A cryogenic storage cabinet with reduced cold air loss

Abstract

This utility model relates to the field of cryogenic preservation equipment for biomedical samples, and more particularly to an ultra-low temperature preservation cabinet that reduces cold air loss. The cabinet includes an ultra-low temperature preservation cabinet with an insulated outer shell connected to the top. An air curtain fan is installed inside the insulated outer shell, and a mounting plate is connected to the bottom of the insulated outer shell. The air curtain fan's outlet faces downwards and is located at the front end. An electric push rod is installed inside the mounting plate, and a baffle is slidably connected within the mounting plate. The piston rod of the electric push rod is connected to the rear end of the baffle. The mounting plate and the baffle together seal the bottom opening of the insulated outer shell. A defrosting assembly for collecting ice debris from the bottom side of the baffle is located at the bottom of the mounting plate. Through the coordinated action of the air curtain fan and the baffle, a dynamic air curtain barrier is formed at the bottom opening of the insulated outer shell. When the cabinet door is opened, the air curtain fan sprays a high-speed cold airflow vertically downwards, effectively blocking the intrusion of external hot air and the leakage of internal cold air, reducing cold air loss during door opening and closing, and achieving control over temperature fluctuations inside the cabinet.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of cryogenic preservation equipment for biomedical samples, and in particular to an ultra-low temperature preservation cabinet that reduces the loss of cold air. Background Technology

[0002] Cryogenic preservation cabinets are key equipment in the biomedical, life science, and industrial fields for the long-term storage of biological samples, vaccines, cell tissues, and special materials. Their core function is to maintain sample viability through precise temperature control, typically below -60°C. The ultra-low temperature environment can significantly inhibit microbial activity and slow down chemical reaction rates, thereby achieving long-term stable preservation of samples. This has irreplaceable strategic value for scientific research, public health safety, and high-end manufacturing.

[0003] Most existing ultra-low temperature storage cabinets adopt a vertical or horizontal structure, resembling household refrigerators in appearance. Internally, they utilize multiple drawers or partitions for partitioned storage. Their refrigeration systems typically employ two-stage cascade compressor refrigeration technology, combined with vacuum insulation panels or high-density polyurethane foam to form the insulation layer. Some high-end models are also equipped with a liquid nitrogen backup system to cope with emergencies such as power outages. The door design is primarily a single-door, with some products using double-layered vacuum glass doors or magnetic sealing strips to improve insulation performance.

[0004] However, when users open the cabinet door to retrieve or place samples, a violent exchange of hot external air with cold internal air causes the cabinet temperature to rise. To restore the set temperature, the refrigeration system must operate continuously at high load, resulting in additional energy consumption and potentially jeopardizing sample viability due to temperature fluctuations exceeding permissible ranges. More seriously, frequent door opening and closing accelerates frost formation on the insulation layer, further reducing insulation performance and creating a vicious cycle. These problems are particularly prominent in scenarios requiring high-frequency access, such as vaccine cold chain transportation and cell therapy sample banks, becoming a key bottleneck restricting the development of ultra-low temperature preservation technology. Utility Model Content

[0005] To overcome the drawback of cold air loss during the opening and closing process, this utility model provides an ultra-low temperature storage cabinet that reduces cold air loss, aiming to solve the above-mentioned shortcomings.

