Sealed Container Rail System for Ultra-Clean Sensor Transportation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Advanced sensor systems are susceptible to particulate contamination during manufacturing, transportation, and storage, requiring cleaner solutions to prevent particle introduction and physical damage, as traditional methods are insufficient for next-generation sensors.
Innovation Solution
The ultra-clean transportation and storage system includes a product storage container with a segmented lid, rollers for rail-based movement, and integrated seals and brakes to minimize particulate generation, along with a transfer cart and storage rack designed for precise alignment and secure handling, utilizing a rail system to reduce contact and contamination risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional storage and transportation methods are used for sensor systems, then ease of operation is maintained, but particulate contamination occurs during manufacturing, transportation, and storage
Solution Approach 1:
The storage container is divided into multiple segments including a base platform, lower lid segment, and upper lid segment that can be assembled and disassembled. This segmentation allows for easy assembly while maintaining a sealed enclosure that prevents particulate contamination during storage and transportation of sensor systems
Solution Approach 2:
A rail system with rollers acts as an intermediary mechanism between storage locations, enabling controlled movement of sealed containers. This intermediary system prevents direct contact with contaminated environments during transportation while maintaining ease of operation through simple rail-based rolling movement
2Object-affected harmful factors
If sealed enclosures are used to prevent contamination, then particle introduction is prevented, but access to products becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The lid is segmented into lower and upper portions that can be separated from each other. This allows operators to open only the necessary portion for product access while maintaining the sealed enclosure integrity, thus preventing particle introduction while facilitating easy product retrieval
Solution Approach 2:
The container is pre-assembled with product supports and sealing elements in place before product insertion. This preliminary preparation ensures that the sealing structure is already optimized for both contamination prevention and future product access operations
3Object-affected harmful factors
If manual handling methods are used, then device complexity is low, but physical damage to sensitive equipment may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The rail system with rollers serves as an intermediary that transfers containers between locations without requiring manual lifting or handling of the sensitive equipment inside. This eliminates physical damage risks while maintaining relatively simple infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The container design includes integrated product supports and cushioning elements positioned beforehand to protect sensitive equipment during any necessary handling operations. These protective features are built into the container structure prior to equipment insertion
4Object-generated harmful factors
If traditional transportation components are used, then device complexity is minimal, but contaminating particles are generated during production and storage
Solution Approach 1:
The sealed container enclosure creates a controlled inert environment that prevents generation and introduction of contaminating particles during storage and transportation. The sealing interfaces between container segments maintain this inert atmosphere without requiring complex active purification systems
Solution Approach 2:
The transportation system extracts the sensitive equipment from the contaminated production environment and places it into a sealed container that is subsequently transported through controlled environments. This extraction isolates the equipment from particle-generating environments while using relatively simple sealed container technology
Data Source
AI summary
An ultra-clean transportation and storage system includes a product storage container with a base having product supports and a segmented lid enclosing the product supports. Rollers on the base have grooved sidewalls receiving a rail to support the product storage container and rolling along the rail edges. Lift-off hinges allow lid removal only after a predetermined rotation. Seals, a one-way breather valve, and a gas inlet allow the interior of the enclosure to be purged. A friction brake on the product storage container has an integrated O-ring contact surface and a housing enclosing complementary acme threads for moving the brake. A transfer cart includes a rail on the lift arm to support the product storage container during movement, and alignment and docking mechanisms on a transfer end effector of the lift are for docking with either a storage spaced on a storage rack or a transfer space on a pass-through.