Inlay System Horizontal Offset for Space Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional inlay systems for storing sample containers in processing devices, such as incubators, are not space-efficient due to the protruding geometries of the containers, which require large vertical distances between levels and do not allow for adequate space for connections like tube inlets and filter elements.
Innovation Solution
An inlay system with a horizontal offset between adjacent levels, allowing for vertical protrusions of containers to overlap or extend beyond support structures, thereby reducing the vertical distance between levels and enabling more efficient use of space while maintaining access for connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If containers are stacked directly on top of each other in conventional inlay systems, then the arrangement is simple, but the space efficiency is poor due to protruding geometries requiring large vertical distances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a horizontal offset between adjacent vertical levels of support structures. Instead of stacking containers directly one above the other (vertical alignment only), the support structures are positioned with a horizontal displacement, allowing protruding geometries to extend into the horizontal space of adjacent levels without increasing vertical spacing requirements. This dimensional change from purely vertical stacking to offset stacking resolves the contradiction by improving space efficiency while maintaining structural simplicity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If large vertical distance is provided between container levels to accommodate protruding geometries, then connections have adequate space, but the storage capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By offsetting support structures horizontally, the patent allows connection elements and protruding geometries to occupy horizontal space rather than requiring increased vertical distance. This enables adequate space for connections while maintaining smaller vertical spacing between levels, thereby increasing the number of containers that can be stored vertically.
Solution Approach 2:
The horizontal offset configuration allows protruding geometries and connection elements of containers at one level to nest into the horizontal space occupied by containers at adjacent levels. This nesting arrangement provides adequate space for connections without requiring additional vertical clearance, thus maximizing storage capacity.
3Volume of moving object
If vertical distance between levels is reduced to increase storage capacity, then space efficiency improves, but access to container connections becomes obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The horizontal offset creates a staggered arrangement where protruding geometries and connection elements are positioned in horizontal spaces that do not directly overlap with support structures at adjacent levels. This allows reduced vertical spacing while maintaining unobstructed access to connections, as the offset positioning prevents interference between adjacent container levels.
Data Source
AI summary
An inlay system, comprising: a plurality of support structures, each of which is arranged at a different vertical level and configured to respectively support at least a portion of at least one of the plurality of containers, wherein the support structures are arranged with a horizontal offset between adjacent levels. An inlay system, comprising: a plurality of support structures, each of which is arranged at a different vertical level and configured to respectively support at least a portion of at least one of the plurality of containers, wherein a vertical spacing between a lower support structure and a higher support structure being adjacent to the lower support structure is configured so that a vertical distance V between a vertically protruding portion of at least one of the plurality of containers located on the lower support structure and the higher support structure is at most 5 cm.