Dry Screw Vacuum Pump for Hygienic Packaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vacuum packaging machines face challenges with cumbersome and difficult-to-clean central vacuum installations, limited pump choices due to size constraints, and contamination risks from lubricated slide vane rotary pumps, particularly in hygienic applications like food and pharmaceutical industries.
Innovation Solution
A compact, dry screw-type vacuum pump with transversely intersected parallel cylindrical chambers, driven by a motor with cantilever support and ball bearings, allowing easy disassembly, cleaning, and integration, and eliminating oil-based contamination risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If central vacuum installations with multiple chambers and reservoirs are used, then vacuum capacity is sufficient, but the system becomes cumbersome and difficult to clean
Solution Approach 1:
The pump is divided into modular components including a stator, rotor, and end caps that can be easily separated for cleaning and maintenance, reducing the complexity of the overall system while maintaining vacuum capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The rotor is extracted as a separate removable component from the stator, allowing independent cleaning and maintenance of the pumping chamber without disassembling the entire vacuum system
2Reliability
If lubricated slide vane rotary pumps are used, then vacuum pumping function is achieved, but product contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lubrication system is completely removed from the pumping chamber, eliminating the source of oil contamination that could affect packaged products while maintaining reliable pumping through dry running screw rotors
Solution Approach 2:
The pumping chamber operates as a sealed environment where the rotor rotates without external lubrication, creating a contamination-free zone that protects packaged products from oil exposure
3Volume of moving object
If pump size is reduced to save space, then integration is improved, but pump choice is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The screw rotor design allows variable pitch configurations that can be adjusted to achieve different vacuum capacities and flow rates within a compact form factor, providing versatility without increasing size
Solution Approach 2:
The pump's performance parameters are optimized through variable pitch screw rotors and adjustable clearances, enabling a single compact design to meet multiple application requirements that previously would have required different pump models
4Manufacturing precision
If maintenance requires specialized personnel, then repair precision is maintained, but maintenance time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pump is segmented into standardized modular components with uniform connection interfaces, allowing maintenance personnel to service individual modules without requiring specialized expertise for the entire system
Solution Approach 2:
The simple modular design enables operators to perform basic maintenance tasks such as cleaning the pumping chamber and replacing wear parts without requiring specialized training or tools, reducing maintenance time while maintaining adequate precision
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 solution reduces maintenance complexity, saves space and energy, prevents product contamination, and allows non-specialized personnel to perform maintenance, enhancing the efficiency and hygiene of vacuum packaging processes.
Implementation Method 1
two pump rotors of screw type with respectively left-handed thread and right-handed thread, turning meshed together in opposite direction in the cylinder
Implementation Method 2
the outer casing containing the casing of two parallel cylindrical chambers to form a confined space, provided with an inlet and an outlet, which allows a liquid to be circulated, carrying out the thermal exchange
Data Source
AI summary
A vacuum pump includes a cylinder. The cylinder includes an inner casing forming two transversely intersected, parallel cylindrical chambers, the axes of which rest in one plane, and one of the faces of which represents a wall on which a suction hole inlet is located. The cylinder also includes an outer casing disposed around the inner casing to form a confined space, provided with the inlet and an outlet, which allows a liquid to be circulated. Two pump rotors are situated in the parallel cylindrical chambers and are driven in rotation by an electric motor. A drive housing contains the motor and components for driving and synchronizing the pump rotors supporting the rotors by cantilever and serving as support and centering with respect to the cylinder. The drive housing includes two extended supports that are integrally constructed as one piece. First and second guide elements guide rotation of the rotors, which guide elements support the rotors by cantilever, wherein the first guide elements are situated at the ends of the two extended supports.