Controlled Environment Enclosure with Thermal Sterilization Mode
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing controlled environment chambers and rooms lack effective methods for sterilizing or pasteurizing interior surfaces and materials, with current methods such as chemical washing or heating to 45°C being insufficient to kill all harmful organisms, and prior art solutions lack integrated sterilization functionality and safety mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A controlled environment enclosure with a heating and cooling system that can switch between a normal operational mode and a sterilization/pasteurization mode, using a combination of refrigeration and electric heating systems to achieve elevated temperatures up to 60°C, along with safety features like automatic door locking, temperature sensors, and warning systems to ensure personnel safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If chemical washing procedures are used to sterilize the chamber, then sterilization is achieved, but residual chemical effects remain harmful to future experiments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces chemical washing procedures with a thermal sterilization system using electric heating elements and forced air circulation to achieve sterilization through heat (120°C to 180°C) rather than chemicals, eliminating harmful chemical residues while maintaining effective sterilization
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the sterilization parameter from chemical concentration to temperature and time, using controlled thermal parameters (temperature range 120°C to 180°C, adjustable duration) to achieve sterilization without introducing harmful chemical substances into the chamber environment
2Reliability
If the chamber is heated to maximum temperature (45 C) for extended periods to sterilize, then some sterilization effect is achieved, but the temperature is insufficient to kill harmful organisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent fundamentally changes the temperature parameter from the conventional 45°C maximum to a sterilization-appropriate range of 120°C to 180°C, with the heating system capable of achieving and maintaining these elevated temperatures for the required sterilization duration
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the insufficient natural convection heating with forced air circulation through fans and distributed heating elements, ensuring uniform heat distribution throughout the chamber at the required sterilization temperatures
3Reliability
If chemical solutions are used for sterilization, then sterilization is achieved, but complete contact with hidden areas is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual chemical application with a forced air circulation system that distributes hot air throughout the entire chamber, ensuring thermal contact with all surfaces including hidden areas, shelves, and corners without requiring manual intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The sterilization process is automated through the control system that manages heating elements and air circulation fans, allowing the chamber to sterilize itself uniformly without requiring external application of sterilizing agents to difficult-to-reach areas
4Reliability
If built-in sterilization functionality is added to the environmental control system, then sterilization effectiveness is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is designed to manage multiple functions through a single integrated controller that handles both normal environmental control (heating, cooling, lighting) and sterilization mode, reducing overall system complexity despite the added sterilization capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the sterilization control functions with the existing environmental control system, using the same controller, sensors, and user interface for both operational modes, thereby avoiding the need for separate sterilization control hardware and simplifying the overall system architecture
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
Effectively sterilizes or pasteurizes contents within the enclosure by achieving higher temperatures than conventional systems, ensuring safety through automated temperature control and locking mechanisms, and providing faster cooling after the process is completed.
Implementation Method 1
a sterilization/pasteurization mode for heating contents of the internal space to values within a range sufficiently elevated above the prescribed environmental conditions to sterilize/pasteurize said contents
Implementation Method 2
a refrigeration system and the controller is arranged to operate the refrigeration system in the environmental control mode
Implementation Method 3
the first system is a refrigeration system and the second system is an electric heating system
Data Source
AI summary
A controlled environment enclosure features a heating and cooling system and a control system linked to the heating and cooling system for control of same. The control system being operable to switch between an environmental control mode for achieving user-prescribed environmental conditions within the interior space and a sterilization/pasteurization mode for heating contents of the internal space to values within a range sufficiently elevated above the prescribed environmental conditions to sterilize/pasteurize said contents of the internal space. The built-in sterilization/pasteurization function reduces or eliminates the need for personnel to physically wash down the interior space of the enclosure with cleaning chemicals.