Vacuum pipe system

Abstract

The utility model discloses a kind of vacuum pipeline systems, it is related to vacuum negative pressure technical field, vacuum pipeline system includes integrated pipeline and screw rod type vacuum pump, wherein, integrated pipeline includes multiple intercommunicating sub-pipes, multiple sub-pipes are sequentially communicated head to tail to form annular closed pipeline, and vacuum interface is equipped on at least one sub-pipe in multiple sub-pipes;Screw rod type vacuum pump is located at the side of sub-pipe, screw rod type vacuum pump is communicated with any one sub-pipe, to supply vacuum to integrated pipeline.The technical scheme provided by the utility model solves the problem of lower pumping speed and lower vacuum degree of the existing vacuum system.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of vacuum negative pressure technology, and in particular to a vacuum pipeline system. Background Technology

[0002] In the battery cell coating manufacturing process, the commonly used vacuum generating equipment is mainly the traditional impeller vacuum pump (such as rotary vane pump, slide valve pump, etc.) or compressed air-based vacuum generator. Due to the limitations of their own structural design, their effective pumping speed (i.e., the volume of gas removed per unit time under a specific pressure) is limited. Insufficient pumping speed leads to insufficient vacuum and easy vacuum drop. Furthermore, the existing vacuum pipeline has limited capacity and cannot meet the requirements of rapid vacuum response and stable high vacuum supply. Utility Model Content

[0003] The main purpose of this invention is to propose a vacuum pipeline system that aims to solve the problems of low pumping speed and low vacuum level in existing vacuum systems.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention proposes a vacuum piping system, which includes:

[0005] An integrated conduit includes multiple interconnected sub-pipes, the multiple sub-pipes being sequentially connected end-to-end to form a closed loop conduit, and at least one of the multiple sub-pipes being provided with a vacuum interface; and

[0006] A screw vacuum pump is located on one side of the sub-tube and is connected to any section of the sub-tube to supply vacuum into the integrated pipeline.

[0007] In one embodiment, each of the sub-tubes is provided with a separate vacuum interface, and a negative pressure pipe is connected to the vacuum interface, which is used to deliver a vacuum to the target workstation.

[0008] In one embodiment, each of the sub-tubes is provided with a negative pressure gauge, and the negative pressure gauge is located close to the vacuum interface.

[0009] In one embodiment, the integrated piping further includes a flange assembly, wherein the ends of two adjacent sub-pipes are detachably connected via the flange assembly, the flange assembly including flanges respectively fixed to the ends of each of the sub-pipes and fasteners for securing the two flanges together.

[0010] In one embodiment, the flange assembly further includes a gasket sandwiched between two adjacent flanges.

[0011] In one embodiment, the integrated conduit further includes a flexible tube disposed between two adjacent sub-pipes, with both ends of the flexible tube respectively connected to the sub-pipes.

[0012] In one embodiment, the integrated pipe further includes positioning elements, which are provided at intervals along the outer periphery of the flexible pipe and extend along the axial direction of the flexible pipe.

[0013] In one embodiment, the screw vacuum pump is provided with a cooling port for introducing coolant to cool the internal components of the screw vacuum pump.

[0014] In one embodiment, the vacuum piping system further includes a switching valve located at the interface between the screw vacuum pump and any one of the sub-pipes to open the passage between the screw vacuum pump and the sub-pipe.

[0015] In one embodiment, the total volume of the integrated pipeline is greater than 700L; and / or, the diameter of the sub-pipe is in the range of 100-200mm.

[0016] This invention employs a high-power screw vacuum pump as the vacuum source, providing a high pumping rate. When a vacuum suction cup or process chamber is connected to the vacuum interface of the vacuum system, the system can rapidly extract the large volume of air within it, quickly reaching the target vacuum level. The continuous operation of the screw vacuum pump raises the vacuum level within the annular integrated pipe to a preset, relatively high "standby" level, storing energy as vacuum potential energy. When one or more workstations in the production line (such as multiple vacuum suction cups simultaneously adsorbing) suddenly require a large instantaneous vacuum flow, the large-capacity integrated pipe can immediately release the stored vacuum, providing a peak flow rate far exceeding the instantaneous pumping capacity of the screw pump. This ensures that the vacuum level at each workstation does not drop significantly due to excessive instantaneous demand, and also overcomes momentary or brief vacuum leaks in the integrated pipe, maintaining a high vacuum state. Attached Figure Description

[0017] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the structures shown in these drawings without creative effort.

