Vacuum Sample Container Lid Locking for Hermetic Gas Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vacuum sealable containers lack mechanisms to prevent the release of entrained gases from extraterrestrial samples and maintain a hermetic seal across varying environmental conditions, posing risks of contamination and pressure issues during transport.
Innovation Solution
A vacuum sealable container with a lid assembly and locking mechanism that forms a hermetic two-way seal, incorporating a gas extraction device to manage volatile gases and a soft dock to secure samples, along with a locking system designed for ease of use with bulky gloves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional vacuum sealable containers are used for transporting extraterrestrial samples, then the container structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the container cannot prevent release of entrained gases or maintain hermetic seal across varying environmental conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into multiple functional segments: a container body for sample storage, a lid assembly with sealing elements, a locking mechanism with locking arms and cam members, and a gas extraction device. Each segment performs a specific function, allowing the system to achieve hermetic sealing and gas management capabilities while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
A sealing element acts as an intermediary between the container body and lid assembly, creating the hermetic seal. The locking mechanism serves as an intermediary to secure the lid assembly to the container body, ensuring the seal remains intact during transport. These intermediary components enable the container to maintain hermetic sealing without requiring the entire structure to be overly complex.
2Reliability
If a hermetic seal is implemented to prevent atmospheric intrusion, then sample integrity is maintained, but the container requires complex locking mechanisms that are difficult to operate with bulky gloves
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism replaces complex multi-step mechanical fastening with a simplified cam-based system. The cam member, when rotated by the locking arm, automatically engages with the locking arm to secure the lid assembly. This mechanical substitution reduces the number of operational steps required, making it easier to operate with bulky gloves while maintaining reliable hermetic sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is designed to be self-securing through the cam member and locking arm interaction. Once the lid assembly is positioned on the container body, the locking arm can be actuated to engage the cam member, which automatically locks the assembly in place. This self-service design minimizes the complexity of operation while ensuring sample integrity is maintained through reliable locking.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If gas extraction capability is added to manage volatile gases, then contamination risks are reduced, but the device complexity and number of components increase
Solution Approach 1:
The gas extraction device is merged with the existing container structure, integrating the gas management function into the container body or lid assembly. By combining the gas extraction capability with other container components, the patent reduces the overall device complexity while still effectively managing volatile gases and preventing contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The container is designed with multi-functionality, where certain components serve multiple purposes. For example, the lid assembly not only provides sealing but may also house or interface with the gas extraction device. This universality allows the container to manage volatile gases and prevent contamination without requiring separate dedicated components for each function, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
4Reliability
If a locking mechanism with multiple locking bolts is implemented, then the hermetic seal reliability is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism may incorporate asymmetric features in the locking bolts, locking arms, or cam members that provide self-alignment during assembly. This asymmetry ensures that components engage in a specific orientation, reducing the need for high manufacturing precision while maintaining hermetic seal reliability. The asymmetric design guides the assembly process, making alignment more tolerant to manufacturing variations.
Data Source
AI summary
A vacuum sealable container for securing and transporting extraterrestrial samples includes a container body defining a plurality of flange tabs and a lid assembly detachably coupled to the container body, the lid assembly selectively hermetically sealing the container body. The lid assembly includes a cap member defining a plurality of lid tabs corresponding to the plurality of flange tabs, and a plurality of locking bolts received through the plurality of lid tabs. The plurality of locking bolts selectively pull the cap member toward the container body when tightened.