Low-Temperature Storage Drawers for Vertical Capacity and Identification
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional low temperature storage systems face limitations in storage capacity and efficiency, particularly in utilizing vertical space while minimizing horizontal space, and often struggle with organized and easy-to-identify storage of cryostorage carriers, leading to potential misidentification of specimens.
Innovation Solution
A low temperature storage system featuring a cabinet with slidable drawers and a support grid arranged in a matrix configuration, utilizing titanium construction, vacuum pressure for insulation, and alphanumeric markings for easy identification, along with a level sensor and alarm system to maintain optimal fluid levels, allowing for scalable and organized storage of cryostorage carriers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional storage systems are used, then horizontal space is occupied, but vertical space utilization is poor and storage capacity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from horizontal shelving to vertical stacking of drawers, utilizing the vertical dimension to increase storage capacity. Multiple drawers are stacked vertically within the cabinet housing, allowing specimens to be stored in layers rather than spread horizontally, thereby achieving 5-10 times greater storage capacity within the same horizontal footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements nested drawers where multiple storage drawers are contained within a single cabinet housing. Each drawer can be independently accessed and removed, while collectively they form a compact vertical stack that maximizes space utilization without increasing the horizontal footprint of the storage system.
2Quantity of substance
If specimens are stored in a matrix configuration, then storage density increases, but identification and organization become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The support grid is segmented into multiple receptacles arranged in a matrix configuration, with each receptacle designed to hold a single storage carrier. This segmentation organizes specimens into discrete, individually accessible units while maintaining high storage density. The grid structure provides clear spatial separation between specimens, facilitating identification and retrieval.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates color-coded or marked receptacles and storage carriers to enhance visual identification. The matrix configuration is complemented by visual indicators that allow users to quickly locate and identify specific specimens without having to search through the entire storage array, thereby maintaining ease of operation despite high storage density.
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 system achieves a storage capacity 5-10 times greater than conventional systems with similar footprints, optimally using vertical space, and reduces the risk of specimen misidentification through its organized and easily identifiable multi-well design, while maintaining specimens in a viable state for extended periods.
Implementation Method 1
The interior and exterior walls include titanium. In certain embodiments, the insular space includes a vacuum pressure.
Data Source
AI summary
A low temperature storage system includes a cabinet housing and a drawer that is slidable in and out of the cabinet housing. The drawer includes an interior wall and an exterior wall defining an insular space therebetween and a support grid disposed within an interior region defined by the interior wall of the drawer. The support grid defines multiple receptacles arranged in a matrix configuration and respectively sized to receive a storage carrier. The drawer further includes first markings and second markings printed on the drawer in a manner such that any one of the first markings and any one of the second markings together correspond to one of the multiple receptacles arranged in the matrix configuration.