Integrated Vacuum Piston for Compact Workpiece Clamping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for clamping and lifting workpieces require separate vacuum and positive pressure lines, making them unsuitable for retrofitting and limiting their use on workpieces with unsuitable surfaces for vacuum clamping.
Innovation Solution
A device that integrates a vacuum generator within the piston, using compressed air to generate suction and magnetic forces for clamping and lifting, eliminating the need for external vacuum sources and allowing operation solely with compressed air lines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If separate vacuum and positive pressure lines are used, then workpieces can be clamped and lifted, but the device complexity increases and retrofitting becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the vacuum generator and positive pressure source into a single integrated unit that uses compressed air to generate both vacuum (for clamping) and positive pressure (for lifting). This merging eliminates the need for separate vacuum and pressure lines, reducing system complexity while maintaining full clamping and lifting functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated pneumatic device performs multiple functions using a single compressed air supply: it generates vacuum for workpiece clamping, provides positive pressure for lifting, and controls piston movement. This multi-functionality allows the device to replace complex separate systems while maintaining ease of operation.
2Reliability
If external vacuum generator is used, then vacuum can be supplied, but the device dimensions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum generator is nested within the piston structure, with the piston serving as the housing for the vacuum generation components. This nesting arrangement eliminates the need for separate external vacuum generators, significantly reducing device dimensions while ensuring reliable vacuum supply for workpiece clamping.
3Reliability
If vacuum lines are laid separately, then vacuum can be conducted to the device, but the risk of leaks increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the vacuum generation function from the external pneumatic system and integrates it directly into the device's piston. This eliminates the need for separate vacuum lines that connect the device to external vacuum sources, thereby removing the leak risk associated with external vacuum connections while maintaining reliable vacuum conduction to the suction chamber.
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
Enables compact design, easy retrofitting, and effective clamping of porous or ferromagnetic workpieces without separate vacuum lines, reducing the risk of leaks and facilitating operation on a wide range of surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
The vacuum required to suck in the workpiece is generated by the vacuum generator integrated in the piston
Implementation Method 2
using compressed air to generate suction
Implementation Method 3
a piston in which a magnet is integrated is slidably mounted in the housing of the device. When the workpiece is sucked in, the piston is also pushed in the direction of the workpiece, so that the workpiece is held not only by means of negative pressure, but also by means of the magnetic force of the magnet
Data Source
AI summary
The device (10) has a relocatable piston (34) mounted in a closed housing (14). A press chamber (38) is defined from an end face of the piston and a housing wall, and a pneumatic chamber (28) is defined by another end face of the piston and the housing wall. The housing comprises a sealing lip (24) defining a fuel chamber (30) at a side to face a plate-shaped ferromagnetic work-piece (12) e.g. perforated sheet. The fuel chamber is connected with the pneumatic chamber over a flow channel (26). A low-pressure generator (44) operated using the compressed-air is arranged within the housing.