Storage cassette for laboratory objects
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage cassettes for laboratory objects at low temperatures are costly and complex to produce, requiring multiple parts and lacking in structural integrity.
Innovation Solution
A storage cassette design utilizing a single piece of sheet metal bent to form back and side walls, with bent angle brackets for storage sites and retention elements to secure objects, and optionally including top and base parts for increased strength, produced using predetermined bending locations for precision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If multiple parts are used to form storage cassettes, then ease of manufacture is improved, but device complexity increases and structural integrity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate parts (back wall, side walls, base, and reinforcement elements) into a single integrated sheet metal component. This single piece is formed by bending operations that create all structural elements simultaneously, eliminating the need for assembly of multiple separate parts while maintaining structural integrity and reducing complexity.
2Ease of manufacture
If multiple parts are assembled to form storage cassettes, then ease of manufacture is improved, but structural integrity and toughness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges all structural components into one continuous sheet metal piece, eliminating weak points at joints and connections. The single-piece construction ensures uniform material properties throughout, providing superior structural integrity and toughness compared to assembled multi-part designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The sheet metal is pre-formed with predetermined bending locations and reinforcement elements integrated into the design before final assembly. This preliminary shaping ensures that all structural features are optimally positioned and configured to withstand operational stresses from the beginning.
3Device complexity
If a single piece of sheet metal is bent to form storage cassettes, then device complexity is reduced and structural integrity is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates predetermined bending locations directly into the sheet metal design, marked in advance to guide the forming process. These pre-marked locations ensure consistent and precise bending angles and positions, reducing the skill level required and improving repeatability of the manufacturing process.
4Reliability
If retention elements are added to secure laboratory objects, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retention elements are integrated directly into the sheet metal structure through bending operations, forming part of the same single-piece component. This integration eliminates separate retention mechanisms while providing reliable object securing through the geometry of the bent metal itself.
Data Source
AI summary
A storage arrangement (1) has a chamber (3). Several Dewar flasks (5) are arranged in the chamber (3) and above them a picking device (8). The picking device has at least one cassette lift (60), with which storage cassettes (20) can be removed from above from the Dewar flasks (5). This arrangement is suitable for storing laboratory objects even at very low temperatures. Each storage cassette (20) is preferably made from a single piece of sheet metal. The piece of sheet metal is bent such that it forms the side walls (30), the back wall (32), the top part (34) and the base part (38) of the storage cassette (20), as well as angles (40, 42) to accommodate the laboratory objects.