Elastic Gasket Pressure Equalization for Substrate Containers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Airtight containers for precision substrates face challenges in maintaining cleanliness during pressure fluctuations, as existing solutions like molecular separation filters and foamed resin gaskets are prone to contamination and require frequent replacement, leading to economic inefficiencies and difficulties in opening the container due to pressure differences.
Innovation Solution
A container design featuring a gasket with a two-ledged wall structure that adjusts its seal by shifting along a sliding surface to equalize air pressure differences, using microscopic gaps for ventilation to prevent particle contamination and facilitate easy lid opening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a molecular separation filter is mounted in the container wall to address pressure difference, then the lid can be opened and closed readily, but dust in atmospheric air adheres to the filter and particles pass through to contaminate substrates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the harmful function of the filter (particle filtration) and replaces it with a gasket that performs only sealing. The gasket is positioned away from the substrate surface, eliminating the contamination problem while maintaining pressure equalization capability through its elastic deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic gasket acts as an intermediary between the container interior and exterior, performing pressure equalization through its deformation rather than through a filter medium. This intermediary function is achieved through the gasket's elastic properties rather than through filtration, thereby avoiding particle adhesion issues.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a molecular separation filter is used for pressure equalization, then air can flow in and out during transport, but the filter requires frequent cleaning or replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the expensive, maintenance-intensive molecular separation filter with a simple, inexpensive elastic gasket that requires no cleaning or replacement. The gasket's elastic properties enable it to function repeatedly without degradation, eliminating the productivity loss associated with filter maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic gasket performs pressure equalization automatically through its own elastic deformation in response to pressure differences, requiring no external intervention, cleaning, or maintenance. This self-service capability eliminates the operational interruptions caused by filter maintenance.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If an extremely airtight container is used to maintain cleanliness, then substrates are protected from contamination, but the container expands and contracts with pressure changes making it difficult to open
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces dynamic pressure equalization through the elastic gasket, which deforms to allow air flow when pressure differences occur during transport. This dynamic adjustment prevents container expansion/contraction while maintaining cleanliness, and facilitates easy lid opening by equalizing pressure before opening.
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 effectively maintains airtightness and prevents particle contamination by adjusting the seal to accommodate pressure changes, reducing the need for frequent filter or gasket replacement and ensuring cleanliness of the substrates.
Implementation Method 1
a gasket (6) made of an elastic material and having a section of a generally two-ledged wall (6a, 6b, 6c) wherein the two ledges include a shorter inward ledge (6e) and an outward ledge (6b, 6c, 6d) with a twice-bent hook
Implementation Method 2
the gasket (6) is configured by its hook end (6d) which abuts on the channel (2d) to create the seal against container outside
Data Source
AI summary
A uniquely shaped gasket (6) suitable for a container for storage of substrate plates requiring precision packaging. When such plates are stored into a container body (2), and a container lid (3) is closed and then a lid lock is applied, a gasket's outward ledge (6b, 6c, 6d) is pressed downward by an outward adjacent surface (3f) and deformed; consequently, the end of the ledge's tip (6d) will extend to fall in a seal channel (2d), in other words, to abut on a sectionally downward concave (2d), wherein the gasket (6) still keeps its elastic resiliency. As a result, if an air pressure difference occurs, the tip end (6d) will shift its abutting point. While the tip end (6d) moves, a minimum gap between the tip end (6d) and the channel surface (2d) occurs, and this gap will act as ventilation route to equalize the air pressure difference.