Double-Door Junction Device for Sealed Container Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sealed junction devices for controlled-environment enclosures and containers are complex, costly, and prone to contamination risks due to mechanical tolerance issues and the need for elaborate mechanisms to ensure tight sealing, which can discourage single-use containers and increase the risk of contamination during product transfer.
Innovation Solution
A double-door sealed temporary junction device with a male door featuring a freely rotating shaft, propeller, and crank mechanism, and a female door with notches for secure locking, allowing for simple and cost-effective sealing without requiring internal access or complex control elements, and a detachable protective film for added protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If elaborate mechanisms are used to ensure tight sealing between doors and flanges, then sealing reliability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The door assembly automatically performs sealing and locking functions through its own structural features (protrusions fitting into recesses, gasket compression) without requiring external control mechanisms. The system self-regulates the sealing process through mechanical interference and elastic deformation of the gasket.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs simple, inexpensive door assemblies that can be easily manufactured and potentially replaced. The design prioritizes low-cost materials and straightforward construction over complex, expensive mechanisms, making the system economically viable for single-use or frequent replacement applications.
2Manufacturing precision
If mechanical tolerance requirements are made strict to ensure proper door-flange engagement, then sealing precision is improved, but manufacturing cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The design incorporates elastic deformation of the gasket and flexible positioning features that allow the system to accommodate normal manufacturing variations. By using compliant materials and geometric features that can adapt to dimensional variations, the system achieves reliable sealing without requiring extremely tight manufacturing tolerances.
Solution Approach 2:
The door and flange features utilize asymmetric geometric relationships where the protrusion-recess configuration provides natural alignment and tolerance compensation. The asymmetric design allows for easier manufacturing while maintaining functional precision through the interlocking geometry.
3Reliability
If complex control mechanisms are added to manage door movement and locking, then operational reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The door assembly automatically performs sealing and locking functions through its own structural features without requiring external control mechanisms. The protrusions and recesses self-align and self-lock when the door is installed, eliminating the need for complex control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent removes complex control mechanisms from the system, retaining only the essential mechanical features needed for sealing and locking. By extracting unnecessary control elements, the design achieves operational simplicity while maintaining reliability through well-engineered basic components.
Data Source
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Figure 3
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AI summary
The invention relates to a temporary sealed double-door junction device, for temporarily communicating a controlled-environment chamber (C2) with a controlled-environment removable container (C1) having a flexible wall, comprising a female flange (3) that is normally blocked by a female door (4), forming an assembly for such a chamber, as well as a male flange (1) that is normally blocked by a male door (2), forming an assembly for such a removable sealed container, wherein said male flange is to be sealingly coupled to the female flange, and said male door is to be sealingly coupled to the female door and to pass through the female flange. A shaft (10) passes through the male door at a central portion thereof, wherein, on the side of the surface to be joined with the female door, an impeller (H2) having at least two blades is mounted by rigid attachment onto said shaft, and on the side of the opposite surface, a crank (H1) having at least two arms is mounted by rigid attachment onto said shaft. The female door comprises, under the surface thereof to be joined with the male door, notches (11) provided in the body of said female door for receiving the blades of the impeller (H2) while the latter is rotating, thus securing the 2 doors together. The inner section of the male flange and the outer section of the male door have complementary outlines having variations in distance relative to the shaft such that the crank has a door-locking configuration and an opening configuration.