Microplate Carriage Through-Opening for Compact Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microplate processing devices require significant space and have complex manipulators that restrict accessibility due to their multi-directional movement and limited access to microplates, making them inefficient for handling microplates.
Innovation Solution
A microplate processing device with a carriage that moves horizontally and a lift that moves vertically, featuring a through opening with recesses and a second receptacle with arms and stops to facilitate easy access and positioning of microplates, allowing for compact design and improved accessibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a manipulator is used to handle microplates, then microplates can be transferred between carriages and processing areas, but the device requires significant space and has complex multi-directional movement mechanisms that restrict accessibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex manipulator mechanism from the system and replaces it with a simplified configuration where the carriage itself has integrated microplate handling capabilities through the through-opening and lift mechanism. This removes the need for separate complex manipulators while maintaining microplate transfer functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a manipulator to reach down to the carriage level, the invention inverts the approach by having the carriage structure itself provide access to microplates through the through-opening, allowing vertical access from above without requiring horizontal manipulator movement.
2Area of stationary object
If a manipulator with multi-directional movement is used, then microplates can be accessed from different positions, but the accessibility is still limited and the device requires more space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from horizontal manipulator movement to vertical access through the through-opening. The lift mechanism moves microplates vertically between the carriage and processing area, utilizing the vertical dimension to achieve accessibility without requiring additional horizontal space.
3Area of stationary object
If a compact design is implemented, then space is saved, but accessibility to microplates may be restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The carriage structure is segmented with a through-opening that creates distinct access zones. The lift mechanism is positioned to provide clear access paths, allowing grippers to approach microplates from multiple angles without requiring large overall device dimensions.
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4~6
AI summary
A microplate processing device (1) comprising at least one carriage (2, 4) with a first receptacle for microplates, wherein the at least one carriage (2, 4) is movable in a first horizontal direction (X), at least one lift (3, 5) which is movable in a vertical direction (Z), whereby the microplates (6) can be removed from or fed to the carriage (2, 4), wherein the carriage (2, 4) comprises a through-opening, the circumference of which, in vertical projection, can extend at least partially horizontally inwards below the circumference of a microplate (6) received in the carriage (2, 4), and wherein the lift (3, 5) comprises a second receptacle for microplates, the circumference of which, in vertical projection, extends below the circumference of the through-opening, whereby the second receptacle can be moved unhindered through the through-opening in the vertical direction (Z).