Closure device, system, particle collecting assembly, and suction device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing closure devices for particle capture volumes, such as bags or containers, lack a mechanism to prevent accidental opening, leading to potential contamination of the environment with particles.
Innovation Solution
A closure device with a locking mechanism that requires a separate unlocking element to transition between release and closure positions, ensuring the access element opening remains closed unless the unlocking element is used, thereby preventing unintended opening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a simple closure slide is used without a locking mechanism, then the device is easy to operate and open, but the risk of accidental opening increases leading to particle contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The closure device is segmented into distinct functional components: the closure slide for opening/closing operations and the separate unlocking element for security. This segmentation allows the closure slide to remain simple and easy to operate while the separate unlocking element provides the security function to prevent accidental opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The unlocking element acts as an intermediary security mechanism between the user and the closure slide. It mediates the opening operation by requiring a specific action (inserting and operating the unlocking element) before the closure slide can be moved, thus preventing accidental opening while maintaining controlled access.
2Reliability
If a locking mechanism with a separate unlocking element is added, then the security against accidental opening is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the security function into a separate unlocking element rather than integrating it into the closure slide itself, the design adds minimal complexity. The unlocking element is a simple separate component that provides security without requiring a complex integrated locking mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The unlocking element is designed as a simple, inexpensive component that can be easily manufactured and attached. Its simplicity reduces the overall complexity of the locking mechanism while still providing effective security against accidental opening.
3Ease of operation
If the closure slide can be opened without a separate unlocking element, then the ease of access is improved, but the risk of contamination of the environment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The unlocking element serves as an intermediary security barrier that must be operated before access to the particle capture volume is granted. This intermediary mechanism ensures that opening is intentional rather than accidental, preventing contamination while still allowing convenient access when the unlocking element is available.
Solution Approach 2:
The unlocking element requires a preliminary action (insertion and operation) before the closure slide can be moved to open the access element opening. This preliminary security step ensures that opening is deliberate and controlled, preventing accidental contamination while maintaining ease of access for authorized operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A closure device for closing a particle capture volume, in particular a bag or a container, including an access element with an access element opening for providing an access to the particle capture volume, a closure slide which can be selectively displaced relative to the access element into a release position or into a closure position. In the release position the closure slide releases the access element opening and in the closure position closes the access element opening, and a locking mechanism for locking the closure slide in the closure position with respect to the access element, where the locking mechanism 6 for unlocking requires a defined unlocking element which is separate from the locking mechanism.