Elastomeric Check-Valve Assembly for Clean Substrate Container Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current substrate container designs face contamination issues due to complex connection mechanisms, such as check valves with metal springs, which can generate particulates and deform under compressive forces, leading to leakage.
Innovation Solution
A substrate container with a simplified check-valve assembly featuring an elastomeric grommet and an elastomeric umbrella valve member, reducing the number of parts and minimizing the risk of contamination, using a grommet with internal structure defining valve seats and a reversible umbrella valve member for improved sealing integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional check valves with metal springs and multiple components are used, then fluid flow control is achieved, but contamination risk increases due to particulate generation from abrasion and complex assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the metal spring component from the check valve assembly, replacing it with an elastomeric body that provides both sealing and spring-like functionality. This extraction of the problematic metal spring eliminates a major source of particulate contamination while maintaining the check valve's flow control function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs an elastomeric body that functions as a flexible shell, replacing rigid metal components. This elastomeric material provides sealing surfaces and spring-like recovery without generating particulates through abrasion, directly addressing the contamination issue while maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If complex connection mechanisms with multiple parts are used, then fluid sealing is achieved, but device complexity increases leading to more potential failure points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single elastomeric body component that provides sealing surfaces, spring-like recovery, and structural support. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate components from multiple metal parts to a single integrated elastomeric element, reducing complexity while maintaining leakage prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric body serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a sealing element, a spring mechanism for valve recovery, and a structural component. This multi-functionality reduces the overall component count while ensuring reliable leakage prevention through integrated design.
3Force
If metal spring components are used in check valves, then valve recovery force is provided, but compressive forces during installation can deform the frame and cause leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from rigid metal to compliant elastomer. The elastomeric body can accommodate compressive forces during installation without permanent deformation, while still providing sufficient recovery force through its elastic properties. This parameter change allows the component to withstand installation stresses that would deform metal frames.
4Reliability
If specialized sealing components like O-rings and metal springs are used, then fluid tight sealing is achieved, but manufacturing complexity and contamination risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the sealing function previously requiring separate O-rings with the spring function into a single elastomeric body. The elastomeric material's inherent elasticity provides both sealing contact and recovery force, eliminating the need for separate sealing components and simplifying manufacturing and assembly.
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 provides enhanced sealing integrity, ease of assembly, and reduced risk of contamination, while being less prone to damage during installation, thus effectively addressing the contamination and leakage issues in existing designs.
Implementation Method 1
An elastomeric umbrella valve member is disposed within the grommet and held to engage the valve seat, thereby restricting fluid flow through the check-valve assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A substrate container includes a container portion having an open side or bottom, and a door to sealingly close the open side or bottom, one of the door and the container portion defining access structure. The substrate container additionally includes a check-valve assembly, the check-valve assembly being retained with respect to the access structure to provide fluid communication with an interior of the substrate container. The check-valve assembly includes a grommet, the grommet being formed of an elastomeric material. A valve seat is disposed within the grommet, the valve seat being integrally formed with the grommet according to one aspect, and being formed of a separate piece according to another aspect. An elastomeric valve member, specifically an elastomeric umbrella valve member according to one aspect, is disposed within the grommet and held to engage the valve seat, thereby restricting fluid flow through the check-valve assembly with respect to the interior of the substrate container.