Vacuum Sample Container Lid With Harmonic-Drive Gas Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vacuum sealable containers lack mechanisms for extracting gases from the container after return to Earth, leading to potential contamination and pressure issues due to volatilization of entrained gases from extraterrestrial samples.
Innovation Solution
A vacuum sealable container with a gearbox and lid assembly featuring a harmonic drive mechanism, allowing for a hermetic two-way seal and gas extraction, which includes a claw member to translate along the output shaft for secure sealing and gas release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a hermetic seal is used to prevent contamination, then sealing reliability is improved, but the ability to extract gases after return to Earth is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The lid assembly is divided into separate functional components: a cap member for hermetic sealing and a claw member for gas extraction. The claw member can be positioned in different states (engaged or disengaged) to provide either sealing or gas extraction functionality, resolving the contradiction between maintaining hermetic seal integrity and enabling post-mission gas extraction capability
Solution Approach 2:
The claw member is designed to be movable relative to the cap member, transitioning between an engaged position that maintains hermetic sealing and a disengaged position that allows gas extraction. This dynamic reconfiguration enables the system to adapt its functionality based on mission phase, providing both reliable sealing during transport and gas extraction capability after return to Earth
2Device complexity
If a simple lid assembly is used, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to maintain hermetic seal under pressure is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The cap member incorporates a curved, dome-shaped configuration that provides structural strength to resist internal pressure while maintaining hermetic seal integrity. The curved geometry distributes stress more effectively than flat surfaces, enabling reliable sealing without requiring complex reinforcement structures
Solution Approach 2:
The lid assembly utilizes different materials with complementary properties: the cap member is made from a material with high elastic modulus to maintain structural integrity under pressure, while sealing surfaces incorporate compliant materials to ensure hermetic seal. This composite approach achieves reliable pressure-resistant sealing without excessive complexity
3Ease of operation
If manual operation is required for sealing, then ease of operation with bulky gloves is improved, but automation capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The claw member is designed to be self-actuating through a cam mechanism that converts rotational motion of the handle member into linear motion of the claw member. Once the handle is rotated to the appropriate position, the cam mechanism automatically positions the claw member to engage or disengage the seal, providing both manual operability and automated action without requiring complex actuators
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
The container effectively prevents contamination by sealing against internal pressure and volatiles, allowing separate analysis of released gases, while being operable with bulky gloves and varying environments.
Implementation Method 1
a harmonic drive operably coupled with the input shaft, the harmonic drive comprising a strain wave generator, a flex spline, and a ring gear
Implementation Method 2
a claw member threadedly coupled with the output shaft of the harmonic drive, the claw member configured to translate along the axial direction along the output shaft in response to the rotation of the output shaft
Implementation Method 3
a lid assembly selectively coupled to the container body and hermetically sealing the receiving space
Data Source
AI summary
A vacuum sealable container for securing and transporting extraterrestrial samples includes a container body including a flange, a lid assembly detachably coupled to the container body, the lid assembly selectively hermetically sealing the container body, and a gearbox operably coupled with the lid assembly. The gearbox includes a harmonic drive to increase a sealing force between the lid assembly and the container body when the lid is tightened to the container body.