Modular Vacuum Suction Cylinder Assembly for Fast Air Response

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vacuum suction cylinder assemblies lack ease of handling and responsiveness, particularly in connecting multiple cylinders and managing air flow rates effectively.

Innovation Solution

A vacuum suction cylinder assembly where multiple cylinders are connected by tie rods between flow path blocks, allowing easy addition or removal, and air is supplied and discharged rapidly through aligned passages.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If multiple vacuum suction cylinders are connected using conventional methods, then the system can perform suction operations, but the handling and addition/removal of cylinders becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of handlingVSAvoidconnection complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The vacuum suction cylinder assembly is divided into modular units that can be independently connected and disconnected. Each cylinder can be added or removed from the assembly without affecting the others, enabling easy reconfiguration and maintenance while maintaining system functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Speed

If conventional air supply systems are used for multiple cylinders, then all cylinders can be operated, but the flow rate requirements increase and responsiveness decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveresponsivenessVSAvoidair flow rate
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The air supply system is segmented into separate flow paths for each vacuum suction cylinder. This allows independent control of air supply to each cylinder, enabling rapid response when only specific cylinders need to operate, thereby reducing the total air flow rate requirement while maintaining high responsiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The air supply system is designed to dynamically adjust flow distribution to active cylinders only. When certain cylinders are not in use, their air supply paths remain closed, directing all available airflow to the active cylinders and maximizing responsiveness without requiring excessive total flow rate.

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

Facilitates easy connection and disconnection of cylinders, improves responsiveness by rapid air supply and discharge, and enhances operational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

an ejector body (82) having an ejector nozzle (82a) directed downwardly; and a suction pad (84) positioned at a lower end of the ejector nozzle (82a)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVenturi effect: Venturi Effect

Data Source

PatentEP4070924B1Vacuum suction cylinder assembly
Publication Date: 2025.12.03 SMC CORP
  • EP4070924B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4070924B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4070924B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A plurality of vacuum suction cylinders (12A-12F) are connected to each other by using tie rods (74a-74c) inserted into insertion holes (56a-56c) penetrating side walls of a cylinder tube (14) of each vacuum suction cylinder, insertion holes (59a-59c) provided in a first flow path block (58), and insertion holes (59a-59c) provided in a second flow path block (60), and sandwiching between the first flow path block and the second flow path block.