Rotary Petri Dish Handler for High-Throughput Inversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for handling Petri dishes face challenges in automating the high-throughput processing and transportation of large numbers of plates while minimizing the risk of contamination and plate loss during incubation and inspection.
Innovation Solution
A rotary holder system with two positions for Petri dishes that rotates 180° about a horizontal axis, allowing simultaneous turning and movement of two dishes between positions, equipped with radial pressure elements and a gripper for secure handling and inspection, ensuring the culture medium faces down during inspection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single swivel arm with vacuum suction cup is used to transfer Petri dishes, then the device structure is simple, but the throughput is low because only one dish can be handled at a time
Solution Approach 1:
The rotary holder is divided into multiple segments or positions around the rotation axis, with each position capable of holding a Petri dish. This segmentation allows multiple dishes to be handled simultaneously at different positions, increasing throughput while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple dish-holding positions are merged into a single rotary holder structure that rotates as one unit. This combines the functionality of multiple single-position holders into one integrated device, achieving high throughput without proportionally increasing device complexity
2Reliability
If Petri dishes are turned in the transport lift inside the incubator, then the turning function is achieved, but there is a risk of plate loss and contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The rotary holder acts as an intermediary device between the transport lift and the inspection device. It provides a controlled, stable environment for turning dishes outside the incubator, eliminating the risk of contamination and plate loss that would occur if turning were performed inside the incubator's transport lift
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of turning dishes inside the incubator as in conventional systems, the invention inverts the approach by turning dishes outside the incubator on a rotary holder. This reversal of the turning location eliminates the associated risks while maintaining the necessary turning function
3Reliability
If a vacuum suction cup is used to grip the Petri dish, then the gripping function is simple, but the dish may be lost or contaminated during the 180-degree rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The rotary holder creates a stable, repeatable gripping position that copies the secure holding state throughout the rotation. Multiple identical holding positions are provided around the rotation axis, ensuring that at least one position is always in a stable, secure state, thereby maintaining grip security without complex active control mechanisms
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 enables efficient and contamination-minimized handling of Petri dishes, allowing for high-throughput processing and inspection while preventing plate loss and contamination risks.
Implementation Method 1
A Petri dish is gripped by a vacuum suction cup, which is arranged at the outer end of the swivel arm
Implementation Method 2
Each holder has a lid holder for receiving the lid of a Petri dish, as well as a pressure element
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
To invert Petri dishes by 180° and detach the base from the lid, a rotating holder (8) is provided, which has two positions (23, 24) for holding Petri dishes. By rotating the holder (8) about a pivot axis (21), the Petri dishes in the two positions (23, 24) are exchanged and inverted. Then the base (10b) of the upper Petri dish is lowered and grasped by a gripper (14).