Vacuum-Sealable Sample Container With Planetary Lid Sealing

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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 lid assembly and planetary gearbox mechanism that includes a sun gear, planetary gears, and torque reaction components to form a hermetic seal, along with a gas extraction device to manage volatile gases and prevent contamination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a hermetic seal is formed to prevent contamination and pressure changes, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to the planetary gearbox mechanism required to operate the seal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehermetic seal integrityVSAvoidplanetary gearbox mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The planetary gearbox mechanism is integrated within the lid assembly structure, with the sun gear fixed to the input shaft and planetary gears nested around it. The torque reaction component is embedded in the container body, creating a compact nested arrangement that achieves hermetic sealing without excessive external complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The torque reaction component extends from the container body and interacts with the planetary gearbox to counteract the rotational torque generated during sealing operations. This prevents unwanted rotation of the container body and stabilizes the sealing process, improving reliability while managing the complexity through force balance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

2Ease of operation

If a manual sealing mechanism is used, then ease of operation is improved, but productivity decreases due to the time required for manual sealing operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanual handle operationVSAvoidsealing operation speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The planetary gearbox utilizes circular planetary gears rotating around a central sun gear, creating a compact rotational mechanism that multiplies torque efficiently. This curved gear arrangement allows manual handle operation while achieving high sealing force and improved sealing speed compared to simple manual mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces a simple manual screw or clamp mechanism with a planetary gearbox system that converts rotational motion from the handle into amplified sealing force. This mechanical substitution maintains ease of manual operation while significantly improving productivity through torque multiplication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS20260103320A1Vacuum sealable container

Publication Date: 2026.04.16 HONEYBEE ROBOTICS LTD

AI summary

A vacuum sealable container for securing and transporting extraterrestrial samples includes a container body and a lid assembly detachably coupled to the container body, the lid assembly selectively hermetically sealing the container body. The lid assembly includes an input shaft configured to receive a rotational input; a planetary gearbox including a sun gear fixed to the input shaft and at least one planetary gear configured to receive a torque input via the sun gear; an output shaft coupled to the at least one planetary gear; and a locking assembly coupled with the output shaft. The container further includes at least one torque reaction component extending from the container body.