Expandable Vacuum Chamber Assembly for Leak-Proof Low-Waste Production
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Solution Overview
Problem
The production of large vacuum chambers is hindered by the complexity and material waste associated with processing solid material blanks, and the risk of leakage openings with welded connections, necessitating a cost-effective and leak-proof solution.
Innovation Solution
An expandable vacuum chamber design utilizing plate blanks with circumferentially closed frame elements and end plates, where frame elements form a circumferential wall and partial volumes are connected axially, allowing for simple assembly and reduced material usage, with sealing means and recesses for fluidic connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a vacuum chamber is milled from a solid material blank, then leak-proof integrity is improved, but material waste and production cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum chamber is divided into multiple separate plate components that are assembled together using connection elements. The plates form the chamber walls while connection elements with sealing surfaces join them, eliminating the need to mill the entire chamber from a single solid blank. This segmentation reduces material waste while maintaining leak-proof integrity through sealed connections.
2Reliability
If a vacuum chamber is made from a solid material blank, then leak-proof integrity is improved, but production cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The chamber is segmented into standard-sized plates and modular connection elements, which can be produced using conventional manufacturing processes rather than expensive large-scale milling machines. This reduces production complexity and cost while maintaining reliability through standardized sealing interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
Connection elements serve as intermediaries between the plate components, providing standardized sealing surfaces and mechanical joining. These intermediaries simplify the assembly process and maintain leak-proof integrity without requiring complex monolithic manufacturing.
3Ease of manufacture
If plates are welded together to form a vacuum chamber, then production cost and material waste are reduced, but risk of leakage openings increases
Solution Approach 1:
Connection elements with integrated sealing surfaces act as intermediaries between plates, providing reliable sealing without requiring welding. The sealing surfaces on the connection elements create leak-proof joints through mechanical connection and sealing, eliminating the welding process while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection elements combine structural and sealing functions, potentially using composite construction or surface treatments that provide both mechanical strength and leak-proof sealing properties, replacing welded joints with reliable alternative connections.
4Reliability
If large blocks of material are used to produce vacuum chambers, then leak-proof integrity is improved, but handling and processing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum chamber is segmented into multiple lighter plate components and connection elements, making them easier to handle, transport, and assemble compared to a single large solid block. The segmented design maintains leak-proof integrity through sealed connections while significantly reducing handling difficulty.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an expandable vacuum chamber (10) having flat frame elements (14) and end plates (12) and to a method for producing such a vacuum chamber (10). The end plates (12) are lined up in front of and behind the frame elements (14) in the axial direction (Ra) and, together with the frame elements (14), delimit a chamber volume of the vacuum chamber (10).