Non-Contact Transport Pad Layout for Stable Polygonal Workpieces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing non-contact transport apparatuses struggle to reliably and stably transport non-circular workpieces due to uneven fluid flow distribution, which can lead to inadequate suction and increased vibration, potentially causing damage to the workpieces.
Innovation Solution
A non-contact transport apparatus with a body shaped to match the workpiece, featuring a fluid discharge section with discharge holes of varying cross-sectional areas to ensure consistent fluid flow along the workpiece's edges, generating uniform negative pressure for stable retention and transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional transport pad with uniform discharge holes is used, then circular workpieces can be retained stably, but non-circular workpieces experience uneven fluid flow and inadequate suction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the cross-sectional areas of discharge holes based on their radial positions. Discharge holes closer to the center have smaller cross-sectional areas, while those farther from the center have larger areas. This non-uniform distribution compensates for the different flow path lengths, ensuring that fluid flow rates are balanced across all edges regardless of workpiece shape, thereby achieving reliable retention for non-circular workpieces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetry by intentionally creating non-uniform discharge hole configurations rather than using a symmetric uniform pattern. The discharge holes are strategically positioned and sized according to their distance from the center, creating an asymmetric distribution that adapts to various workpiece geometries and ensures adequate suction at all edges.
2Reliability
If pressure fluid is supplied at high flow rate to ensure adequate suction, then workpiece retention improves, but fluid flow becomes uneven across different edges, causing vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses fluid flow uniformity by implementing local quality through position-dependent discharge hole sizing. Each discharge hole's cross-sectional area is specifically tailored to its radial distance from the center, ensuring that despite different flow path lengths, the fluid flow rates reaching all edges are substantially equal. This prevents vibration and maintains stable workpiece retention.
3Device complexity
If the body shape does not match the workpiece shape, then the apparatus structure remains simple, but fluid flow distribution becomes uneven leading to inadequate suction at certain edges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the contradiction between structural simplicity and retention reliability by maintaining a simple overall body shape while introducing local quality variations only in the discharge hole cross-sectional areas. This approach ensures adequate suction at all edges without requiring complex body geometry, achieving reliable workpiece retention with minimal structural 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 apparatus effectively retains and transports non-circular workpieces by ensuring consistent fluid flow rates across the workpiece's edges, reducing vibration and preventing damage, thereby achieving reliable and stable transport.
Implementation Method 1
the pressure fluid flows at a high speed between the lower surface of the transport pad and the workpiece, whereby a negative pressure is generated by the Bernoulli effect, and thus the workpiece is attracted toward and retained by the transport pad under suction in a non-contact state
Data Source
AI summary
A non-contact transport apparatus includes a housing and a plate which is fitted into a circular recess formed at a central portion in a lower surface of the housing. The housing is formed in an octagonal shape corresponding to the shape of a workpiece to be transported. In the plate, a plurality of nozzles are arranged radially at equal angular intervals. The nozzles include first nozzle grooves and second nozzle grooves having cross sectional areas that are determined in proportion to distances between a principal side of the housing and the nozzle and between an oblique side of the housing and the nozzle for making the flow rates of the pressure fluid through the first nozzle groove and the second nozzle groove different.