Glove Box Leakage Shielding for Low Oxygen and Moisture

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing glove boxes face challenges in maintaining low concentrations of moisture and oxygen impurities, as these gases leak in through gaps and permeation, leading to purity issues despite the use of sealing rings and purification systems.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a leakage shielding space between critical interfaces of the glove box, utilizing drainage grooves and sealing rings, and filling this space with high purity gas or creating a vacuum to prevent contamination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional single-layer sealing is used, then the structure is simple, but moisture and oxygen leak through gaps and permeate through rubber materials

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing performanceVSAvoidsealing structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The single sealing layer is divided into multiple sealing layers (first sealing ring and second sealing ring) with different materials and functions. The first sealing ring provides primary sealing, while the second sealing ring provides secondary sealing, creating a multi-stage defense against moisture and oxygen penetration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different sealing materials are used in combination - the first sealing ring uses one type of rubber material while the second sealing ring uses a different rubber material. This composite sealing structure combines the advantages of different materials to resist both gap leakage and permeation effectively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If high purity gas is used to maintain low moisture and oxygen content, then gas purity is improved, but moisture and oxygen gradually increase during use due to leaks and permeation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegas purity maintenanceVSAvoidpurity maintenance duration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The multi-layer sealing structure is installed in advance to prevent moisture and oxygen from entering the glove box. By providing redundant sealing layers before contamination can occur, the system maintains gas purity for extended periods without requiring frequent purification intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Reliability

If purification system is added to maintain 1 ppm moisture and oxygen content, then gas purity is improved, but the system complexity and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegas purityVSAvoidpurification system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing structure performs the purification function passively by preventing contamination at the source. This preliminary prevention action reduces the burden on active purification systems, allowing them to operate at lower capacity and reducing overall system complexity and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Reliability

If sealing rings are placed at all interfaces, then sealing coverage is improved, but the number of sealing components and assembly complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing coverageVSAvoidnumber of sealing components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The dual sealing ring structure is selectively applied at critical interfaces where moisture and oxygen penetration is most likely to occur. This localized quality enhancement focuses sealing resources on high-risk areas rather than uniformly distributing sealing components throughout the entire glove box structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 solution effectively blocks external contaminants from entering and prevents internal substances from leaking out, maintaining gas purity below 1 ppm of moisture and oxygen, enhancing the sealing and purification efficiency of the glove box.

Implementation Method 1

a leakage shielding space is formed... effectively block the external contaminants from leaking inside due to the existence of gaps

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical barrier blocking:

Implementation Method 2

a vacuum is created inside the leakage shielding space... flowing high purity gas... is filled inside the leakage shielding space

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure differential: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS20100259138A1Glove Box

Publication Date: 2010.10.14 VIGOR GAS PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGIES (SUZHOU) CO LTD

AI summary

A glove box with a leakage shielding space (4) comprises a main box body, a view window (8) placed on the main box body, glove ports installed on the view window (8), side panels attached to the main box body, and an antechamber (1) installed on a side panel. Wherein, on at least one of five interfaces, namely, between the main box body and the view window (8), between the main box body and the side panel, between the view window (8) and the glove port, between the glove port and the glove, between the side panel and the antechamber (1), a leakage shielding space (4) is formed, so as to ensure the purity in the operating space of the glove box and to prevent the external environment of the box body from being polluted.