Pipette Cap Penetration via Sensor Signal Blocking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sample aspirating apparatuses face complexity and pipette damage issues when attempting to aspirate samples from capped containers, as they require complex structures to differentiate between cap penetration and collisions with other obstacles, leading to potential damage and operational challenges.
Innovation Solution
A simplified sample aspirating apparatus design that allows the pipette to be lowered and aspirate samples from both capped and uncapped containers by controlling the pipette movement based on cap sensor detection, bypassing the need for complex external force detection systems, and using a switching circuit to block crash sensor signals when necessary, ensuring safe operation and preventing pipette damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If external force detecting means is used to detect cap collision, then the apparatus can differentiate between cap and obstacle collisions, but the device structure becomes extremely complex
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the cap detection function from the collision detection system by using a separate cap sensor. This allows the crash sensor to be simplified and only detect actual collisions, while cap presence is determined independently. The cap sensor detects whether a cap is present on the sample container before aspiration begins, enabling the system to adjust its behavior accordingly without requiring complex external force detection during the penetration process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of cap presence using the cap sensor before the pipette lowering operation begins. Based on this preliminary information, the controller pre-configures the crash sensor behavior - blocking its output when a cap is detected and enabling it when no cap is present. This eliminates the need for complex real-time external force detection during the critical penetration phase.
2Reliability
If crash sensor is always active during pipette lowering, then collision with obstacles can be detected, but the pipette may be damaged when penetrating capped containers
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically controls the crash sensor output based on cap detection status. When the cap sensor detects a cap is present, the controller blocks the crash sensor output signal, allowing the pipette to penetrate the cap without triggering a false collision alarm. When no cap is detected, the crash sensor output is enabled to detect actual obstacles. This dynamic switching protects the pipette from damage while maintaining collision detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller acts as an intermediary between the cap sensor and crash sensor. It receives input from the cap sensor and uses this information to modulate the output signal from the crash sensor. This intermediary function allows the system to intelligently suppress crash sensor signals during cap penetration while maintaining sensitivity to actual obstacles, preventing pipette damage without sacrificing safety.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A sample aspirating apparatus capable of aspirating a sample from both a capped container and an uncapped container is disclosed. The sample aspirating apparatus comprises: a pipette which aspirates a sample, wherein the pipette is able to penetrate a cap of a capped container; a cap sensor which detects the cap of the capped container; a driving section which moves the pipette upward and downward; a crash sensor which detects a crash of the pipette with an obstacle; and a controller which controls the driving section to move the pipette, and stop the pipette when the crash sensor detects a crash by the pipette, wherein when aspirating a sample from a container after the cap sensor has detected a cap, the controller controls the driving section to move the pipette downward regardless of the detection by the crash sensor and thereby cause the pipette to penetrate the cap of the container. A sample analyzer which comprises the above mentioned sample aspirating apparatus is also disclosed.