Vacuum Pump Splinter Shield Rim Locking Groove
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vacuum pumps face issues with splinter shields bending inward due to inadequate fastening strength, leading to potential damage and high costs associated with complex fixation mechanisms, especially when air rushes into the pump through the inlet port.
Innovation Solution
A single sheet splinter shield with a circumferential rim and cross-shaped rib reinforcement, featuring locking parts at right angles to the rim, is inserted into a concave fixing groove and secured with a retaining ring, enhancing fastening strength and facilitating easy attachment and removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a conventional splinter shield is mounted on an ISO standard inlet port, then the shield can be installed, but the fastening strength is insufficient causing the shield to bend inward when air rushes into the pump
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing groove is divided into two distinct sections: a first groove section with a bottom surface that receives the lower surface of the rim, and a second groove section with side surfaces that extend upward to engage with the outer periphery of the locking parts. This segmentation allows the rim to be simultaneously supported from below and locked from the sides, providing both positioning and anti-bending functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking parts are formed in advance on the rim at substantially right angles to its outer periphery, creating pre-formed engagement features that will lock into the second groove section. This preliminary formation of locking structures ensures that when the rim is inserted into the fixing groove, the locking parts automatically engage with the groove's side surfaces, preventing inward bending before air rush occurs.
2Strength
If a complex fixation mechanism with multiple components is used to enhance fastening strength, then the splinter shield can be securely fixed, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing groove integrates multiple functions into a single structural element: it provides a bottom surface for supporting the rim's lower surface, vertical side surfaces for locking the locking parts, and an overall containment structure. This merging of support and locking functions into one groove eliminates the need for separate retaining rings, clips, or multi-step fixation mechanisms, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining strong fastening.
Solution Approach 2:
The rim structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the mounting interface for the splinter shield, incorporates locking parts for secure engagement, and its lower surface engages with the groove bottom for support. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed in the fixation system, simplifying the overall device while ensuring reliable fastening.
3Device complexity
If a single-part splinter shield with inclined brim is used, then the structure is simpler, but the fastening strength is insufficient and the shield may still bend toward the inside of the pump
Solution Approach 1:
The locking parts are positioned asymmetrically on the rim, extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the outer periphery, rather than using a symmetric inclined brim design. This asymmetric configuration creates effective mechanical interlocking with the corresponding asymmetric features in the fixing groove, providing superior resistance to inward bending forces compared to symmetric inclined designs.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of relying solely on the inclined brim's angular geometry (one-dimensional approach), the invention adds a vertical locking dimension by extending locking parts perpendicular to the rim's outer periphery. These locking parts engage with vertical side surfaces of the fixing groove, creating a two-dimensional engagement system that significantly enhances resistance to air rush forces while maintaining structural simplicity.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3(a)~3(b)
AI summary
The present invention provides a splinter shield for a vacuum pump, capable of reducing costs of the splinter shield by obtaining a single sheet of splinter shield having a required strength, in which fastening strength to a fixing groove is enhanced to prevent the splinter shield from bending toward the inside of a pump and coming into contact with equipment inside the pump when air rushes into the pump through an inlet port and to prevent the splinter shield from falling. Furthermore, attachment and removal of the splinter shield with respect to the inlet port are facilitated. The present invention is a splinter shield for a vacuum pump in which a rim formed in a circumferential edge portion of the splinter shield is inserted into a fixing groove that is provided in a concave manner in an inner circumferential portion of an inlet port, and the splinter shield is provided in a tensioned manner to the inlet port by pushing a retaining ring into the fixing groove, wherein locking parts that are locked into the retaining ring at a plurality of sections in the rim are provided in a standing manner at substantially right angles to the rim.