Double-Wall Isolator Airflow Layout for Safe Filter Replacement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing isolator devices face challenges in maintaining a high-level aseptic/dustless state as an aseptic isolator and preventing leakage of chemical substances and microorganisms to the outside environment as a containment isolator, due to complex structures and high maintenance costs, particularly during filter replacement and air pressure management.
Innovation Solution
The isolator device employs a double-wall structure with unidirectional airflow and strategically positioned air outlets to separate clean and contaminated air flows, ensuring that airborne bacteria and chemical substances are discharged externally without contaminating the central work area, and uses a rectifying member with porous sheets to stabilize airflow and maintain laminar flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a glass window, glove, and opening/closing door are provided in the isolator device, then the worker can perform visual checks and operations, but the airtight shielding performance is compromised and safety is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible glove made of elastomer material that is airtightly attached to the chamber wall, allowing the worker to perform operations while maintaining airtight sealing. The glove acts as a flexible barrier that prevents contamination while enabling manual interaction with the chamber interior.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested structure where a bulkhead is provided inside the chamber, creating a peripheral space between the bulkhead and chamber wall. This nested configuration allows the worker to operate from the peripheral space while maintaining separation from the clean central space, preserving airtight performance while enabling operations.
2Reliability
If air pressure in the chamber is adjusted to maintain positive or negative pressure, then safety is improved, but the pressure difference cannot be maintained all the time due to outside air pressure fluctuation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible glove made of elastomer that can expand and contract while maintaining airtight sealing. This flexibility allows the system to accommodate pressure fluctuations from the outside environment while maintaining the integrity of the containment barrier, enabling pressure differential control without compromising safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the chamber into a central space and a peripheral space separated by a bulkhead. This segmentation allows independent pressure control and airflow management in different zones, enabling the system to maintain stable pressure differences even when external conditions fluctuate.
3Reliability
If a double-wall structure with bulkhead is provided to separate clean and contaminated air flows, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the chamber into a central space for clean operations and a peripheral space for contaminated air handling, separated by a bulkhead. This segmentation creates distinct airflow zones that prevent contamination while using a relatively simple structural division rather than complex multi-layer systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different functional qualities to different zones: the central space maintains high cleanliness for operations, while the peripheral space handles contaminated air flow. This local differentiation of air quality requirements allows simplified overall structure while achieving high safety through zoned management.
4Reliability
If filters are used to purify air, then aseptic conditions are maintained, but maintenance cost increases and filter replacement is complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the air purification function to the peripheral space where contaminated air is drawn in and filtered before being discharged. This separation allows filters to be positioned and maintained independently from the clean central chamber, simplifying filter replacement procedures while maintaining aseptic conditions in the operational area.
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 ensures high-level safety and simplicity in maintaining aseptic conditions while preventing external contamination, reducing maintenance costs and facilitating easy filter replacement with minimal risk of environmental leakage.
Implementation Method 1
air in a unidirectional airflow traveling from an upper part to a lower part in the work chamber
Implementation Method 2
rectifying member with porous sheets to stabilize airflow
Implementation Method 3
purifies outside air by a filter and supplies it into the chamber
Implementation Method 4
purifies the air in the chamber by the filter and discharges it to the outside
Implementation Method 5
adjusting an air pressure in the chamber... set to a pressure higher than an outside air pressure (positive pressure)... set to a pressure lower than the outside air pressure (negative pressure)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An isolator device which has a simple structure and can ensure high-level safety in response to risk during operation of the isolator device is provided. Moreover, an isolator device whose filter replacement work is easy and which has low risk of contaminating an outside environment by the replacement work in response to the risk after the operation of the isolator device is finished is provided. A work chamber, air supply means for supplying air of a unidirectional airflow traveling from an upper part to a lower part in the work chamber, and air discharge means for discharging air of the unidirectional airflow from a lower part of the work chamber are provided, and moreover, a bulkhead provided in parallel with a peripheral wall portion of the work chamber along the air of the unidirectional airflow and longitudinal air outlets opened along a width direction of a lower end portion in a lower part of the lower end portion of the bulkhead and attached so as to oppose an air inlet portion by a filter unit for air purification are provided.