Vacuum Table Segmentation for Variable Object Fixation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vacuum table technologies are inflexible and require multiple, expensive setups to accommodate objects of varying sizes, particularly failing to securely fix objects with rectangular base areas of unequal aspect ratios.

Innovation Solution

A vacuum table with a grid-patterned tabletop and multiple vacuum chambers, where the effective surface area can be adjusted in fine increments using line- and column-switching devices, allowing for secure fixation of objects with varying dimensions by serially releasing or closing vacuum connections through a system of grooves and channels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a universal vacuum table is used to accommodate objects of different sizes, then the number of vacuum tables is reduced, but the effective surface area cannot be precisely adjusted to match the object base area

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccommodation of different object sizesVSAvoideffective surface area adjustment precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The vacuum table surface is divided into multiple independently controllable vacuum chambers arranged in a grid pattern. Each chamber can be individually activated or deactivated, allowing the effective vacuum surface area to be precisely adjusted to match the base area of objects with different dimensions. This segmentation enables accurate adaptation to various object formats while maintaining a single universal vacuum table.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the effective surface area of the vacuum table is increased to cover larger objects, then larger objects can be fixed, but vacuum is lost on unused surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoverage of different object formatsVSAvoidvacuum maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By dividing the vacuum table into multiple independently controllable vacuum chambers, only the chambers corresponding to the object's base area are activated. This prevents vacuum loss on unused surfaces while maintaining adequate vacuum pressure on the active surface, ensuring reliable fixation without wasting vacuum on unnecessary areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the vacuum table can have different vacuum states (active or inactive) depending on the object's position and dimensions. This local control ensures that vacuum is applied only where needed, maintaining reliability on the active surface while avoiding vacuum loss on inactive surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Manufacturing precision

If multiple vacuum tables with different surface areas are used to accommodate different object sizes, then precise matching is achieved, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeffective surface area matchingVSAvoidnumber of vacuum tables

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using multiple separate vacuum tables, a single vacuum table is segmented into multiple independently controllable chambers. This allows one table to replace multiple tables by activating only the necessary chambers for each object size, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining precise surface area matching.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A single vacuum table is designed to perform multiple functions by activating different combinations of vacuum chambers. This universal vacuum table can accommodate objects of various sizes and formats, eliminating the need for multiple specialized vacuum tables and reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 secure and flexible fixation of objects with different base areas by varying the effective surface area in both x and y directions, accommodating a wide range of object formats between a minimum and maximum size without the need for multiple vacuum tables.

Implementation Method 1

device for fixing objects (100) by means of a vacuum

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVacuum: Vacuum

Data Source

PatentUS11417560B2Apparatus for fixing objects by means of vacuum

Publication Date: 2022.08.16 LASER IMAGING SYSTEMS GMBH & CO KG

AI summary

A device for fixing different-sized base area objects with a vacuum including on a table: first, second, and third vacuum chambers. The third chamber extending the first and second chambers to the entire x direction extension, and the second chamber having parallel, line-forming grooves in the x direction and connected to each other by a first connection channel in the y direction and being released/closed serially relative to the first chamber by a line-switching device. The third chamber includes parallel, column-forming grooves extending in the y direction and connected to each other via a second connection channel in the x direction and being released/closed serially relative to the first chamber by a column-switching device. The third chamber being released/closed serially in the y direction by the line-switching device, in a simultaneous, segmented manner according to the number and positions of the line-forming grooves in correspondence with the second chamber.