Manual Metering Device Frame Housing Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional manual dosing devices have housings made of rigid plastic that are uncomfortable to hold, prone to soiling, and difficult to clean, limiting the choice of materials due to the need for high strength to withstand fluid handling forces.

Innovation Solution

A manual dosing device with an elongate frame as a supporting structure, made of stable materials like polyetherketone (PEEK), which absorbs forces and allows for a softer, more comfortable housing design that is easy to clean and resistant to chemicals, using a frame to distribute and absorb forces rather than relying solely on the housing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the housing is made of rigid plastic to withstand fluid handling forces, then the structural strength is sufficient, but the user comfort deteriorates and the housing becomes prone to soiling and difficult to clean

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural strengthVSAvoiduser comfort
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into two main structural components: a rigid frame that provides structural strength and force absorption, and a separate housing that encloses the frame and provides user comfort. The frame handles mechanical loads while the housing provides ergonomic and cleaning advantages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The frame acts as an intermediary structure between the internal components and the external housing. It absorbs and distributes forces that would otherwise be transmitted to the housing, allowing the housing to be made of softer, more easily cleanable materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the housing is made of rigid plastic to maintain structural integrity, then the housing can support internal components, but the material choice is limited and cleaning becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidmaterial choice flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The structural support function is separated from the enclosing function. The frame provides structural integrity and component support, while the housing provides enclosure and user interface functions, allowing independent optimization of each component's material properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Force

If the housing absorbs all forces during fluid handling, then the housing must be made of high-strength rigid material, but this reduces ease of cleaning and increases soiling susceptibility

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforce absorptionVSAvoidsoiling and cleaning difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The frame serves as a force-absorbing intermediary structure between the fluid handling components and the housing. It intercepts and distributes mechanical forces, preventing them from being transmitted to the housing walls where they would cause soiling and cleaning difficulties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2578317B1Manual metering device
Publication Date: 2016.09.21 EPPENDORF AG
  • EP2578317B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2578317B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2578317B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The device has an elongated frame (1) designed as a support structure. A support plate, syringe gripping levers and a retaining body releasably hold a syringe or a pipette tip at a lower end of the frame. An actuation lever and a pawl are arranged above the support plate, the gripping levers and the retaining body at the frame. A displacing unit displaces a fluid in the syringe or the pipette tip and driven by the actuation lever and the pawl. The displacing unit is connected with the support plate, the gripping levers and the retaining body. A housing (24) encloses the frame.