DE102004008051B4 - Mobile system chamber for scientific experiments - Google Patents

Abstract

system chamber for scientific Experiments, comprising at least one ground segment (1) and at least two wall elements, wherein the wall elements of side wall segments (2) and cover segments (3), wherein the side wall segments Edge regions with means for reversible bonding (4, 5) with edge regions of adjacent sidewall segments, and wherein the sidewall segments assembled into a ring, reversible on the ground segments mounted and sealed with the cover segments to form a completed volume are covered.

Description

The The present invention relates to a system chamber for scientific Experiments according to the first Claim. The system chamber encloses a closed volume, in which the scientific experiments are unaffected by the ambient climate can be carried out.

such System chambers are for scientific experiments, which are particularly sensitive to environmental influences respond, required. Often need in such experiments one or more climatic conditions, for example, the temperature, composition of the atmosphere (typical requirement concerns z. Inert atmosphere), Moisture etc. also over extended periods be kept within defined limits.

In the DE 101 32 761 A1 For example, an air-conditioned sample chamber concept for carrying out chemical, biochemical, biological or physical reactions on a sample carrier is described. It consists of an upwardly open vessel with predetermined geometry, in which the sample carrier is inserted and which is covered by a sealing plate. Furthermore, means are provided for conditioning the environment of the sample.

On the other side are from the field of nuclear technology, chemistry or the biology so-called glove boxes (glove-box) known which a sufficient size for one have complete experimental setup in the closed volume. sealing used glove feedthroughs or Enable remote handling manipulators the implementation certain events in the glove box, without it to a fluid exchange (esp. gases or aerosols), d. H. to a contamination between comes down the shot volume or the environment.

Example becomes in the DE 40 30 186 A1 such a glove box shown. Like the aforementioned sample chamber, it has a largely invariable geometry of the volume enclosed in it.

Also in the EP 1 234 643 A2 discloses such a glove box, however, has two hingedly adjustable walls, which allows a limited variability of the interior volume.

Furthermore, in the DE 89 08 898 U1 a container of several wall elements and a bottom element described, wherein the wall portions are bent and can be reversibly connected to an additional profile strip with each other in a predetermined unchangeable angular position. The wall elements also have inwardly directed support elements as a support for the bottom element.

From that Based on the object of the invention, an air-conditioning Chamber to propose a variable design of the completed Volume and field of use without requiring major set-up times.

The The object is achieved by a system chamber having the features of the independent claim 1 solved. The dependent ones claims give advantageous embodiments of the system chamber again.

Of the The basic idea of the invention is based on a modular chamber, their soils and walls are for each experiment individually from matched standard segments forming a closed volume. there it makes sense to use a laboratory tabletop as a base plate (ground segment) and as a carrier of the experimental setup for to provide the experiment. Will a good stowage of the system chamber Demanded in the disassembled state, consist of the standard segments preferably of flat plate elements. Shape and dimensions of this Standard segments are, as with modular designed modular systems common practice, geometrically coordinated. The border areas have means for reversible connection (depending on the application, eg Velcro, Magnetic strips, snap lock, hook mechanism, positive connections such as tongue and groove joints or pin-hole joints etc.) at least two standard segments on each other. Depending on the purpose can these fasteners with additional parallel connected Fixation elements such. B. quick fasteners, buckle fixations or Clamps are combined. The connections also take over the function a first climate barrier, d. H. they must be in one for each case or be designed more or less sealing in both directions. Depending on the purpose, this first climate lock is not sufficient, d. H. additional separate or special sealants are required.

It makes sense to design one or more of these standard segments as a base plate, ie as a basis for the system chamber and the experimental setup in this. In this way, in a particularly advantageous manner, first of all the experimental setup can be constructed without restrictive obstructions by a climatic chamber and subsequently be segmented by the system chamber, ie in a particularly flexible manner. Also, accessibility, expansion and customization possibilities of the experimental setup by the ability to dismantle individual segments of the system chamber and replace them with other segments if necessary, considerably expanded.

Of the Design-related lower pressure resistance and thus the opposite rigid Climate boxes maybe reduced use of the system chamber are therefore essential Advantages over.

panes (such as viewing windows, membranes or permeable to specific physical influences climate density Window areas), sealing closable openings (such as flaps) or electrical, fluidic or mechanical feedthroughs (such as cable, Pipe, hose or shaft bushings, or even used Glove-throughs) are used in the individual segments, preferably, but not mandatory away from the edge areas.

system chambers for experiments which are to be carried out under certain climatic and atmospheric conditions, comprising devices for air conditioning, heating, cooling, degassing or fumigation of the volume. Lines of these devices as well those of the experimental setup bridge over depending on the installation in or outside the volume of the walls of the system chamber preferably over the aforementioned bushings fluidic, mechanical or electrical. Alternatively, it is also possible an integration of these devices in individual wall segments.

