Wireless Electronic Pipette Module Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electronic pipettes are cumbersome and difficult to handle due to their protruding operating and display units, which are heavy and complex, making them prone to misuse and increasing costs, while also complicating the execution of complex tasks.

Innovation Solution

The electronic pipette is divided into a device module for pipetting and a separate, portable operating and display module that communicates wirelessly, allowing for a more compact and lightweight design with improved user interface and display capabilities, enabling easier operation and expanded functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the operating and display units are integrated into the pipette housing, then the pipette can be operated and monitored, but the pipette becomes heavy, cumbersome, and difficult to handle

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of handlingVSAvoidweight of pipette
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The pipette system is divided into two separate modules: a device module containing the pipetting mechanism and a portable operating and display module. This segmentation allows the heavy operating and display components to be separated from the pipette body, reducing the weight and improving the handling of the device module while maintaining full operational capabilities through wireless communication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The operating and display units are extracted from the integrated pipette housing and placed in a separate portable module. This extraction removes the source of weight and complexity from the pipette itself, allowing the device module to be lightweight and easy to handle while the operating and display functions are performed remotely.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of operation

If the operating and display units are integrated into the pipette housing, then the pipette can be operated and monitored, but the structure becomes complex and costly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational capabilityVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system is segmented into a simple device module and a separate operating and display module. This segmentation reduces the structural complexity of the pipette itself while maintaining full operational capabilities through the wireless communication between modules.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The portable operating and display module serves as a universal control unit that can be used with multiple device modules. This multi-functionality reduces the need for each pipette to have its own integrated operating and display units, thereby reducing overall system complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If the operating and display units are made smaller to reduce complexity, then the cost is reduced, but the ease of operation and readability are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomplexity of operating and display unitsVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The operating and display functions are moved from the compact pipette housing to a separate portable module that can be held in the hand. This dimensional change allows the operating and display units to be optimally sized for ease of operation and readability without being constrained by the space available in the pipette housing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Adaptability or versatility

If the pipette is designed with integrated operating and display units, then it functions as a complete device, but it is heavy and difficult to handle

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional completenessVSAvoidweight of pipette
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The complete pipette system is segmented into a device module and a portable operating and display module. The device module contains the essential pipetting functions and can be used independently for basic operations, while the portable module provides additional operating and display capabilities when needed, creating a flexible, functionally complete system that remains lightweight and easy to handle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The device module is designed to be self-sufficient for basic pipetting operations, containing its own drive unit and essential components. This self-service capability allows the device module to function independently without the heavy operating and display units, improving handling while maintaining functional completeness through optional connection to the portable module.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2624958B1Electronic pipette
Publication Date: 2019.12.18 EPPENDORF AG
  • EP2624958B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2b
  • EP2624958B1 patent drawingFigure 3a
  • EP2624958B1 patent drawingFigure 3b

AI summary

The invention relates to an electronic pipette comprising an electrically driven unit for pipetting and an operating and/or display unit, wherein a device module comprises a unit for pipetting, an operating and/or display module physically separate from the device module completely or partially comprises the operating and/or display unit, and means are provided for wirelessly communicating between the device module and the operating and/or display module.