[0018] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a structure of an embodiment of the vacuum pipeline system provided by this utility model;

[0019] Figure 2 A partial structural schematic diagram of another embodiment of the vacuum pipeline system provided by this utility model;

[0020] Figure 3 A partial structural schematic diagram of another embodiment of the vacuum pipeline system provided by this utility model.

[0021] Explanation of icon numbers:

[0022] 100. Vacuum piping system; 1. Integrated piping; 11. Sub-pipe; 111. Vacuum interface; 112. Negative pressure gauge; 12. Flange assembly; 13. Flexible pipe; 14. Positioning component; 2. Screw vacuum pump; 21. Cooling port; 3. Switch valve.

[0023] The realization of the purpose, functional features and advantages of this utility model will be further explained in conjunction with the embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present utility model.

[0025] It should be noted that if the embodiments of this utility model involve directional indicators (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc.), the directional indicators are only used to explain the relative positional relationship and movement of the components in a specific posture. If the specific posture changes, the directional indicators will also change accordingly.

[0026] Furthermore, if the embodiments of this utility model involve descriptions such as "first" or "second," these descriptions are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of those features. Additionally, the use of "and / or" or "and / or" throughout the text includes three parallel solutions. For example, "A and / or B" includes solution A, solution B, or a solution where both A and B are satisfied simultaneously. Furthermore, the technical solutions of the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but this must be based on the ability of those skilled in the art to implement them. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or impossible to implement, it should be considered that such a combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection claimed by this utility model.

[0027] Currently, the vacuum generating equipment commonly used in existing spraying production lines is mainly traditional impeller vacuum pumps (such as rotary vane pumps, slide valve pumps, etc.) or vacuum generators based on compressed air. Due to the limitations of their own structural design, their effective pumping speed (i.e., the volume of gas removed per unit time under a specific pressure) is limited. Insufficient pumping speed results in a long time required to restore the chamber pressure to the high vacuum level required by the spraying process.

[0028] This utility model proposes a vacuum pipeline system.

[0029] Please see Figure 1 In one embodiment of the present invention, the vacuum pipeline system 100 includes:

[0030] An integrated conduit 1 includes multiple interconnected sub-pipes 11, which are sequentially connected end-to-end to form a closed loop conduit. At least one sub-pipe 11 is provided with a vacuum interface 111.

[0031] A screw vacuum pump 2 is located on one side of the sub-tube 11. The screw vacuum pump 2 is connected to any section of the sub-tube 11 to supply vacuum into the integrated pipeline 1.

[0032] The technical solution of this utility model uses a high-power screw vacuum pump 2 as a vacuum source, which can provide a large pumping rate. When the vacuum suction cup or process chamber is connected to the vacuum interface 111 on the vacuum system, the system can extract the large amount of air inside in a very short time and quickly reach the target vacuum level. The continuous operation of the screw vacuum pump 2 pumps the vacuum level in the annular integrated pipe 1 to a preset, high "standby" level, storing energy in the form of vacuum potential energy. When one or more workstations in the production line (such as multiple vacuum suction cups adsorbing simultaneously) suddenly require a large instantaneous vacuum flow, the large-capacity integrated pipe 1 can immediately release the stored vacuum, providing a peak flow rate far exceeding the instantaneous pumping capacity of the screw pump, ensuring that the vacuum level of each workstation will not drop significantly due to excessive instantaneous demand, and also overcoming instantaneous or brief vacuum leakage in the integrated pipe 1, maintaining a high vacuum state.

