Temperature Controlled Bath Rack with Draining Support Feet

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional temperature controlled bath racks require additional handling and fluid management to prevent contamination and fluid loss, leading to inefficiencies and the need for frequent replenishment of the working fluid.

Innovation Solution

A rack design with a supporting foot assembly that can move between stowed and deployed positions, allowing for seamless integration with the temperature controlled bath, enabling direct fluid drainage back into the reservoir and eliminating the need for external containers or absorbent materials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the rack is removed from the temperature controlled bath to access material samples, then the user can access the vessels, but working fluid drips off the rack and vessels contaminating the laboratory setting

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to material samplesVSAvoidfluid contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A receiving tray is integrated into the rack structure to serve as an intermediary that collects and contains working fluid that drips from the vessels during removal and access operations, preventing contamination of the laboratory setting

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The receiving tray is merged with the rack body to form an integrated structure, combining the support function with the fluid collection function into a single unit that eliminates the need for separate containment devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If the rack is removed from the temperature controlled bath, then the user can access the material samples, but working fluid is taken out of the reservoir diminishing the amount in the reservoir

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to material samplesVSAvoidworking fluid loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving tray captures working fluid that would otherwise be lost during rack removal and vessel access, allowing the fluid to be recovered and returned to the reservoir, thereby reducing replenishment frequency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Device complexity

If conventional racks are used without integrated fluid management, then the structure is simple, but additional containers or absorbent materials are needed to prevent contamination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverack structureVSAvoidfluid management

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving tray is integrated directly into the rack body structure, merging the support function with fluid collection and management functions into a single unit, eliminating the need for separate containers or absorbent materials

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS9457350B2Rack for use with a temperature controlled bath, and a related method

Publication Date: 2016.10.04 THERMO FISHER SCIENTIFIC ASHEVILLE LLC

AI summary

A rack is provided for use with a temperature controlled bath having a housing containing a reservoir with a supply of working fluid and an opening providing access to the reservoir. The rack includes a rack body, and a vessel support supported by the rack body and configured for supporting at least one vessel. The rack further includes a supporting foot assembly supported by the rack body and including a plurality of support feet. Each support foot is configured for movement between a stowed position and a deployed position.