Spring-Loaded Tube Holder for One-Handed Homogenization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional homogenization devices require both hands to mount and remove sample tubes, making the process cumbersome and laborious.
Innovation Solution
A tube holder with clamps and retainers that allow for easy one-handed insertion and removal of sample tubes, featuring a mount that couples to homogenization devices, with optional ejection mechanisms for multiple tube assemblies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional tube holders are used, then sample tubes can be securely held during homogenization, but both hands are required to mount and remove tubes making the process laborious
Solution Approach 1:
The tube holder employs a spring-loaded clamp mechanism that dynamically adjusts to grip the tube. The spring provides continuous pressure to secure the tube during homogenization, while allowing rapid release when activation is triggered, enabling one-handed operation and reducing time loss
Solution Approach 2:
The tube holder automatically secures the tube upon insertion through the spring-loaded clamp that engages with the tube's external features. The system self-activates to hold the tube securely without requiring manual adjustment, and can be quickly released with minimal user input, improving ease of operation
2Reliability
If conventional tube holders are used, then tubes are securely retained during homogenization, but the mounting process is cumbersome requiring both hands
Solution Approach 1:
The tube holder separates the retention function into distinct components: the spring-loaded clamp provides radial securing force, while the ledge surface provides axial positioning. This segmentation allows the tube to be inserted easily through the lateral opening while being securely retained during operation
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded clamp acts as an intermediary mechanism between the user's insertion action and the secure retention state. It automatically engages with the tube's external features upon insertion, providing secure holding without requiring additional manual manipulation, thus maintaining reliability while improving ease of operation
Data Source
AI summary
A tube holder for mounting a sample-tube assembly to a homogenizing device includes at least one clamp, at least one retainer, and a mount. The mount couples the tube holder to the homogenizing device. Each clamp defines a tube channel and a transverse ledge surface, with the tube channel having a lateral opening through which a tube of the tube assembly can be easily inserted and removed for example with one hand. And each retainer defines a retaining surface that extends over the respective tube channel and opposes the respective ledge surface to cooperatively form a receptacle that receives/retains a cap of the tube assembly against axial tube motion during homogenization. In some embodiments, multiple retaining surfaces are included for retaining different types of tube assemblies, multiple clamps and retainers are included for holding multiple tube assemblies simultaneously, and/or ejection mechanisms are included for ease of ejecting the tube assemblies.