Mechanical Rack And Tray Positioning for Low-Temperature Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing low-temperature storage systems face issues such as increased complexity due to the need for cameras to precisely determine rack and object positions, potential fogging from humid air entry, and reduced capacity due to different tray and rack shapes, leading to operational challenges and potential temperature rise.
Innovation Solution
A positioning device with a rack and tray fixing unit, driven by an external mechanism, that securely sets racks and trays at fixed positions using pressing members and restricting members, eliminating the need for cameras and reducing system complexity and heat generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a camera is used to precisely determine the positions of rack and storage object, then positioning precision is improved, but device complexity increases and heat generation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the optical measurement system (camera) with a mechanical positioning system. The rack is equipped with positioning protrusions that fit into corresponding grooves on the tray, providing precise positioning through mechanical constraints rather than optical detection. This eliminates the need for cameras and associated imaging systems while maintaining positioning accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the camera system from the low-temperature storage device. By using purely mechanical positioning components (protrusions and grooves) that are integrated into the rack and tray structures, the system eliminates the need for external imaging devices, thereby reducing device complexity and removing the heat source associated with camera operation.
2Measurement precision
If camera is disposed above the opening for position detection, then positioning is enabled, but harmful factors increase due to fogging from humid air entry
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the camera-based optical detection system with a mechanical positioning system that does not require line-of-sight visibility. The positioning protrusions and grooves provide physical constraints that work independently of air quality conditions, eliminating the problem of fogging caused by humid air entry at the opening.
3Reliability
If picking unit is designed to enter chamber without passing opening, then camera interference is avoided, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the positioning function from the picking unit and integrates it into the rack and tray structures themselves. The positioning protrusions on the rack and corresponding grooves on the tray provide automatic positioning that does not require a complex picking unit design, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining operational reliability.
4Temperature
If power source is placed outside low-temperature chamber, then temperature stability is improved, but device complexity increases due to external drive mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the positioning function with the existing rack and tray structures by integrating positioning protrusions and grooves directly into these components. This eliminates the need for separate external drive mechanisms, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining the benefit of placing the power source outside the low-temperature chamber for temperature stability.
Data Source
AI summary
To provide a simple-structured low-temperature storage system capable of carrying storage objects to a full capacity on a tray and of reliably transferring storage objects without the necessity for a camera to check the positions of a rack or storage objects. The low-temperature storage system includes a storage area inside a low-temperature storage chamber for storing storage objects, and a picking area where a positioning device is disposed to allow storage objects to be carried in and out. The positioning device includes a rack fixing unit that fixes a rack, a tray fixing unit, and a drive mechanism. The rack fixing unit includes a rack pressing member that presses the rack, and a rack motion restricting member that restricts movements of the rack. The tray fixing unit includes a tray pressing member that presses the tray, and a tray motion restricting member that restricts movements of the tray.