Insert Shelf Agitation Mechanism for Energy-Efficient Incubation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shaking incubators require moving the entire unit to agitate contents, leading to inefficient energy use due to unnecessary mass movement, which is disadvantageous for small and light incubation vessels.
Innovation Solution
A shelf with a built-in drive mechanism, such as a stirring magnet drive or mechanically movable support surface, allows for agitation of incubation media without moving the entire incubator, enabling efficient movement of contents during incubation treatments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the entire incubator is moved to agitate the incubation vessel contents, then the incubation medium can be set in motion, but an unnecessarily large mass must be moved leading to high energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The incubator system is segmented into a stationary incubator body and a movable insert tray. Only the insert tray containing the incubation vessel is moved for agitation, rather than moving the entire incubator. This segmentation allows selective movement of only the necessary mass (insert tray + vessel + medium) while leaving the heavy incubator body stationary, thereby reducing energy consumption significantly.
Solution Approach 2:
The agitation function is extracted from the main incubator body and implemented as a separate movable insert tray with its own drive mechanism. This extraction allows the agitation operation to be performed independently on a small mass (the insert tray contents) without involving the entire incubator mass, resolving the contradiction between agitation capability and energy efficiency.
2Productivity
If a shaking table solution is used to agitate incubation vessels, then the vessels can be shaken, but the entire incubator must be moved which requires moving an unnecessarily large mass
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the incubator into stationary and movable segments. The insert tray is designed as a separate movable unit that can be independently actuated by a drive mechanism. This segmentation enables agitation of only the insert tray contents (small mass) while the main incubator body remains stationary, improving productivity by eliminating the need to move large masses.
Solution Approach 2:
The insert tray is designed with dynamic movement capability through an integrated drive mechanism that can move the tray back and forth or rotate it. This dynamic design allows the insert tray to be moved independently for agitation purposes without requiring the entire static incubator structure to be moved, thereby reducing the weight of the moving object while maintaining agitation functionality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If existing incubators are retrofitted with insertable trays, then functionality can be expanded, but the insert must be mechanically movable relative to the fixed frame
Solution Approach 1:
The insert tray is designed as a universal component that can be inserted into and removed from the incubator frame, providing multi-functionality. The same insert tray structure serves both as a support for incubation vessels and as a movable element for agitation. This universal design allows existing incubators to be retrofitted with agitation capability without requiring complex custom mechanisms, balancing adaptability with manageable device complexity.
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
This solution allows for efficient agitation of incubation media within incubation vessels without relocating the entire incubator, reducing energy consumption and expanding the functional capabilities of existing incubators through retrofitting.
Implementation Method 1
the insert has at least one stirring magnet drive as a means for moving the incubation medium, with which a rotating magnetic field can be generated to drive at least one stirring magnet that can be inserted into an incubation vessel
Implementation Method 2
a rotating magnetic field can be generated to drive at least one stirring magnet
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The insert shelf (1) is characterized in that it has at least one means (3) with which an incubation medium located in an incubation vessel placed on the insert shelf (1) can be set in motion during an incubation treatment or during an incubation process in an incubator (2). For this purpose, the at least one means (3) can be operated electrically and/or preferably moved mechanically.