Suspended Packaging Decontamination with Lock Chamber Radiation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surface decontamination technologies face challenges in efficiently decontaminating outer packaging of varying dimensions within an isolator while preventing radiation escape and avoiding jamming issues during transport through the decontamination chamber.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a lifting device in the lock chamber to automatically adjust the vertical position of the outer packaging relative to the suspension transport device, allowing for suspended transport that keeps the packaging bottom free for irradiation and preventing jamming, along with a system of alternating lock chamber openings to control radiation exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a labyrinth system is used to prevent radiation escape, then radiation containment is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the radiation containment function from a complex labyrinth system and implements it through a simpler lock chamber with alternating door operation. The lock chamber isolates the radiation source, and doors are opened alternately to allow packaging transfer while maintaining radiation containment, thereby removing the need for a complex labyrinth structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The lock chamber serves as an intermediary between the radiation-containing decontamination chamber and the external environment. It mediates the transfer of packaging while preventing direct exposure to radiation, using a simplified door mechanism rather than a complex labyrinth system.
2Ease of operation
If outer packaging is transported resting on its bottom through the decontamination chamber, then conveying is simplified, but jamming occurs and irradiation effectiveness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from horizontal conveying (resting on bottom) to vertical suspension conveying. Packaging is lifted vertically by a lifting device and then conveyed through the decontamination chamber in a suspended state, changing the dimension of motion from horizontal to vertical-suspended. This eliminates contact with the conveying surface, preventing jamming and improving irradiation effectiveness.
3Device complexity
If the vertical position of outer packaging is fixed relative to the suspension transport device, then device structure is simplified, but adaptability to packaging of different dimensions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a lifting device that dynamically adjusts the vertical position of packaging within the lock chamber. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to accommodate packaging of different dimensions by varying the lift height, transforming a static structure into a dynamic, adaptable system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the vertical position parameter of the packaging through the lifting device. By adjusting this parameter (vertical position), the system adapts to different packaging dimensions while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure, avoiding the need for complex adjustable mechanisms throughout the entire conveying system.
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 the reliable decontamination of outer packaging with different dimensions without the need for a labyrinth system, ensuring safe and jam-free transport through the decontamination chamber while maintaining effective radiation containment.
Implementation Method 1
decontamination chamber (irradiation chamber) which is disposed between the inlet side and the outlet side and which is assigned a radiation source (radiation emitter), in particular an electrode beam source, for irradiating the outer packaging
Data Source
AI summary
A surface decontamination device (1) for decontaminating outer packagings (2) which contain pre-sterilised consumer goods and have a circumferential collar (3) prior to transfer into an insulator includes a conveyor for conveying the outer packagings (2) in a conveying direction (F) along a conveying path from an inlet side to an outlet side of the device (1). The conveying path passes through a decontamination chamber (5) between the inlet side and outlet side. An irradiation source (6) is associated with the chamber (5) for irradiating the outer packagings (2) conveyed through the chamber (5). The conveying path passes through at least one lock chamber (8) arranged between the inlet side and outlet side, adjacent to the chamber (5) and having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet and outlet being able to be opened and closed by a closer. The conveyor includes a suspended transport unit (7) in the chamber (5) for suspended transport of the outer packagings (2) on the circumferential collar (3) thereof, wherein a lifting unit (11, 15) for automatic, vertical adjustment of the outer packagings (2) relative to the suspended transport unit (7) is arranged in the lock chamber (8, 14).