Pipette Tip Supply Device with Segmenting Drum and Ionizing Fan
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipette tip supply devices face challenges in efficiently and accurately dispensing multiple pipette tips due to their design, leading to issues such as vertical overlap and simultaneous discharge, which complicates the automation of specimen analysis processes.
Innovation Solution
A pipette tip supply device with a turning mechanism, segmenting drum, and neutralizing fan that aligns and sorts pipette tips one by one, preventing overlap and ensuring accurate dispensing by using a segmenting part to scoop and convey a predetermined number of tips, and ionizing air to neutralize static charges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If multiple pipette tips are accommodated in a rack system, then the quantity of tips available increases, but the device size and complexity increase due to multiple racks and supply mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple rack functions into a single accommodating chamber where pipette tips are stored in a randomized manner. The chamber integrates storage, alignment, and supply functions that were previously distributed across multiple racks and mechanisms, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining the ability to supply multiple tips.
Solution Approach 2:
The accommodating chamber serves multiple functions: it stores a large quantity of pipette tips in a randomized orientation, automatically aligns them when needed, and supplies them one by one to the dispensing mechanism. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate racks and alignment mechanisms.
2Extent of automation
If a conveyer scoops up parts one by one from a large accommodating chamber, then automated supply is achieved, but it becomes difficult to scoop parts one by one when a great number of parts are accommodated due to weight and interference
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the alignment function from the scooping operation. Instead of attempting to scoop and align simultaneously, the system first automatically aligns pipette tips in the accommodating chamber using gravitational force and chamber geometry, then simply scoops the already-aligned tips one by one, making the operation feasible even with large quantities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary alignment of pipette tips in the accommodating chamber before the scooping operation. The chamber design causes tips to automatically orient themselves in a specific direction through gravitational force and geometric constraints, so that when the scooping mechanism operates, the tips are already in the correct orientation for easy one-by-one removal.
3Productivity
If pipette tips are vertically driven on a push-up plate, then individual dispensing is achieved, but tips may be arranged vertically overlapped in opposite direction leading to simultaneous discharge
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary alignment of pipette tips in the accommodating chamber before they reach the push-up plate. Tips are pre-oriented in a specific direction through gravitational alignment in the chamber, ensuring that when they are vertically driven on the push-up plate, they maintain consistent orientation and cannot overlap in opposite directions, thus preventing simultaneous discharge.
Solution Approach 2:
The accommodating chamber acts as an intermediary between random storage and the push-up plate. It provides a transition zone where gravitational force and chamber geometry work together to align tips in the correct orientation before they are transferred to the push-up plate for vertical driving, ensuring reliable single-tip discharge.
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 device ensures reliable, efficient, and accurate dispensing of pipette tips, reducing errors and improving the automation of specimen analysis by preventing overlap and static-related issues, allowing for continuous operation without frequent replenishment.
Implementation Method 1
ionizing air to neutralize static charges
Data Source
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AI summary
A parts supply device (30) for supplying disposable part selected from a cuvette and pipette chip, comprising: a storage section (31) for storing a plurality of disposable parts; a sort section (37) for sorting the disposable parts supplied from the storage section (31), the sort section including a push-up plate (373g) to be capable of pushing up the disposable part in the supplied parts and a wall section (374) arranged at the downstream side of the push-up plate (373g) so as to be adjacent to the push-up plate (373g), wherein the push-up plate (373g) is configured to vertically move along the wall section (374) between a first position and a second position that is above the first position; and a transfer section (38) for transferring one by one the disposable part supplied by the push-up plate (373g) over the wall section (374).