Leaf Spring Vacuum Valve for Compact Reliable Reset
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing valve devices for vacuum handling devices are complex, require large installation space, and lack a compact design with reliable switching behavior and ease of production.
Innovation Solution
A valve device featuring a valve housing with an elastic leaf spring that serves as both a sealing and reset element, utilizing an actuating device to transition between closed and open configurations against the leaf spring's intrinsic elastic reset force, allowing for a simple and compact design with reliable sealing and switching behavior.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separately designed reset element (e.g., spiral spring) is used to transfer the sealing element back to the closed position, then the valve device achieves reliable reset function, but the device complexity and installation space increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element and reset element are merged into a single integrated component. The elastic element (e.g., leaf spring, membrane, or diaphragm) performs both sealing and resetting functions simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate reset elements like spiral springs. This integration reduces the number of parts and simplifies the overall construction while maintaining reliable reset functionality through the inherent elastic properties of the unified component.
2Reliability
If a separately designed reset element is used, then the sealing element can be reset from open to closed position, but the installation space requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
By combining the sealing element and reset element into one integrated elastic component, the installation space is significantly reduced. The elastic element's inherent elasticity provides the reset force without requiring additional space for separate reset mechanisms, making the valve device more compact and suitable for integration into space-constrained systems like suction grippers.
3Ease of operation
If multiple moving parts are used in the valve device, then the switching behavior can be controlled, but the device complexity and production difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated elastic element reduces the number of moving parts by combining sealing and resetting functions in a single component. This simplification makes the valve device easier to produce and assemble while maintaining controllable switching behavior through the elastic element's response to actuating forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic element serves itself by using its inherent elastic properties to provide the reset force without requiring external reset mechanisms. This self-service capability reduces the number of moving parts and simplifies the overall device structure while maintaining reliable switching control.
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 valve device achieves a compact, reliable, and easy-to-produce design with fewer moving parts, ensuring a good sealing effect and reliable switching behavior, even under negative pressure conditions, facilitating integration into suction grippers and efficient airflow control.
Implementation Method 1
The leaf spring has an intrinsic elastic reset force in particular such that the free portion is applied in the direction of the closed configuration
Data Source
AI summary
A valve device comprising a valve housing with a flow channel having a fluid outflow side and a fluid inflow side, a leaf spring having a fastening portion and a free portion. The fastening portion is connected to the valve housing such that, in a closed configuration, the free portion bears against a valve seat and that, in order to bring about an open configuration, the free portion, from the closed configuration, can be elastically bent away from the valve seat, and an actuating device which is designed to transfer the leaf spring from the closed configuration to an open configuration against an elastic reset force of the leaf spring.