Vacuum Ejector Seal Valve for High-Pressure Break Air
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vacuum ejectors face challenges in reliably releasing workpieces stuck to suction pads due to insufficient break air pressure, and there is a need for a configuration that can handle varying break air pressures without unnecessary complexity or high-cost components.
Innovation Solution
The vacuum ejector design includes a seal valve mechanism that remains closed even with high-pressure break air, using a piston and valve plug configuration to prevent break air from flowing back to the vacuum generation mechanism, and an optional detachable seal valve unit for flexibility in configuration based on usage needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a seal valve is added to prevent break air from flowing back to the vacuum generation mechanism, then the reliability of break air sealing is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seal valve mechanism is merged with the existing supply valve structure. The seal valve shares the same valve body, actuator, and control mechanism as the supply valve, eliminating the need for separate valve components. This integration maintains reliable sealing of break air while avoiding the complexity increase that would result from adding an independent seal valve system.
Solution Approach 2:
The supply valve is given dual functionality: it serves both as the supply valve for vacuum generation and as the seal valve for preventing break air leakage. By making the supply valve multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for a separate seal valve, thereby maintaining reliability while reducing device complexity.
2Productivity
If high-pressure break air is supplied to remove stuck workpieces, then the productivity is improved, but the risk of break air flowing back to the vacuum generation mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seal valve is activated in advance before high-pressure break air is supplied. By closing the seal valve beforehand, the system prepares the protective barrier that will prevent break air from flowing back into the vacuum generation mechanism. This preliminary action ensures that when high-pressure break air is introduced to improve productivity, the vacuum generation mechanism is already protected.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal valve mechanism provides preliminary anti-action by creating a barrier against the potential harmful effect of break air flowing back to the vacuum generation mechanism. This preventive measure counteracts the risk before it can materialize, allowing high-pressure break air to be used safely for removing stuck workpieces.
3Reliability
If a seal valve mechanism is always installed, then the reliability of preventing break air leakage is improved, but the ease of manufacture and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The seal valve functionality is merged into the existing supply valve structure, sharing components such as the valve body, actuator, and control system. This integration means that no additional manufacturing steps or components are required beyond what is already needed for the supply valve, thereby maintaining ease of manufacture while achieving reliable break air sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The supply valve is designed to perform multiple functions: vacuum supply and break air sealing. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of components that need to be manufactured and assembled, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while ensuring reliable prevention of break air leakage.
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 configuration ensures reliable sealing of the negative pressure flow path even with high-pressure break air and allows for simplified apparatus configuration by optionally attaching a seal valve unit, enhancing operational flexibility and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
generates negative pressure by causing compressed air to flow through a diffuser (also referred to as an ejector portion or vacuum generation mechanism)
Implementation Method 2
configured to prevent the break air that passes through the break flow path to be supplied to the vacuum port from flowing out to the vacuum generation mechanism
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A vacuum ejector (10B) is provided with a seal valve mechanism (70) between a vacuum generation mechanism (50) and a break flow path (48), the seal valve mechanism (70) including a valve plug (76) that is biased toward a sealing opening (65) from the break flow path (48) side to block the seal opening (65), and being configured to open the seal opening (65) by moving the valve plug (76) away from the seal opening (65) using a piston portion (66) that operates according to supply air supplied from the vacuum generation mechanism (50). The seal valve mechanism (70) can be provided in a seal valve unit (20B) that is attached in a freely detachable manner to the main body (12) of the vacuum ejector.