Rotatable Cryogenic Storage Rack for Rapid Sample Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cryogenic storage racks are difficult to use, requiring significant experience to access and retrieve samples efficiently, leading to potential sample degradation due to prolonged exposure to higher temperatures during the multi-step process of handling and re-storing samples.
Innovation Solution
A storage rack design featuring an elongate mounting bar, stop bar, and pivotally coupled shelves with a handle that allows for one-handed manipulation and rotation of shelves for easy access and reconfiguration, along with cylindrical vial containers and a secure lid system to minimize exposure to ambient temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional storage racks with fixed shelves and multiple handling steps are used, then sample storage capacity is achieved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to complex multi-step retrieval processes requiring significant experience
Solution Approach 1:
The shelves are made rotatable relative to the mounting bar, allowing them to dynamically change position from a stored configuration (aligned with stop bar) to an accessible configuration (rotated away from stop bar). This dynamic element eliminates the need for multiple manual handling steps while maintaining storage capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage rack is segmented into independently rotatable shelves that can be accessed individually. Each shelf can be rotated independently to access samples without disturbing other shelves, enabling simple one-handed operation while maintaining overall storage organization.
2Reliability
If conventional multi-step retrieval processes are used, then sample storage organization is maintained, but loss of time increases due to prolonged exposure to higher temperatures during handling
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable shelf mechanism allows rapid transition from stored to accessible position, minimizing the time samples are exposed to higher temperatures during retrieval. The single rotational motion replaces multiple manual steps, reducing handling time and thermal exposure risk.
3Ease of operation
If conventional storage racks requiring precise manual manipulation are used, then sample storage capacity is achieved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in gripping small handles and manipulating small components
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable shelf design allows users to simply rotate the shelf to an accessible position and retrieve samples directly, eliminating the need to manipulate small clips or retainer bars. This dynamic rotation mechanism can be operated with one hand, significantly improving retrieval efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A storage rack for storing and retrieving products to be maintained at a desired cryogenic temperature is provided. The storage rack includes an elongate mounting bar carrying a plurality of shelves, and an elongate stop bar that extends generally parallel to the mounting bar. The shelves are independently rotatable relative to the mounting bar towards and away from the stop bar, thereby enabling alignment of all of the shelves when the storage rack is to be stored, and also enabling easy access to each of the individual shelves. A handle projects upwardly and horizontally in a curved configuration from the stop bar and the mounting bar to provide a gripping surface for moving the storage rack. The shelves receive cylindrical vial containers with threadably removable lids to make retrieval and replacement of sample vials quick to perform, thereby avoiding temperature-induced damage to other samples in the storage rack.