Expandable Module Seals for Uniform Heating in Cart Sterilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cart treatment systems face challenges with maintaining airtightness, uniform heating, and ease of maintenance due to issues with heat distribution and complex structures, particularly in retort sterilization processes.
Innovation Solution
A cart treatment system comprising a pre-treatment module, intermediate module, and post-treatment module with expandable sealing parts to maintain airtightness and facilitate modular separation for easier maintenance, allowing for uniform heating and efficient product processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a batch method is used to treat multiple products at once, then productivity is improved, but heating uniformity deteriorates due to low thermal efficiency and heat distribution deviation
Solution Approach 1:
The sterilization system is divided into multiple independent sterilization chambers arranged in series, allowing simultaneous processing of multiple product batches while maintaining uniform heating in each chamber. This segmentation enables parallel processing without compromising heating consistency.
2Manufacturing precision
If a continuous method is used to treat products one by one, then heating uniformity is improved, but device length and structural complexity increase making maintenance difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses multiple independent sterilization chambers that can be maintained at different pressure levels, allowing flexible operation modes. Each chamber is a self-contained unit that can be serviced independently, reducing overall system complexity for maintenance purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
Each sterilization chamber can operate independently in continuous mode or be used individually for batch processing, providing multi-functionality. The chambers can also be used for different treatment stages (sterilization, cooling, holding) making the system versatile.
3Reliability
If the sterilization system is designed as a pressure vessel to ensure safety, then reliability is improved, but ease of manufacture and maintenance deteriorate due to strict design conditions and airtightness requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure vessel requirements are applied to individual sterilization chambers rather than the entire system. Each chamber is a separate pressure-containing unit with its own sealing system, making manufacturing and maintenance simpler while maintaining safety.
Solution Approach 2:
Flexible seals and coupling mechanisms are used at the interfaces between chambers and at the cart interface to maintain airtightness without requiring the entire system to be a single pressure-vessel-grade structure. This intermediary sealing approach simplifies manufacturing.
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 system achieves uniform heating of products quickly, simplifies maintenance and repair, and minimizes waste by isolating issues to specific modules, ensuring effective airtightness between components.
Implementation Method 1
an expansion space, into which air flows, provided therein
Data Source
AI summary
A packing according to the present invention includes: an expansion part inserted into a groove formed in an annular shape on an outer side surface of an installation target and including an expansion space, into which air flows, provided therein; and a sealing part connected to a side surface which faces an outer side of the groove among the side surfaces of the expansion part, and provided to press a pressed target by being pushed to an outside of the groove as the expansion part expands to maintain airtightness of a boundary between the installation target and the pressed target adjacent to the installation target.