Vacuum Valve Connecting Devices for Plate Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vacuum valves face challenges in straightforward installation and removal of valve plates, which complicates servicing and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
The vacuum valve incorporates connecting devices with a neck portion and an enlarged head portion, where the neck portion is secured within a receiving slot that can only be introduced but not easily removed, and the receiving parts can be rotated between introduction and blocking positions to securely attach the valve plate to the carrying unit, allowing for easy installation and removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If valve plates are fastened in a non-movable manner on a carrying unit, then the valve plates are securely attached, but installation and removal become complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting device is divided into two functional parts: a connecting part with neck and head that provides secure attachment, and a receiving part with receiving slot that enables tool-free installation and removal. This segmentation allows each part to specialize in one function while working together to resolve the contradiction between secure attachment and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The receiving slot is designed to transition between two states: an open state during installation/removal that accepts the connecting part, and a closed state during operation that secures the connecting part. This dynamic behavior allows the connection mechanism to adapt between ease of operation and secure attachment depending on the operational phase.
2Reliability
If the slot width of the receiving slot is smaller than the diameter of the head portion, then the connecting part cannot be pulled out, but installation becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The receiving slot is designed to accept the connecting part from a specific directional approach (at an angle or from the end), rather than requiring perpendicular insertion. This dimensional approach allows the head portion to be inserted despite the slot width being smaller than the head diameter, resolving the contradiction between secure retention and ease of installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The receiving slot is pre-positioned and oriented to guide the connecting part into the correct insertion path before the head portion engages with the slot. This preliminary positioning ensures that installation can proceed smoothly even with the size mismatch between head diameter and slot width.
Data Source
AI summary
A vacuum valve includes a valve housing (1) with at least one valve opening (2, 3), at least one valve plate (10, 11) and a carrying unit (9), which carries the at least one valve plate (10, 11). The at least one valve plate (10, 11) is connected to the carrying unit (9) via at least two connecting devices, each having a connecting part (45), with a neck portion (47) and an enlarged head portion (48), which projects in relation to the neck portion (47), and having a receiving part (46, 56′), with a respective receiving slot (49) into which the neck portion (47) of the connecting part (45). In order to prevent the connecting parts (45) from moving out of the receiving slots (49), at least one of the receiving parts (46′) of the connecting devices can be rotated about an axis of rotation (80) from an introduction position, in which the associated connecting part (45) can be introduced into the receiving slot (49), by way of its neck portion (47), as far as the end position, into a blocking position.