Safety work device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing safety cabinets and draft chambers face challenges in space-saving design and potential contaminant leakage during HEPA filter replacement, particularly when multiple filters are installed, as they require wider installation areas and can lead to re-scattering of contaminants.
Innovation Solution
The safety work device incorporates vertically oriented HEPA filters in the exhaust system, with a reverse airflow configuration, and includes bag-in/bag-out type replacement ports to minimize device depth and contain contaminants during filter replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If two HEPA filters are installed in the exhaust system to detoxify highly toxic substances, then the contaminant removal efficiency is improved (99.97% or more), but the installation area is widened and space is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies vertical arrangement of HEPA filters in the exhaust flow path instead of horizontal placement. The first HEPA filter is positioned behind the rear port, and the second HEPA filter is positioned on the downstream side of the first filter in the vertical direction, transforming the spatial configuration from horizontal to vertical dimension to reduce installation area while maintaining dual-filter contaminant removal efficiency
2Ease of operation
If HEPA filter is replaced by removing the filter cover and pulling out the filter, then the replacement operation is simplified, but the contaminant may re-scatter and be exhausted directly outside the device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a bag-in/bag-out type replacement mechanism where a vinyl bag is nested within the HEPA filter housing structure. The vinyl bag has an open end that can be pulled out to remove the HEPA filter while containing the filter within the bag, preventing contaminant re-scattering during the replacement operation
Solution Approach 2:
The vinyl bag serves as an intermediary containment structure between the HEPA filter and the external environment during replacement. The bag is attached to the housing, and the HEPA filter is removed through the bag's open end, with the bag preventing direct exposure of the filter and its contaminants to the workspace
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 minimizes device depth, reduces space requirements, and effectively suppresses contaminant leakage by containing re-scattered contaminants, ensuring safe and efficient filter replacement.
Implementation Method 1
a HEPA filter filters a contaminant or dust
Implementation Method 2
air in a work space in which a contaminant is handled is filtered by a high efficiency particulate air filter (HEPA filter) so as to prevent the contaminant from being exhausted outside the device
Data Source
AI summary
A safety work device having a plurality of HEPA filters in an exhaust system suppresses leakage of contaminants. The work device includes: a work space; a front shutter covering part of a front opening surface of the work space; a work opening portion below the front shutter, through which a worker puts hands to perform work; a rear port provided at a lower portion of a back surface of the work space to suction air; and an exhaust flow path provided behind the back surface of the work space to exhaust the air in the work space. A first HEPA filter for exhaust is disposed in a vertical direction in the exhaust flow path and behind the rear port, and a second HEPA filter for exhaust is disposed in the vertical direction in the exhaust flow path and on a downstream side of the first HEPA filter.