Laboratory Animal Cage Cover With Intermediate Opening Positions
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cages for laboratory animals complicate handling operations, leading to risks of contamination, ergonomic issues, and disruption of aseptic conditions due to the complexity of opening and closing the cover, which often requires significant space and repetitive movements.
Innovation Solution
A cage design with constraining means, such as hooks, allows the cover to be switched between closing and opening positions without separating it from the tray, ensuring stable engagement with the tray in the opening position, thereby facilitating safe and efficient handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the cover is completely separated from the tray during opening operations, then access to the internal space is achieved, but the handling complexity and contamination risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The opening operation is segmented into two distinct positions: a first opening position where the cover is partially separated from the tray for limited access, and a second opening position where the cover is fully separated for complete access. This segmentation allows users to choose the appropriate level of separation based on their specific needs, reducing unnecessary handling complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover is designed with preliminary engagement features that allow it to be easily guided into the first opening position without requiring complete separation. This preliminary positioning enables users to perform quick access operations without going through the full separation process, thereby reducing handling complexity and time.
2Ease of operation
If the cover is completely removed from the tray, then full access to the internal space is obtained, but the risk of contamination and disruption of aseptic conditions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cover-tray connection is segmented into multiple engagement states: fully engaged (closed), partially engaged (first opening position), and fully disengaged (second opening position). This segmentation allows users to maintain partial engagement when full access is not needed, thereby reducing contamination risk while still providing access when necessary.
Solution Approach 2:
The first opening position acts as an intermediary state between the closed and fully open positions. This intermediate position allows for controlled access to the internal space while maintaining some connection to the tray, serving as a mediator that balances access needs with contamination prevention.
3Stability of the object's composition
If constraining means are used to engage the cover with the tray, then stable positioning is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using complex constraining means throughout the entire cover-tray interface, the invention applies simple engagement features at specific local positions: the first engagement position uses a simple guide structure, while the second engagement position uses a latch or click mechanism. This localized application of constraining features provides stable positioning without overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement features are designed as simple, inexpensive mechanical elements that provide sufficient stability for their intended function. The first engagement position uses a simple guide structure that requires no complex mechanisms, and the second position uses a basic latch that is easy to manufacture and maintain.
4Productivity
If the cover design allows easy separation from the tray, then handling speed increases, but the reliability of maintaining aseptic conditions decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The handling process is segmented into optional stages: users can quickly move the cover to the first opening position for rapid access without full separation, or proceed to the second opening position when complete access is needed. This segmentation allows users to balance handling speed with aseptic condition maintenance based on the specific task requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover-tray connection is designed to be dynamically adjustable between different engagement levels. The constraining means allow for quick transitions between engaged and disengaged states, enabling users to optimize handling speed while maintaining aseptic conditions by keeping the cover engaged at the first position when full access is not required.
Data Source
AI summary
A cage for housing laboratory animals, said cage comprising a tray and a cover which can be removed and switched between a first closing position, in which it is positioned on said tray thus stopping the access to the internal space delimited by said tray, and a second opening position, in which said internal space may be accessed.