Expanding Radiative Flow Gap for Stronger Non-Contact Adsorption

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing parallel radiative flow mechanisms for automatic production lines have limitations in generating sufficient absorption force for effective non-contact adsorption of workpieces, as they rely on a decelerated flow with a parabolic radial velocity distribution, resulting in lower pressure gradients and absorption forces.

Innovation Solution

The mechanism modifies the flow form by creating an expanding gap between the fluid supply port and the to-be-adsorbed surface, with a conical or arc-shaped surface design, leading to a Jeffery-Hamel radial velocity distribution, which enhances the inertia effect and pressure gradient, thereby increasing the absorption force.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If a parallel radiative flow mechanism uses a flat bottom surface with fluid supply port, then the structure is simple, but the absorption force is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveabsorption forceVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies curvature by replacing the flat bottom surface with a conical or arc-shaped surface. This curved geometry creates an expanding gap between the mechanism and the to-be-adsorbed surface, which generates a Jeffery-Hamel radial velocity distribution. The curved surface design enhances the inertia effect and pressure gradient, thereby significantly increasing the absorption force compared to the simple flat surface configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Force

If the gap height is constant (parallel flow), then the flow structure is simple, but the pressure gradient and absorption force are low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveabsorption forceVSAvoidflow structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the static parallel gap into a dynamic expanding gap. The gap height varies continuously in the radial direction, creating an expanding flow structure. This dynamic gap configuration causes the fluid to accelerate radially outward while maintaining a controlled velocity distribution, enhancing the inertia effect and generating a stronger pressure gradient that increases absorption force.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the geometric parameter of the gap height from constant (parallel flow) to variable (expanding flow). By designing the bottom surface with conical or arc-shaped geometry, the gap height parameter varies continuously in the radial direction. This parameter change creates a Jeffery-Hamel velocity distribution and enhances the pressure gradient, thereby increasing absorption force.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Force

If the radial velocity distribution is parabolic (decelerated flow), then the flow is stable, but the pressure gradient and absorption force are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveabsorption forceVSAvoidradial velocity distribution
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the velocity distribution parameter from parabolic (decelerated flow) to Jeffery-Hamel distribution (expanding radiative flow). This parameter change is achieved by modifying the gap geometry from parallel to expanding. The Jeffery-Hamel velocity distribution creates a stronger inertia effect and more favorable pressure gradient, significantly enhancing the absorption force while maintaining flow stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This design significantly increases the absorption force, with experimental results showing a 100% increase in absorption force compared to traditional parallel radiative flow mechanisms, by optimizing the radial velocity distribution and pressure gradient, allowing for more effective non-contact adsorption.

Implementation Method 1

an inertia effect ( , where u r is a radial velocity, r is a radial location, and is a radial velocity gradient) of the decelerated flow may form a positive pressure gradient

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInertia effect: Inertia

Implementation Method 2

the positive pressure gradient may form an inside-low outside-high pressure distribution in the parallel gap

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 3

leading to a Jeffery-Hamel radial velocity distribution, which enhances the inertia effect and pressure gradient, thereby increasing the absorption force

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJeffery-Hamel flow:

Implementation Method 4

a parallel radiative flow mechanism is a type of apparatus widely applied to automatic production lines, and has a non-contact adsorption function

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNon-contact adsorption:

Implementation Method 5

a pressure in the gap is lower than a peripheral ambient pressure, and therefore the parallel radiative flow mechanism can apply an absorption force to the to-be-adsorbed surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure difference: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP4071369B1Expanding and radiative flow mechanism
Publication Date: 2025.01.15 ZHEJIANG UNIV
  • EP4071369B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4071369B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP4071369B1 patent drawingFigure 6~8

AI summary

The present invention discloses an expanding and radiative flow mechanism. The mechanism has a bottom surface. The bottom surface is provided with a fluid supply port. The bottom surface of the mechanism and a surface of a to-be-adsorbed object form a gap during use. A fluid flows out from the fluid supply port, enters the gap and flows out along the gap. The gap is an expanding gap and meets the following: a radial length exists with the fluid supply port as an initial point of the flow, and a height of the gap continuously increases in an outward radial direction within this length. With improvements to a parallel radiative flow mechanism, the mechanism of the present invention can effectively increase an absorption force of a radiative flow, which is conducive to subsequent applications thereof.