Arc-Nozzle Non-Contact Transport for Stable Workpiece Suction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing non-contact transport devices face challenges in reliably and stably holding and transporting workpieces in a non-contact state due to issues with pressure fluid flow and suction force stability.
Innovation Solution
A non-contact transport device with a body featuring a workpiece holding surface, a passage for pressure fluid flow, and radially extending nozzles with arc-shaped cross sections, utilizing the Coanda effect to stabilize fluid flow and enhance suction force, combined with a deflector and stopper tools for secure holding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If nozzles are formed with circular or rectangular cross section, then the device structure is simple, but eddy current is generated causing pressure loss and unstable flow
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzles are designed with an arc-shaped cross section instead of circular or rectangular shapes. This curved geometry allows the pressure fluid to flow smoothly along the hollow surface without generating eddy currents, thereby reducing pressure loss and improving flow stability while maintaining relatively simple device structure
2Reliability
If pressure fluid flows directly from nozzles to workpiece holding surface, then the flow path is short, but the suction force is insufficient and unstable
Solution Approach 1:
A hollow structure is introduced as an intermediary element between the nozzles and the workpiece holding surface. The pressure fluid flows from the nozzles along the hollow surface, which acts as a mediator to guide and stabilize the flow, enhancing the suction force and improving holding reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes the Coanda effect, a fluid dynamics phenomenon, to replace direct mechanical contact holding. The pressure fluid adheres to the hollow surface and creates a stable suction force that holds the workpiece without physical contact, providing more reliable and stable holding
3Productivity
If eddy current is generated in nozzle flow, then the device structure can be simple, but pressure loss increases and flow rate control becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The arc-shaped cross section of the nozzles is specifically designed to eliminate eddy currents in the fluid flow. The curved geometry ensures smooth flow transitions and prevents turbulence, enabling precise flow rate control while maintaining simple nozzle structure without complex internal features
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 device achieves reliable and stable workpiece holding and transport by minimizing eddy currents and pressure loss, ensuring workpieces are kept out of contact with the holding surface while maintaining a strong suction force.
Implementation Method 1
the nozzles extend outward in the radial direction with at least a part of each of the nozzles hollowed toward a side of the workpiece holding surface in an axial direction of the body so as to have an arc-shaped cross section... the pressure fluid flows along the surface of the hollow to the workpiece holding surface by virtue of the Coanda effect
Implementation Method 2
the pressure fluid supplied to the supply port of the housing flows into a space between a projection of the plate and a hollow of the housing, is conducted radially outward through first and second nozzle grooves forming nozzles, and is then guided radially outward along the inner peripheral surface of the hollow of the housing toward the lower surface of the housing, so that the fluid flows along the lower surface at high speed... a negative pressure is generated by virtue of the Bernoulli effect, so that the workpiece is suctioned and held in a non-contact state
Data Source
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AI summary
A non-contact transport device (10) includes a deflector (14) having a flange portion (66) provided with a plurality of nozzle grooves (84) extending radially outward and arranged equidistantly in the circumferential direction. The nozzle grooves (84) are each formed to be hollowed with respect to an upper surface (66a) of the flange portion (66) so as to have an arc-shaped cross section, and constitute lead-out channels (85) together with a flat surface (52) of a hollow (36) of a body (12). A pressure fluid is supplied through a first port (22) of the body (12) into the body (12) and flows through the plurality of nozzle grooves (84) to a workpiece holding surface (16) along first and second curved surfaces (48, 50) of the hollow (36). As a result, the pressure fluid flowing at high speed between the workpiece holding surface (16) and a workpiece (31) generates a suction force exerted toward the body (12) side, whereby the workpiece (31) is suctioned.