Vacuum Pump Solenoid Valve for Vacuum Hold and Backflow Prevention
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Vacuum pumps experience pressure decay and potential backflow of lubricant when disconnected or power is lost, leading to inefficiencies in evacuating systems like air conditioning and refrigeration systems.
Innovation Solution
A vacuum pump design featuring a housing with a partitioned internal cavity, a solenoid valve, and an electronic control unit that selectively opens and closes the fluid pathway, maintaining constant vacuum pressure by restricting flow when power is interrupted, and preventing backflow of lubricant.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the vacuum pump is disconnected from the external system or power is lost, then the pump cannot continue evacuation, but vacuum decay occurs and lubricant may backflow into the system
Solution Approach 1:
The solenoid valve is configured to automatically close when power is lost or the pump is disconnected, creating a preliminary protective action that prevents vacuum decay and lubricant backflow before they can occur. This fail-safe mechanism ensures the valve closes under power loss conditions, maintaining the vacuum seal without requiring active control.
Solution Approach 2:
The solenoid valve acts as an intermediary component between the pump assembly and the external system, controlling the fluid pathway to prevent harmful backflow. The valve serves as a protective barrier that can be selectively opened or closed to isolate the pump from the external system, preventing lubricant from flowing back into the evacuated system.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the solenoid valve is biased towards closed position to prevent backflow, then vacuum stability is improved, but flow restriction may occur during normal operation
Solution Approach 1:
The solenoid valve transitions from a static closed position to a dynamic state where it can be selectively opened during evacuation operations. The valve maintains its biased closed position for stability during disconnection or power loss, but can be dynamically opened when power is supplied and evacuation is required, optimizing both stability and productivity at different operational phases.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve operates periodically, remaining closed during non-operational periods to maintain vacuum stability and opening during operational periods when evacuation is needed. This periodic opening and closing allows the system to achieve both stable vacuum maintenance and effective evacuation when required.
3Reliability
If a solenoid valve is added to control the fluid pathway, then vacuum decay is minimized, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The solenoid valve replaces complex mechanical valve mechanisms with an electromechanical actuation system. Instead of requiring manual operation or complex mechanical linkages, the valve uses electromagnetic fields to control the opening and closing actions, simplifying the overall control mechanism while maintaining reliable vacuum sealing.
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 solution effectively minimizes vacuum decay and maintains consistent pressure within the pump, allowing for uninterrupted evacuation processes and easy battery replacement during operation.
Implementation Method 1
A solenoid valve positioned within the fluid pathway that selectively opens and closes the fluid pathway in response to a signal from the electronic control unit
Implementation Method 2
A battery coupled to the housing to provide power to the motor assembly to drive the pump assembly
Implementation Method 3
A motor assembly positioned within the first chamber of the housing... to provide power to the motor assembly to drive the pump assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A vacuum pump includes a housing defining a base, an internal cavity, and a partition wall defining a first chamber and a second chamber. The second chamber is sealed relative to the first chamber to form a compression chamber. A motor assembly and an electronic control unit are positioned within the first chamber. A pump assembly is positioned within the compression chamber and in communication with the lubrication fluid and the motor assembly. A battery is coupled to the housing to provide power to the motor assembly to drive the pump assembly. An inlet is coupled to the housing to connect the vacuum pump to an external system. A fluid pathway extends between the inlet and a pump inlet of the pump assembly. A valve is positioned within the fluid pathway that selectively opens and closes the fluid pathway and is biased towards a closed position.