Actuator Coupling System and a Pipetting Module Comprising Such a Coupling System

Abstract

The present invention is directed a system for coupling a macroactuator to a movable element of a micromachined device. The system includes a micromachined device, a first body for holding a macroactuator, a macroactuator mechanically mounted on the first body, a second body having a bore for receiving the first body, a screw arrangement for fixing the axial position of the first body within the bore of the second body, and a plate arrangement for mounting the micromachined device on the second body. The plate arrangement is mounted in such a way that the macroactuator exerts a predetermined force or pressure on a movable element of the micromachined device. The present invention further is directed to a pipetting module that includes the micromachined device and the macroactuator.

1 . A system for coupling a macroactuator to a movable element of a micromachined device, said system comprising 
 (a) a micromachined device having a movable element,    (b) a first body for holding a macroactuator, said first body having a side wall having an outer surface and a bottom having an outer surface,    (c) a macroactuator which has an upper end and a lower end, and which is mechanically mounted on said first body,    (d) a second body having an upper outer surface, a lower outer surface, and a bore for receiving said first body, the size of said bore and the size of said first body being such that the outer surface of the side wall of the first body snugly fits within said bore,    (e) a screw arrangement for fixing the axial position of said first body within said bore, and    (f) means for mounting said micromachined device on said second body in such a way that the upper end of the macroactuator exerts a predetermined force or pressure on said movable element of said micromachined device.    
     
     
         2 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein said first body has a substantially cylindrical shape and comprises a chamber for receiving said macroactuator, a substantial part of said macroactuator being located in said chamber of said first body.  
     
     
         3 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein said screw arrangement for fixing the axial position of said first body within said bore of said second body comprises 
 (i) a first bolt segment and a second bolt segment, said bolt segments being located within said second body, and said bolt segments each having a side wall with the same radius of curvature as a closed line defined by a cross-section of said bore of said second body, and    (ii) a screw passing through one of the bolt segments and being connectable to the other bolt segment by a screw connection, said screw connection enabling said bolt segments to be pulled against each other in order to reduce the size of a gap existing between said bolt segments and thereby reducing the space available for said first body in said bore of said second body.    
     
     
         4 . A system according to  claim 3 , wherein said closed line is a circle.  
     
     
         5 . A system according to  claim 1 , which further comprises means for adjusting with high accuracy the axial position of said first body in said bore of the second body.  
     
     
         6 . A system according to  claim 5 , wherein said means for adjusting the axial position of said first body comprise 
 (g) a basis plate removably mechanically connected to said first body and to said second body, said basis plate having an upper outer surface and a cavity for receiving a lower part of said first body, said cavity extending towards a bottom wall of said basis plate, and said bottom wall having an inner surface,    (h) first connecting means for mechanically connecting said second body to said basis plate so that said lower outer surface of said second body contacts said upper outer surface of said basis plate,    (j) spring means inserted between said basis plate and said first body, so that when said second body is connected to said basis plate, said spring means exert a force on said first body and that force pushes said first body upwards through said bore of said second body, and    (k) second connecting means for mechanically connecting said first body to said basis plate in such a way that the distance between the outer surface of the bottom of said first body and the inner surface of the bottom wall of said basis plate is adjustable within a certain range, said second connecting means exerting on said first body a force opposite to the force exerted thereon by said spring means.    
     
     
         7 . A system for coupling a macroactuator to a movable element of a micromachined device, said system comprising 
 (a) a micromachined device having a movable element,    (b) a first body for holding a macroactuator, said first body having a side wall having an outer surface and a bottom having an outer surface,    (c) a macroactuator which has an upper end and a lower end, and which is mechanically mounted on said first body,    (d) a second body having an upper outer surface of the side wall, a lower outer surface, and a bore for receiving said first body, the size of said bore and the size of said first body being such that the outer surface of the side wall of the first body snugly fits within said bore,    (e) a screw arrangement for fixing the axial position of said first body within said bore, and    (f) a plate arrangement for mounting said micromachined device on said second body in such a way that the upper end of the macroactuator exerts a predetermined force or pressure on said movable element of said micromachined device.    
     
     
         8 . A system according to  claim 7 , wherein said first body has a substantially cylindrical shape and comprises a chamber for receiving said macroactuator, a substantial part of said macroactuator being located in said chamber of said first body.  
     
     
         9 . A system according to  claim 7 , wherein said screw arrangement for fixing the axial position of said first body within said bore of said second body comprises 
 (i) a first bolt segment and a second bolt segment, said bolt segments being located within said second body, and said bolt segments each having a side wall with the same radius of curvature as a closed line defined by a cross-section of said bore of said second body, and    (ii) a screw passing through one of the bolt segments and being connectable to the other bolt segment by a screw connection, said screw connection enabling said bolt segments to be pulled against each other in order to reduce the size of a gap existing between said bolt segments and thereby reducing the space available for said first body in said bore of said second body.    
     
     
         10 . A system according to  claim 9 , wherein said closed line is a circle.  
     
     
         11 . A system according to  claim 7 , which further comprises an arrangement for adjusting with high accuracy the axial position of said first body in said bore of the second body.  
     
     
         12 . A system according to  claim 11 , wherein said arrangement for adjusting the axial position of said first body comprises 
 (g) a basis plate removably mechanically connected to said first body and to said second body, said basis plate having an upper outer surface and a cavity for receiving a lower part of said first body, said cavity extending towards a bottom wall of said basis plate, and said bottom wall having an inner surface,    (h) a first screw for mechanically connecting said second body to said basis plate so that said lower outer surface of said second body contacts said upper outer surface of said basis plate,    (j) a spring inserted between said basis plate and said first body, so that when said second body is connected to said basis plate, said spring means exerts a force on said first body and that force pushes said first body upwards through said bore of said second body, and    (k) a second screw for mechanically connecting said first body to said basis plate in such a way that the distance between the outer surface of the bottom of said first body and the inner surface of the bottom wall of said basis plate is adjustable within a certain range, said second screw exerting on said first body a force opposite to the force exerted thereon by said spring.