[0033] Specifically, the number of sub-tubes 11 is not specifically limited; in practical applications, it can be selected and set according to parameters such as the diameter of the sub-tubes 11 and the required vacuum volume. For example, it can have six, eight, or more than ten sections, so that the integrated pipe 1 not only has the function of conveying vacuum but also the function of temporarily storing vacuum. The material of the sub-tubes 11 can be stainless steel or other metals, and multiple sub-tubes 11 can be connected end-to-end in sequence to form square, arc, or other irregular shapes. Among the multiple sub-tubes 11, a vacuum interface 111 can be set on at least one or more sub-tubes 11 to connect to the inlet pipes of vacuum suction cups, texturing chambers, spraying chambers, or testing chambers distributed at various stations on the battery cell production line. A solenoid valve (not shown in the figure) can be configured on the vacuum interface 111, and its on / off state is independently controlled by the vacuum control system according to the working sequence of each station.

[0034] The screw vacuum pump 2, serving as the power core of the entire system, is located on one side of the integrated pipeline 1. Compared to traditional impeller vacuum pumps (limited by their compression ratio and internal leakage) or vacuum generators (limited by the physical limits of compressed air pressure and the Venturi effect), the screw vacuum pump 2 delivers gas in a non-contact, non-internal compression manner through a pair of precisely meshing screw rotors, easily achieving and maintaining a vacuum level far exceeding that of traditional equipment (e.g., from the traditional -95 kPa to -99 kPa or even higher).

[0035] Specifically, the air inlet of the screw vacuum pump 2 is connected to one of the sub-pipes 11 (e.g., via a main connecting pipe) through a main connecting pipe. Figure 1 The side wall of the upper sub-pipe 11 is connected. A check valve and a pressure sensor can be installed on the main connecting pipe. The check valve is used to prevent the vacuum in the integrated pipe 1 from flowing back into the pump when the screw vacuum pump 2 stops, thus protecting the pump body. The pressure sensor is used to monitor the vacuum level in the integrated pipe 1 in real time and feed the data back to the vacuum control system to start, stop, or adjust the speed of the screw vacuum pump 2, thereby accurately maintaining the vacuum level in the pipe at the set value. Of course, in addition to being used in the coating production line of battery cells, this vacuum system can also be applied to other vacuum adsorption scenarios with high vacuum and high stability requirements.

[0036] In the embodiments of this utility model, please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2Each sub-tube 11 has an individual vacuum interface 111, which is connected to a negative pressure pipe. The negative pressure pipe is used to deliver vacuum to the target workstation. The negative pressure pipe can be a polyurethane hose or a stainless steel corrugated pipe, etc., serving as a "branch" pipe connecting the vacuum interface 111 to the target workstation (such as a vacuum suction cup or process chamber), responsible for accurately delivering the vacuum energy in the integrated pipeline 1 to the terminal execution device. In this embodiment, each sub-tube 11 of the integrated pipeline 1 is equipped with a vacuum interface 111, and each interface is configured with an independent negative pressure pipeline to achieve precise, independent, and efficient vacuum supply to multiple target workstations. Furthermore, each sub-tube 11 can have two or three vacuum interfaces 111. One of them is connected to the vacuum suction cup clamp on the target workstation (such as a spraying workstation, curing workstation, or cleaning workstation) through a negative pressure pipe, and the other interface can serve as a spare interface or be used to connect other auxiliary vacuum equipment (such as a dust removal device) in that area.

[0037] In the embodiments of this utility model, please refer to Figure 1 Each sub-pipe 11 is equipped with a negative pressure gauge 112, which is positioned close to the vacuum interface 111. The negative pressure gauge 112 can be an electronic negative pressure sensor. Located near the vacuum interface 111 on each sub-pipe 11, it measures the vacuum level of its corresponding sub-pipe 11 in real time, enabling precise monitoring of the vacuum pressure at each workstation connection point. The sensor can transmit the measured analog or digital signals to the main vacuum control system in real time via an industrial data bus (such as a CAN bus running throughout the entire equipment). The negative pressure gauge 112 can also detect leaks or blockages in each sub-pipe 11 branch. For example, during system commissioning, the rationality of the piping layout can be verified by comparing the readings of the negative pressure gauges 112 on different sub-pipes 11. For instance, if the reading of the negative pressure gauge 112 on the sub-pipe 11 furthest from the pump is more than 1 kPa lower than that on the nearest sub-pipe 11 during operation, it indicates that there may be room for optimization in the balance of the ring piping or the pipe diameter design.

