Vertical Airflow Storage Chamber for Low-Particle Atmosphere
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage configurations for sensitive products fail to maintain effective clean room conditions due to horizontal airflow, which swirls up particulate and prevents efficient removal, compromising the cleanliness of the storage environment.
Innovation Solution
The storage configuration employs vertical airflow by arranging extraction and injection openings to direct air through the storage chamber vertically, using perforated metal sheets for openings and air-permeable storage product carriers, and incorporates a conditioning apparatus with a particle filter to maintain clean air, ensuring that particles are collected at the bottom for easy removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If horizontal airflow is used in the storage chamber, then the construction remains simple, but particulate is swirled up and particle density increases, reducing clean room capability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional horizontal airflow direction by implementing vertical airflow through the storage chamber. Air is supplied from the top and extracted from the bottom, causing particles to settle downward under gravity rather than being swirled horizontally. This inversion of airflow direction resolves the contradiction by maintaining construction simplicity while significantly reducing particle density in the breathing zone.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional horizontal airflow to three-dimensional vertical airflow by introducing top-to-bottom air movement. This dimensional change allows particles to be carried downward by gravity-assisted flow, effectively removing them from the horizontal circulation pattern that would otherwise keep them suspended and distributed throughout the storage chamber.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If extraction opening is arranged in the bottom region, then particles can be effectively removed by gravity, but substructures are required that complicate support on existing ground surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The storage chamber floor serves multiple functions: it acts as both the structural support surface and the air extraction interface. By integrating the extraction opening directly into the bottom region of the existing floor structure, the patent eliminates the need for separate substructures or support systems, allowing the chamber to be supported on any existing ground surface while maintaining effective particle removal.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If storage product carriers are made air-permeable, then vertical airflow passes unobstructed improving clean room capability, but structural stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs porous or perforated materials for the storage product carriers, which allow vertical airflow to pass through unobstructed while maintaining sufficient structural stability. The porous structure provides adequate air permeability to support the clean room capability without compromising the carriers' ability to support storage products.
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
This design enhances clean room capabilities by reducing particle density in the air, allowing for efficient extraction and maintaining a clean environment through vertical airflow and effective air filtration, while maintaining structural integrity and supporting various temperature and humidity conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a conditioning apparatus, which is associated with the storage chamber and extracts air from the storage chamber, treats it, and injects it back into the storage chamber
Implementation Method 2
by guiding air in the vertical direction, particulate deposited on horizontal surfaces in the storage chamber is not or is only very slightly swirled up by the airflow. By these means the particle density in the air in the storage chamber is reduced
Implementation Method 3
The conditioning apparatus advantageously has a particle filter formed for cleaning the air
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a storage configuration having a predeterminable storage atmosphere, comprising a storage chamber for receiving a plurality of storage product carriers for storage product, which can be delivered to a feeding and removal opening for the storage and removal of the storage product using a transport apparatus, and further comprising an air-conditioning apparatus, which associated with the storage chamber and exhausts air from the storage chamber, treats it, and injects it back into the storage chamber via exhaust and injection openings provided on the storage chamber. The exhaust and injection openings are disposed such that the air flows through the storage chamber in the vertical direction.