Elastomeric Baffle Plate for Stable Suction and Easy Cleaning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing suction devices using Bernoulli's principle face challenges in providing a stable and efficient method to attach and detach baffle plates, which are essential for preventing members from entering concave parts and maintaining suction while allowing fluid flow, especially when dealing with delicate materials like semiconductor wafers or food items.

Innovation Solution

A baffle plate with a baffle plate main body and support members made from elastomeric materials that can be removably attached to a fluid flow-forming body, forming a swirl or radial flow to generate negative pressure, featuring an annular shape with spacers and claw parts to maintain a fluid path and prevent member entry into the concave part.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the baffle plate is fixed firmly to the fluid flow-forming body, then the suction stability is improved, but the ease of detachment and cleaning deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesuction stabilityVSAvoidease of detachment and cleaning
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The support members are designed with elastic properties, allowing them to dynamically adapt between a secured state during suction operation and a released state during detachment. The elastic support members can flexibly deform to accommodate the baffle plate during attachment, then maintain firm contact for stable suction, and finally allow easy removal when needed for cleaning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the support members are made elastic, then the ease of attachment and detachment is improved, but the stability of suction deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of attachment and detachmentVSAvoidstability of suction
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic support members are strategically positioned at specific locations where they can provide localized securing forces without interfering with the overall suction flow path. The elastic properties are concentrated in the support members themselves, while the baffle plate and fluid flow-forming body maintain rigid structures to ensure suction stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of repair

If the baffle plate is designed to be removable, then the ease of cleaning is improved, but the risk of contamination during attachment deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of cleaningVSAvoidrisk of contamination
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic support members are pre-configured to guide the baffle plate into proper alignment during the attachment process. This preliminary guiding action ensures that the baffle plate is correctly positioned before full engagement, minimizing the risk of contamination from misalignment or improper seating during the attachment operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 allows for stable suction application to members by preventing fluid and member entry into the concave part, maintaining suction power, and facilitating easy detachment and cleaning of the baffle plate, reducing the risk of contamination and vibration noise.

Implementation Method 1

the support members are made from an elastomeric material that has elastic recovery

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic recovery: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a fluid flow-forming body that forms a swirl flow or a radial flow generating a negative pressure that applies suction to a member

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBernoulli's principle: Bernoulli Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3557611B1Baffle plate
Publication Date: 2022.04.27 HARMOTEC CO LTD
  • EP3557611B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3557611B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3557611B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

Baffle plate 2 to be attached to fluid flow-forming body 1 includes baffle plate main body 21 that is attachable to and detachable from fluid flow-forming body 1. Baffle plate main body 21 allows a fluid to which suction is applied by negative pressure generated by fluid flow-forming body 1 to pass through, while preventing a member from entering concave part 13 of fluid flow-forming body 1. Baffle plate 2 also includes support member 22 that is attached to main body 11 of fluid flow-forming body 1 at one end thereof, and supports baffle plate main body 21 at the other end thereof such that baffle plate main body 21 opposes end face 12 of fluid flow-forming body 1. Support member 22 supports baffle plate main body 21 such that a gap between end face 12 and baffle plate main body 21 is maintained, and a fluid path is formed that allows a fluid flowing out of concave part 13 to flow.