Vacuum Generating Device With Coanda Nozzle Arrangement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vacuum generating devices either suck in large volumes of air or provide high negative pressure, but not both efficiently, making them inadequate for applications requiring both high volume flow and strong vacuum for effective object handling.

Innovation Solution

A vacuum generating device with a rotationally symmetrical main flow channel and a driving nozzle arrangement that utilizes the Coanda effect to create a motive flow, allowing for large volume intake and high negative pressure generation through multiple, evenly distributed nozzles that flow compressed air at an angle, enhancing the impulse effect and air entrainment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional vacuum generating devices are designed to draw in large volumes of air, then the volume flow is improved, but the vacuum strength deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevolume flowVSAvoidvacuum strength
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The drive nozzle arrangement is divided into multiple individual nozzles (at least two, preferably three or more) that are distributed around the main flow axis. This segmentation allows the system to maintain high volume flow through multiple intake paths while each nozzle contributes to creating strong local vacuum effects, resolving the contradiction between volume flow and vacuum strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The drive nozzles are arranged in a three-dimensional configuration around the main flow axis rather than a single-plane arrangement. This spatial distribution in multiple dimensions enables simultaneous optimization of volume flow (through multiple intake paths) and vacuum strength (through distributed suction points), allowing both parameters to be improved together.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Stress or pressure

If conventional vacuum generating devices are designed to provide high vacuum, then the negative pressure is improved, but the volume flow deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevacuum strengthVSAvoidvolume flow
Core Design Contradiction:
Stress or pressureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the drive nozzle arrangement into multiple individual nozzles distributed around the main flow axis, the system can provide high vacuum through multiple simultaneous suction points while maintaining high volume flow. Each nozzle creates strong local vacuum effects, and their collective action maintains high overall volume flow capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The three-dimensional arrangement of drive nozzles around the main flow axis enables high vacuum generation through distributed suction points while preserving volume flow. This spatial configuration allows air to be drawn in through multiple paths simultaneously, achieving both high vacuum strength and high volume flow.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Device complexity

If a single large nozzle is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the manufacturing precision and reliability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenozzle structureVSAvoidnozzle fabrication
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The single large nozzle is segmented into multiple smaller individual nozzles that are distributed around the main flow axis. This segmentation improves manufacturing precision by allowing each smaller nozzle to be fabricated with better control and standardization, while also improving reliability. The modular structure makes it easier to manufacture and assemble compared to a single large precision nozzle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The nozzle arrangement transitions from a single-point structure to a distributed three-dimensional configuration. This dimensional change simplifies manufacturing by allowing standardized nozzle components to be produced and assembled, improving both manufacturing precision and reliability while maintaining functional effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 device effectively achieves both high volume flow and strong negative pressure, ensuring robust operation and ease of manufacture, with the nozzle arrangement providing a uniform introduction of pressure fluid and promoting Coanda flow for improved mixing and suction efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

The drive nozzles are designed and arranged such that the pressure fluid flows obliquely to the main flow axis into the main flow channel and, utilizing the Coanda effect, flows along a surface of the wall in the tapered nozzle section into the mixing section.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCoanda effect: Coanda Effect

Implementation Method 2

so-called ejectors are known, which generate a vacuum according to the Venturi principle. Such an ejector typically has a jet nozzle with an inlet opening for the driving compressed air and a collection nozzle with an outlet opening following in the flow path. A suction opening is provided between the jet nozzle and the collection nozzle, at which a vacuum can be drawn due to the flow from the jet nozzle to the collection nozzle.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVenturi principle: Venturi Effect

Implementation Method 3

Due to the so-called 'Coanda effect,' the incoming compressed air follows a curved surface of the nozzle and thus causes the ambient air to be drawn in.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCoanda effect: Coanda Effect

Implementation Method 4

The drive nozzles are designed and arranged such that the pressure fluid flows obliquely to the main flow axis into the main flow channel and, utilizing the Coanda effect, flows along a surface of the wall in the tapered nozzle section into the mixing section.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEntrainment: Entrainment

Data Source

PatentEP4123186B1Vacuum generating device and suction gripper
Publication Date: 2024.09.04 J SCHMALZ GMBH
  • EP4123186B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4123186B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4123186B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a vacuum generating device (10) comprising a main flow channel (12) extending along a main flow axis (14), bounded by a wall (16), having an inlet opening (20) and an outlet opening (22), and allowing flow from the inlet opening to the outlet opening along a main flow direction (24), wherein the main flow channel has an inlet section (26), a mixing section (28), and a nozzle section (30), wherein the wall in the region of the nozzle section is such that a flow cross-section is present which progressively narrows along the main flow direction, further comprising a drive nozzle arrangement (36) for introducing a pressure fluid into the main flow channel, wherein the drive nozzle arrangement comprises a plurality of drive nozzles (40) which are arranged distributed along a circumference around the main flow axis.wherein the drive nozzles are designed and arranged such that the pressure fluid flows obliquely to the main flow axis into the main flow channel and, utilizing the Coanda effect, flows along a surface of the wall in the tapered nozzle section into the mixing section.