Aseptic Transfer Sealing with Critical Line Deflectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aseptic transfer devices between two enclosures fail to adequately protect against contamination at both the internal and external critical lines, with existing solutions being either complex, cumbersome, or providing incomplete protection.
Innovation Solution
A sealed junction device with structurally integrated means, such as annular deflectors or spacing spaces, that form a separation between the communication space and both the inner and outer critical lines when the doors are in the open state, ensuring hermetic isolation and protection against contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional sealing methods are used between two enclosures, then the structure is simple, but contamination risk at critical lines increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing system is divided into multiple independent sealing elements (first sealing element between flanges, second sealing element between door leaves, third sealing element at the critical line). Each sealing element addresses a specific sealing requirement, allowing the system to achieve comprehensive contamination protection through modular, manageable components rather than a single complex seal.
Solution Approach 2:
A cam mechanism is introduced as an intermediary device to apply and maintain sealing pressure on the sealing elements. The cam profile automatically ensures consistent pressure distribution across the sealing surfaces during enclosure assembly and operation, eliminating the need for complex external pressure control systems while guaranteeing reliable sealing.
2Reliability
If door leaves are pressed tightly together for hermetic sealing, then sealing effectiveness improves, but access to critical lines for maintenance or inspection becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The cam mechanism provides dynamic sealing pressure adjustment. The cam profile is designed to automatically apply optimal sealing force when the enclosure is assembled, maintaining hermetic sealing during operation. When maintenance or inspection is needed, the cam can be disengaged or adjusted to release the door leaves, providing access to critical lines without requiring permanent fastening or complex locking mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The removable fastening means allow the door leaves to be temporarily secured for sealing purposes during operation, then easily released and removed for maintenance access. The sealing capability is recovered when the door leaves are reattached and the cam mechanism re-engaged, providing a cycle of sealing and accessibility without permanent structural modifications.
3Reliability
If flanges are made large for better sealing surface area, then sealing reliability improves, but the overall device size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of uniformly large flanges, the sealing design uses localized high-performance sealing elements positioned precisely at critical sealing interfaces. The sealing elements concentrate sealing capability at specific points (flange interfaces, door leaf interfaces, and critical line protection) rather than requiring large overall flange dimensions, reducing material usage and weight while maintaining sealing reliability through targeted sealing solutions.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device for a tight connection between two housings (1, 2), a first housing (1) comprising a wall (3), an opening (4), a flange (5) and a door (6), and a second housing (2) comprising a wall (7), an opening (8), a flange (9) and a door (10). The flanges (5 and 9) are complementary, and means are used to displace the door (6). Means are used to hold said two doors (6 and 10) against each other, and the housings (1 and 2) communicate between each other via a communication space (13). There is an inner annular critical line (LCi) on the door (6) and an outer annular critical line (LCe) of risk of contamination on the flange (9). The device comprises means (25 and/or 26) that are structurally integrated into the door (6) and/or the flange (9) and can form a separation (25, 26) between the communication space (13) and the inner annular critical line (LCi) and/or the outer annular critical line (LCe), when the door (6) and the door (10) are open.