Connection assembly for tight transfer cell comprising a flange bearing at least one magnetic indexing lever

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a connection assembly for a tight transfer cell, comprising: – a cell flange (1) comprising an inner face equipped with a door (2) movable between a closed position for sealing a central opening (5) of the flange (1) and an open position for releasing this central opening (5), and an outer face (7) opposite the inner face; – a lock (13) borne by the cell flange (1) and located on its inner face (6) for locking the door (2) when it is closed on the opening (5); – an operating lever (17, 21) borne by the flange (1) being located on its outer face (7), for actuating the door (2) or for actuating the lock (13). According to the present disclosure, the flange (1) bears on its outer face (7) at least one magnetic indexing element (22, 23, 24, 27, 28) of the lever (17, 21) and the lever (17, 21) bears a magnetic element (26, 29).

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Title of the invention: Connection assembly for tight transfer cell comprising a flange bearing at least one magnetic indexing lever

[0003] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0004] The present disclosure relates to the tight transfer of components from a tight container to a tight cell, with a double-door connection system.

[0005] PRIOR ART

[0006] In different industrial sectors, it is necessary to perform tasks in a confined atmosphere, to protect the environment for example from radioactivity or toxicity, or to perform these tasks in an aseptic atmosphere, or both simultaneously.

[0007] The transfer of devices or products from a container to a cell, without breaking the tightness, is carried out with a double-door connection device, such a device being known for example from document FR2695343.

[0008] In such a device, the cell is closed by a door of a flange of the cell equipping this cell, the door being located on the inner side of the flange, i.e. in the cell, being connected to this flange by a hinge. The container is closed by a door mounted in a flange of this container to which it is secured by a bayonet connection. Two other bayonet connections allow securing of the flanges to each other, and securing of the doors to each other.

[0009] It is common to refer to the flange and door of the cell as alpha flange and alpha door, and to refer to the flange and door of the container as beta flange and beta door.

[0010] In addition, the flange can be equipped on one hand with a lock for locking the door in its closed state, and it can also bear one or two external levers allowing an operator to operate the door and / or the lock from outside the cell.

[0011] The connection of the container to the cell is carried out by applying the flange of the container against that of the cell, and by pivoting it on itself, which has the effect of:

[0012] - securing the two flanges to each other by their bayonet connection; - securing the two doors to each other by another bayonet connection;

[0013] - disconnecting the bayonet connection connecting the container door to its flange.

[0014] Once this connection has been made, the door of the cell can be pivoted inwards about its hinge, so as to open communication: the door of the container being then rigidly secured to that of the cell by the corresponding bayonet connection, it opens together with the cell door.

[0015] Once the transfer of components or materials has been carried out from the container to the cell or vice versa, the cell door with the container door attached thereto are folded back by pivoting about the hinge. The container is then pivoted on itself in the opposite direction, which has the effect of:

[0016] - securing the container door to the container flange;

[0017] - disconnecting the container door from the cell door;

[0018] - disconnecting the container door from the cell flange.

[0019] The aim of the present disclosure is that providing a solution for indexing the door and / or the lock of such an assembly, to ensure that they cannot change state under the effect of an event other than operator intervention.

[0020] SUMMARY

[0021] To this end, the present disclosure relates to a connection assembly for a tight transfer cell, comprising:

[0022] - a cell flange comprising an inner face equipped with a door movable between a closed position for sealing a central opening of the flange and an open position for releasing this central opening, and an outer face opposite the inner face;

[0023] - a lock borne by the cell flange and located on its inner face for locking the door when it is closed on the opening;

[0024] - an operating lever borne by the flange being located on its outer face, for actuating the door or for actuating the lock; characterised in that: - the flange bears on its outer face at least one magnetic indexing element of the lever and the lever bears a magnetic element.

[0025] With this arrangement, the door or the lock is indexed in position, thanks to the magnetic elements indexing the corresponding lever.

[0026] The present disclosure also relates to an assembly thus defined, wherein the flange bears several magnetic indexing elements.

[0027] The present disclosure also relates to an assembly thus defined, comprising a lever for actuating the door and a lever for actuating the lock, and wherein the flange comprises at least one magnetic indexing element for each lever.

[0028] The present disclosure also relates to an assembly thus defined, wherein the flange comprises at least two magnetic indexing elements for each lever.

[0029] The present disclosure also relates to an assembly thus defined, comprising a lever for actuating the door, and wherein the flange comprises at least three magnetic indexing elements for the lever for actuating the door.

