Vacuum Pump Bearing Socket Distribution Element Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
The maintenance and servicing of turbomolecular pumps are complicated due to distribution elements falling out during maintenance, leading to increased downtime and costs, as existing solutions require the pump to be dismantled for easy access.
Innovation Solution
A bearing mount with a distribution element that is subjected to force and prestressed to be fixed in place by frictional engagement, using elements like O-rings to prevent falling and allow selective insertion or removal, enabling maintenance without disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the pump is dismantled for servicing, then the distribution elements can be easily accessed and replaced, but the downtime and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The distribution elements are pre-loaded into the bearing housing before final assembly, and retaining elements are pre-installed to secure them. This preliminary preparation ensures that during servicing, the distribution elements remain in place and can be quickly replaced without complete disassembly, reducing downtime while maintaining ease of servicing.
2Ease of repair
If the distribution elements are left loose, then they can be easily removed for maintenance, but they fall out during servicing causing complications
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining elements are designed as separate, modular components that can be independently installed and removed. This segmentation allows maintenance personnel to access and replace distribution elements without removing entire assemblies, making maintenance easy while preventing accidental dislodging during servicing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining elements provide a dynamic securing mechanism that allows for easy insertion and removal during planned maintenance while preventing unintended movement or falling out during normal operation and servicing. The retaining system transitions from a locked state during operation to an easily accessible state during maintenance.
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
This solution allows for direct on-site servicing of turbomolecular pumps, reducing downtime and maintenance costs by securing the distribution elements in place, thus enabling efficient lubrication and operation without the need to dismantle the pump.
Implementation Method 1
the distribution element is subjected to force and/or prestressed, in particular radially outwardly, and is fixed in its installation position by means of frictional engagement
Implementation Method 2
The O-ring (48) is arranged to exert a force in a radial outward direction on the distribution element (42)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present invention relates to a bearing housing (44) for a vacuum pump (10), in particular a turbomolecular pump, comprising a lubricant-supplied rolling bearing (28) for supporting a shaft (20), a receiving chamber (56) for the rolling bearing, a – in particular separate – end element (58) by means of which the axial position of the rolling bearing in the receiving chamber is limited in the axial direction, and at least one lubricant-conveying or lubricant-guiding distribution element (42) by which the lubricant can be distributed in the receiving chamber, wherein the distribution element is subjected to force and/or preloaded in its installed position and is fixed in its installed position by means of frictional engagement. The invention further relates to a distribution element and a vacuum pump.