Hinged Gas Pycnometer Closure for Contamination-Free Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pycnometric devices face contamination risks due to removable closures being handled or placed on surfaces during sample loading/unloading, leading to improper sealing and degradation of sealing features.
Innovation Solution
A hinged closure system with a swing arm and bearing mechanism allows for efficient, contamination-free sealing by pivoting and linear movement, using locking features and engagement mechanisms to align and secure the closure with the device's sealing surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a removable closure is used for sample chamber access, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to contamination risks
Solution Approach 1:
A swing arm mechanism serves as an intermediary between the user's hand and the closure. The swing arm holds the closure during insertion and removal operations, preventing direct contact between the user's hands and the closure's sealing surfaces. This intermediary structure eliminates the contamination risk while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The swing arm automatically returns to its home position after releasing the closure, using gravity or a spring mechanism. This self-service feature ensures the closure is always held in the correct orientation and position, preventing contamination without requiring additional user actions or complex control systems.
2Ease of operation
If the closure is held in hand during sample loading, then ease of operation is improved, but object-generated harmful factors worsen due to particle contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The swing arm acts as a mediator that holds the closure during all handling operations. Instead of the user's hands directly contacting the closure, the swing arm's gripping mechanism holds the closure while keeping the sealing surfaces exposed but protected. This eliminates particle contamination from hand contact while maintaining operational ease.
3Device complexity
If a simple removable closure is used, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to sealing degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The swing arm mechanism adds minimal complexity to the overall device while providing substantial protection to the sealing features. The swing arm's simple mechanical structure (arm, hinge, gripper) integrates easily with the existing closure design, preventing sealing degradation without significantly increasing device complexity.
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 ensures precise and contamination-free sealing, reducing user errors and extending the lifespan of sealing components while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
A bearing can be engaged between the closure and the swing arm to facilitate moving the closure along its axis between a retracted position and an inserted and closed position
Implementation Method 2
The bearing can be spring-loaded or otherwise biased to provide a substantially vertical motion to the closure when above the sealing surface of the device
Data Source
AI summary
A device including a housing having an access opening, a swing arm mounted to the housing and configured to be selectively pivoted toward and away from the access opening, and a closure captured by the swing arm. The closure can be configured to be selectively moved in a substantially vertical motion relative to the swing arm between a retracted position and an inserted position at least partially in the access opening and can have locking features for cooperating with engagement features in the device to move the closure into a closed and sealed configuration.