption and battery size requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecalibration accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the power-intensive motor drive mechanism with a low-power electronic sensor system. The sensor detects position and provides data to the microprocessor for calibration, achieving accurate calibration without the continuous power consumption associated with motor operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the manual operation of the volume adjustment member itself as the source of motion, eliminating the need for an external motor. The user's manual input provides the mechanical movement that the sensor detects, making the system self-powered through human operation rather than requiring battery power for actuation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS7819030B2Hybrid manual-electronic pipette

Publication Date: 2010.10.26 RAININ INSTRUMENT LLC

AI summary

A hybrid manual-electronic pipette combines a manually driven piston with real-time electronic measurement of liquid volume and piston displacement while compensating for both pipette-specific and pipette model-specific variations. The hybrid nature of the pipette facilitates increased accuracy and improved ease of use, and enables additional functionalities not practicable with traditional manual pipettes.