Pipette Tip Carrier Lateral Play Guide Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipette tip carriers are not well-suited for automated machines due to issues with flexibility and precise positioning, leading to difficulties in refilling and removing pipette tips, which can result in accidental separation and contamination.
Innovation Solution
A carrier design featuring a frame with interlocking guide elements that allow lateral play, enabling secure attachment and easy detachment of the plate, facilitating automated handling and preventing unintentional separation, with features like a waist for secure gripping and a cover for protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the plate and frame are detachably connected with secure attachment, then accidental separation is prevented, but detachment requires excessive force that complicates automated handling
Solution Approach 1:
The connection mechanism transitions from a static rigid connection to a dynamic system with defined movement stages. The guide elements enable a two-stage process: initial lateral insertion movement followed by vertical settling movement, allowing easy attachment while maintaining secure connection during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection parameters change during the attachment process. The guide elements transition from a loose fit allowing lateral movement to a tight fit after vertical settling, providing both ease of insertion and secure attachment without requiring excessive force.
2Ease of operation
If the lid is flexible to allow manual handling, then ease of operation is improved, but automated machine handling becomes problematic due to lack of rigidity
Solution Approach 1:
The lid transitions from a flexible state during manual handling to a stabilized state during automated operation. The guide elements provide dynamic guidance that accommodates manual manipulation while ensuring precise positioning for automated machine operations.
3Reliability
If the guide elements engage tightly to prevent separation, then reliability is improved, but automated positioning becomes difficult due to lack of tolerance
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning process is segmented into two independent stages: lateral positioning guided by the guide elements, and vertical positioning achieved through the settling movement. This segmentation allows each stage to have appropriate tolerances, with the guide elements providing lateral alignment and the vertical movement ensuring final positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide elements transition from allowing lateral movement during insertion to providing rigid guidance during operation. The dynamic nature of the connection allows for tolerance during positioning while ensuring reliability during the pipetting operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
The carrier has multiple holes for inserting pipette tips, and a detachable unit for detachable connection of a frame (1) and a plate. Contact areas (8) are fixed at an upper edge (7) of the frame and a lower side of the plate. The contact areas are connected with each other if the plate is attached on the frame. A guide element (9) is aligned transverse to the contact areas at the frame and the plate, where the contact areas are interlinked with a lateral clearance. The guide element is connected at side walls (2-5) of the frame, where the side walls are fixed opposite to each other.