Pipette Tip Coupling Mechanism for Secure Fluid-Tight Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipette tips lack a secure and efficient mechanism for mounting on pipettor shafts, leading to issues with fluid-tight seals and ease of attachment/removal, which can affect precision and cost-effectiveness in liquid handling processes.
Innovation Solution
A pipette tip design featuring a tubular body with a coupling portion that includes a circumferentially extending rib or groove for interlocking with the pipettor shaft, using different materials for the body and coupling portion to achieve a mechanical interlock and fluid-tight seal, with a stop shoulder and integral sealing rib to limit insertion and form a gas-tight seal up to 5 psi.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a simple mounting mechanism is used for pipette tips, then ease of attachment is improved, but sealing reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The pipette tip is divided into two distinct portions: a body portion and a coupling portion. The coupling portion includes an interlock feature (rib or groove) that engages with the pipettor shaft, while the body portion provides the fluid passage. This segmentation allows the coupling mechanism to be optimized for ease of attachment while the body portion maintains sealing functionality through its own features.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the pipette tip have different material properties and structural features tailored to their specific functions. The coupling portion uses materials and geometries optimized for mechanical interlocking and ease of attachment, while the body portion uses materials and geometries optimized for fluid-tight sealing. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by allowing each region to be optimized independently.
2Reliability
If a secure interlock mechanism is used for mounting pipette tips, then sealing reliability is improved, but insertion force increases
Solution Approach 1:
The interlock feature is designed to engage progressively during insertion. The rib or groove structure allows the coupling portion to be inserted into the pipettor shaft with minimal force initially, then progressively engages deeper into the shaft as insertion continues, achieving secure locking without requiring excessive insertion force. The dynamic engagement process resolves the contradiction between secure locking and insertion ease.
3Reliability
If additional sealing mechanisms are added to ensure fluid-tight seal, then sealing reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing features are merged into the body portion itself rather than being separate components. The body portion includes integrated sealing surfaces and geometry that work in conjunction with the coupling portion's interlock feature. This merging eliminates the need for additional separate sealing mechanisms while maintaining reliable fluid-tight sealing, thus resolving the contradiction between sealing reliability and device complexity.
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
The design provides a secure, easy-to-mount pipette tip that ensures a fluid-tight seal and reduces the force required for insertion, allowing for precise liquid handling while minimizing the need for additional sealing mechanisms and reducing operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
the material of the coupling portion is less stiff than the material of the body... the sealing rib is adapted to form a fluid-tight seal with an outer diameter of the pipettor shaft
Implementation Method 2
an interlock feature configured to mechanically interlock with the pipettor shaft proximate the terminal end to selectively and releasably secure the pipette tip to the pipettor shaft
Data Source
AI summary
A pipette tip for use with a pipettor including a pipettor shaft having a terminal end has opposed proximal and distal ends and includes a tubular body and a coupling portion. The tubular body extends between the proximal and distal ends. The tubular body define a fluid passage terminating at a proximal opening adjacent the proximal end and a distal opening adjacent the distal end. The coupling portion is located on the proximal end. The coupling portion includes an interlock feature configured to mechanically interlock with the pipettor shaft proximate the terminal end to selectively and releasably secure the pipette tip to the pipettor shaft.