Laboratory Slide Fixing Mechanism with Asymmetric Guide Recess
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laboratory devices face challenges in securely fixing and positioning microtiter plates, particularly with small vessel diameters, due to high manufacturing tolerances and the risk of unintended displacement under external forces, which can lead to incorrect processing or damage.
Innovation Solution
A laboratory device with a fixing mechanism that uses a guide body guided in a recess, allowing for self-locking of the slide with minimal actuation force, and positioning stops that can be moved between assembly and disassembly states, while keeping the central region free for interaction devices like temperature control or optical measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional fixing mechanisms are used to secure microtiter plates, then the plates can be held in place, but high manufacturing tolerances and external forces can cause unintended displacement
Solution Approach 1:
The guide recess is designed with an asymmetric profile featuring a inclined surface and a vertical surface. When the guide body is inserted, the inclined surface allows easy insertion with minimal force, while the vertical surface creates a self-locking effect that prevents displacement under external forces. This asymmetric geometry resolves the contradiction by enabling reliable fixation without requiring high manufacturing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide body acting as an intermediary element between the actuating device and the positioning stop. It translates the actuating force into precise movement of the positioning stop while maintaining fixation reliability. The guide body with its specific geometry mediates between the low actuating force and the high fixation reliability requirement.
2Stability of the object's composition
If strong fixation forces are applied to prevent displacement, then positioning stability improves, but the force required to actuate the fixing mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing mechanism is segmented into distinct functional elements: the guide body with inclined and vertical surfaces, the guide recess, the positioning stop, and the actuating device. This segmentation allows the actuating force to be applied separately from the fixation force, enabling low actuating force while maintaining high positioning stability through the self-locking geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide recess incorporates a curved inclined surface that transitions to a vertical surface. This curved geometry allows the guide body to be inserted smoothly with minimal force while creating a self-locking effect that provides strong positioning stability. The curvature enables the transition from low-force insertion to high-force retention.
3Measurement precision
If positioning stops are placed close to the center for better positioning, then positioning accuracy improves, but the central region becomes occupied preventing interaction devices from being placed
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing and positioning functions are extracted from the central region and relocated to the peripheral region of the base component. The positioning stops are arranged at the periphery, and the guide body operates in a guide recess located at the periphery. This extraction maintains positioning accuracy while freeing the central region for interaction devices such as temperature control or optical measurement systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing mechanism utilizes the peripheral dimension of the base component rather than occupying the central area. By arranging positioning stops and guide elements at the periphery, the system maintains effective positioning functionality while preserving the central region for other purposes. This dimensional reorganization resolves the space conflict.
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 secure, repeatable positioning and fixation of microtiter plates with high self-locking capability, reducing the risk of displacement and allowing for precise temperature control and mixing without contamination, even under high external forces.
Implementation Method 1
an actuating force for actuating the actuating device to transfer the fixing mechanism into the operating state releasing the slide is smaller than a release force to be exerted by the slide to release the fixed slide
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a laboratory apparatus (100) for fixing a slide (102), the laboratory apparatus (100) comprising: a base component (104) for receiving the slide (102); a movable first positioning stop (106) for abutting against a first edge region of the slide (102); a second positioning stop (108) for abutting against a second edge region of the slide (102); a fixing mechanism (114) for fixing the slide (102) on the base component (104) between the first positioning stop (106) and the second positioning stop (108) by moving at least the first positioning stop (106); and an actuating device (116) for actuating the fixing mechanism (114) in order to transfer at least the first positioning stop (106) between an operating state in which the slide (102) is fixed and an operating state in which the slide (102) is released, the fixing mechanism (114) having at least one guide body (120) which can be guided in at least one guide recess (118) in such a manner that an actuating force for actuating the actuating device (116) in order to transfer the fixing mechanism (114) into the operating state in which the slide (102) is released is less than a detaching force to be exerted by the slide (102) in order to detach the fixed slide (102).