Vacuum Pump Magnet Ring Axial Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing vacuum pumps with permanent magnet bearings face complexity in aligning the axial position of magnet rings without dismantling the bearing, which complicates the adjustment process and exposes the adjustment device to dirt and damage.

Innovation Solution

A vacuum pump design featuring a carrier with an internal thread and a stator-side flange with an external thread, allowing for axial adjustment of the magnet ring without disassembling the bearing, using engagement openings and through-holes for precise alignment, and a locking device for secure fixation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If washers are used for axial alignment of magnet rings, then alignment precision is improved, but device complexity and adjustment time increase due to repeated dismantling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precision of magnet ringsVSAvoidcomplexity of adjustment process
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A carrier with an internal thread is introduced as an intermediary component between the stator-side flange and the magnet rings. This carrier enables axial adjustment of the magnet rings through threaded engagement with the flange, eliminating the need for repeated dismantling and washer adjustments. The carrier acts as a mediator that provides both adjustment capability and structural integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The adjustment device transitions from a static assembly requiring dismantling to a dynamic, adjustable system. The threaded carrier allows continuous axial adjustment of magnet rings while maintaining assembly integrity, enabling dynamic repositioning without breaking the structural connection between stator and rotor components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the stator is opened for adjustment, then accessibility of adjustment device is improved, but contamination risk and loss of pump integrity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccessibility of adjustment deviceVSAvoidcontamination risk to vacuum volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustment mechanism is nested within the existing stator structure. The carrier with internal thread is integrated into the stator-side flange, and the magnet rings are adjusted in situ without removing components from the vacuum chamber. This nested arrangement provides accessibility while maintaining the sealed integrity of the vacuum volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Manufacturing precision

If magnet rings are adjusted axially, then alignment with rotor magnet rings is improved, but structural complexity of bearing increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment of magnet ringsVSAvoidstructural complexity of permanent magnet bearing
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The carrier component serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides axial adjustment of magnet rings, maintains structural support, enables rotational adjustment through engagement openings, and integrates with the stator flange through threaded engagement. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate adjustment mechanisms and washers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The threaded carrier structure enables self-adjustment capability. The engagement openings allow direct access for adjustment tools while the threaded engagement with the flange provides self-containing adjustment without requiring external support structures or additional fastening components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

Enables precise axial adjustment of the magnet rings without opening the stator, maintaining the pump's integrity and preventing contamination, thus simplifying the alignment process and enhancing operational reliability.

Implementation Method 1

a bearing arranged in the region of the suction opening, ie the high-vacuum side of the pump, and a bearing arranged near the gas outlet opening... it is known to design the bearing provided on the high-vacuum side as a permanent magnet bearing, which can include, for example, a stack of magnetic rings attached to the stator and a stack of magnetic rings attached to the rotor, which are arranged one inside the other and ensure a rotatable radial bearing due to their mutual magnetic repulsion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic repulsion: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentEP3018373B1Vacuum pump
Publication Date: 2018.08.08 PFEIFFER VACUUM GMBH
  • EP3018373B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3018373B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3018373B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a vacuum pump (10) with a rotor (16) and a stator with at least one permanent magnet bearing (44), which is designed for the mutual rotatable mounting of the rotor and the stator and in which a carrier (80) for at least one magnet ring (48) is provided on the stator side, wherein the carrier (80) with the at least one magnet ring (48) is designed as a carrier adjustable in the axial direction without disassembly of the bearing. For this purpose, the carrier (80) has an internal thread (82) so that the carrier can be adjusted in the axial direction on a flange (76) via an external thread (78). This allows axial alignment of the stator-side permanent magnet rings (48) relative to the rotor-side permanent magnet rings (52) to be carried out in a simple manner even after the vacuum pump (10) has been mounted.