Epicyclic Sample Storage Selector for Cold Individual Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-density storage of chemical or biological samples in controlled environments poses challenges in accessing individual items without exposing surrounding samples to higher temperatures, leading to inefficient use of space and energy, as well as difficulties in servicing and maintaining the storage systems.
Innovation Solution
A storage apparatus utilizing an epicyclic selector mechanism with a rotatable first member and selector, featuring an item transfer conduit, allows for fast and compact access to individual items while minimizing exposure of surrounding samples to higher temperatures, using a temporary storage unit and low-pressure suction to extract items without mechanical engagement, and maintaining the cold environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by stationary object
If high-density storage arrangement is used to minimise space and maximise energy efficiency, then energy efficiency is improved, but access to individual samples becomes problematic and requires movement of surrounding samples exposing them to higher temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The storage array is segmented into individually accessible positions around the circumference. The selector mechanism can selectively access any position independently, allowing retrieval of individual samples without moving surrounding samples, thus resolving the contradiction between high-density storage and easy access.
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediary transfer conduit is introduced between the storage array and the external environment. This conduit allows samples to be extracted through a sealed path without exposing surrounding samples to higher temperatures, enabling easy access while maintaining the integrity of the high-density storage arrangement.
2Ease of operation
If robot is positioned within cold zone to access samples, then access capability is improved, but servicing becomes difficult and cold storage container must be large
Solution Approach 1:
The robot is extracted from the cold zone and repositioned in the ambient temperature zone. Only the essential sample transfer conduit extends into the cold zone, minimizing the volume requiring cold storage. This allows easy servicing of the robot while maintaining sample access capability through the sealed conduit system.
3Ease of operation
If Cartesian robot system is used to select individual items, then individual item selection capability is improved, but space requirement increases and system becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a complex Cartesian robot system that moves in three dimensions, the invention inverts the approach by using a simple rotary selector mechanism. The selector rotates to different angular positions around the storage array, providing individual item selection capability with much simpler mechanics and reduced space requirements.
4Reliability
If samples are stored at very low temperatures to avoid degradation, then sample integrity is improved, but space efficiency decreases and energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of cooling the entire large-volume cold storage container, the invention applies cooling only to the essential sample storage positions and the transfer conduit path. This partial cooling approach maintains sample integrity at low temperatures while significantly reducing the volume requiring cold storage and thus lowering energy consumption.
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 rapid access to individual samples while keeping the surrounding items at a controlled temperature, reducing energy consumption and maintaining the integrity of the samples, thus overcoming the limitations of traditional Cartesian systems.
Implementation Method 1
using a temporary storage unit and low-pressure suction to extract items without mechanical engagement
Data Source
AI summary
A storage apparatus has an annular array of stacked item storage formations, and an epicyclic selector arrangement for extracting items from the array, with a temporary storage unit.