Releasable Connection Device for Sterilization Containers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional treatment machines for objects, such as sterilization and washing machines, face difficulties in safely and efficiently extracting object-holder containers from the treatment chamber, especially when a cycle is prematurely interrupted, due to the need for manual handling in hot and potentially hazardous environments, and the challenge of accessing containers positioned far from the loading or unloading doors.
Innovation Solution
A machine with a releasable connection device that automatically attaches and detaches object-holder containers using rotatable arms and activation means, such as cams, allowing for simultaneous extraction of multiple containers, including those at the bottom of the treatment chamber, by engaging and disengaging the connection mechanism during insertion and extraction processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual handling is used to extract containers from the treatment chamber, then operational flexibility is maintained, but operational safety deteriorates due to hot and hazardous environments
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic container extraction without requiring manual intervention. The extraction mechanism itself carries out the task of removing containers from the treatment chamber, eliminating the need for operators to manually handle hot or hazardous containers.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical handling by operators is replaced with an automated extraction mechanism. The system uses mechanical means (traction devices, connection mechanisms) to automatically grasp and extract containers, substituting human physical intervention with automated mechanical systems.
2Productivity
If containers are positioned far from the loading or unloading doors, then treatment chamber capacity is optimized, but extraction difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
A connection mechanism acts as an intermediary between containers positioned deep in the chamber and the extraction point at the door. This mechanism (comprising connection elements and traction devices) bridges the gap, allowing containers far from the door to be extracted without direct manual handling.
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts containers sequentially from their positions in the treatment chamber. The extraction mechanism grasps containers and pulls them out through the door, removing the difficulty of accessing deeply positioned containers by directly extracting them to the exterior.
3Productivity
If multiple containers are loaded in sequence, then treatment efficiency is improved, but extraction complexity increases when cycle is interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the extraction process into individual container units. Each container can be independently grasped and extracted by the traction device, allowing the system to handle multiple containers loaded in sequence by processing them one at a time, thereby simplifying the overall extraction 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
Enables safe and efficient automatic attachment and detachment of multiple object-holder containers, facilitating their simultaneous extraction from the treatment chamber, even when positioned far from the loading or unloading doors, thereby improving operational safety and ease of use in challenging conditions like high-temperature sterilization environments.
Implementation Method 1
at least one rotatable arm provided on at least one of said opposite sides of said first object-holder container and configured to pass, by means of activation means positioned in the treatment chamber, from a first inactive release position to a second active attachment position
Implementation Method 2
The activation means positioned in the treatment chamber comprises at least a cam disposed on the internal surface of the lateral walls of the treatment chamber
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4a~4c
AI summary
Machine for treating objects, in particular washing, thermal disinfection and/or sterilization of objects, comprising at least a treatment chamber (11, 11') configured to house a plurality of object-holder containers (12, 13, 12', 13') located in sequence. The machine comprises at least a releasable connection device (22, 22', 40, 40') of said object-holder containers (12, 13, 12', 13'), associated with at least one of the object-holder containers (12, 13, 12', 13') and configured to cooperate with activation means (32, 33, 49, 49') positioned in the treatment chamber (11, 11'), so that, inserting one object-holder container (13) in the treatment chamber (11) after at least a first object-holder container (12, 12') already inserted in said chamber (11, 11') and moving said object-holder containers (12, 13, 12', 13') toward the inside of the chamber (11, 11'), said releasable connection device (22, 22', 40, 40') is automatically activated by said activation means (32, 33) in order to reciprocally connect said object-holder containers (12, 13, 12', 13'), so as to allow a simultaneous extraction thereof, acting on the first or last object-holder container (13) inserted. The releasable connection device (40, 40') comprises at least one rotatable arm (42) associated with at least one side (36, 37) of a first object-holder container (12', 13') and configured to pass, by means of said activation means (49, 49'), from a first inactive release position to a second active attachment position, and also comprises at least one pin (41, 41') protruding from one side (36, 37) of a second object-holder container (12, 13') and suitable to be engaged by said rotatable arm (42) in the active attachment position.