Adjustable Spacer Rack for Lab Animal Cage Width Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laboratory animal management racks face challenges in accommodating cages of varying widths without shifting and in facilitating easy cleaning of air discharge systems, as they either restrict width options or complicate cleaning due to design limitations.
Innovation Solution
A rack apparatus with adjustable spacers and a detachable air discharge box design that allows for cages of different widths to be securely positioned and easily cleaned, featuring a rear surface plate that doubles as part of the air discharge chamber and inclined connections for improved access during maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fixed-width cage accommodation is used, then structural simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to different cage widths is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The rack apparatus employs adjustable spacers that can be positioned at different locations along the support structure, allowing the accommodation space width to be dynamically adjusted according to different cage width requirements. This dynamic adjustment mechanism enables the same rack structure to accommodate cages of varying widths without requiring multiple fixed-width rack designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The accommodation space is divided into modular components including adjustable spacers and segmented support structures. These modular elements can be independently adjusted and reconfigured to match different cage dimensions, providing flexibility while maintaining overall structural integrity.
2Ease of operation
If integrated air discharge chamber design is used, then structural compactness is improved, but ease of cleaning is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The air discharge system is segmented into a removable air discharge box and a fixed air discharge chamber. The air discharge box can be detached from the rear surface plate for separate cleaning, allowing the cleaning operation to access all surfaces including the connection interface between the box and chamber, while the chamber itself remains as a separate cleanable component.
Solution Approach 2:
The air discharge box is designed to be extractable from the main rack structure. This extraction capability allows cleaning personnel to remove the box and clean both the interior of the box and the connection area on the rear surface plate more effectively, rather than attempting to clean these areas while the components remain integrated and confined.
3Adaptability or versatility
If fixed spacer positioning is used, then manufacturing precision is maintained, but adaptability to different cage configurations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer positioning system transitions from fixed to adjustable, allowing the spacers to be dynamically repositioned along the support structure. This dynamic positioning capability enables the rack to adapt to different cage configurations while maintaining precise spacing through controlled adjustment mechanisms such as threaded fasteners or positioning slots.
Solution Approach 2:
The physical parameters of the spacer positions are made changeable within a controlled range. By providing adjustment mechanisms that allow precise movement to predetermined positions, the system maintains manufacturing precision through standardized positioning points while enabling adaptability to different cage width requirements.
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
Enables secure accommodation of cages with diverse widths and simplifies cleaning by preventing movement and ensuring easy access to the air discharge system, enhancing operational efficiency and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure inside of the animal managing rack becomes negative, and the air in the rearing cage is sucked into the air discharge chamber through the air outlet
Implementation Method 2
at least a part of an opening peripheral portion which is a connection portion between the air discharge box and the air discharge chamber is formed as an inclined face so as to expand from the air discharge box toward the air discharge chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A rack apparatus for managing laboratory animals and is easy to clean includes a plurality of animal cages (1) stored at intervals in a storage space (16) on a shelf plate (15) supported by frame structure (13). The rear of the storage space (16) is closed by a back plate (12b), the exhaust box (19) is installed at the top of the rear side, and a cage top cover (23) is installed at the top of the front side. A back stay (25) is demountably attached to the back plate (12b), a movement-restricting bar (27) is attached to the back stay (25), and spacers (29), which maintain intervals between the animal cages (1), are demountably attached to the back stay (25). The spacers (29) are selectively installed by mounting to/dismounting from the back stay (25) to maintain planned storage positions corresponding to sizes of the cages (1) in the width direction.