Expandable Vacuum Chamber Structure With Sealed Plate Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The production of large vacuum chambers is hindered by the complexity and material waste associated with processing solid blanks, and the risk of leakage openings from welding plates, necessitating a cost-effective and leak-proof solution.

Innovation Solution

An expandable vacuum chamber composed of two end plates and multiple plate-shaped frame elements, where the frame elements form a peripheral wall and are arranged axially with the end plates to create a chamber volume, using inexpensive plate blanks and simple tools, with recesses and sealing means to ensure leak-proofing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a vacuum chamber is milled from a solid blank, then leak-proofness is improved, but material waste increases and production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveleak-proofnessVSAvoidmaterial waste

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The vacuum chamber is divided into multiple separate plate components (front plate, rear plate, and intermediate plates) that are assembled together rather than milled from a single solid blank. This segmentation reduces material waste while maintaining leak-proofness through proper sealing of the assembled joints.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If a vacuum chamber is milled from a solid blank, then leak-proofness is improved, but production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveleak-proofnessVSAvoidproduction costs

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The chamber is segmented into multiple plates that can be manufactured separately using less expensive processes and then assembled. This reduces the need for expensive large-scale milling operations while maintaining reliability through sealed joints.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The design allows for easier recovery and reuse of materials during manufacturing and maintenance, reducing overall production costs while maintaining leak-proof performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Loss of substance

If plates are welded together to form a vacuum chamber, then material waste is reduced, but risk of leakage openings increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial wasteVSAvoidleak-proofness

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Sealing elements or gaskets are introduced as intermediary components between the plate surfaces to create reliable seals without requiring welding. This eliminates the risk of leakage openings at welded joints while maintaining low material waste.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If large blocks of material are used to mill a vacuum chamber, then leak-proofness is improved, but handling difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveleak-proofnessVSAvoidhandling ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The chamber is divided into multiple smaller plate components that are easier to handle, transport, and assemble individually, while the complete assembled structure maintains the required leak-proof performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3962646B1Expandable vacuum chamber and method of manufacturing an expandable vacuum chamber

Publication Date: 2023.05.10 DIENER CHRISTOF

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AI summary

The invention relates to an expandable vacuum chamber (10) having flat frame elements (14) and end plates (12) and to a method for producing such a vacuum chamber (10). The end plates (12) are lined up in front of and behind the frame elements (14) in the axial direction (Ra) and, together with the frame elements (14), delimit a chamber volume of the vacuum chamber (10).