Magnetic Filter Wheel Mounting for High-Content Screening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional filter wheels in high-content screening systems are limited by slow switching speeds and require manual, precise, and costly threaded components for filter changes, leading to inefficiencies and increased risk of damage during installation and removal.
Innovation Solution
The use of magnetic forces combined with alignment means, such as tenon/mortise pairs, to quickly and securely mount and remove optical elements like filters from a filter wheel without the need for special tools or costly threaded components, allowing for easy installation and removal without damaging the components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional threaded components are used for filter installation, then secure mounting is achieved, but installation time increases and risk of damage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional threaded mechanical system with a magnetic field-based system. Magnets embedded in the filter wheel housing attract and hold filter elements without requiring threads, screws, or other mechanical fastening mechanisms. This substitution eliminates threading operations while maintaining secure mounting through magnetic attraction forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the threading function from the mounting system. Instead of using threaded components to achieve secure mounting, the invention removes the threading mechanism entirely and relies on magnetic attraction to provide both the securing function and the quick-release capability. This extraction simplifies the system by eliminating complex mechanical fastening elements.
2Reliability
If threaded components are used for filter changes, then secure attachment is achieved, but precision and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces precision-threaded mechanical components with a magnetic attachment system. The magnets are embedded in the filter wheel housing and attract the ferromagnetic or magnetic materials in the filter elements, providing secure attachment without requiring precision threading, taps, or specialized fasteners. This substitution significantly simplifies manufacturing requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs simpler, less expensive magnetic components instead of precision-threaded metal parts. The magnetic system uses readily available magnets and magnetic materials that are cheaper to manufacture than precision-threaded components, while still providing adequate secure attachment for the application.
3Speed
If filter wheels are made thin and light to improve switching speed, then switching time decreases, but structural strength and precision are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical fastening systems with magnetic attraction, allowing the filter wheel to be constructed with thinner, lighter materials. The magnetic force provides the necessary holding strength without requiring thick walls or heavy reinforcement that would be needed for mechanical threading systems. This enables faster switching while maintaining adequate structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the filter wheel construction, using thinner and lighter materials that would be insufficient for mechanical threading but are adequate when combined with magnetic attraction. The magnetic field provides the necessary binding force, allowing optimization of the wheel's mass and moment of inertia for faster rotation and switching.
4Reliability
If manual threading operations are performed, then secure mounting is achieved, but risk of component damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual threading operations with a magnetic attachment system. The magnets in the filter wheel housing automatically attract and secure the filter elements when brought into proximity, eliminating the need for manual threading operations that could damage delicate components. The magnetic force provides secure mounting without the risk of cross-threading, stripped threads, or overtightening.
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 enables quick and tool-free installation and removal of optical elements, reducing switching time, minimizing damage risk, and lowering costs while maintaining precision and repeatability, thereby improving the efficiency of optical systems like those used in high-content screening.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic force quickly and securely mounts the optical assembly to the optical assembly receiver
Data Source
AI summary
A filter wheel assembly includes a filter wheel and an optical assembly. The filter wheel includes a plurality of viewing openings. The optical assembly includes an optical element secured within an aperture of a housing. The optical assembly is securable to the filter wheel at a viewing opening by a magnetic force. An optical apparatus includes an optical assembly receiver and first and second optical assemblies. The first optical assembly is securable to the optical assembly receiver and the second optical assembly is securable to the first optical assembly by a magnetic force to align the optical assembly receiver and the optical assemblies.