Modular Rotor Mechanism for Fluid Sample Mixing and Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid processing systems are cumbersome to combine with other tasks, lacking flexibility in efficiently mixing, separating, and processing fluidic samples.
Innovation Solution
A modular and user-adaptable sample processing arrangement featuring a rotor-based mechanism for centrifuging or shaking fluidic samples, with a central rotor driven by a single unit and surrounded by plug-in module accommodation positions for various sample processing modules, allowing for flexible configuration and operation in both rotary and orbital motion modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional fluid processing systems are used, then specific tasks (mixing, centrifuging) can be performed, but the systems are cumbersome to combine with other tasks and lack flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The rotor mechanism is designed to perform multiple functions: it can rotate to provide centrifugal force for sample separation and can also shake to provide agitation for sample mixing. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate devices for mixing and centrifuging, directly resolving the contradiction by enabling one device to handle multiple tasks without requiring complex reconfiguration
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between different operational modes (rotation for centrifuging, shaking for mixing) based on the processing requirements. The rotor can change its motion characteristics on demand, allowing the system to adapt to different tasks without physical reconfiguration, thereby improving versatility while maintaining simplicity
2Reliability
If multiple separate devices are used for different fluid processing tasks, then each task can be performed with dedicated equipment, but the overall system complexity and handling burden increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges mixing and centrifuging functions into a single integrated system with a common rotor mechanism. The rotor serves both functions by changing its motion mode, eliminating the need to handle and reconfigure multiple separate devices. This consolidation maintains reliable performance of both tasks while significantly improving ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The rotor mechanism is designed as a universal component that can reliably perform both mixing (shaking) and centrifuging tasks. By making the rotor universal rather than task-specific, the system achieves reliable performance across different operations without requiring multiple dedicated devices, thereby improving ease of handling
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
Enables efficient and flexible processing of fluidic samples by allowing for a range of tasks to be performed with a single system, reducing the complexity of handling and reconfiguring equipment for different applications, while ensuring safe and precise operation.
Implementation Method 1
a rotor-based mechanism for selectively centrifuging fluidic samples in a rotary motion mode
Implementation Method 2
or shaking the fluidic sample in an orbital motion mode
Data Source
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AI summary
A sample processing arrangement for processing a fluidic sample, the sample processing arrangement including a sample holder for accommodating the fluidic sample, an apparatus having a rotor mechanism and being configured for selectively operating the sample holder in an orbital motion mode for sample mixing, particularly for shaking, or in a rotary motion mode for sample separation, particularly for centrifuging, a mounting platform having a central portion on which the apparatus and the sample holder are mounted and having a surrounding portion circumferentially surrounding the central portion, and a plurality of module accommodation positions circumferentially distributed in the surrounding portion to surround the rotor mechanism and the sample holder, wherein each of the module accommodation positions is configured for detachably accommodating a selectable one of a plurality of sample processing modules, each being configured for fulfilling an assigned sample processing task, by accommodating the respective sample processing module in the respective one of the module accommodation positions.