Multi-well Plate Insert Sealing via Press Fit
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Multi-well plate systems suffer from leaks due to inadequate sealing between the insert and the sample chamber, leading to deviations in fluid flow, as existing inserts may not securely fit and can move within the chamber.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of an insert with a cylindrical sealing portion and a corresponding hollow-cylindrical sample chamber sealing surface, allowing for a releasable and liquid-tight press fit connection, ensuring effective sealing and preventing fluid escape.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an insert is inserted into the sample chamber to form a measurement space, then the measurement space is defined and can contain fluid components, but sealing between the insert and sample chamber is insufficient causing fluid leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The insert includes a flexible membrane that can deform elastically to create a press-fit connection with the sample chamber wall. This membrane acts as a sealing element that conforms to the chamber geometry, providing reliable sealing while allowing the insert to be inserted and removed manually without special tools.
2Reliability
If the insert is designed to fit securely into the sample chamber to prevent leakage, then sealing improves, but the insert may become difficult to remove and reinsert
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane is designed with elastic properties that allow it to dynamically adjust during insertion and removal. During insertion, the membrane deforms to pass through the opening, then springs back to create a secure press-fit seal. During removal, the membrane can be deformed again to release the fit, enabling easy assembly and disassembly while maintaining reliable sealing during operation.
3Ease of operation
If the insert allows easy manual insertion into the sample chamber, then ease of operation improves, but sealing between the insert and sample chamber becomes approximate at best
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane's physical parameters (elastic modulus, thickness, diameter) are specifically optimized to balance ease of insertion with sealing reliability. The membrane is thin enough and sufficiently elastic to be inserted manually without tools, yet has adequate stiffness to maintain contact pressure against the sample chamber wall, creating a reliable seal that prevents fluid leakage.
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
The press fit provides a reliable and permanent seal, maintaining the fluid within the measurement space and ensuring accurate fluid flow, while allowing for easy removal and reinsertion of the insert.
Implementation Method 1
the insert sealing portion and the sample chamber sealing portion can be connected to one another releasably and in a liquid-tight manner by means of a press fit
Data Source
AI summary
An insert for a sample chamber of a multi-well plate, which delimits the sample chamber upwardly, so as to form a measurement space, when the insert is in the state in which it is fitted into the sample chamber. The insert has at least two portions with outer contours differing from one another, one of the portions being a sealing portion with a continuous sealing surface, which sealing portion is adapted to a corresponding, in particular hollow-cylindrical sealing portion, with a likewise continuous sealing surface, of the sample chamber, in such a way that the insert sealing portion and the sample chamber sealing portion can be connected to one another releasably and in a liquid-tight manner by means of a press fit.