Turbomolecular Pump Bearing Mount With Separate Fastening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vacuum pump designs, particularly turbomolecular pumps, face challenges in efficiently and cost-effectively producing bearings with minimal material usage, leading to high material waste and complex manufacturing processes.
Innovation Solution
A bearing design for vacuum pumps that utilizes a separate bearing mount with a plate-shaped or disc-shaped fastening element, where the fastening function is separated from the centering and alignment functions, allowing for independent dimensioning and processing of components, resulting in reduced material usage and simplified production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a mounting flange or retaining collar is integrated into the first component for attachment to the housing element, then the fastening function is combined with the centering and alignment functions, but the cross-sectional area of the first component must be larger, resulting in significant material removal and high material waste
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the fastening system into separate functional elements: the first component (bearing socket) and the fastening element (mounting flange or retaining collar). This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, with the first component having a smaller cross-section and the fastening element providing the necessary mounting interface, thereby minimizing material waste in the first component.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastening function is extracted from the first component and implemented as a separate fastening element. This extraction allows the first component to be manufactured with minimal material (small cross-section) while the fastening element handles all mounting requirements, eliminating the need for material removal from the first component.
2Ease of manufacture
If the first component is designed with a large cross-section to accommodate a mounting flange, then fastening is enabled, but the blank requires correspondingly large cross-section, necessitating significant material removal by machining
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the fastening functionality into a separate fastening element that attaches to the housing element, while the first component maintains its minimal cross-section. This segmentation eliminates the need for machining large amounts of material from the first component, as the fastening element provides all necessary mounting interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting flange or retaining collar is extracted as a separate fastening element that is either integrated with the housing element or provided as a distinct component. This extraction allows the first component to be manufactured from a small-diameter blank without subsequent material removal, while the fastening element handles all attachment requirements.
3Device complexity
If the fastening element is integrated with the first component, then fewer parts are used, but the first component cannot be dimensioned independently, leading to suboptimal material usage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the fastening function into a separate element that can be independently dimensioned and manufactured. This segmentation enables the first component to be optimized for minimal material usage (small cross-section) while the fastening element is independently designed to provide all necessary mounting capabilities, achieving both material efficiency and functional requirements.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a vacuum pump, in particular a turbomolecular pump, comprising a housing element, a rotor whose longitudinal extent defines an axial direction, and a bearing element provided for the rotor, wherein the bearing element is arranged in an opening of the housing element, wherein at least one first component separate from the housing element is provided for positioning the bearing element relative to the housing element, wherein the opening has at least one first cylindrical axial section with a constant cross-section, wherein the first component is arranged in the first axial section of the opening, wherein the first component is arranged with its cross-section radially exclusively within the cross-section of the opening in the first axial section, and wherein the first component is fastened in the opening by means of at least one plate- and/or disc-shaped fastening element.and wherein the fastening element extends radially both within and outside the cross-section of the first axial region.