[0038] In the embodiments of this utility model, please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2The integrated piping 1 also includes a flange assembly 12, through which the ends of two adjacent sub-pipes 11 are detachably connected. The flange assembly 12 includes flanges respectively fixed to the ends of each sub-pipe 11 and fasteners for securing the two flanges together. The flanges can be round, square, or irregularly shaped discs with bolt holes, fixed to both ends of each sub-pipe section 11. The fasteners typically include bolts, nuts, and washers, which securely lock the two adjacent flanges together, thereby fixing the sub-pipe 11. In other embodiments, the flanges can also be flat flanges or raised face flanges. A raised face flange has a raised annular sealing surface and a corresponding groove, which better positions the gasket and prevents it from shifting or being excessively compressed during tightening.

[0039] In an embodiment of this utility model, the flange assembly 12 further includes a gasket (not shown), which is sandwiched between two adjacent flanges. The gasket can be an O-ring or a flat gasket, and the material can be fluororubber, nitrile rubber, or perfluoroelastomer rubber, etc. Under the action of fasteners, the gasket can be tightly pressed between the two flanges, causing it to undergo elastic or plastic deformation, filling all microscopic uneven gaps, thereby forming a seal.

[0040] In the embodiments of this utility model, please refer to Figures 1 to 3 The integrated pipeline 1 also includes a flexible pipe 13, which is located between two adjacent sub-pipes 11, with both ends of the flexible pipe 13 connected to the sub-pipes 11. The flexible pipe 13 is a pipe connector capable of a certain amount of displacement or deformation in the axial, lateral, or other arbitrary angles. Located between the two sub-pipes 11, it can be tilted at a certain angle as needed, or its total length can be slightly altered to compensate for possible axial deviations, angular deviations, or slight misalignments. The flexible pipe 13 can be a metal corrugated pipe (e.g., a stainless steel hydroformed corrugated pipe), located between adjacent sub-pipes 11A and 11B. The flexible pipe 13 may have pre-fabricated interfaces, with flanges pre-welded to the ends of sub-pipes 11A and 11B. Thus, sub-pipes 11A and 11B achieve both connection and sealing through a flexible connection unit comprising "flange + gasket + corrugated pipe + fasteners".

[0041] In the embodiments of this utility model, please refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3The integrated pipe 1 also includes positioning elements 14. Multiple positioning elements 14 are spaced apart along the outer periphery of the flexible pipe 13, and extend along the axial direction of the flexible pipe 13. Since the flexible pipe 13 has degrees of freedom in deformation along the axial, lateral, or other inclined directions, it needs to be fixed to a specific length after installation. The positioning elements 14 can be fasteners such as screws or bolts. Fastening seats are provided at both ends of the flexible pipe 13, allowing the ends of the screws to be threaded and tightened. In this embodiment, multiple positioning elements 14 are spaced apart on the outside of the flexible pipe 13 to fix the flexible pipe 13 at a specific angle and length.

[0042] In the embodiments of this utility model, please refer to Figure 2 The screw vacuum pump 2 is equipped with a cooling port 21, which is used to input coolant to cool the internal components of the screw vacuum pump 2. In this embodiment, a pair of cooling ports 21 can be provided on the pump casing or gearbox housing of the screw vacuum pump 2, one as a coolant inlet and the other as a coolant outlet, and a cooling channel connecting the inlet and outlet can be provided internally for coolant flow. For example, the inlet can be located near the drive end bearing and the screw compression starting section, while the outlet can be located at the other end or top of the pump. Thermodynamic principles are used to ensure that the coolant can fully remove the heat generated by the pump body during the vacuuming process.