[0006] An ultra-low temperature storage cabinet with reduced cold air loss includes an ultra-low temperature storage cabinet, an insulated outer shell, an air curtain fan, a mounting plate, a baffle, an electric push rod, and a defrosting assembly. The ultra-low temperature storage cabinet is equipped with a cabinet door. The top of the ultra-low temperature storage cabinet is connected to the insulated outer shell. The air curtain fan is installed inside the insulated outer shell. The mounting plate is connected to the bottom of the insulated outer shell. The air outlet of the air curtain fan faces downward and is located at the front end. An electric push rod is installed inside the mounting plate. A baffle is slidably connected inside the mounting plate. The piston rod of the electric push rod is connected to the rear end of the baffle. The mounting plate and the baffle together seal the bottom opening of the insulated outer shell. The air curtain fan and the electric push rod are electrically connected to the ultra-low temperature storage cabinet. A defrosting assembly for collecting ice debris from the bottom side of the baffle is provided at the bottom of the mounting plate.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the defrosting assembly includes a scraper, a collection box, and a slider. The slider is slidably connected to the bottom of the mounting plate, and the collection box is connected to the bottom of the slider. The top surface of the collection box is slidably connected to the bottom surface of the mounting plate. A scraper is connected to the front side of the mounting plate and is slidably connected to the bottom surface of the baffle. The scraper has a triangular cross-section, and both right-angled surfaces are in contact with the mounting plate and the baffle. An opening is provided at the front section of the top of the collection box, and the opening is located at the bottom of the scraper.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a magnet is also included. A magnet is installed inside the mounting plate, and the slider is made of magnetic metal. The magnet and the slider are magnetically connected.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a sealing gasket is also included. A sealing gasket is connected to the front side of the baffle, and the sealing gasket is pressed and fitted with the inner wall of the lower end of the heat insulation shell.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an observation window is also included, wherein a transparent observation window is provided on the front wall of the collection box.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a handle is also included, and the collection box is connected to a handle.

[0012] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows:

[0013] 1. Through the coordinated action of the air curtain machine and the baffle, a dynamic air curtain barrier is formed at the bottom opening of the heat insulation shell. When the cabinet door is opened, the air curtain machine sprays high-speed cold air vertically downwards, effectively blocking the intrusion of external hot air and the leakage of internal cold air, reducing the loss of cold air during the opening and closing process, and realizing the control of temperature fluctuations inside the cabinet.

[0014] 2. The linkage structure between the baffle and the sealing gasket is driven by an electric push rod, which makes the baffle move back and forth precisely along the guide rail of the mounting plate. When the baffle is reset, the silicone rubber sealing gasket on its front side is squeezed and produces elastic deformation, filling the micro gap between the contact surface of the baffle and the heat insulation shell, forming a dual guarantee of mechanical seal and elastic seal, preventing the continuous loss of residual cold air and the infiltration of external moisture, ultimately extending the effective working time of the air curtain machine and reducing the risk of equipment frost. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of this utility model.

[0016] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the installation structure of the thermal insulation shell and the air curtain machine of this utility model.

[0017] Figure 3 This is a sectional view of the installation structure of the electric push rod and baffle of this utility model.

[0018] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view showing the connection between the magnet and the slider of this utility model.

[0019] The components in the attached diagram are labeled as follows: 1. Ultra-low temperature storage cabinet, 2. Insulated outer shell, 3. Air curtain machine, 4. Mounting plate, 5. Baffle, 6. Electric push rod, 7. Scraper, 8. Collection box, 9. Slider, 10. Magnet, 11. Sealing gasket, 12. Observation window, 13. Handle. Detailed Implementation

[0020] First, it should be noted that in different described embodiments, the same components are given the same reference numerals or the same component names. The disclosure contained throughout this specification can be applied semantically to the same components having the same reference numerals or the same component names. The location descriptions selected in the specification, such as upper, lower, lateral, etc., also refer to the directly described and illustrated figures and are semantically applied to the new location when the location changes.

