Laboratory Apparatus Negative Pressure Particle Containment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current laboratory equipment often releases a large quantity of particles into the environment, which is undesirable, especially in clean rooms where controlled contamination levels are required, leading to potential contamination of samples and equipment.
Innovation Solution
A laboratory device is designed to maintain a lower internal pressure than the ambient pressure, using a device for generating a pressure difference and a filter to minimize particle emissions, allowing controlled release of particles into the environment, suitable for use in clean rooms like ISO class 5 or better.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If air exchange is provided between the laboratory device and the environment for temperature control, then temperature control is improved, but particle release into the environment increases
Solution Approach 1:
A filter device is introduced as an intermediary component between the laboratory device interior and the environment. The filter allows air exchange for temperature control while removing particles from the air stream, thus mediating between the need for thermal management and the need to prevent particle contamination in the clean room environment.
2Ease of operation
If particles are released into the environment from the laboratory device, then air exchange and temperature control are maintained, but contamination of the clean room environment occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The filter device converts the potentially harmful particle-laden air stream into a beneficial clean air stream. By passing the air through the filter, particles are removed and the same air exchange mechanism that could cause contamination is transformed into a means of maintaining both temperature control and environmental cleanliness simultaneously.
3Ease of operation
If uncontrolled air outflow is allowed from the laboratory device, then simple device operation is maintained, but particle emissions into the environment increase
Solution Approach 1:
The filter acts as an intermediary that maintains the simplicity of device operation while addressing particle emissions. The filter is integrated into the existing air exchange system, requiring no additional operational steps from the user, yet it effectively captures particles before they are released into the environment.
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 device effectively reduces particle emissions, enabling safe operation in clean rooms by containing particles within the device and ensuring controlled air exchange, thus minimizing contamination risks and meeting stringent clean room standards.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure in the interior of the device is lower than an ambient pressure in the area surrounding the laboratory device
Implementation Method 2
The air containing particles within the interior of the device can be freed of particles or at least the number of particles can be reduced using a filter device
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a laboratory device (1), wherein the laboratory device (1) has an outer housing (10) that defines an interior space of the device, and wherein the laboratory device (1) is designed to assume an operating state in which the pressure in the interior space of the device is lower than the ambient pressure in the vicinity of the laboratory device (1). The invention also relates to the use of the laboratory device in a cleanroom.