Sample Storage Carousel With Parallel Retrieval Modules
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current sample storage systems face challenges in efficiently managing large volumes of biological or chemical samples, including issues with temperature control, contamination prevention, and access flexibility, which can lead to sample exposure and reduced system reliability.
Innovation Solution
An automated storage system featuring a refrigerated storage compartment with a vertical carousel and independent modules for processing, allowing for simultaneous handling and processing of samples while minimizing environmental exposure, and enabling flexible access across multiple levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If samples are stored in a controlled environment with low temperature, then sample preservation is improved, but access to samples becomes more difficult and mechanical complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The storage system is divided into multiple independent modules (source module, destination module, bridge module) that can operate autonomously. Each module handles specific functions, allowing the system to maintain complex temperature control while simplifying individual component operations and reducing overall mechanical complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The bridge module serves as an intermediary between the source and destination modules, facilitating sample transfer without requiring direct access to the cold storage environment. This intermediary structure enables mechanical operations to be performed at higher temperatures while maintaining sample preservation in the controlled low-temperature environment.
2Quantity of substance
If multiple samples are stored in a compact array, then storage capacity is improved, but retrieval speed and access flexibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The sample array is segmented into multiple racks that can be independently accessed and retrieved. This segmentation allows the system to maintain high storage capacity through compact arrays while improving retrieval speed by enabling selective access to specific racks without moving entire arrays, thus resolving the contradiction between storage density and retrieval efficiency.
3Productivity
If robotic systems are used for sample handling, then automation and retrieval speed are improved, but reliability deteriorates due to temperature sensitivity
Solution Approach 1:
The bridge module acts as a thermal intermediary, allowing robotic systems to perform sample handling operations at higher temperatures where they are more reliable, while still enabling access to samples stored in the controlled low-temperature environment. This intermediary structure decouples the temperature sensitivity issue from the automation functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic handling system is extracted from the cold storage environment and placed in a separate, temperature-friendly zone. This extraction allows the robotic components to operate reliably at higher temperatures while still performing the function of sample retrieval and transfer, thus maintaining both automation and reliability.
4Ease of operation
If the storage system is designed for flexible access, then ease of operation is improved, but sample exposure to environmental changes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The storage system is segmented into multiple racks and modules that can be independently accessed. This segmentation enables flexible access to specific samples or groups of samples without requiring access to the entire storage array, thereby maintaining ease of operation while minimizing the total surface area exposed to environmental changes and reducing sample exposure risk.
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 enhances sample retrieval efficiency, reduces exposure to undesirable conditions, and improves reliability by maintaining a controlled environment and allowing parallel operations, thus addressing the limitations of existing systems.
Implementation Method 1
They are stored in a controlled environment of low temperature (typically -20° to -80° C or lower)
Implementation Method 2
a sheet of material, such as foil or laminated polymer, that is heat sealed or otherwise adhered to the top edges of all of the containers
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3c
Figure 3b
AI summary
An automated storage system for storing large quantities of samples in trays includes a storage compartment, a tray shuttle compartment abutting the storage compartment on one side and a plurality of independent modules on the other side. The modules perform processing of samples that are retrieved from the storage compartment by a tray shuttle, including extraction of selected samples from retrieved source trays and transfer of the selected samples into a separate, destination tray that can be further processed or removed from the system for use. The independent operation of the modules permits handling and processing to be performed simultaneously by different modules while the tray shuttle accesses additional samples within the storage compartment.; In one embodiment, a vertical carousel is used to vertically align a desired tray with the tray shuttle, while the tray shuttle operates within a horizontal plane.