[0021] Example: An ultra-low temperature storage cabinet that reduces cold air loss, such as... Figures 1-4As shown, the system includes an ultra-low temperature storage cabinet 1, an insulated outer shell 2, an air curtain fan 3, a mounting plate 4, a baffle 5, an electric push rod 6, and a defrosting assembly. The ultra-low temperature storage cabinet 1 is equipped with a cabinet door structure, and the insulated outer shell 2 is bolted to the top inside. When the cabinet door is closed, the edge of the cabinet door is in close contact with the front end face of the insulated outer shell 2. The air curtain fan 3 is fixedly installed inside the insulated outer shell 2 by a bracket, with its air outlet facing downward and located at the front end. The mounting plate 4 is fixed to the bottom of the insulated outer shell 2 by welding, and the front end of the mounting plate 4 is staggered with the air outlet of the air curtain fan 3. The mounting plate 4 has a baffle 5 slidably connected inside via a guide rail structure. The electric push rod 6 is fixed to the rear end of the mounting plate 4 with screws. The piston rod end of the electric push rod is movably connected to the rear end of the baffle 5 via a hinge. The mounting plate 4 and the baffle 5 together form a closed structure with the bottom opening of the heat insulation shell 2. The air curtain machine 3 and the electric push rod 6 are electrically connected to the main control system of the ultra-low temperature storage cabinet 1 via a low-temperature dedicated cable. The cable line is equipped with a redundant backup structure to prevent signal transmission interruption caused by the low temperature environment. The bottom of the mounting plate 4 is equipped with a defrosting component for collecting ice chips on the bottom side of the baffle 5.

[0022] like Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown, the defrosting assembly includes a scraper 7, a collection box 8, and a slider 9. The slider 9 is slidably connected to the bottom of the mounting plate 4 via a guide groove structure. The collection box 8 is fixed to the bottom of the slider 9 by welding, and its top surface forms a sliding contact with the bottom surface of the mounting plate 4. The scraper 7 is fixed to the front side of the mounting plate 4 by screws, and its top surface forms a sliding friction fit with the bottom surface of the baffle 5. The cross-section of the scraper 7 is designed as a triangle, with its two right-angled surfaces contacting the surfaces of the mounting plate 4 and the baffle 5, respectively. The scraper 7 is made of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) material, which ensures scraping efficiency while avoiding metal fatigue. The front section of the top of the collection box 8 has an opening, which corresponds to the bottom of the scraper 7.

[0023] like Figure 4 As shown, it also includes a magnet 10. The mounting plate 4 contains a magnet 10. The slider 9 is made of magnetic metal. The magnet 10 is made of neodymium iron boron permanent magnet and is magnetically connected to the slider 9. It retains more than 80% of its magnetic force even at -80℃.

[0024] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, it also includes a sealing gasket 11. The front side of the baffle 5 is connected to the sealing gasket 11. The sealing gasket 11 is squeezed and fitted with the inner wall of the lower end of the heat insulation shell 2. The sealing gasket 11 is made of silicone rubber and has a glass fiber reinforcement layer. The compression permanent deformation rate is less than 5% at -60℃.

[0025] like Figure 2 As shown, it also includes an observation window 12, and the front wall of the collection box 8 is provided with an observation window 12 made of transparent material.

[0026] like Figure 2 As shown, it also includes a handle 13, and the collection box 8 is connected to the handle 13.

[0027] When the cryogenic preservation cabinet 1 is running, when the experimenter needs to access samples, the control system simultaneously triggers the electric push rod 6 to retract the cabinet the moment the door is opened. This retraction action causes the piston rod to slide the baffle 5 backward along the inner side of the mounting plate 4. At this time, the bottom opening of the insulated outer shell 2 is gradually exposed, and the air curtain 3 immediately starts, continuously spraying high-speed cold air downward from its outlet. This forms a vertical airflow barrier at the door opening, effectively preventing the intrusion of external hot air and the leakage of internal cold air. The experimenter can quickly complete the sample access operation under the protection of the airflow barrier. During this process, the temperature fluctuation inside the cabinet is controlled within 2°C to avoid damage to the sample activity due to sudden temperature changes.

[0028] After the storage and retrieval operations are completed and the cabinet door is closed, the air curtain machine 3 automatically stops operating. Simultaneously, the electric push rod 6 initiates its extension action, pushing the baffle 5 forward until it is completely flush with the lower inner wall of the insulation shell 2. At this time, the sealing gasket 11 installed on the front side of the baffle 5 undergoes elastic deformation under pressure, filling the microscopic gap between the baffle 5 and the insulation shell 2, forming a dual guarantee of mechanical and elastic sealing. This prevents the continuous loss of residual cold air and avoids external moisture seeping in through gaps, thus preventing the air curtain machine 3 from operating normally.