[0030] The present disclosure also relates to an assembly thus defined, wherein at least one magnetic element is a permanent magnet.

[0031] The present disclosure also relates to an assembly thus defined, wherein the magnetic elements are arranged so that the magnetic element of the lever comes into contact with a magnetic indexing element when the lever is facing this magnetic indexing element.

[0032] The present disclosure also relates to an assembly thus defined, wherein at least one magnetic element is attached to the flange with a functional gap so as to be floatingly mounted and / or at least one magnetic element is attached to a lever with a functional gap so as to be floatingly mounted.

[0033] The present disclosure also relates to a method for using an assembly thus defined, comprising the operation of actuating a lever for operating the door or for operating the door lock.

[0034] The present disclosure also relates to a method thus defined, wherein a connection assembly comprising a lever for operating the door and a lever for operating the lock is used. The present disclosure also relates to a method for using a connection assembly for a tight transfer cell, comprising:

[0035] - a cell flange comprising an inner face equipped with a door movable between a closed position for sealing a central opening of the flange and an open position for releasing this central opening, and an outer face opposite the inner face;

[0036] - a lock borne by the cell flange and located on its inner face for locking the door when it is closed on the opening;

[0037] - an operating lever borne by the flange being located on its outer face, for actuating the door or for actuating the lock; wherein the flange bears on its outer face at least one magnetic indexing element of the lever and the lever bears a magnetic element, and wherein this method comprises the operation of actuating a lever for operating the door or for operating the door lock.

[0038] The present disclosure also relates to a method for using a connection assembly for a tight transfer cell, comprising:

[0039] - a cell flange comprising an inner face equipped with a door movable between a closed position for sealing a central opening of the flange and an open position for releasing this central opening, and an outer face opposite the inner face;

[0040] - a lock borne by the cell flange and located on its inner face for locking the door when it is closed on the opening;

[0041] - an operating lever borne by the flange being located on its outer face, for actuating the door;

[0042] - an operating lever borne by the flange being located on its outer face, for actuating the lock; wherein the flange bears on its outer face at least one magnetic indexing element of the lever and the lever bears a magnetic element, and wherein this method comprises the operation of actuating a lever for operating the door or for operating the door lock. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0043] [Fig. 1] is a perspective overall view of a flange equipped with a door shown at an intermediate position between its closure and its maximum opening according to the present disclosure viewed from inside the cell;

[0044] [Fig. 2] is a view of a flange equipped with a door shown open according to the present disclosure viewed from outside the cell;

[0045] [Fig. 3] is a view of a flange equipped with a door shown at an intermediate position between its closure and its maximum opening which is according to the present disclosure viewed from outside the cell;

[0046] [Fig. 4] is a view of a flange equipped with a door shown closed and locked according to the present disclosure viewed from outside the cell.

[0047] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] In Figure 1, a cell flange 1 supports a door 2 secured to this flange 1 by a hinge 3. This flange 1 is attached to an opening, not shown, of a cell wall 4, and has a revolving shape about an axis AX1, to delimit a circular central opening 5.

[0049] It comprises an inner face 6 extending inside the cell equipped with it, and an outer face 7 extending outside the cell equipped with it and to which a container flange 8, forming part of a container from which a transfer is to be made to the cell or vice versa, is coupled.

[0050] The opening 5 which is free in the status of Figure 1, can be closed by folding the door 2 back against the flange 1 by pivoting this door 2 about the hinge 3. This hinge 3 extends along an axis AY normal to the axis AX1 and spaced apart from it by a distance greater than the radius of the opening 5.

[0051] In Figure 1, a door 9 of the container is secured to the inner face of the door 2 by an invisible bayonet connection. The door 2 is connected to the hinge 3 by an arm 11 having a first end rigidly secured to a rotary element 12 of the hinge 3, and a second end rigidly attached to the door 2. The cell flange 1 is equipped with a locking device comprising a rotary lock 13 and the door 2 is equipped with a cam 14, or plug, rigidly secured to the door 2 and protruding from it.

[0052] The rotary lock 13 is located opposite the hinge 3 relative to the axis AX1, and it protrudes from the inner face 6 while being able to pivot about an axis AX2 parallel to the axis AX1, this lock 13 comprising a roller 16 extending parallel to the face 6.

[0053] When the door 2 is folded back, the cam 14 is located facing the lock 13, such that a pivoting of the lock 13 about its axis makes it possible to engage its roller 16 in the cam 14, so as to lock the door 2. Rotating the lock 13 in the opposite direction makes it possible to disengage its roller 16, to release the cam 14 and allow opening of the door 2.