[0043] In the embodiments of this utility model, please refer to Figure 3 The vacuum piping system 100 also includes a switch valve 3, which is located at the interface between the screw vacuum pump 2 and any one of the sub-pipes 11 to open the passage between the screw vacuum pump 2 and the sub-pipe 11. The switch valve 3 can be a manual valve or an electromagnetic vacuum valve, serving as the "main gate" or "main switch" of the vacuum piping system 100. Its main function is to physically connect or disconnect the airflow passage between the screw vacuum pump 2 and the integrated piping 1. When starting the system, the screw pump can be started first, and after it stabilizes, the switch valve 3 can be opened to evacuate the piping, avoiding the pump being subjected to a large load at startup. When the system stops working, the switch valve 3 can be closed first to isolate the piping from the pump, and then the pump can be turned off. This helps maintain the vacuum level in the piping and shortens the time before the next startup.

[0044] In this embodiment of the invention, the total volume of the integrated pipe 1 is greater than 700L, thus forming a large vacuum energy storage device. When the workstation load (such as suction cup venting) changes instantaneously and drastically, this vacuum energy storage device can instantly replenish gas, suppressing vacuum fluctuations and achieving voltage stabilization and disturbance rejection capabilities. The system responds quickly and can maintain a constant vacuum even under complex working conditions with multiple workstations, high frequency, and high flow rates. Optionally, the diameter of the sub-pipe 11 is in the range of 100-200mm, for example, using a large diameter of 150mm, which makes the flow resistance within the entire annular pipe extremely low, so that the suction capacity it experiences is almost the same regardless of where the suction cup workstation is connected to the pipe.

[0045] The above description is merely an exemplary embodiment of the present utility model and does not limit the scope of protection of the present utility model. Any equivalent structural transformations made based on the technical concept of the present utility model and the contents of the present utility model specification and drawings, or direct / indirect applications in other related technical fields, are included within the scope of protection of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A vacuum tube system, characterized by The vacuum piping system includes: An integrated conduit includes multiple interconnected sub-pipes, the multiple sub-pipes being sequentially connected end-to-end to form a closed loop conduit, and at least one of the multiple sub-pipes being provided with a vacuum interface; and A screw vacuum pump is located on one side of the sub-tube and is connected to any section of the sub-tube to supply vacuum into the integrated pipeline.

2. The vacuum tube system of claim 1, wherein, Each of the sub-tubes is equipped with a separate vacuum interface, which is connected to a negative pressure pipe used to deliver vacuum to the target workstation.

3. The vacuum tube system of claim 2, wherein, Each of the sub-tubes is equipped with a negative pressure gauge, and the negative pressure gauge is located close to the vacuum interface.

4. The vacuum tube system of claim 1, wherein, The integrated piping also includes a flange assembly, through which the ends of two adjacent sub-pipes are detachably connected. The flange assembly includes flanges respectively fixed to the ends of each sub-pipe and fasteners for securing the two flanges together.

5. The vacuum tube system of claim 4, wherein, The flange assembly also includes a gasket sandwiched between two adjacent flanges.

6. The vacuum tube system of claim 1, wherein, The integrated pipeline also includes a flexible pipe, which is disposed between two adjacent sub-pipes, and both ends of the flexible pipe are respectively connected to the sub-pipes.

7. The vacuum tube system of claim 6, wherein, The integrated pipe also includes positioning elements, which are provided at intervals along the outer periphery of the flexible pipe and extend along the axial direction of the flexible pipe.

8. The vacuum tube system of claim 1, wherein, The screw vacuum pump is equipped with a cooling port for introducing coolant to cool the internal components of the screw vacuum pump.

9. The vacuum tube system of claim 1, wherein, The vacuum piping system also includes a switch valve located at the interface between the screw vacuum pump and any one of the sub-pipes to open the passage between the screw vacuum pump and the sub-pipe.

10. The vacuum tube system of any of claims 1 to 9, wherein, The total volume of the integrated pipeline is greater than 700L; and / or the diameter of the sub-pipe is in the range of 100-200mm.

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