Molecular Pump Flange Shock Absorbing Member Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing shock absorbing structures for molecular pumps, such as those described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-162696, face challenges in efficiently absorbing shocks caused by rotation torque, particularly when the rotor fractures, due to the integral formation of the flange and casing, which complicates the fabrication and reduces work efficiency as the size of the casing increases.
Innovation Solution
A molecular pump design incorporating a cylindrical casing with a shock absorbing member inserted into dedicated insertion holes in the flange, allowing for easier fabrication and absorption of rotational shocks through plastic deformation, with the shock absorbing member being a separate, smaller component that can be easily formed and inserted into the flange.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the flange and casing are formed integrally, then the structural strength is improved, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates as the size of the casing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flange is divided into two functional parts: a rigid flange body formed integrally with the casing for structural strength, and a separate shock absorbing member inserted into the flange for shock absorption. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized independently - the flange body maintains structural integrity while the separate shock absorbing member can be easily manufactured and inserted without complicating the main casing fabrication.
2Reliability
If a shock absorbing portion is formed by directly fabricating the flange, then the shock absorption function is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shock absorbing function is extracted from the flange structure and implemented as a separate, dedicated component (shock absorbing member) that can be independently manufactured and inserted into the flange. This extraction simplifies the overall device design by allowing the flange to be a simple, standard component while the shock absorption capability is provided by a specialized insert that can be produced separately using conventional manufacturing techniques.
3Volume of stationary object
If the flange size increases to accommodate larger casings, then the vacuum vessel size can be increased, but the work efficiency at the time of fabricating the shock absorbing portion decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the flange into a standard flange body and a separate shock absorbing member, the invention enables modular assembly. The flange body can be manufactured using standard, efficient processes, while the shock absorbing member is a smaller component that can be prepared in advance and easily inserted, thereby maintaining high work efficiency even as the overall system size increases.
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 effectively absorbs rotational shocks by allowing the shock absorbing member to deform plastically, reducing the stress on the vacuum vessel and enhancing safety during high-speed rotor operation, while also simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing costs by using a separate, easily formed shock absorbing member.
Implementation Method 1
the shock absorbing member being a separate, smaller component that can be easily formed and inserted into the flange
Data Source
AI summary
A molecular pump has a cylindrical casing, a stator portion formed in the casing, a shaft disposed in the stator portion, a bearing pivotally supporting the shaft with respect to the stator portion, a rotor that is attached to the shaft and rotates integrally with the shaft, a motor for rotationally driving the shaft, a shock absorbing member, and a flange portion provided at an end portion of the casing. The flange portion has a bolt hole through which extends a bolt for fixing the casing and a fixed member to each other and an insertion hole which is provided adjacent to the bolt hole and in which the shock absorbing member is inserted so that at least one end side of the shock absorbing member extending along an axial direction of the bolt is spaced apart from the bolt.