Suction Device Centrifugal Pressure Gradient Vacuum Leakage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional vacuum adsorbers experience vacuum leakage due to significant pressure differences between the inner and outer edges of the adsorption chamber, leading to reduced adsorption capacity and failure in handling rough surfaces.

Innovation Solution

A suction device with a rotatable fan and external fluid injection system, where a denser fluid (e.g., water) is introduced to create a centrifugal pressure distribution, minimizing pressure differences and enhancing the vacuum environment by utilizing the centrifugal inertial force to resist leakage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If a conventional vacuum adsorber uses a vacuum source to create uniform negative pressure in the adsorption chamber, then the adsorption force is generated to hold the workpiece, but severe pressure difference forms between the inner and outer edges of the chamber causing vacuum leakage and fluid ingress

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadsorption forceVSAvoidvacuum stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention creates a non-uniform pressure distribution within the adsorption chamber by introducing a rotating fluid flow. The pressure varies from the center to the edge of the chamber, with the outer edge pressure being closer to atmospheric pressure. This local pressure variation eliminates the severe pressure difference at the chamber edge while maintaining sufficient adsorption force at the workpiece contact area, thereby preventing vacuum leakage and fluid ingress through gaps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a rotating fluid flow (such as a water wheel or impeller) to dynamically generate the pressure distribution within the chamber. The rotation creates centrifugal effects that continuously maintain the pressure gradient without requiring additional mechanical components. This dynamic approach replaces the static uniform vacuum with a dynamically balanced pressure field that adapts to prevent leakage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the adsorption chamber has gaps due to rough workpiece surfaces, then the workpiece can be accommodated, but external fluid massively enters the chamber through these gaps destroying the vacuum and lowering adsorption force

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface adaptabilityVSAvoidvacuum integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The rotating fluid flow creates localized pressure zones that adapt to the workpiece surface geometry. Areas with gaps experience locally adjusted pressure that prevents fluid ingress, while maintaining contact pressure where needed for adsorption. This local pressure adaptation allows the system to handle rough surfaces with gaps without compromising vacuum integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Device complexity

If a vacuum source is used to create uniform negative pressure, then the structure is simple, but the pressure difference at the chamber edge causes severe vacuum leakage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidvacuum stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention maintains structural simplicity by using a rotating fluid flow mechanism that can be integrated into the existing vacuum system. The rotation dynamically generates the required pressure distribution without adding complex mechanical structures, achieving both simplicity and vacuum stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 reduces vacuum leakage, maintains a stable adsorption force, and improves the adsorption capacity, even on rough surfaces, by creating a sharp pressure gradient and centrifugal inertial force that prevents external fluid entry.

Implementation Method 1

a denser fluid (e.g., water) is introduced to create a centrifugal pressure distribution

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Implementation Method 2

utilizing the centrifugal inertial force to resist leakage

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal inertial force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentEP3533560B1Suction device
Publication Date: 2022.05.11 ZHEJIANG UNIV
  • EP3533560B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3533560B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3533560B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention relates to a suction device including a shell with a chamber. The chamber is provided with an opening. A fan is disposed in the chamber, and the opening is disposed in a rotating axial direction of the fan. A power component for driving the fan to rotate is disposed on the shell, and an external fluid source is disposed outside the shell. Another fluid is disposed in the external fluid source, and the external fluid source is connected to the chamber. The another fluid of the external fluid source flows into the chamber to occupy a volume in the chamber, and partially or completely squeezes an original fluid originally present in the chamber out of the chamber. The fan drives fluids in the chamber to rotate, so that a stepped negative pressure is generated in the chamber. The original fluid is located in the central region of the chamber, and the another fluid is located in the peripheral region of the chamber. A closer distance to the periphery of the chamber indicates a lower negative pressure, thereby remarkably lowering pressure difference of the inner and outer side of the shell. The problem of vacuum leakage caused by a large pressure difference between the inner and outer sides of the edge of the shell is resolved thoroughly. The suction device according to the present invention has the characteristics of simple structure, less vacuum leakage, large adsorption force, etc.