Vacuum Pump Magnet Nut Multi-Directional Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vacuum pumps, such as those described in JP-A-2020-122529, face challenges in adjusting the position of the stationary-side magnet, which is typically only accessible from the side or above, limiting the flexibility and efficiency of the adjustment process.
Innovation Solution
The vacuum pump design incorporates an adjustment member with a main body portion and a protrusion, featuring a second thread shape for fitting into a first thread shape on the magnet holder, and a contact target surface on the protrusion that allows for rotation from both the upper-surface side and the side-surface side, enabling more comprehensive adjustment of the stationary-side magnet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the magnet nut is designed for rotation from only one side (above or side), then the structure is simple, but the adjustability and flexibility are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment member is designed with a universal interface that accepts tools from multiple directions (above and side). The protrusion with contact target surface can be engaged by tools inserted from different orientations, allowing the same adjustment member to serve multiple adjustment scenarios without requiring direction-specific designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment member transitions from single-directional access to multi-directional access by adding vertical accessibility (protrusion from upper surface) to the traditional horizontal access method. This dimensional addition allows tools to approach the adjustment member from both above and side directions.
2Reliability
If the suction port is positioned away from the magnet nut, then the magnetic bearing performance is improved, but the accessibility for adjustment is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment member provides alternative access paths by extending vertically with a protrusion that can be accessed from above, complementing the horizontal access through the suction port. This multi-dimensional access solution allows maintenance personnel to adjust the magnet regardless of the suction port position.
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusion acts as an intermediary interface that translates tool rotation force into adjustment motion. By providing this intermediate contact point, the system enables adjustment without requiring direct access to the magnet nut from specific directions, thus decoupling the suction port position from adjustment accessibility.
3Ease of manufacture
If a standard magnet nut is used, then the manufacturing is simple, but it cannot accommodate adjustments from multiple directions
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment member is segmented into functional components: the main body portion with the threaded inner peripheral surface for engagement with the magnet holder, and the protrusion with the contact target surface for tool engagement. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized independently while maintaining overall simplicity in manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment member incorporates universal tool interface capability through the protrusion design. The contact target surface on the protrusion can engage with various tool types inserted from different directions, making the adjustment member universally adaptable without complicating the manufacturing process.
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 design allows for the adjustment of the stationary-side magnet from multiple angles, enhancing the flexibility and efficiency of the adjustment process, which is crucial for maintaining the rotation balance of the rotor and reducing vibrations and noise in the vacuum pump.
Implementation Method 1
The magnetic bearing has a first magnet arranged at the periphery of a magnet holder fixed to the housing and a second magnet arranged in the rotor to face the first magnet in a radial direction
Implementation Method 2
The main body portion has, in the inner peripheral surface thereof, a second thread shape to be fitted in a first thread shape formed at the periphery of the magnet holder, and is moved in a direction along the rotation axis of the rotor by rotating relative to the magnet holder
Data Source
AI summary
A vacuum pump includes a housing, a magnetic bearing, and a magnet nut. The magnetic bearing has a first permanent magnet arranged at the periphery of a magnet holder and a second permanent magnet arranged in the rotor to face the first permanent magnet in a radial direction. The magnet nut has a main body portion and protrusions. The main body portion adjusts the position of the first permanent magnet relative to the second permanent magnet by rotating relative to the magnet holder. The protrusion protrudes from an upper surface of the main body portion, and has contact target surfaces contactable with a first tool configured to rotate the main body portion from the upper surface side of the main body portion and contactable with a second tool configured to rotate the main body portion from the outer periphery side of the main body portion.