Pass box
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In the field of regenerative medicine, existing pass boxes do not effectively prevent intra-pass box contamination due to dust generation from door handle operations and dust leakage, and they lack height suppression and workability improvements for article delivery.
Innovation Solution
A two-stage pass box design with upper and lower HEPA filters and blowers, along with airflow circulation paths, is implemented to maintain cleanliness and prevent contamination by isolating article delivery spaces and improving workability through staged storage and air circulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional pass box with single space and basic filtration is used, then the device complexity is low, but intra-pass box contamination occurs due to dust generation from door operations and dust leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The pass box is divided into multiple independent spaces (first space, second space, third space) separated by HEPA filters. This segmentation isolates dust generation sources in different zones, preventing cross-contamination while maintaining overall system functionality. Each space can be independently filtered and pressurized, allowing the system to handle contamination risks without requiring complete redesign of the entire pass box.
Solution Approach 2:
HEPA filters are positioned between spaces to act as intermediaries that block dust particles while allowing air flow. The filters serve as protective barriers that prevent dust generated in one space from contaminating other spaces, enabling the system to maintain cleanliness without requiring complete isolation of each zone.
2Ease of operation
If door handles are provided for article delivery, then the ease of operation is improved, but dust generation occurs during door handle operation
Solution Approach 1:
The door handle operation is extracted and isolated to a specific contaminated zone (second space) away from the clean article storage area (first space). By separating the door operation function from the article storage function and positioning them in different filtered spaces, the system allows easy operation while containing dust generation to a localized area that can be independently managed.
Solution Approach 2:
The airflow circulation system continuously operates to maintain positive pressure and filter air throughout all spaces. This continuous air circulation ensures that dust generated during door operations is immediately captured and filtered, allowing uninterrupted article delivery operations without compromising cleanliness.
3Volume of moving object
If a single large pass box is used, then the volume is sufficient for various articles, but the height cannot be suppressed and workability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The pass box utilizes horizontal spatial dimension by creating multiple side-by-side spaces (first, second, and third spaces) rather than stacking them vertically. This dimensional reorganization maintains adequate storage volume for various articles while keeping the overall height compact and manageable, improving workability without sacrificing capacity.
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 prevents inter-article mutual contamination, ensures cleanliness, and enhances workability by using staged storage and air circulation, reducing the risk of dust leakage and improving the efficiency of article delivery in regenerative medicine settings.
Implementation Method 1
the upper blower sends air to the upper space, the air is supplied to the lower space via the upper space, and the pass box further has an airflow circulation path returning the air that has passed through the lower space to the upper blower
Implementation Method 2
an upper HEPA filter provided downstream of the upper blower
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a pass box with which not only surface sterilization by means of a germicidal lamp on an article delivered in the pass box but also isolation of different articles can be performed in a space-saving manner, the cleanliness in the pass box is maintained, and mutual contamination is prevented during article delivery in the pass box. Air is sent from a blower of an upper pass box to an upper space of the upper pass box through a filter, the air is supplied to a lower space of a lower pass box via the upper space, and an airflow circulation path is provided to return the air that has passed through the lower space to the upper blower.