Fan Filter Unit Bypass Passage for Rapid Sterilization Gas Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing fan filter units in sterilization apparatuses require excessive time to achieve the required sterilizing gas concentration for sterilization, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs due to the need for additional charging ports and prolonged operation times during changeovers.
Innovation Solution
A fan filter unit with a bypass passage and opening and closing mechanism allows air to be supplied directly to the secondary side without passing through the dust removal filter, enabling faster sterilization by directing sterilizing gas efficiently to the working space and reducing the need for additional charging ports.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sterilizing gas is charged through the dust removal filter to achieve sterilization, then the sterilization can be performed, but the time required to reach the required sterilizing gas concentration becomes excessively long
Solution Approach 1:
The air passage is segmented into two separate passages: a first passage through the dust removal filter for normal operation, and a second passage bypassing the dust removal filter for rapid sterilization. This segmentation allows the sterilizing gas to reach the working space quickly without being filtered, while still maintaining the filtration function for normal air supply.
Solution Approach 2:
A bypass passage acts as an intermediary route that allows sterilizing gas to circumvent the dust removal filter during sterilization operations. This intermediary pathway enables the gas to reach the working space directly, significantly reducing the time required to achieve the required sterilizing gas concentration.
2Loss of time
If additional charging ports are added to speed up sterilization gas filling, then the sterilization time can be reduced, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bypass passage serves multiple functions: it acts as a rapid sterilization pathway during sterilization operations, and can be closed off during normal operation to maintain the filtration function. This multi-functionality allows a single bypass structure to replace what would otherwise require multiple charging ports and associated control mechanisms.
3Ease of operation
If the dust removal filter is always in the air passage, then clean air can be supplied continuously, but the sterilizing gas cannot be efficiently directed to the working space
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between two operational modes by controlling the opening and closing of the bypass passage. During normal operation, the bypass is closed and clean air flows through the dust removal filter. During sterilization, the bypass is opened to allow sterilizing gas to flow directly to the working space, optimizing productivity without compromising ease of operation.
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
This configuration significantly reduces the sterilization operation time during changeovers, lowers costs, and maintains cleanliness by efficiently managing sterilizing gas flow, thereby enhancing the operational efficiency of sterilization processes.
Implementation Method 1
a fan unit section including an air blower (3) and a pressurization chamber (4)
Implementation Method 2
a dust removal filter (5) provided on a downstream side of the fan unit section
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a fan filter unit and a sterilization apparatus capable of shortening a sterilization operation time to be performed at a changeover. The sterilization apparatus has: a working space; a fan filter unit for supplying clean air to the working space; and a sterilizing gas charging unit on the air suction side of the fan filter unit. The fan filter unit comprises: a fan unit section constituted by an air blower and a pressurization chamber; a dust removal filter provided on the downstream side of the fan unit section; a passage bypassing the dust removal filter; and an opening and closing mechanism of the passage. By opening the opening and closing mechanism, the air flow not passing through the dust removal filter can be supplied to the secondary side of the fan filter unit.