Sample Handling Device Eccentric Drive Compensation Weight
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sample handling devices are inconvenient for users due to inefficiencies in handling and temperature control, particularly in biochemical analysis systems where precise temperature regulation and orbital motion are required for sample mixing and shaking.
Innovation Solution
A sample handling device with an eccentric drive shaft, compensation weights, and a magnetic guiding system that enables orbital motion and temperature control, allowing for efficient mixing and temperature manipulation of samples in various container formats, including microtiter plates, with features like rapid heating and cooling and low vibration operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If an eccentric drive shaft is used to generate orbital motion for sample mixing, then mixing efficiency is improved, but vibration and unbalanced mass increase
Solution Approach 1:
A compensation weight is mounted on the drive shaft at a position radially opposite to the eccentric portion, creating a counterbalancing mass that offsets the unbalanced mass generated by the eccentric drive mechanism. This reduces vibration during orbital motion while maintaining mixing efficiency.
2Ease of operation
If a magnetic guiding system is implemented to enable orbital motion, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Traditional mechanical guiding mechanisms are replaced with a magnetic guiding system using permanent magnets arranged in specific patterns. The magnetic fields provide non-contact guidance forces that enable precise orbital motion control without complex mechanical linkages, reducing moving parts while improving operational ease.
3Productivity
If rapid temperature changes are implemented for sample handling, then productivity is improved, but temperature control precision becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature control system uses periodic heating and cooling cycles with controlled duty ratios. By adjusting the on/off timing and duration of heating/cooling elements, the system achieves rapid temperature transitions while maintaining precise control over final temperature setpoints through feedback regulation.
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 provides efficient and reproducible handling of samples with high productivity, ease of use, and compact design, capable of rapid temperature changes and high mixing frequencies, suitable for pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and academic research applications.
Implementation Method 1
each of the first guide plate, the base plate, and the second guide plate comprises magnetic elements, wherein the magnetic element of the first guide plate, the magnetic element of the base plate and the magnetic element of the second guide plate are arranged vertically with respect to the each other, wherein the magnetic element of the base plate and the magnetic element on the first guide plate and/or on the second guide are configured to cooperate in a manner to convert an eccentric motion of the drive shaft into an orbital motion of the base plate
Implementation Method 2
a compensation weight mounted (for instance asymmetrically) on the drive shaft (for instance to provide an inhomogeneous weight distribution around a circumference of the drive shaft) in a manner to at least partially compensate an unbalanced mass of the sample handling device during the motion
Data Source
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AI summary
A sample handling device (100) for handling a sample, the sample handling device (100) comprising a drive shaft (101) being drivable by a drive unit (102), a base plate (103) mounted to follow a motion of the drive shaft (101) when being driven by the drive unit (102), wherein the base plate (103) is configured to receive a sample carrier block (104) mountable to follow a motion of the base plate (103), and a compensation weight (105, 106) mounted asymmetrically on the drive shaft (101) in a manner to at least partially compensate an unbalanced mass of the sample handling device (100) during the motion.