Vacuum-Sealed Sample Container With Separate Gas Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vacuum sealable containers lack mechanisms for extracting gases from the container after it is returned to Earth, leading to potential contamination and pressure issues due to the release of entrained gases from extraterrestrial samples.
Innovation Solution
A vacuum sealable container with a lid assembly that includes a worm shaft, shaft gear, worm gearbox, and claw member, allowing for a hermetic two-way seal and a gas extraction device to manage volatile gases, and a handle mechanism designed for easy operation with bulky gloves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a hermetic seal is used to prevent volatile release, then sample containment is improved, but gas extraction capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The lid assembly is segmented into a sealed portion that maintains hermetic containment and a separate gas extraction device that can be selectively activated. This allows the container to maintain reliable sealing while providing dedicated functionality for gas extraction when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The gas extraction device is pre-configured within the lid assembly during manufacturing, with all necessary components (pump, valves, conduits) already in place. This preliminary preparation enables rapid gas extraction operation when the container is returned to Earth, without requiring complex field assembly or modification.
2Reliability
If a complex locking mechanism is used to maintain vacuum seal, then sealing reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is merged with the sealing function in an integrated lid assembly. The claw member and gear system simultaneously perform both locking and sealing operations, eliminating the need for separate locking and sealing mechanisms. This reduces overall device complexity while maintaining high sealing reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The worm gear mechanism provides self-locking functionality through its inherent mechanical properties. Once the lid is locked into position, the worm gear maintains the seal without requiring additional locking actions or complex control systems, simplifying the overall mechanism while ensuring reliable sealing.
3Ease of operation
If manual operation is used for sealing, then ease of operation is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The lid assembly incorporates a dynamic gear reduction mechanism that amplifies manual input force. The worm gear and shaft gear system converts small manual rotations into large mechanical forces, enabling rapid and efficient sealing operation. This dynamic mechanical advantage system maintains ease of manual operation while dramatically increasing sealing productivity.
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 atmospheric intrusion, allowing for safe transport and analysis of extraterrestrial samples by maintaining a vacuum and enabling separate gas extraction.
Implementation Method 1
a worm shaft connected at the input shaft; a shaft gear provided at the output shaft, the shaft gear being in geared connection with the worm shaft
Implementation Method 2
a worm gearbox operably connected between the input shaft and the worm shaft, the worm gearbox configured to provide a gear reduction between the input shaft and the worm shaft
Implementation Method 3
a claw member threadedly coupled with the output shaft. The claw member may be configured to translate along the axial direction in response to a rotation of the output shaft
Data Source
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 worm gear assembly connected to the input shaft; an output shaft coupled to the worm gear assembly. The worm gear assembly moves a claw member along an axial direction with respect to the lid assembly.