Spacer With Corner Bending Elements for Pipette Tip Carrier Centering

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing spacers for stacked pipette tip carriers require complex manufacturing and increased material usage due to the need for centering spring elements, which complicates the centering and stabilization of the carrier stack.

Innovation Solution

A spacer design featuring a peripheral lateral wall with bending elements at the corners, which can be bent to achieve centering without the need for additional spring elements, reducing material usage and manufacturing complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If centering spring elements are arranged on the inside of the longitudinal and transverse sides of the lateral wall, then centering and stabilization of the carrier stack is improved, but device complexity and material usage increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecentering and stabilization of carrier stackVSAvoidcomplexity of spacer structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the centering function from the internal spring elements and relocates it to the external corner regions of the lateral wall. The bending elements at the corners provide the necessary centering action when the spacer is placed on the carrier, eliminating the need for complex internal spring mechanisms while maintaining stabilization functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs bending elements formed from flexible material at the corners of the lateral wall. These bending elements can deform elastically when the spacer is placed on the carrier, providing a centering effect through material flexibility rather than through complex mechanical spring structures, thus reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Stability of the object's composition

If centering spring elements are arranged on the inside of the longitudinal and transverse sides of the lateral wall, then centering and stabilization of the carrier stack is improved, but manufacturing cost and material usage increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecentering and stabilization of carrier stackVSAvoidmaterial usage of spacer

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the centering function from the internal spring elements and relocates it to the external corner regions of the lateral wall. The bending elements at the corners provide the necessary centering action when the spacer is placed on the carrier, eliminating the need for complex internal spring mechanisms while maintaining stabilization functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the centering function with the corner structures of the lateral wall itself. Instead of adding separate spring elements, the corner regions are designed to bend and provide centering action, combining structural support and centering functions into a single integrated feature, thereby reducing material usage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If a downwardly projecting peripheral lateral wall is provided to prevent jamming, then reliability of pipette tip engagement is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of pipette tip jammingVSAvoidcomplexity of carrier structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of adding complex active mechanisms to prevent jamming, the patent inverts the approach by designing the lateral wall with integrated bending elements that passively accommodate and prevent jamming through their ability to deform. The corner bending elements can flex to accommodate variations in carrier positioning and prevent the pipette tips from jamming, achieving reliability through flexibility rather than through complex mechanical prevention mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 spacer provides improved centering and stabilization of pipette tip carriers with reduced material and manufacturing costs, allowing for efficient stacking and storage of pipette tips.

Implementation Method 1

bending elements (15.1-15.6) which can be bent in a direction running at an acute angle to the adjacent longitudinal and transverse sides... The bending element can be bent outwards or inwards relative to the frame of the spacer... A slight bend or deflection or play-free placement of the bending elements yields a centering of the spacer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS20250025881A1Spacer for holding pipette tip carriers, which are stacked one over the other, spaced apart

Publication Date: 2025.01.23 EPPENDORF AG

AI summary

A spacer structured to support and space apart substantially rectangular panel-shaped pipette tip carriers from each other includes a frame defined by a substantially rectangular lateral wall including two longitudinal sides and two transverse sides. The frame includes a horizontal standing surface positioned on a lower edge of the frame and structured to rest on an upper face of a first pipette tip carrier. The frame further includes a horizontal support surface positioned on an upper edge of the frame and structured to support a lower face of a second pipette tip carrier and a plurality of pins protruding vertically upwards from the upper edge. A plurality of bending elements are positioned on the lateral wall and are structured to be bent in a direction running at an acute angle to adjacent longitudinal and transverse sides.