Vacuum Pump Valve Module Using Deformable Body Air Passages

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vacuum pump valve assemblies face challenges in manufacturing and mounting due to the use of hard materials that require complex designs and risk deformation, leading to reduced airflow paths or blockages, while using elastically deformable materials complicates assembly and reduces productivity.

Innovation Solution

A valve module with a body made of elastically deformable material, featuring an annular mounting-groove and expandable space part, and a vertically movable valve with guide-grooves and micro-holes to maintain airflow paths, ensuring easy assembly and effective operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the body is made of hard plastic or metal to maintain the exhaust path, then the exhaust path is stable, but the design and manufacturing become complicated and assembly becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexhaust path stabilityVSAvoiddesign and manufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The body is made of elastically deformable material (flexible shell) instead of hard plastic or metal. The flexible material inherently maintains the exhaust path while simplifying design and manufacturing, as the elasticity compensates for deformation risks without requiring complex rigid support structures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic deformability of the body material serves as a cushioning mechanism that prevents complete blockage of the exhaust path. The material can deform under pressure but returns to its original shape, thereby maintaining the exhaust path stability without requiring additional rigid support structures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Ease of manufacture

If the body is made of elastically deformable material to simplify manufacturing, then assembly becomes easier, but the exhaust path may be reduced or blocked due to deformability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly easeVSAvoidexhaust path maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The body uses flexible elastically deformable material that simplifies manufacturing and assembly while the inherent elasticity prevents complete collapse of the exhaust path. The flexible material can deform during assembly but maintains sufficient clearance for air flow

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic deformability acts as a cushioning mechanism that prevents the exhaust path from being completely blocked. Even when deformed, the material maintains enough space for air flow, and the elasticity ensures recovery to the original configuration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Reliability

If a separate rigid support structure is added to maintain the exhaust path, then the exhaust path stability is improved, but productivity is significantly reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexhaust path stabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing productivity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible elastically deformable body eliminates the need for separate rigid support structures. The inherent elasticity of the material provides sufficient structural stability for the exhaust path while maintaining simple, integrated manufacturing that improves productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 valve module ensures easy manufacturing and mounting, maintains airflow paths despite deformation, and achieves rapid vacuum generation and high vacuum levels by using guide-grooves and micro-holes to prevent blockages.

Implementation Method 1

the body (11) made of an elastically deformable material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the valve (13) movable within a certain range, the valve (13) being an up/down valve configured to open and close the passage (12) of the body (11) while moving vertically within its range by an exhaust pressure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure-driven motion: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 3

one or more longitudinal air guide-grooves (18), which are defined in an inner wall or an outer wall and are disposed between an inner wall (15a) of the space part (15) and an outer wall (13a) of the valve (13) to serve as an air passage connected to the passage (12)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow through restricted passages: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS20260049665A1Valve module for vacuum pump

Publication Date: 2026.02.19 VTEC CO LTD(KR)

AI summary

The present invention relates to a valve module for a vacuum pump, and the valve module includes a through-body mounted on a communication-hole of the vacuum pump, and a valve disposed in the body to open and close a central passage while moving upward/downward. In the present invention, particularly, an exhaust path of the pad includes one or more longitudinal air guide-grooves, which are defined in an inner wall or an outer wall and are disposed between the inner wall of the space part and the outer wall of the valve to serve as an air passage connected to the passage, and a gap or micro-hole defined between the valve and the body to communicate with the guide-groove and the central passage. Therefore, there is no concern that the passage is blocked or deformed even though the body is made of an elastically deformable material.