Segmented Tube Guidance Plate for Lab Automation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laboratory automation systems face challenges in safely and cost-effectively guiding and securing tubes, particularly preventing kinking and damage during the movement of pipetting devices, which is essential for reliable liquid aspiration and dispensation.
Innovation Solution
A tube guidance means comprising a plate with guide openings featuring two partial openings separated by a land and connected by a slot, designed to securely hold tubes in place without the need for additional attachments, using materials like plastics or metal sheets with cutouts and a slot width slightly larger than the tube diameter to prevent lateral shifting and ensure strain relief.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If tubes are fixed to different components of the laboratory automation system with clamps, then the tubes can be securely held in place, but the tubes may be kinked or damaged when the pipetting device is moved
Solution Approach 1:
The guide opening is segmented into two partial openings separated by a land, with each partial opening having a cutout. This segmentation allows the tube to be guided through multiple restricted zones along its path, providing continuous support and preventing kinking without requiring external clamps that could damage the tube.
Solution Approach 2:
The land acts as an intermediary element between the two partial openings, providing a support surface that the tube rests against. This intermediary structure prevents the tube from being pinched or kinked while still maintaining secure guidance throughout the movement range.
2Reliability
If additional components like clamps are used to secure tubes, then tube fixation is improved, but material and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The tube guidance function is merged into the existing plate structure by forming guide openings directly in the plate material. This eliminates the need for separate clamp components, reducing both material costs and assembly complexity while maintaining reliable tube fixation.
Solution Approach 2:
The plate serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the laboratory automation system components and simultaneously provides tube guidance and fixation through its integrated guide openings. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated tube-clamping components.
3Manufacturing precision
If the slot width is only slightly larger than the tube diameter, then lateral shifting of the tube is prevented, but the tube may be difficult to insert
Solution Approach 1:
The guide opening has different local qualities: the slot width is slightly larger than the tube diameter to allow easy insertion, while the cutouts provide tighter local constraints to prevent lateral shifting during operation. This variation in local geometry optimizes both insertion ease and positioning precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A tube guidance means (36) for a laboratory automation system (10) comprises a plate (40) with a guide opening (38); wherein the guide opening (38) has two partial openings (42) which are separated by a land (46) and which are connected by a slot (44); and wherein the partial openings (42) have cutouts (54) for guiding a tube (32), the cutouts (54) being located opposite each other on edges (52) which face away from each other.