Cascade PID Vacuum Pressure Control for Stable Venturi Suction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vacuum generators used in ophthalmic surgeries become less efficient and unstable beyond a certain supply air pressure, leading to inefficient vacuum pressure control and instability in the vacuum generation system.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a cascade proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller with an outer loop and an inner loop PID controller to regulate vacuum pressure by controlling the supply air pressure within a defined range, preventing the system from entering a non-monotonic region and maintaining stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If supply air pressure is increased to improve vacuum generation, then vacuum pressure increases up to a point, but beyond a certain pressure the system becomes unstable and less efficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevacuum generation efficiencyVSAvoidsystem stability
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically changes the supply air pressure parameter based on real-time vacuum pressure feedback. The PID controller adjusts the supply air pressure to maintain optimal operating conditions, preventing the system from entering the unstable high-pressure region while ensuring efficient vacuum generation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

A feedback control mechanism is implemented where the vacuum pressure sensor continuously monitors the vacuum pressure and feeds this information back to the PID controller. The controller uses this feedback to adjust the supply air pressure, creating a closed-loop system that maintains stability and efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Device complexity

If a simple control mechanism is used to maintain system simplicity, then device complexity is reduced, but vacuum pressure control precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontroller structureVSAvoidvacuum pressure control precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

A PID controller is introduced as an intermediary component between the supply air pressure source and the vacuum generator. This intermediary device processes the vacuum pressure feedback and makes precise adjustments to the supply air pressure, achieving accurate control without requiring complex system restructuring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The PID controller dynamically adjusts multiple parameters including proportional gain, integral gain, and derivative gain to optimize vacuum pressure control. This allows the system to maintain high precision control while keeping the overall device structure relatively simple through software-based parameter tuning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 cascade PID controller design enhances the responsiveness and stability of vacuum generation systems by limiting supply air pressure, ensuring consistent vacuum pressure control and preventing system instability.

Implementation Method 1

calculating a value associated with an input into a proportional valve; providing the input with the calculated value to the proportional valve; providing, using the proportional valve, the second parameter to a device based on the input

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectProportional valve control: Valve

Implementation Method 2

a vacuum generator (e.g., venturi vacuum) that is coupled to the cutter through a tube that provides an aspiration channel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVenturi vacuum: Venturi Effect

Data Source

PatentEP4210777B1Methods and systems for providing control stability in a vacuum generation system using cascade proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller
Publication Date: 2026.03.25 ALCON INC
  • EP4210777B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4210777B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4210777B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Certain embodiments provide a vacuum generation system with a cascade PID controller, a proportional valve, and a vacuum generator. The cascade PID controller allows the vacuum generation system to control the operating range of supply air pressure that is provided to the vacuum generator. By controlling the operating range of the supply air pressure, the vacuum generation system is able to avoid entering the decreasing or non-monotonic region of the vacuum generator.