[0054] This rotary lock 13 comprises a transmission shaft extending along an axis AX2 parallel to the axis AX1 and passing through the outer face 7 of the flange 1, this shaft bearing an operating lever 17 allowing an operator to actuate the lock 13. This lever 17 which is external and rotatable parallel to the face 7, thus allows an operator to lock or unlock the door 2 which is internal, from outside the cell.

[0055] As indicated above, the hinge 3 comprises a rotary element 12, pivoting about the axis AY, this rotary element 12 being borne by bearings 18 and 19 rigidly attached to the inner face 6. In addition, another operating lever 21 located on the outer face of the flange 1 is borne by a rotary shaft or a transmission mechanism not shown extending along an axis of rotation AX3 parallel to the axes AX1 and AX2, for operating the door.

[0056] This other operating lever 21 which is rotatable parallel to the face 7 is connected to the door by a transmission mechanism not shown. It allows an operator to operate the inner door from outside the cell, by actuating this operating lever 21 to open or close it.

[0057] According to the present disclosure, the levers 17 and 21 are indexed in position by magnetic means. For this purpose, the flange 1 bears three magnetic indexing elements, 22, 23, 24, and the operating lever 21 bears another magnetic element 26.

[0058] When the door 2 is fully open as in Figure 2, this corresponds to a position where the lever 21 is facing the element 22, such that its magnetic element 26 is facing the element 22, which has the effect of immobilising the lever 21 to immobilise the door 2 at its maximum opening.

[0059] Starting from the status of Figure 2, the lever 21 can be rotated, for example by an operator, to place it facing the magnetic element 23, which corresponds to the status of Figure 3. The door 2 is then immobilised at an intermediate position between its fully open position and its closed position. In this position, the lever 21 is immobilised because its magnetic element 26 is then facing the element 23, to immobilise the door 2 at its intermediate position.

[0060] The lever 21 can then be rotated to place it facing the magnetic element 24, which corresponds to the status of Figure 4 wherein the door 2 is immobilised in its closed position. The lever 21 is then immobilised because its magnetic element 26 is then facing the element 24, which immobilises the door 2 in its closing position.

[0061] Advantageously, the element 26 and / or each element 22 to 24 has limited mobility in the axial direction AX1, such that when the lever 21 is facing an indexing element 22 to 24, the magnetic element of the lever and the corresponding magnetic indexing element are pressed against each other. This makes it possible to significantly increase the magnetic attraction they exert on each other and ensure true locking of the lever 21 in its position.

[0062] Mobility in the axial direction of the element 26 can be obtained by attaching it to the lever 21 with a certain functional gap so as to form a floating assembly. This axial mobility can also be obtained by providing that the lever 21 rotatable about the axis AX3 also has a certain freedom to oscillate in a plane containing the axis AX3.

[0063] Similarly, the elements 22 to 24 can have limited mobility in the direction AX1 by being attached to the flange 1 with a certain functional gap to be floating relative thereto. The lever 21 for operating the door 2 is indexed at its maximum opening position, at an intermediate position, and at a closing position of the door thanks to the cooperation of the magnetic indexing elements 22 to 24 borne by the flange with the magnetic element 26 borne by this lever.

[0064] Similarly, the lever 17 for operating the lock 13 is also indexed by magnetic means. The flange 1 bears two other magnetic indexing elements 27 and 28 located in the vicinity of this other lever 17, and this lever also bears a magnetic element 29.

[0065] This lever 17 is directly rotatably linked to the lock 13 by a pin passing through the flange 1. When the lock 13 is in the unlocked state, as in Figures 1 to 3, the lever 17 is located facing the indexing element 27, such that its magnetic element 29 is facing this element 27 to immobilise the lever in this position, and thereby immobilise the lock 13 in the unlocked state.

[0066] When the door 2 has been closed, as in Figure 4, the operator can actuate the lever 17 by pivoting it about its axis AX2 by approximately a quarter-turn, to lock the lock 13, while placing the lever 17 facing the indexing element 28. This has the effect of immobilising the lock 13 in its locked state, as shown in Figure 4.

[0067] As in the case of the lever 21 with its element 26 and the indexing elements 22 to 24, the magnetic element 29 of the lever 17 and / or the corresponding indexing elements 27 and 28 advantageously has axial mobility in the direction AX1. This allows the element 29 of the lever 17 and the corresponding indexing element 27 or 28 to be pressed against each other when they are facing each other, to ensure true locking of the lever 17 in its unlocking position or in its locking position of the lock 13.

