Automated Hinged Pipette Tip Box Opening for Sterility Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The frequent opening and closing of pipette tip boxes in wet laboratory settings poses risks of contamination and inconvenience due to contact with potentially contaminated surfaces and turbulent airflow, and the boxes may be left open, increasing contamination risk.
Innovation Solution
A mechanism featuring a base for gripping the container, an actuator connected to a rear side, and a resilient bendable arm extending to the front side of the lid, with an actuator that moves between open and closed positions to automate the opening and closing of hinged boxes, controlled by a remote transmitter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the box is opened frequently for pipette tip access, then workflow efficiency is improved, but contamination risk increases due to contact with contaminated surfaces and turbulent airflow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical opening/closing of the box with an automated motorized actuator system. The actuator opens the box when a pipette is detected in the holder and closes it automatically after use, eliminating the need for manual contact and reducing contamination risk while maintaining workflow efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables the box to open and close automatically based on the presence of a pipette in the holder. The microcontroller detects when a pipette is placed in the holder and autonomously controls the actuator to open the box, then closes it after a predetermined time or when the pipette is removed, making the system self-regulating without user intervention.
2Device complexity
If manual opening and closing of the box is used, then device complexity is minimized, but user contact with potentially contaminated surfaces increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a motorized actuator with a resilient arm mechanism to replace manual box operation. The actuator connects to the box lid and automatically opens/closes it based on pipette presence detection, eliminating user contact with the box while the overall system remains relatively simple in design.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient arm acts as an intermediary between the actuator and the box lid, providing mechanical advantage and smooth motion transmission. This intermediary mechanism allows automated control while maintaining a simple structural design that is easy to implement.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the box remains closed to maintain sterility, then contamination risk is reduced, but access to pipette tips becomes inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by automatically opening the box before the user needs to access the tips. When a pipette is placed in the holder, the microcontroller detects this and proactively opens the box, so the tips are already accessible when needed, maintaining sterility by keeping the box closed otherwise.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the pipette holder detection to control box opening/closing. The microcontroller continuously monitors whether a pipette is present in the holder and adjusts the box state accordingly - open when pipette is present, closed when absent - optimizing both sterility and accessibility dynamically.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If automated actuator mechanism is added, then contamination risk is reduced through minimized contact, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a motorized actuator with a resilient arm to automate box opening/closing, replacing manual operation. The actuator mechanism includes a motor, transmission components, and a resilient arm that provides mechanical advantage, achieving contactless operation while maintaining manageable complexity through straightforward mechanical design.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient arm serves as a mechanical intermediary that simplifies the connection between the actuator and the box lid. It provides smooth motion transmission and absorbs mechanical variations, reducing the complexity of the overall actuator system while ensuring reliable operation.
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 mechanism reduces contamination risk by minimizing direct contact and ensuring boxes are closed after use, maintaining sterility and improving workflow efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient bendable arm extending from the actuator towards a front side of the base
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus is described to open and close a hinged box, such as those used to hold pipette tips, when a pipette is being used, for example, by sending a signal when the pipette is taken off a pipette stand, or by activating a button or switch on the pipette. The apparatus may have a resilient arm which reaches over the pipette box to facilitate opening and closing of the box. The method enables a clean and organized workspace. It may allow for more efficient pipetting and reduces awkward handling of items. Furthermore, it prevents contamination of tips by dust, aerosols and airborne contaminants, and of tip boxes by direct contact.