Scroll Pump Spiral Wall Local Quality Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Scroll pumps face challenges in handling and assembly due to the vulnerability of the spiral component, particularly the outer end section, which is prone to damage during manufacturing and usage.

Innovation Solution

The scroll pump design incorporates a thicker first side wall in the outer end section of the spiral wall, extending over a specific range, to enhance durability and reduce the risk of damage, while maintaining a low mass and avoiding unnecessary thickening in non-pumping active regions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If the spiral wall is made with uniform thin walls to reduce mass, then the overall mass is reduced, but the outer end section becomes vulnerable to damage during handling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemass of spiral componentVSAvoiddamage resistance of outer end section
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by varying the wall thickness of the spiral component. Specifically, the outer end section (last half turn) of the spiral wall has an increased wall thickness compared to other sections. This localized thickening provides additional strength and damage resistance precisely where the outer end section is most vulnerable during handling and assembly, while maintaining thin walls in other areas to minimize overall mass.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If the outer end section is thickened to prevent damage, then handling reliability improves, but the overall mass increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedamage resistance of outer end sectionVSAvoidmass of spiral component
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves this contradiction by implementing localized thickening only in the outer end section (last half turn) of the spiral wall, rather than uniformly thickening the entire component. This approach concentrates the additional material exactly where it is needed for damage protection, minimizing the overall mass increase while maximizing the reliability improvement in the vulnerable outer end section.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3617511B1Scroll pump and method of manufacturing same
Publication Date: 2021.12.08 PFEIFFER VACUUM GMBH
  • EP3617511B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3617511B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3617511B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A scroll pump comprising a movable spiral component (30) that can be excited eccentrically to generate a pumping action, wherein the spiral component has a base plate (66) and a spiral wall (28) extending from the base plate, wherein: - at least two retaining projections (68) spaced apart around the circumference of the base plate are provided on the outside of the base plate and/or - the spiral wall (28) has a groove (114) at its end facing away from the base plate (66), in which a sealing element (64) is received, wherein the groove (114) is bounded by two opposing side walls (116, 118), and wherein in a first spiral section (120) a first of the side walls (118) is thicker than a second of the side walls (116) in the first spiral section (120) and/or than one or both side walls (116, 118) in a second spiral section (122). Method for manufacturing a scroll pump.