[0068] The mobility of the element 29 can be obtained by a floating attachment of this element 29 to the lever 17 or by tilting this lever 17 in a plane containing its axis of rotation AX2. The mobility of the indexing elements 27 and 28 can be obtained by attaching them to the flange 1 with a certain functional gap so as to form a floating assembly.

[0069] Each magnetic element 22 to 24 and 26 to 29 comprises a component such as a permanent magnet, a ferromagnetic part, or an electrically powered coil with optionally a sheet stack type ferromagnetic core. Advantageously, the magnetic element comprises a shell such as a coating or a housing surrounding its magnetic component.

[0070] In practice, the indexing elements 22, 23, 24 27 and 28 can comprise ferromagnetic parts, and the elements 26 and 29 can comprise permanent magnets. Conversely, the elements 22, 23, 24 Tl and 28 can comprise permanent magnets, and the elements 26 and 29 can simply comprise ferromagnetic parts. The elements 22 to 24 and 26 to 29 can also each comprise a permanent magnet.

[0071] In the example of the figures, three indexing elements 22, 23, 24 are provided for the lever 21 for operating the door 2, corresponding respectively to the open state of this door, to an intermediate state, and to a closed state. The number of indexing elements shown in the example of the figures can be increased or decreased according to needs. For example, a single indexing element 22 making it possible to lock the door in its open state could be considered sufficient.

[0072] Similarly, two indexing elements 27 and 28 for the lever 17 for operating the lock are provided in the example of the figures, but this number can be modified. For example, only the indexing element 27 making it possible to lock the lock in its unlocked state can be provided.

[0073] Moreover, in the example of the figures, each lever is rotatable in a plane parallel to the flange, but the present disclosure can also be applied in the case of a lever rotatable in a plane normal to that of the flange. It is then possible to provide a magnetic indexing element borne by the flange, with which the lever comes into contact when it is folded back against this flange. Another magnetic indexing element borne by the flange can also be provided so that the lever comes into contact with this other magnetic element when it occupies a folded-back position opposite the previous folded- back position.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A connection assembly for a tight transfer cell, comprising:- a cell flange (1) comprising an inner face (6) equipped with a door (2) movable between a closed position for sealing a central opening (5) of the flange (1) and an open position for releasing this central opening (5), and an outer face (7) opposite the inner face (6);- a lock (13) borne by the cell flange (1) and located on its inner face (6) for locking the door (2) when it is closed on the opening (5);- an operating lever (17, 21) borne by the flange (1) being located on its outer face (7), for actuating the door (2) or for actuating the lock (13); characterised in that:- the flange bears (1) on its outer face (7) at least one magnetic indexing element (22, 23, 24, T1 , 28) of the lever (17, 21) and the lever (17, 21) bears a magnetic element (26, 29).

2. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the flange (1) bears several magnetic indexing elements (22, 23, 24, 27, 28).

3. The assembly according to claim 1, comprising a lever (21) for actuating the door (2) and a lever (17) for actuating the lock (13), and wherein the flange (1) comprises at least one magnetic indexing element (22, 23, 24, 27, 28) for each lever (17, 21).

4. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the flange (1) comprises at least two magnetic indexing elements (22, 23, 24, 1 , 28) for each lever (17, 21).

5. The assembly according to claim 1, comprising a lever (21) for actuating the door (2), and wherein the flange (1) comprises at least three magnetic indexing elements (22, 23, 24) for the lever (21) for actuating the door (2).

6. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein at least one magnetic element (22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29) is a permanent magnet.

7. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic elements(22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29) are arranged so that the magnetic element (26, 29) of the lever (17, 21) comes into contact with a magnetic indexing element (22, 23, 24, J , 28) when the lever (17, 21) is facing this magnetic indexing element (22, 23, 24, 27, 28).

8. The assembly according to claim 7, wherein at least one magnetic element (22, 23, 24, 27, 28) is attached to the flange (1) with a functional gap so as to be floatingly mounted and / or at least one magnetic element (26, 29) is attached to a lever (17, 21) with a functional gap so as to be floatingly mounted.

9. A method for using an assembly according to claim 1, comprising the operation of actuating a lever for operating the door or for operating the door lock.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein a connection assembly comprising a lever for operating the door and a lever for operating the lock is used.

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