Liquid Container Connector Keying for Safe Chemical Compatibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current liquid container systems for semiconductor processes are costly, complex, and time-consuming to assemble, with PTFE containers potentially contaminating processes due to trace metal leaching, and existing connectors are not easily attachable or reusable, posing safety and compatibility risks.
Innovation Solution
A connector system featuring a bottle key with a unique mechanical pattern that mates with a key member, allowing easy attachment to liquid containers while maintaining the existing capping mechanism, reducing production costs and time, and avoiding threaded fasteners to ensure compatibility and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking element is added to ensure correct connection between liquid dispensing apparatus and liquid container, then connection safety and compatibility are improved, but device complexity and assembly cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connector integrates multiple functions into a single component: the bottle key with mechanical pattern for compatibility identification, the connection interface for fluid transfer, and the attachment mechanism for securing to the container neck. This merging eliminates the need for separate locking elements while ensuring correct connections between dispensing apparatus and liquid containers.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector design provides universal compatibility across different liquid container types (glass, plastic) and dispensing apparatus through the standardized mechanical pattern interface. The same connector structure can be used with various container materials and sizes, reducing the need for multiple specialized components.
2Reliability
If traditional locking elements are used to ensure correct connection, then connection safety is improved, but assembly time and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical pattern is pre-formed on the connector during manufacturing, eliminating the need for separate assembly steps to install locking elements. The connector is prepared in advance with the correct configuration, allowing for rapid attachment to compatible containers without additional assembly operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector automatically ensures correct connection through its inherent mechanical pattern design that only fits compatible containers. The system is self-checking, where the geometry of the mechanical pattern itself provides the safety function without requiring external locking mechanisms or additional assembly steps.
3Adaptability or versatility
If PTFE liquid containers are used, then chemical compatibility is improved, but process contamination occurs due to trace metal leaching
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is designed as a disposable component that can be easily replaced. This allows using simpler, lower-cost materials for the connector itself while protecting the expensive semiconductor processing equipment from contamination. The connector serves its purpose and is discarded rather than cleaned and reused, eliminating cross-contamination risks.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector acts as an intermediary component between the liquid container and the semiconductor processing equipment. It provides a barrier that prevents direct contact between potential contaminants and the sensitive equipment, while still allowing fluid transfer. The connector can be made from materials that are compatible with various chemicals without leaching contaminants.
Data Source
AI summary
There may be provided a connector for a liquid container. The connector may include a connector body, and a through-hole for fitting on a neck portion of the liquid container. The connector may further include a restraining arrangement positioned proximal to the through-hole. The restraining arrangement may include a first restraining member and a second restraining member extending towards a central axis of the connector body. The first restraining member may have a distal end that extends further than a distal end of the second restraining member. The distal end of the first restraining member may engage the neck portion of the liquid container at a first position, and the distal end of the second restraining member may engage the neck portion of the liquid container at a second position. The connector may further include a connector-to-key-interface arrangement configured to mate with a corresponding surface of a key member.