Plug member and low-temperature storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Low-temperature storage units often experience negative pressure states due to cooling, making it difficult to open the door, and existing pressure adjusting devices can be cumbersome, especially when the plug is dropped during use.
Innovation Solution
A pressure adjusting device with a plug member featuring an external thread with cuts along its periphery, allowing air to flow in and resolving negative pressure without the need to remove the plug, thereby reducing user burden and the risk of dropping it.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a plug member is removed to resolve negative pressure inside the storage, then air can flow in to equalize pressure, but the plug may be dropped and it becomes burdensome to pick it up and close the port again
Solution Approach 1:
The plug member is segmented with multiple cuts (first cut, second cut, third cut) creating separate opening portions. This allows selective opening of the through-hole without complete removal of the plug, enabling pressure adjustment while keeping the plug in place and maintaining the ability to close the port easily.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of completely removing the plug member to adjust pressure, the invention applies partial action by selectively opening only specific portions of the through-hole using cuts in the plug. This allows sufficient air flow for pressure equalization without the need to remove and retrieve the entire plug.
2Reliability
If the plug member is designed to completely close the through-hole when engaged, then a secure seal is maintained, but it becomes difficult to adjust pressure without removing the plug entirely
Solution Approach 1:
The plug member is divided into multiple functional zones using cuts that create separate opening portions. When the plug is fully engaged, all cuts are closed maintaining seal integrity. When pressure adjustment is needed, the plug can be rotated to selectively open specific cuts, allowing controlled air flow while maintaining the segmented structure that enables both sealing and adjustment functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The plug member transitions from a static closed position to a dynamic state where selective opening portions can be activated by rotation. The cuts allow the plug to dynamically adjust the degree of opening, providing a range of positions between fully closed and fully open, enabling pressure adjustment without complete removal while maintaining seal integrity when closed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple cuts are formed in the external thread of the plug member, then selective opening of the through-hole is enabled without removing the plug, but the structure of the plug becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The external thread of the plug member is segmented into multiple sections by forming cuts at different angular positions. Each cut creates a separate opening portion that can be selectively opened by rotating the plug to specific angular positions. This segmentation provides versatile control over air flow while using a relatively simple cylindrical plug structure with integrated cuts.
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 addresses negative pressure states within low-temperature storage units by allowing air inflow without requiring plug removal, simplifying the process and reducing user effort, while maintaining a secure seal.
Implementation Method 1
air inside the storage is cooled, thereby occasionally bringing about a negative pressure state where atmospheric pressure inside the storage is lower than the atmospheric pressure outside the storage
Implementation Method 2
a cooling device configured to cool an article stored inside the heat-insulating housing
Implementation Method 3
a heat-insulating housing including an opening face; a heat-insulating door configured to open or close the opening face
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A plug member, which is to be used for a low-temperature storage including: a heat-insulating door to close an opening face of a heat-insulating housing; a cooling device; and a through-hole passing through a heat-insulating wall in the housing and having an internal thread on an inner periphery thereof, and which closes an opening portion of the through-hole on an outer side of the storage, includes: an external thread to be threadedly engaged with the internal thread; and a flange member to abut onto a face having the opening portion and close the portion, by threaded engagement between the external and internal threads, the external thread having a cut, which opens a part of the opening portion, formed in a portion of an outer periphery thereof, in a state where the flange member does not abut on the face, while the external thread is threadedly engaged with the internal thread.