Pipette Tip Coupler Segmented Sealing Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pipette tip coupling systems face issues with air-tight seal reliability due to high press forces required for pre-stressing, leading to microfissures and leakage, and compromised O-ring configurations result in impaired sealing and difficulty in tip removal.
Innovation Solution
A pipette tip coupler and disposable pipette tip combination featuring circumferentially disposed elements and a distal elastomeric element, such as an O-ring, providing pre-stress and counter axial force for improved sealing and easier tip removal, with an angled squeeze mechanism for enhanced axial force application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high press forces are applied to pre-stress the tip onto the coupling stud to create an air tight seal, then sealing is achieved, but microfissures are formed in the pipette tip causing leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling interface is divided into multiple discrete coupling elements distributed around the circumference, each applying localized force. This segmentation distributes the total sealing force across multiple contact points, preventing stress concentration that causes microfissures while maintaining reliable sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
Each coupling element provides localized pre-stress at its specific contact point on the pipette tip. The force is applied locally at the interface between coupling elements and tip, creating adequate sealing pressure at each point without requiring excessive overall force that would damage the tip.
2Reliability
If high press forces are applied to pre-stress the tip for sealing, then air tight seal is created, but correspondingly high forces are required for release of the pipette tip
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling elements are designed to engage and disengage independently. During coupling, multiple elements work together to provide distributed sealing force. During release, each element can disengage separately, reducing the total force required compared to overcoming a single monolithic coupling mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling elements are designed with dynamic engagement characteristics where they can transition between engaged and disengaged states. This allows the system to provide strong coupling force during sealing while enabling easier release through controlled disengagement of individual elements.
3Reliability
If a solitary O-ring configuration is used with stepped coupling stud, then sealing is provided, but the system becomes problematic when the O-ring becomes compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing system is segmented into multiple discrete coupling elements distributed around the circumference, replacing the single O-ring configuration. This segmentation ensures that if one element is compromised, the others continue to provide sealing, maintaining system reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing mechanism transitions from a single continuous sealing element (O-ring) to multiple discrete sealing elements. This changes the sealing parameter distribution from one concentrated seal to multiple distributed seals, improving fault tolerance.
4Reliability
If the O-ring is compressed to provide axially directed force for sealing and engagement, then air-tight seal and coupling are achieved, but residual force remains after decompression keeping the tip engaged
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism is segmented into multiple independent coupling elements that can engage and disengage independently. This allows complete release of individual elements during tip removal without residual forces from a continuous O-ring configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of relying on O-ring decompression for release, the system uses the reverse action of the coupling elements themselves - they are designed to automatically disengage when the pipette tip is pulled, inverting the traditional O-ring based release mechanism.
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
This configuration ensures a tighter concentricity and precision in liquid handling, reducing leakage and facilitating controlled removal of pipette tips, while maintaining a secure air-tight seal and efficient liquid transfer.
Implementation Method 1
the compression of the O-ring results in the deformation of the O ring that in turn provides the axially directed force and air-tight seal against the working surface of the pipette tip
Implementation Method 2
providing a resultant pre-stress force that pre-stresses the pipette tip axially upward
Data Source
AI summary
Pipette tip coupler and a disposable pipette tip for a pipette device comprises a stepped coupler shoulder complementary to an axially stepped pipette tip shoulder; a plurality of circumferentially disposed elements or segments carried by the coupler at a location superior to the coupler shoulder; and a distal elastomeric element carried by the coupler at a location distal to the coupler shoulder wherein the plurality of elements or segments have a circumferential, radially translated state that provides an abutment with a first working surface formed in the interior surface of the tip while compressing the distal elastomeric element into sealing abutment with a second working surface formed in the interior surface of the tip and while abutting the proximally facing axial stop surface of the tip with the distally facing axial stop surface of the coupler to define an axial coupling position of the pipette tip on the pipette device.