Device for cryogenic freezing of units for packaging a biological substance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cryogenic freezing devices for biological substances, such as animal semen, experience a temperature rise due to ambient air cooling and contraction when the lid is open, leading to increased temperature within the freezer receptacle, which can affect the preservation quality of the biological material.
Innovation Solution
A cryogenic freezing device with a shutter mechanism connected to the cover that closes the vapor exhaust orifice when the lid is open, preventing ambient air from entering and circulating, thus minimizing temperature increase and maintaining a gas-tight environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the lid is left open for product introduction or retrieval, then ease of operation is improved, but temperature stability deteriorates due to ambient air cooling and contraction causing temperature rise in the receptacle
Solution Approach 1:
A shutter mechanism acts as an intermediary element between the open lid and the vapor exhaust orifice. When the lid is opened, the shutter automatically closes the orifice, preventing ambient air from entering through the orifice while still allowing lid operation. This mediator resolves the contradiction by enabling ease of operation without compromising temperature stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing function is segmented into two separate components: the lid for accessing the receptacle and the shutter for controlling the vapor exhaust orifice. This segmentation allows independent control of each function - the lid can be opened for operation while the shutter maintains sealing of the orifice, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and temperature stability.
2Stress or pressure
If the orifice remains open for vapor exhaust, then pressure control is improved, but temperature control deteriorates due to ambient air circulation through the orifice
Solution Approach 1:
The shutter is designed to be movable, dynamically switching between open and closed positions based on lid state. When the lid is closed, the shutter opens to allow vapor exhaust and pressure control. When the lid is open, the shutter closes to prevent ambient air circulation and maintain temperature control. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between pressure control and temperature control.
Solution Approach 2:
The shutter operates periodically, alternating between open and closed states in response to lid opening and closing. During freezing operations, the shutter remains open for vapor exhaust; during lid opening, it closes to maintain temperature. This periodic action resolves the contradiction by providing pressure control when needed and temperature control when the lid is open.
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 effectively limits the rise in temperature within the freezer receptacle, ensuring better preservation conditions for biological substances by preventing ambient air from entering and circulating, thereby maintaining a stable environment for cryogenic freezing.
Implementation Method 1
a receptacle configured for a flow of vapor from a cryogenic agent to circulate through it
Implementation Method 2
the flow of liquid nitrogen vapor circulates in the receptacle inside which are arranged products 11
Implementation Method 3
said shutter closes said orifice... prevents ambient air from entering and circulating
Implementation Method 4
the ambient air, in contact with nitrogen vapors, cools, contracts and enters the freezer
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for cryogenic freezing of units for packaging a biological substance comprising a receptacle (2) configured such that a stream of vapour of a cryogenic agent circulates therein, having at its top an insertion opening (10) for inserting the packaging units into the receptacle (2), a lid (3) that is able to move between a closed position in which it closes the insertion opening (10) and an open position in which it leaves the insertion opening (10) open, and a port (4) for discharging the vapour, provided in the receptacle (2), characterised in that the device (1) further comprises a stopper (13) mechanically connected to the lid (3) such that, when the lid (3) is in the closed position, the stopper (13) is spaced apart from the port (4) and, when the lid (3) is in the open position, the stopper (13) closes the port (4).