Device for storing articles in controlled atmosphere

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for storing articles in a controlled atmosphere, such as electronics components, often suffer from frequent opening and closing, leading to inefficient gas circulation and dead zones, which can result in moisture absorption, oxidation, and contamination, and are costly and complex.

Innovation Solution

A novel storage module design with shutters positioned between shelves and walls to prevent vertical gas passage, allowing transverse gas circulation, and a pneumatic system for gas injection and discharge, eliminating electrical components and enabling modularity and mobility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If gas is circulated vertically along walls in existing storage devices, then gas circulation occurs, but dead zones are created where gas does not reach, leading to moisture absorption and contamination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrolled atmosphere maintenanceVSAvoidmoisture absorption and contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by positioning shutters at specific locations (between shelves and walls) to create localized transverse gas flow paths. This ensures that gas circulation is optimized at critical areas where dead zones would otherwise form, preventing moisture accumulation and contamination in those specific zones while maintaining overall atmospheric control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of allowing vertical gas flow along walls as in conventional designs, the patent inverts the approach by using shutters to block vertical flow and force transverse circulation. This reversal of the conventional flow pattern eliminates dead zones that would form along wall surfaces, ensuring complete gas coverage throughout the storage chamber.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If storage devices are designed with complex gas circulation systems, then gas circulation performance improves, but manufacturing costs and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegas circulation efficiencyVSAvoidsystem structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the gas circulation system into simple transverse flow paths controlled by individual shutters positioned at each shelf level. This segmentation allows each shutter to independently manage local circulation, achieving complete gas coverage through multiple simple units rather than one complex centralized system, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining circulation efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The shutters act as simple intermediary elements that mediate between the gas supply and the storage space. Rather than using complex circulation mechanisms, the patent employs these straightforward shutter components to redirect and control gas flow, achieving effective circulation with minimal structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If storage modules are designed for fixed installation, then gas circulation control is precise, but mobility and adaptability are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveatmosphere control precisionVSAvoidmobility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs storage modules with universal characteristics by using standardized shutters and modular shelving units that can function effectively whether installed fixedly or moved temporarily. The simple transverse circulation system created by the shutters works reliably in both fixed and mobile configurations, allowing the same module design to serve multiple functions and locations without compromising atmosphere control precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

The solution ensures complete gas circulation without dead zones, reduces manufacturing costs, and enhances safety and performance by maintaining a controlled atmosphere, while being simple and cost-effective, and allows for easy transportation.

Implementation Method 1

means for conveying gas into said module

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure differential: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

means for discharging the gas from the module

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure differential: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS9863655B2Device for storing articles in controlled atmosphere

Publication Date: 2018.01.09 LAIR LIQUIDE SA POUR LETUDE & LEXPLOITATION DES PROCEDES GEORGES CLAUDE

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for storing articles in a controlled atmosphere, comprising: at least one storage module capable of receiving the articles to be stored; a storage module provided with at least one shelf for positioning the articles, the storage module having a substantially parallelepiped shape, and having two substantially vertical and opposite walls between which the shelves extend, wherein the device is characterized in that shutters are provided, each shutter being positioned opposite one of the shelves, and between one of the two walls and the shelf in question, so as to prevent the gas from flowing vertically at the location of a shutter, and to allow the gas to flow only transversely along the shelf associated with the shutter in question.