Glove Box Leakage Shielding Space for Gas Purity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing glove boxes face challenges in maintaining low levels of moisture and oxygen impurities below 1ppm due to leakage through gaps and permeation, which affects gas purity and operator safety.

Innovation Solution

A glove box design incorporating a leakage shielding space created between contact surfaces using drainage grooves and sealing rings, with an optional vacuum or high purity gas flow within these spaces to block contaminants effectively.

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 sealing materials

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidsealing structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing system is divided into multiple independent sealing rings (first sealing ring and second sealing ring) positioned at different locations. Each sealing ring provides a separate sealing barrier, segmenting the sealing function to prevent moisture and oxygen penetration more effectively than a single sealing layer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first sealing ring and second sealing ring are nested within the box body structure, with the second sealing ring positioned inside the first sealing ring's sealing zone. This nested arrangement creates multiple concentric sealing barriers that progressively block contaminant ingress.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

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

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas purity maintenanceVSAvoidpurity maintenance duration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The first sealing ring and second sealing ring are pre-installed in specific positions on the box body before operation. The first sealing ring is positioned at the outer interface while the second sealing ring is positioned at the inner interface, creating pre-established barriers that prevent contaminant ingress from the outset and maintain gas purity over extended periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If multiple sealing rings are added to prevent leakage, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveleakage preventionVSAvoidsealing system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Both the first sealing ring and second sealing ring serve the same sealing function but are positioned at different locations to address different leakage paths. The first sealing ring prevents external contaminant ingress while the second sealing ring provides an internal barrier, making the sealing system multi-functional in terms of protection zones.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 low levels of moisture and oxygen impurities below 1ppm, ensuring gas purity and preventing harmful substances from leaking in or out, thereby enhancing the safety and efficiency of the glove box environment.

Implementation Method 1

a leakage shielding space is formed... with an optional vacuum or high purity gas flow within these spaces to block contaminants effectively

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVacuum: Vacuum

Implementation Method 2

The oxygen and moisture in air can permeate into the glove box through the glove and the sealing rings. The glove and sealing rings are all rubber products, air can permeate slowly into the glove box through the rubber glove and rubber sealing rings

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPermeation: Permeation

Data Source

PatentEP2241417B1Glove box
Publication Date: 2014.05.21 VIGOR GAS PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGIES (SUZHOU) CO LTD
  • EP2241417B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2241417B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2241417B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A glove box with a leakage shielding space (4) comprises a main box body, a viewing window (8) placed on the main box body, glove ports installed on the viewing 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 viewing window (8), between the main box body and the side panel, between the viewing 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.