Pipette Ejection Slide for One-Handed Syringe Release

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pipettes require complex hand movements and multiple steps to attach, detach, and operate the syringe, making them cumbersome and difficult to use, especially when dispensing liquids.

Innovation Solution

A pipette design with a built-in ejection slide that can be displaced from a waiting position to a release position within the range of motion of the actuating member, allowing for single-step or multi-step liquid dispensing without releasing the syringe, facilitating one-hand operation and simplifying the attachment and detachment process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the syringe is fixed using traditional gripping levers with actuating arms, then the syringe can be securely held in place, but the user must reach around and perform complex hand movements to operate the release mechanism

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of syringe release operationVSAvoidcomplexity of release mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

An ejection slide is introduced as an intermediary component between the user's linear pushing action and the gripping levers. The ejection slide translates the simple linear motion into the required rotational motion of the gripping levers, eliminating the need for users to reach around and perform complex hand movements while maintaining secure syringe holding

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The ejection slide is automatically reset by the spring mechanism after each ejection cycle. When the gripping levers rotate to release the syringe, the spring automatically returns the ejection slide to its initial position, eliminating the need for manual resetting and enabling continuous operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If the ejection slide is positioned within the range of motion of the actuating member, then single-step dispensing is enabled, but the risk of accidental dispensing of residual amounts increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeed of liquid dispensingVSAvoidaccuracy of dosing control
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The ejection slide is pre-positioned in a waiting position that is outside the range of motion of the actuating member during normal dispensing. This preliminary positioning ensures that the ejection slide can only be activated when intentionally pushed beyond the normal dispensing stroke, preventing accidental activation while enabling rapid single-step dispensing when deliberately initiated

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the ejection slide's position based on the actuating member's movement. During normal multi-step dispensing, the ejection slide remains in its initial position. When a single-step dispensing is intended, the ejection slide is pushed into the range of motion, creating a dynamic response that adapts to the user's intent

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If multiple gripping levers are used to secure both the syringe flange and plunger, then secure fixation is achieved, but the release mechanism requires actuating multiple components simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity of syringe fixationVSAvoidease of syringe release operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The ejection slide merges the release functions of multiple gripping levers into a single actuating action. By mechanically coupling the ejection slide to multiple gripping levers, a single linear push simultaneously actuates all necessary release components, maintaining secure fixation during normal use while enabling easy one-handed release

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2033712B1Pipette
Publication Date: 2014.05.21 EPPENDORF AG
  • EP2033712B1 patent drawingFigure 1~10
  • EP2033712B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2033712B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Pipette with - a pipette housing in which - a receptacle for the mounting section of a syringe barrel, - a piston receptacle in a receiving body for a syringe piston, - fastening devices for reversibly fixing the mounting section and syringe piston in the receptacles, and - piston positioning devices for moving the receiving body in the pipette housing with a lifting device for removing the receiving body from the receptacle and an actuating device for bringing the receiving body close to the receptacle, - wherein the fastening devices have release means, - a release slide can be moved from a waiting position outside the range of motion of the actuating device to a release position within the range of motion of the actuating device, so that it can be moved along a housing-fixed guide by actuating the actuating device in order to actuate the release means,and - means for moving the discharge slide from the waiting position to the release position and from the release position to the waiting position are available.