Double-Joint Transfer Door for Sealed Laminar-Flow Passage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing door arrangements for connecting enclosed volumes face challenges in achieving optimal opening angles to clear passage openings while minimizing turbulence under laminar flow, which can lead to contamination risks.
Innovation Solution
A door arrangement utilizing a double-joint linkage mechanism with a first joint allowing rotational movement up to 30 degrees and a second joint enabling rotational movement of at least 180 degrees, coupled with motorized joints and magnetic locking catches, to facilitate sealed transfers between enclosed volumes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the door is moved away from the flange with an initial translational movement, then the door can be arranged parallel to the passage opening in the open state, but structural constraints are imposed to preserve the sealing of the enclosure
Solution Approach 1:
The door movement is segmented into two distinct phases: first a translational movement away from the flange along an axis orthogonal to the opening, then a rotational movement about an orthogonal axis. This segmentation allows the door to clear the passage opening effectively while maintaining sealing integrity through controlled movement stages.
Solution Approach 2:
The translational movement is performed as a preliminary action before the rotational movement. By first moving the door away from the flange translationally, the sealing relationship is preserved during the initial phase, and only after this preliminary positioning is complete does the rotational movement occur to achieve the parallel open state.
2Ease of operation
If the door moves from closed to open position by rotation about the hinge, then the door can open, but the door extends projectingly within the enclosure and hinders the passage of products
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of rotating the door about a hinge axis within the enclosure plane, the invention introduces movement in another dimension by first translating the door away from the flange along an axis orthogonal to the opening plane. This dimensional change allows the door to clear the passage opening without extending projectingly into the enclosure volume.
3Ease of operation
If the door moves within the enclosure, then the door can open, but turbulence is generated under the laminar flow which breaks the intangible protection barrier
Solution Approach 1:
The door is extracted from the enclosure volume during the translational movement phase, moving away from the flange before rotating into the open position. By taking the door out of the enclosure space first, the movement that would otherwise generate turbulence within the laminar flow environment is performed outside the sensitive flow region, preserving the intangible protection barrier.
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 door arrangement effectively clears the passage opening without generating significant turbulence, ensuring a sealed and contamination-free transfer of products between enclosed volumes.
Implementation Method 1
a first joint arranged to allow rotational movement about an axis perpendicular to the passage axis
Implementation Method 2
a second joint arranged to allow rotational movement about an axis parallel to the passage axis
Implementation Method 3
magnetic locking catches
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a door assembly (1) allowing a sealed transfer between two enclosed volumes, comprising a flange (2) arranged to delimit an opening in one of the enclosed volumes, and a door (4) that extends along an axis (C) and is hingedly fastened to/mounted on the flange (2) so as to move from a closed position in which the door (4) closes the passage opening (3), into an open position, characterized in that the door (4) is fastened to the flange (2) by a double-joint linkage mechanism (5) comprising a first joint (6) arranged to allow a rotational movement about an axis (A) perpendicularly to the axis (C) of the door by a maximum of 30 degrees in relation to the plane of the passage opening (3), and a second joint (7) arranged to allow a rotational movement about an axis (B) parallel to the axis (C) of the door.