Movable Effector Assembly for Automated Culture Device Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing culture device processing systems lack the dexterity and automation to perform tasks that require fine motor skills, such as uncovering, inoculating, and moving culture devices without manual intervention, leading to labor-intensive and error-prone processes.
Innovation Solution
A movable effector assembly with rotatable segments and attachment members that can securely engage and manipulate culture devices, allowing for automated processing, including inoculation, labeling, and movement between locations, while minimizing the risk of damaging the devices or disrupting the inoculant.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual intervention is used to perform tasks requiring fine motor skills, then the process is flexible and adaptable, but the process becomes labor-intensive and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with an automated effector assembly that uses mechanical arms, grippers, and actuators to perform fine motor skill tasks such as uncovering culture devices, stamping inoculum, and replacing covers. This substitution maintains the precision of manual operations while eliminating labor-intensive processes and reducing human error.
2Productivity
If automated processing is implemented, then productivity and speed increase, but the system lacks dexterity for fine motor skill tasks
Solution Approach 1:
The effector assembly is divided into multiple independent segments including a base, effector arm, gripper mechanism, and stamping mechanism. Each segment can move and operate independently, providing the dexterity needed for fine motor skill tasks while maintaining automated high-speed processing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The effector assembly incorporates dynamic elements such as rotatable segments that can rotate around parallel non-colinear axes, adjustable gripper fingers, and movable stamping mechanisms. These dynamic components enable the system to adapt to different culture device types and perform delicate operations with precision while maintaining automated throughput.
3Device complexity
If a simple effector design is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the system cannot perform multiple processing tasks with precision
Solution Approach 1:
The effector assembly is designed as a universal platform capable of performing multiple functions including gripping culture devices, uncovering them, stamping inoculum onto the growth area, replacing covers, and applying labels. This multi-functional design consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate devices into a single integrated system, managing complexity while maximizing versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The effector assembly includes self-adjusting features such as adaptive gripper mechanisms that automatically adjust to different culture device sizes and shapes, and self-positioning stamping mechanisms that align with the culture device growth area. These self-service capabilities reduce the need for complex external control systems while maintaining precise processing.
4Reliability
If manual handling is used, then the risk of damaging culture devices is lower with simple operations, but user error increases and consistency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms including sensors that detect the position, orientation, and status of culture devices during processing. This feedback allows the effector assembly to make real-time adjustments to ensure precise and consistent operations, reducing variability and preventing damage while maintaining ease of automated operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A moveable effector assembly designed for, among other things, moving culture devices, uncovering and replacing covers from culture devices. Culture device processing systems comprising such moveable effector assemblies. Methods of using such moveable effector assemblies and culture device processing systems.