It is within the scope of the invention, segments with hinges, bending joints or make other permanent connections kink or foldable. A separation of these compounds is not provided. she but are basically the same effect as separable segment groups, but by the fasteners (Hinges, bending joints, etc.) only usable together.

The Invention is provided with exemplary embodiments based on the following figures by way of example, but not limiting the above features, closer explained. Show it

1 the schematic structure of a system chamber as an exploded view according to the embodiment and

2a and b possible connection element designs for reversibly connecting two segments in each case in schematic sectional views and

3a and b each an edging of an elastomer for sealingly reversibly connecting two segments in a sectional view.

A possible embodiment of the system chamber with a table top as a floor segment 1 and several side segments 2 and another plate as cover segment 3 as walls. All side segments consist in the embodiment of flat rectangular plates of the same height. They will, as in 1 indicated, with the connecting elements (see. 2a and b) assembled into a ring element, placed on the ground segment and closed at the top by the cover segment, forming a closed volume.

Two possible types of connectors between each side segment 2 are in the 2a and b (without additional fixation elements). In both figures, sealing means are additionally exemplified for sealing bridging between two side wall segments. The sealants in the present example comprise magnetic strips 5 on both sides on the elements 2 in the vicinity of the connecting elements with a sealingly placed magnetic at least pliable mat 6 , Alternatively, as a sealant instead of the magnetic connection and positive pressure bar locks, zippers, hook-and-loop fasteners, sealants or terminal block locks are conceivable. In an analogous manner, the connections between side and covering or ground segment can be bridged.

The fasteners according to 2a include as a mechanical connection a Velcro 4 with two tooth surfaces. These span each the edge areas of the side segments 2 , Such a connection is very flexible and easy to handle, but is only suitable for atmospheric pressures in the volume, which differ only slightly from the pressure outside the system chamber. Typical applications provide experiments with inert atmospheres in volume, in which, for example, a continuous gas stream is introduced into the volume and escapes again through small leaks, preferably in the region of the connecting elements from the volume.

If, on the other hand, the connecting elements have to absorb higher forces between the segments (caused, for example, by greater pressure differences between the volume and the environment), hinge band connections can be provided in accordance with FIG 2 B at. In this case, the segments are rotatably inserted into each other as a door in a door hinge and by simply moving against each other of the segments axially to the axis of rotation and uncomplicated separable. Such fasteners are particularly suitable as a connection between the side segments 2 for the in 1 described embodiment, but can be structurally a relatively wide gap between two side segments open. Additional sealants are therefore essential.

As an alternative to the aforementioned connecting elements, enclosures are available for the sealing, reversible connection of two segments (for example, see FIG 3a ). These are preferably used as elastomer profiles 9 with or without additional sealing lips 10 attached as separate components on the edge regions of the segments.

As a sealing connection between the side segments and the floor segment (table top) or the cover segment offer, as exemplified in 3b represented, elastomer profiles 9 , ie lips, strips or buffers preferably made of rubber, which in the respective affected edge regions of the side segments 2 incorporated glued or plugged. As a connecting element practically serves only the frictional connection to the ground segment 1 or cover segment 3 , Wherein the weight of the segments significantly determines the frictional forces. In this way, the side segments can be in a particularly advantageous manner 2 as the aforementioned ring practically arbitrarily between the ground segment 1 and the cover segment 3 (see. 1 ).

1

ground segment

2

page segment

3

covering segment

4

velcro fastener

5

magnetic stripe

6

mat

7

panes

8th

hinge

9

elastomer profile

10

sealing lip

Claims (5)

System chamber for scientific experiments, comprising at least one ground segment ( 1 ) and at least two wall elements, wherein the wall elements of side wall segments ( 2 ) and cover segments ( 3 ), wherein the sidewall segments edge portions with means for reversibly connecting ( 4 . 5 ) having edge portions of adjacent side wall segments, and wherein the side wall segments are assembled into a ring on which bottom segments are reversibly placed and sealed with the cover segments to form a sealed volume. System chamber according to claim 1, comprising devices for air conditioning, heating, cooling, degassing or fumigation of the volume. System chamber according to claim 1 or 2, comprising window areas, sealing closable openings or electrical, fluidic or mechanical feedthroughs in the floor slabs or wall elements. System chamber according to one of the preceding claims, wherein additional to the connecting elements Sealant are provided. System chamber according to one of the preceding claims, wherein additional to the connecting elements Fixing elements are provided.