Pipette Activation Element Integrating Ejection and Volume Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipettes have ergonomically positioned activation elements for ejection mechanisms that are not uniformly comfortable for all users and often require separate volume adjustment elements, which can be inaccessible and lead to unintentional volume adjustments during use.
Innovation Solution
A pipette design where the activation element forms a conduit for the pipetting button, allowing the activation face to enclose the longitudinal axis, integrating the pipetting button within the ejection mechanism and assigning it the function of volume adjustment, thus eliminating the need for a separate volume adjustment element and enhancing accessibility and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the activation element is positioned on the housing for ergonomic operation, then the operation is comfortable for the user, but the position is a compromise and not uniformly comfortable to each user
Solution Approach 1:
The activation element is made movable relative to the housing, allowing it to be positioned dynamically at different locations on the housing. This enables the same element to be optimally positioned for different users and different holding positions, transforming a static compromise position into a dynamic adaptable solution that can be uniformly comfortable for all users.
2Reliability
If the volume setting element is disposed far from the pipetting button to prevent unintentional adjustment, then unintentional volume adjustment is avoided, but the accessibility of the volume setting element is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The activation element is merged with the volume adjustment mechanism, combining two separate functions into one element. This allows the volume setting element to be positioned close to the pipetting button for high accessibility while the integrated design prevents unintentional activation through the same element that the user intentionally operates.
Solution Approach 2:
The activation element serves multiple functions: it activates the ejection mechanism and simultaneously controls volume adjustment. This multi-functionality allows a single element to be optimally positioned for both ejection activation and volume setting accessibility, eliminating the need for separate elements that would create accessibility restrictions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a separate volume adjustment element is provided on the pipette, then volume adjustment function is available, but the device complexity increases and handling is interfered with
Solution Approach 1:
The activation element is merged with the volume adjustment mechanism, combining two separate functions into one element. This reduces the number of components on the pipette, simplifying the device structure and improving handling while maintaining both the ejection activation and volume adjustment functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The activation element serves multiple functions: it activates the ejection mechanism and simultaneously controls volume adjustment. This multi-functionality reduces device complexity by eliminating the need for separate volume adjustment elements, while still providing full volume adjustment capability.
Data Source
AI summary
In order for the handling of a pipette to be improved, the pipettes (1) according to the invention and a method according to the invention for setting a volume of a pipette to be pipetted are proposed. In the case of the pipette (1) it is provided that the activation element (7) for activating the ejection mechanism (6) for ejecting a pipette tip forms a conduit (9) for the pipetting button (3). On account thereof, an activation face (10) of the activation element (7) is enlarged in such a manner that the handling of the ejection mechanism (6) of the pipette (1) is in particular simplified and is particularly comfortable. It is furthermore also proposed that the activation element (7) is coupled to the volume adjustment mechanism (11) of the pipette, and the adjustment of the volume to be pipetted by the pipette (1) is performed with the aid of a movement of the activation element (7)(FIG. 4).