Climate Cabinet Zoning With Vertical Retrieval for Compact Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage systems for medical substances at low temperatures are inefficient, as they often require large spaces, are not suitable for small devices, and struggle to integrate processing devices while maintaining temperature control and space efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A climatic cabinet with a vertical transport mechanism for moving objects between colder and warmer zones, including a horizontal transport mechanism for horizontal or tilted movement, and temperature control units to maintain different temperatures in each zone, allowing for compact storage and efficient use of space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a transport robot is arranged in a moveable manner in an aisle between shelves with drawers, then the system can automatically retrieve substances, but the system requires large space and is not suitable for small devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from horizontal transport (robot moving in aisle) to vertical transport (elevator moving between floors). This dimensional change allows the storage system to utilize vertical space, dramatically reducing the horizontal footprint while maintaining automated retrieval capability. The elevator shaft occupies minimal space compared to a horizontal robot aisle, making the system suitable for compact environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The transport robot is nested within the elevator carriage rather than requiring a separate horizontal aisle. The robot operates within the confined space of the elevator when it stops at each floor, eliminating the need for additional horizontal space. This nesting approach allows automated retrieval functionality to be integrated into the vertical transport structure.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the robot moves between the shelves only when access takes place, then temperature stability is maintained, but the periphery region has higher temperature and access efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The storage system is divided into multiple temperature zones corresponding to different floors. The elevator can stop at specific floors to retrieve substances without requiring the entire system to be accessible, segmenting the access points. This allows temperature stability in each zone while providing efficient access through targeted retrieval operations at specific floors.
Solution Approach 2:
The elevator acts as an intermediary transport mechanism between the temperature-stable storage zones and the warmer periphery region. By using the elevator as the primary transport medium, the system minimizes direct exposure of storage zones to temperature fluctuations while enabling efficient transfer of substances to and from the periphery region.
3Area of stationary object
If cassettes are arranged in a chest that can be drawn out vertically, then space utilization is improved, but the system is not suitable for very high temperatures and integration of processing devices is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The elevator-based storage system provides multi-functionality by accommodating various temperature ranges through controlled environments in different zones and enabling integration of processing devices at the periphery region. The system can handle substances at very high temperatures while maintaining efficient space utilization through vertical arrangement, unlike the cassette chest design.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from horizontal cassette arrangement to vertical elevator-based storage, allowing for better thermal management and processing device integration. The vertical configuration enables separate temperature zones and provides access points for processing devices without compromising space utilization.
4Ease of operation
If the lift column is horizontally movable in direction Y, then accessibility to storage positions is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The horizontal movement function is segmented from the vertical lift mechanism. The lift column remains vertically oriented for primary transport, while horizontal positioning is achieved through separate, simpler mechanisms at each floor level. This segmentation reduces the complexity of the lift column itself while maintaining accessibility to all storage positions.
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
The solution enables efficient and cost-effective storage and processing of medical substances at various temperatures, optimizing space usage and integrating processing devices, particularly suitable for small and medium-sized storage systems and laboratory materials.
Implementation Method 1
at least one refrigeration unit, the storage positions for storing objects can be located in the lower zone, and the lower zone can be cooled to a temperature lower than that in the upper zone
Implementation Method 2
at least one heater is provided in the upper zone, with which heater at least the upper zone is heated and a higher temperature is generated in the upper zone than in the lower zone
Data Source
AI summary
A climatic cabinet and storage cabinet that includes an upper zone, a lower zone, storage positions for storing objects in one of the upper and lower zone, and at least one temperature control unit structured and arranged to maintain a temperature in the one of the upper and lower zone different from the other of the upper and lower zone. The cabinet further includes a lock, a horizontal transport mechanism arranged at least in part in the other of the upper and lower zone to move the objects to and from the lock in a direction having a horizontal component, and a vertical transport mechanism structured and arranged to move the objects between the lower zone and the upper zone.