Low-Temperature Storage Stack Insulation and Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage systems for biological, chemical, and biochemical samples at low temperatures face issues such as ice crystal growth, rapid warming of dry ice-cooled containers, cumbersome liquid nitrogen storage, and limited capacity and complexity in robotic systems, which hinder efficient and reliable storage and retrieval of samples.
Innovation Solution
The design of storage stacks with rigid lateral support flanges, a back panel, a bottom plate, and a rigid insulation cover forming a continuous insulation layer, allowing for efficient temperature maintenance and self-centering, which eliminates the need for separate insulating ceiling plates and guidance members, enabling flexible lattice constants and improved air circulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate insulating ceiling plates and guidance members are used in storage systems, then insulation and positioning functions are provided, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The insulation cover integrates multiple functions: it provides thermal insulation through the insulating element, positions the storage stack via the positioning element, and enables robot handling through the opening. This merging of insulation, positioning, and handling functions into a single component eliminates the need for separate ceiling plates and guidance members, reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The insulation cover serves multiple purposes simultaneously: thermal insulation, mechanical positioning, and robot interface. The positioning element that protrudes from the insulating element provides both structural support and guidance functionality, making the component universal and eliminating the need for dedicated separate components
2Quantity of substance
If storage stacks are arranged in a lattice pattern, then space utilization is improved, but air circulation and temperature distribution may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The gaps between positioning elements of adjacent storage stacks create localized channels for air circulation. These gaps are strategically positioned to allow cold air to flow between stacks, ensuring uniform temperature distribution in the storage area while maintaining high storage capacity through compact lattice arrangement
3Stability of the object's composition
If rigid insulation covers are used, then temperature stability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The insulation cover is divided into distinct functional elements: the insulating element for thermal stability and the positioning element for mechanical function. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently using appropriate processes, then assembled together, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining temperature stability
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
This solution provides a more efficient and flexible storage system with increased packing density, even temperature distribution, and reduced complexity, allowing for reliable storage of samples at controlled low temperatures without the need for elaborate insulation or guidance systems.
Implementation Method 1
The insulation block (18) comprises a high density polyurethane shell (29) and high density polyurethane stabilizing portions (30), the high density polyurethane shell (29) being filled with a low density polyurethane filling (31)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~5B
Figure 6~7
AI summary
The invention refers to a storage stack (1) for storing sample containers (2) in a low temperature sample store (3). The low temperature sample store (3) is equipped with a robot (4) that acts according to Cartesian X, Y, and Z coordinates for horizontally positioning sample containers (2) in X/Y planes inside of individual storage stacks (1) and for vertically moving individual storage stacks (1) within the low temperature sample store (3) in Z direction. The sample store (3) defines a storage area (7) for accommodating an array (8) of m x n storage stacks (1) that are accomplished to be oriented adjacent to each other and parallel to the vertical Z direction. Each individual storage stack (1) comprises first and second rigid lateral support flanges (11',11'') extending in the Z direction and comprising a multitude of storage webs (12) for supporting sample containers (2) inserted into the storage stack (1); a rigid back panel (13), rigidly linking the lateral support flanges (11',11'') to each other; a rigid bottom plate (14), fixed to lower ends of at least one lateral support flange (11',11'') and/or of the back panel (13); and a rigid insulation cover (15), fixed to upper ends of at least one lateral support flange (11',11'') and/or of the back panel (13). The insulation cover (15) comprises a handling plate (16) and an insulation block (18). A number of m x n insulation covers (15) of all storage stacks (1) of a storage stack array (8) form an essentially continuous insulation layer (20) on a storage area (7) of the low temperature sample store (3). For all storage stacks (1), carrying elements (21,27) are provided. These carrying elements (21,27) statically connect the bottom plate (14) of each individual storage stack (1) with a bottom structure (22) of the storage area (7) of the low temperature sample store (3). These carrying elements (21,27) are accomplished to carry the entire weight of the individual storage stack (1) and all sample containers (2) inserted in this storage stack (1) and to confer this entire weight to a bottom structure (22) of the storage area (7) of the low temperature sample store (3).