Vacuum Chamber Cabin Door Structure for Panel Placement Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional vacuum chambers lack the ability to detect correct placement of target panels in target panel grooves and have large vacuum spaces that reduce vacuuming efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A cabin door structure with a protrusion that interferes with incorrectly placed target panels, a handle mechanism with limiting mounting and pressure springs to control movement, and a magnetic attraction structure for enhanced closure and detection, along with sealing rings to minimize vacuum space.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional cabin door structure is used, then the cabin door can be opened and closed smoothly, but it is impossible to detect whether the target panel is correctly placed in the target panel groove

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection capabilityVSAvoidcabin door structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The protrusion is pre-positioned on the cabin door at a specific distance from the top cover (less than target panel thickness). This preliminary positioning allows the protrusion to automatically detect incorrect panel placement during the door closing process, enabling detection before the door is fully closed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The protrusion acts as an intermediary element between the cabin door and the target panel. It mediates the interaction by physically interfering with incorrectly placed panels, translating the detection function into a simple mechanical interaction that adds minimal complexity to the overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If a conventional cabin door structure is used, then the cabin door can cover the sample inlet, but a large vacuum space is formed between the tray, sample inlet and cabin door which reduces vacuuming efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevacuuming efficiencyVSAvoidvacuum space volume

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The protrusion is pre-positioned to extend into the sample inlet by a controlled distance (less than target panel thickness). This preliminary intrusion reduces the vacuum space volume before the door is fully closed, and when the target panel is correctly placed, it further minimizes the space between the panel and top cover.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The protrusion creates a localized reduction in vacuum space volume at the critical area near the sample inlet. This local quality change focuses the volume reduction where it matters most for vacuuming efficiency, rather than uniformly reducing space throughout the entire chamber.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If a protrusion is added to the cabin door to detect correct panel placement, then detection capability is improved, but the risk of rigid collision increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepanel placement detectionVSAvoidcollision damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The protrusion parameters (distance from top cover, dimensions) are precisely controlled to be less than the target panel thickness. This parameter optimization ensures the protrusion can detect incorrect placement through interference while the pressure spring adjusts the force parameter to prevent rigid collision damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The pressure spring provides beforehand cushioning by applying controlled pressure to the cabin door, which in turn applies controlled force through the protrusion to the target panel. This pre-established elastic force cushion prevents rigid collisions while maintaining detection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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

Ensures correct panel placement detection, reduces vacuum space, and improves vacuuming efficiency by preventing rigid collisions and maintaining airtightness.

Implementation Method 1

at least one pressure spring to apply inward pressure on the cabin door is arranged between the handle and the cabin door

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a magnetic attraction structure for enhanced closure and detection

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic attraction: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentUS12488977B2Vacuum chamber and cabin door structure

Publication Date: 2025.12.02 ZYBIO INC

AI summary

The disclosure provides a cabin door structure including a sample inlet arranged on a top cover and a cabin door mounted on an outside of the sample inlet. The cabin door is provided with a protrusion, and the protrusion extends inwards into the sample inlet when the cabin door covering on the sample inlet. A distance from an inner surface of the protrusion to an inner surface of the top cover is less than a thickness of a target panel. In the cabin door structure of the disclosure, the distance from the inner surface of the protrusion to the inner surface of the top cover is set to be less than the thickness of the target panel.