Coupling Manifold Layout for Series-Connected Fluid Supply
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid supply systems face challenges with inner surface burning in manifolds due to welding, which prevents series connection of multiple-unit manifolds, leading to integration issues and increased production costs as the number of manifolds increases, and particle generation.
Innovation Solution
A fluid supply system where multiple-unit manifolds are connected in series using a coupling manifold and three-way valves to establish communication between adjacent manifolds, eliminating the need for short pipes and reducing production costs while preventing particle generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple-unit manifolds are connected using welding with short pipes, then communication between manifolds is established, but inner surface burning occurs causing particle generation
Solution Approach 1:
A coupling manifold is introduced as an intermediary component between multiple-unit manifolds. The coupling manifold includes a communication passage that connects the manifolds without requiring welding of short pipes. This mediator component eliminates direct welding contact with the fluid flow path, preventing inner surface burning and particle generation while maintaining reliable fluid supply communication between manifolds.
2Reliability
If multiple-unit manifolds are connected in parallel with short pipes, then communication is established, but integration is prevented and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling manifold merges multiple connection functions into a single integrated component. Instead of using separate short pipes for each manifold connection, the coupling manifold provides a unified communication passage that connects multiple manifolds through its internal flow paths. This merging approach reduces the number of discrete components, improves system integration, and lowers production costs while maintaining reliable communication between all manifolds.
3Device complexity
If multiple-unit manifolds are connected in series, then integration is improved and production costs are reduced, but welding still causes inner surface burning
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling manifold serves as a mediator that enables series connection of multiple-unit manifolds without direct welding in the fluid path. The coupling manifold's communication passage provides a welded-free connection method where the welding occurs only on the coupling manifold's external surfaces, not on the short pipes or manifold end portions that contact the fluid. This maintains high system integration with series arrangement while eliminating inner surface burning.
4Adaptability or versatility
If more multiple-unit manifolds are used to increase fluid line connections, then adaptability improves, but production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling manifold is designed as a universal component that can connect multiple different types of manifolds through its standardized communication passage and fluid control device interfaces. This multi-functional design allows a single coupling manifold to accommodate various manifold configurations and fluid line arrangements, providing high adaptability without requiring custom-manufactured components for each application, thereby controlling production costs.
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid supply system includes: a coupling manifold disposed in parallel to mutually facing end portions of the multiple-unit manifolds that are adjacent to each other; a first fluid control device connecting one of the end portions of the multiple-unit manifolds that are adjacent to each other to the coupling manifold; and a second fluid control device connecting the other one of the end portions of the multiple-unit manifolds that are adjacent to each other to the coupling manifold, in which the coupling manifold has a communication passage that establishes communication of combined flow passages of the multiple-unit manifolds that are adjacent to each other via the first and second fluid control devices.