Swirl Suction Body Geometry for Stable Non-Contact Plate Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing swirl flow-forming technologies face instability in applying suction to members due to direct fluid discharge, leading to potential damage and deformation of plate-like objects during non-contact conveyance.
Innovation Solution
A swirl flow-forming body with a jetting port and a through-hole that expands in cross-sectional area, guiding fluid away from the member, and a holding member that controls fluid flow to create a stable negative pressure suction by utilizing the Coanda effect and centrifugal force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fluid is discharged directly toward the member from the jetting port, then suction can be applied to the member, but the suction becomes unstable and causes undulation and rotation of the member
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary structure (the expanded cross-sectional area of the hole and the holding member) between the jetting port and the member. This intermediary guides the fluid flow in a controlled manner, preventing direct discharge toward the member while maintaining suction stability. The expanded hole section acts as a flow conditioning zone that redirects fluid away from the member surface, eliminating undulation and rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the fluid passage, specifically expanding the cross-sectional area of the hole in the direction away from the member. This parameter change modifies the fluid flow characteristics, causing the fluid to be guided away from the member rather than discharged directly toward it. The expanded section creates a flow pattern that maintains stable suction without harmful effects on the member.
2Reliability
If fluid is guided away from the member through an expanded hole, then suction stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by modifying only the specific region where fluid discharge occurs (the hole cross-sectional area), rather than redesigning the entire device. The expansion is localized to the hole section that needs to guide fluid away from the member, while the rest of the swirl flow-forming body maintains its original simple structure. This localized modification achieves the desired flow control with minimal added complexity.
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 provides a stable and controlled suction force, preventing undulation and rotation of plate-like members, thereby ensuring safe and effective non-contact conveyance without causing creases or damage.
Implementation Method 1
fluid is discharged into the hole via the jetting port so as to form a swirl flow that generates negative pressure for applying suction to the member
Implementation Method 2
a swirl flow that generates negative pressure for applying suction to the member
Implementation Method 3
the inner periphery is formed so as to guide fluid discharged via the jetting port, in a direction away from the member, to be discharged from the hole
Implementation Method 4
a holding member that holds the plate body such that the plate body faces the second end face, and that forms, between the second end face and the plate body, a flow path for fluid that has flowed out from the hole
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6~9
AI summary
Swirl flow-forming body 3 includes main body 31, first end face 33 that is formed at main body 31 and faces a member to which suction is applied, hole 32 that opens on first end face 33, jetting port 35 that is formed on inner periphery 311 of main body 31, inner periphery 311 facing hole 32, and fluid passage 37 that allows fluid to be discharged into hole 32 via jetting port 35 so as to form a swirl flow that generates negative pressure for applying suction to the member. Inner periphery 311 is formed so as to guide fluid discharged via jetting port 35, in a direction away from the member, to be discharged from hole 32.