Multi-Stage Z-Axis Extraction Arm for Compact Cold-Chain Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing biological sample storage systems face inefficiencies in transporting and transferring samples, occupy excessive space, and fail to maintain a continuous cold chain, leading to inconvenient access and inability to achieve industrialized operation and management.

Innovation Solution

An extraction operation room equipped with a multi-stage Z-direction extraction arm and an X-direction pushing system, allowing for flexible and efficient movement of sample storage tanks and boxes, ensuring a continuous cold chain and enabling industrialized operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If traditional extraction mechanisms are used, then the structure is simple, but the space occupied is excessive and sealing/heat preservation is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace occupationVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The extraction arm is nested within the operation room structure, with the arm pivoting from the rear wall and positioning components nested within the room's spatial framework. This nesting approach allows the extraction mechanism to function within a compact volume without requiring excessive external space, directly resolving the contradiction between space occupation and structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The extraction arm utilizes multi-dimensional movement (vertical pivoting from rear wall, horizontal positioning along tracks) to achieve extraction functionality within a compact footprint. By transitioning from simple linear motion to multi-axis movement, the system achieves effective extraction without proportionally increasing the occupied volume, addressing the space-complexity contradiction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If traditional sample access systems are used, then the system is simple, but the cold chain continuity cannot be guaranteed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecold chain continuityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The operation room maintains continuous cold chain conditions through persistent low-temperature environment maintenance and sealed extraction processes. The extraction arm operates within the cooled space, and samples are transferred between sealed containers, ensuring uninterrupted cold chain from storage to extraction without requiring complex active cooling during the extraction process itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The extraction arm serves as an intermediary mechanism that operates within the controlled cold environment of the operation room. It facilitates sample transfer between the sealed storage tank and the external environment while maintaining the cold chain integrity, acting as a mediator that enables extraction without compromising temperature continuity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If manual extraction methods are used, then the operation is flexible, but the efficiency is low and industrialized management is unachievable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesample access efficiencyVSAvoidoperational flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The extraction arm is equipped with automated positioning and extraction capabilities, where the system can autonomously navigate to sample locations, position the extraction member, and facilitate sample removal without requiring manual intervention for each step. This self-service capability significantly improves extraction efficiency while maintaining operational flexibility through programmable movement paths and adjustable extraction parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4480858B1Extraction operation room and intelligent sample access system
Publication Date: 2025.09.24 SHANGHAI ORIGINCELL BIOLOGICAL CRYO EQUIP CO LTD
  • EP4480858B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4480858B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4480858B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An extraction operation room. The extraction operation room is provided with a multi-stage Z-direction extraction arm (11) and an X-direction pushing system (12). Movement on a multi-distance road section in a Z-axis direction is realized by using the multi-stage Z-direction extraction arm, such that the movement of an extraction member on the multi-distance road section in the Z-axis direction is realized, thereby greatly increasing the depth or length of the movement in a Z axis. The corresponding X-direction pushing system is provided, and the X-direction pushing system realizes the movement of a tank cover of a sample storage tank or a storage box in an X-axis direction. An operation space is given when the movement in the Z-axis direction and the X-axis direction are implemented, and meanwhile, the extraction structure is reasonable in design, small in occupied space, relatively low in cost, convenient and intelligent to operate, and high in sealing and heat preservation. Provided is an intelligent sample access system. The system ensures the full cold chain, and connection of a plurality of devices can be realized by means of sample access to form an industrial access line, such that the sample access efficiency is greatly improved, and meanwhile, the management of the access sample industry line is facilitated.