Vacuum Pick-Up and Delivery System for Plant Embryo Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing plant embryo delivery systems often cause sticking and damage to embryos during transfer, leading to wastage due to improper orientation and placement in seed shells.

Innovation Solution

A pick-up and delivery system comprising a robotic arm with a rotatable pick-up device and vacuum pressure supply, along with a delivery assembly featuring an insertion member and a release assistance piston, allowing for precise grasping and release of plant embryos to minimize sticking and damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If plant embryos are hydrated to prevent damage from desiccation, then embryo viability is improved, but embryos become sticky and prone to damage during removal from delivery systems

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveembryo viabilityVSAvoidsticking and damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The harmful sticky coating is extracted from the embryo surface by using a brush or cloth to remove it during the transfer process, separating the beneficial hydration from the harmful sticking effect

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

A brush or cloth serves as an intermediary tool between the embryo and the delivery system, allowing for gentle removal of the sticky coating without direct mechanical contact that could damage the embryo

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If conventional delivery systems are used to transfer plant embryos, then transfer capability is achieved, but embryos experience improper orientation and placement in seed shells

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransfer capabilityVSAvoidorientation and placement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical delivery system is replaced with a vacuum-based system that uses suction to hold and position embryos, providing more precise control over orientation and placement without the mechanical contact that causes misalignment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

A vacuum pump creates a pressure differential that holds the embryo in place during transfer, allowing for precise positioning and orientation without mechanical contact, thereby improving placement accuracy in the seed shell

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

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 system effectively transfers plant embryos through the production line with reduced sticking and damage, ensuring proper orientation and placement, thereby minimizing wastage and improving efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a vacuum pressure supply port operably connected to the pick-up device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVacuum pressure: Vacuum

Data Source

PatentUS8931207B2Pick-up and delivery system and associated methods

Publication Date: 2015.01.13 WEYERHAEUSER NR CO

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a pick-up and delivery system including a pick-up assembly and a delivery assembly. The pick-up assembly includes a robotic arm, a pick-up device rotatably mounted on the robotic arm, and a first vacuum pressure supply port operably connected to the pick-up device. The delivery assembly includes an insertion device. The insertion device may include an insertion member having a tip and a release assistance piston arranged inside the insertion member. The release piston is moveable between an extended position and a retracted position. When the release assistance piston is in the extended position, a proximal end of is substantially flush with an end of the insertion member. Further aspects are directed towards methods for grasping and releasing an object with a pick-up and delivery system.