Sealed Transfer Flange With Integrated Door Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sealed transfer devices between enclosed volumes are complex, difficult to manufacture, and prone to reliability issues due to cumbersome safety mechanisms, complicating sealing and cleanability, and often have poor ergonomics and cleaning facilitation.
Innovation Solution
A sealed transfer device with simplified and secured door openings using a control mechanism integrated into the hinge, featuring locking members for both doors and flanges, ensuring reliable sealing and easy implementation, with ergonomic design and improved cleaning capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple mechanical locks and ramp systems are used to secure door opening, then sealing reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple locking functions into a single integrated control mechanism. The control member integrates the functions of multiple mechanical locks and ramp systems into one unified structure that simultaneously manages the securing and releasing of both doors, thereby maintaining sealing reliability while reducing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The control member is designed as a multi-functional element that performs multiple securing operations. It simultaneously controls the locking of the first door to the first flange and the second door to the second flange, and also manages the bayonet connection between flanges, eliminating the need for separate locking mechanisms for each function
2Reliability
If multiple mechanical locks and control mechanisms are used to prevent unauthorized opening, then sealing reliability is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate locking components into a single integrated control member. This consolidation reduces the number of parts that need to be manufactured and assembled, simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining the multi-stage securing functionality required for reliable sealing
3Reliability
If complex safety mechanisms with multiple locks are implemented, then sealing reliability is improved, but cleanability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential locking function from complex multi-component mechanisms and implements it through a simplified control member with integrated ramps and locks. This extraction removes unnecessary intermediate components that would create cleaning difficulties, while preserving the security function through the direct engagement of the control member with the doors and flanges
4Reliability
If multiple locking mechanisms are used to ensure secure door opening, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple locking and unlocking actions into a single rotational movement of the control member. This unified operation simultaneously engages or disengages all securing mechanisms (locks and ramps) for both doors, maintaining reliable sealing while dramatically improving ease of operation by eliminating the need for multiple separate manual steps
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a sealed transfer device between two enclosed volumes, comprising two flanges (10, 20) that can be secured to each other by a first bayonet connection, two doors (11, 21) which close off the passage openings defined by the flanges and can be secured to each other by a second bayonet connection, and a control mechanism comprising a control member (3) that is movably mounted on the first flange (10) between a closed position and an open position of the doors (11, 21), characterized in that the control mechanism comprises a member (7) for locking the second door (21) to the first door (11), ensuring that the doors are locked together when the control member (3) switches into the open position of the first and second doors, said locking member (7) being integrated into the first door (11).