Cart-Window Assembly with Mobile LAF for Clean Room Material Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for transporting materials between clean and dirty spaces in controlled environments require complex and costly installations, such as fixed LAF systems and pass boxes, which are inflexible and necessitate significant downtime for setup and adaptation, especially in environments with stringent classification requirements.
Innovation Solution
A cart-window assembly that includes a movable cart with a biodecontamination system and a ventilation system using HEPA filters, capable of creating a laminar air flow and incorporating a hydrogen peroxide-based biodecontamination system, which allows for secure transfer of materials without the need for a fixed LAF plant, and a simple window interface for communication between dirty and clean spaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed LAF system is installed to transport material between clean rooms, then material cleanliness is maintained, but installation complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the LAF ventilation function from the fixed infrastructure and relocates it to a movable cart. The cart includes its own ventilation system with HEPA filters that can be positioned at the window interface, eliminating the need for complex fixed LAF plant installations while maintaining the same cleanliness protection function.
Solution Approach 2:
The cart acts as an intermediary device between the dirty space and clean room, providing a mobile controlled environment. Instead of requiring the clean room infrastructure to adapt, the cart brings its own controlled atmosphere capability to the interface point, simplifying the overall system.
2Reliability
If a fixed LAF plant is installed in area A, then material can be loaded and unloaded without contamination, but plant shutdown and unavailability occur during installation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transforms the static fixed LAF installation into a dynamic movable cart system. The cart can be moved to different locations as needed and does not require permanent installation, allowing the clean room to remain operational during setup and enabling flexible deployment without plant shutdown.
Solution Approach 2:
The cart is pre-equipped with its own ventilation system and HEPA filters before deployment. This preliminary preparation allows the cart to be set up quickly at the window interface without requiring extensive installation work that would shut down the plant, as the critical contamination prevention components are already integrated.
3Reliability
If pass boxes are installed for material transfer, then contamination is prevented, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cart serves multiple functions: it provides a controlled environment for material transport, includes integrated ventilation with HEPA filters, offers biodecontamination capability, and can be positioned at different windows. This multi-functionality replaces the need for separate pass boxes and fixed LAF systems, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining contamination prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the functions of the pass box (material transfer with door sealing) and the LAF system (controlled air flow with HEPA filtration) into a single integrated cart. The cart combines the enclosed compartment with ventilation system and biodecontamination capabilities, eliminating the need for separate infrastructure installations.
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
Enables efficient and flexible material transfer between clean and dirty spaces without the need for complex installations, reducing downtime and costs, while maintaining the cleanliness and sterility of the clean room environment.
Implementation Method 1
the filtered air is blown in the form of a laminar flow in order to carry out a continuous washing of the surfaces, removing any suspended pollutants from the compartment
Implementation Method 2
filtered through HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters
Implementation Method 3
the biodecontamination cycle is carried out, for example by means of hydrogen peroxide vapor
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a cart-window assembly including a cart for moving material to/from a clean room and at least one window adapted to allow the communication between a dirty space and said clean room; wherein said cart includes:a compartment,at least one protected door adapted to alternatively allow accessing the compartment and hermetically closing the compartment,a ventilation system, andfirst interface means surrounding the protected door;wherein said window includes:a panel which can alternatively be open or sealingly closed andsecond interface means extending along the periphery of the panel;wherein the first interface means and the second interface means are mutually complementary and allow the cart to be firmly coupled to the window in a reversible manner, so as to define a gap therebetween which is sealingly closed.