Adjustable Safety Cabinet Airflow for Contamination Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing safety cabinets have a fixed front opening size, limiting the movable range of a worker's hand and posing difficulties for workers of varying heights, particularly those with low body height, as the fixed opening size can lead to inadequate airflow and increased contamination risks.
Innovation Solution
The safety cabinet features an adjustable front opening size, controlled airflow rates, and adjustable blower flow rates to accommodate different worker heights, ensuring effective air circulation and contamination prevention regardless of the opening size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the front opening size is increased to improve hand movement range, then the movable range of worker's hand is improved, but the airflow control becomes difficult and contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the front opening size adjustable rather than fixed. The front shutter can be moved to different positions to change the opening area, allowing the system to adapt between larger openings for better hand movement and smaller openings for better airflow control and contamination prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the flow rate of air supplied into the working space and the flow rate of air taken through the front opening in accordance with the size of the front opening. When the opening size changes, the airflow parameters are adjusted accordingly to maintain proper airflow patterns and prevent contamination.
2Device complexity
If the front opening size is fixed at standard dimensions, then the airflow control is simplified, but the adaptability to workers of various heights is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the front opening size adjustable through the movable front shutter, allowing workers of different heights to adjust the opening to a comfortable position. The height adjustment range is designed to accommodate workers from 150 cm to 190 cm in height.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent controls airflow parameters (flow rate of supplied air and flow rate of taken air) in accordance with the size of the front opening. This ensures that even when the opening size changes to accommodate different workers, the airflow remains controlled and contamination prevention is maintained.
3Ease of operation
If the front opening size is increased beyond standard dimensions, then the user comfort for low-height workers is improved, but the airflow instability increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs feedback control by measuring the flow rate of air taken through the front opening with a flow rate sensor and using this information to control the blower. This ensures that even when the front opening size is increased for user comfort, the airflow remains stable and controlled within predetermined ranges.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adjusts the flow rate of air supplied into the working space and the flow rate of air taken through the front opening in accordance with the size of the front opening. This dynamic parameter adjustment maintains airflow stability regardless of the opening size.
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 design allows for easy operation by workers of various heights by adjusting the front opening size and airflow rates, maintaining effective contamination prevention and user comfort.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure chamber communicating with the first and second air cleaners and the blower
Implementation Method 2
a flow rate sensor so that a blower is controlled to keep the flow rate within a predetermined range even when HEPA filter as a cleaner is in clogging
Data Source
AI summary
A safety cabinet adaptable for a variation in body height of a worker using the safety cabinet, that is, a safety cabinet which prevents various bacteria from proceeding from the outside of the safety cabinet into a working space of the safety cabinet and prevents bacteria or virus from proceeding from the working space to the outside of the safety cabinet irrespective of a change in opening area of a front opening, is provided.A flow velocity of a clean air supplied into the working space and a flow velocity of the air flowing through the front opening are set at respective velocities predetermined to keep a physical isolation for preventing the contamination in accordance with a size of the front opening.Further, in the safety cabinet, the size of the front opening communicating with the working space under the front surface shutter is adjustable between 200 mm and 300 m.