Arc-Shaped Shutter Mounting Port for Clean Room Dust Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mounting port shutter mechanisms in clean rooms raise dust, are costly, and have durability issues due to the use of sheet-like shutters with rollers and linear motion mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A mounting port with arc-shaped or bent plate shutters that swing about a predetermined axis, eliminating the need for sliding or linear motion mechanisms, and utilizing a pair of shutters with a symmetrical driving axis and link mechanism to reduce space and dust, while enhancing durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a sheet-like shutter with rollers is used to guide the shutter, then the opening can be opened and closed, but dust is raised and the shutter bends easily requiring more space and having insufficient durability
Solution Approach 1:
The shutter is designed as an arc-shaped plate that swings about a predetermined axis. The curved geometry allows the shutter to follow a circular path during opening and closing, eliminating the need for linear guides and rollers that generate dust. The arc shape enables smooth motion while maintaining structural integrity without bending.
2Reliability
If a linear motion mechanism is used to guide the leading edge of the shutter, then the shutter can be guided, but the cost increases and a large amount of dust is raised
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the linear motion guidance mechanism and rollers from the system. By using the arc-shaped shutter swinging about an axis, the guidance function is achieved through the geometric constraint of the arc shape itself, eliminating the need for separate linear guides and reducing mechanical complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a sheet-like shutter is used, then the opening can be covered, but the shutter bends easily and requires more space
Solution Approach 1:
The arc-shaped plate configuration provides inherent structural strength that prevents bending during operation. The curved geometry distributes stresses more effectively than flat sheet-like structures, improving durability while maintaining the ability to cover the opening when closed.
4Ease of operation
If a horizontal sliding shutter is used, then the opening can be opened and closed, but it enters an adjacent shelf's region creating dead space
Solution Approach 1:
The arc-shaped shutter swings in a circular arc about a predetermined axis, following a curved path that keeps it clear of adjacent shelves. This rotational motion eliminates the horizontal sliding path that would create dead space, allowing the shutter to open and close without entering the shelf region.
Data Source
AI summary
A mounting port that allows an article to be relayed between a worker and a conveying apparatus or a processing device in a clean room includes a shutter that raises little or no dust and has a simple opening and closing mechanism. The mounting port includes an article mounting stand, an apparatus-side opening that allows a conveying apparatus or a processing device to pass an article to and from the mounting stand, a passageway-side opening that faces a worker passageway, shutters that are provided at positions to open and close the apparatus-side opening and includes arc-shaped plates or plates, and a swing mechanism that swings the shutters between a state in which the apparatus-side opening is opened and a state in which the apparatus-side opening is closed.