Pipette Tip Connecting Device with Tilt Actuator for Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current automation equipment for laboratories is unable to accurately automate the process of replacing pipette-tips due to the difficulty in aligning the tip connector with the pipette-tip, leading to manual operation which is time-consuming and labor-intensive.
Innovation Solution
A pipette-tip connecting device featuring a base, positioning mechanisms, a tilt actuator, and a linkage mechanism that allows for the tilting and alignment of the pipette-tip connectors relative to the pipette-tips, enabling precise and automated insertion without the need for precise alignment of the tip connectors with the pipette-tips.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If automation equipment moves the pipette along a fixed path, then the automation process is simplified, but alignment between the tip connector and pipette-tip cannot be achieved due to lack of feedback correction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a movable positioning mechanism that can dynamically adjust the pipette's position and orientation during the connection process. The positioning mechanism includes movable stages that can shift the pipette along X, Y, and Z axes, and rotate around X and Y axes, transforming the fixed-path automation into a dynamic system capable of real-time alignment correction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs vision systems and sensors to detect the actual positions of the tip connector and pipette-tip, providing feedback to the control system. This feedback enables the positioning mechanism to calculate and execute corrective movements, ensuring precise alignment between the connecting components despite initial positioning errors.
2Reliability
If the outer diameter of the tip connector is made very close to the inner diameter of the mount opening to ensure tight connection, then connection reliability is improved, but alignment difficulty increases due to minimal tolerance for deviation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the positioning mechanism to pre-align the tip connector and pipette-tip before the actual insertion process. The vision system detects the positions of both components, and the control system commands the positioning mechanism to adjust the pipette's position in advance, ensuring that the connector and opening are already aligned when insertion begins.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning mechanism acts as an intermediary between the automation system and the connection process. It mediates the alignment by providing controlled, precise movements that bridge the gap between the rough positioning capability of the automation equipment and the fine alignment requirements of the tight-fit connection.
3Manufacturing precision
If manual operation is used for pipette-tip replacement to achieve correct alignment through vision and hand feeling, then alignment precision is improved, but time consumption and labor requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-alignment using vision systems to detect component positions and control algorithms to calculate the required adjustments. The positioning mechanism automatically executes these adjustments without human intervention, enabling the system to service itself in terms of alignment, thereby eliminating the need for manual positioning while maintaining high precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical positioning (hand feeling and visual alignment) with an automated system combining vision sensors, computational algorithms, and precision positioning mechanisms. This substitution maintains the alignment precision achieved by manual operation while dramatically increasing replacement speed and eliminating labor requirements.
Data Source
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AI summary
A pipette-tip connecting device has a base (10), a first positioning mechanism (20), a second positioning mechanism (30), a connecting seat (40), a pipette-fixing seat (50), and a tilt actuator (60). The first positioning mechanism (20) extends along a first direction (D1). The second positioning mechanism (30) is linked to the first positioning mechanism (20) and extends along a second direction (D2). The connecting seat (40) is mounted on the second positioning mechanism (30). The pipette-fixing seat (50) is mounted on the connecting seat (40) and is pivotal relative to the connecting seat (40). A pipette-fixing portion (52) of the pipette-fixing seat (50) moves in the first direction (D1) and the second direction (D2) when the pipette-fixing seat (50) pivots. The tilt actuator (60) controls a relative angle between the pipette-fixing (50) seat and the connecting seat (40).