[0029] During the reciprocating sliding of the baffle 5, its bottom surface and the top surface of the scraper 7 experience sliding friction. The scraper 7 has a triangular cross-section, with its acute angle continuously scraping away the frost layer condensed on the bottom surface of the baffle 5. The peeled ice chips slide down the inclined surface of the scraper 7 under the action of gravity to the bottom opening of the mounting plate 4, and fall into the collection box 8 through the top opening. The transparent observation window 12 on the front wall of the collection box 8 can monitor the amount of frost accumulation in real time. When the frost accumulation is close to the upper limit, the experimenter holds the handle 13 and pulls the collection box 8 forward, separating the slider 9 from the magnet 10. After tilting, the box is pushed back into the magnetic positioning point to ensure that the collection device is always in an effective working state.

[0030] Although this disclosure has been described with respect to only a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art who benefit from this disclosure will understand that various other embodiments can be devised without departing from the scope of this invention. Therefore, the scope of this invention should be limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An ultra-low temperature storage cabinet having reduced cold gas loss, characterized in that, The device includes an ultra-low temperature storage cabinet (1), an insulated shell (2), an air curtain machine (3), a mounting plate (4), a baffle (5), an electric push rod (6), and a defrosting assembly. The ultra-low temperature storage cabinet (1) is equipped with a cabinet door. The top of the ultra-low temperature storage cabinet (1) is connected to the insulated shell (2). The air curtain machine (3) is installed inside the insulated shell (2). The bottom of the insulated shell (2) is connected to the mounting plate (4). The air outlet of the air curtain machine (3) faces downward and is located at the front end. The electric push rod (6) is installed inside the mounting plate (4). The baffle (5) is slidably connected inside the mounting plate (4). The piston rod of the electric push rod (6) is connected to the rear end of the baffle (5). The mounting plate (4) and the baffle (5) together seal the bottom opening of the insulated shell (2). The air curtain machine (3) and the electric push rod (6) are both electrically connected to the ultra-low temperature storage cabinet (1). The bottom of the mounting plate (4) is equipped with a defrosting assembly for collecting ice chips on the bottom side of the baffle (5).

2. The ultra-low temperature storage cabinet according to claim 1, characterized in that, The defrosting assembly includes a scraper (7), a collection box (8), and a slider (9). The slider (9) is slidably connected to the bottom of the mounting plate (4). The bottom of the slider (9) is connected to the collection box (8). The top surface of the collection box (8) is slidably connected to the bottom surface of the mounting plate (4). The front side of the mounting plate (4) is connected to the scraper (7). The scraper (7) is slidably connected to the bottom surface of the baffle (5). The cross-section of the scraper (7) is triangular, and both right-angled surfaces are in contact with the mounting plate (4) and the baffle (5). The front section of the top of the collection box (8) is provided with an opening located at the bottom of the scraper (7).

3. A cryogenic storage cabinet according to claim 2, characterized in that, It also includes a magnet (10), a magnet (10) is installed inside the mounting plate (4), the slider (9) is made of magnetic metal, and the magnet (10) and the slider (9) are magnetically connected.

4. A cryogenic storage cabinet with reduced cold air loss according to claim 3, characterized in that, It also includes a sealing gasket (11), and the front side of the baffle (5) is connected to the sealing gasket (11), and the sealing gasket (11) is squeezed and fitted with the inner wall of the lower end of the heat insulation shell (2).

5. A cryogenic storage cabinet with reduced cold air loss according to claim 4, characterized in that, It also includes an observation window (12), and the front wall of the collection box (8) is provided with an observation window (12) made of transparent material.

6. A cryogenic storage cabinet according to claim 5, characterized in that, It also includes a handle (13), and the collection box (8) is connected to the handle (13).

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