Vacuum Valve Oblique Linear Guide Reduces Complexity
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vacuum valve designs are complex and costly due to intricate drive and guide element configurations, which complicate the movement sequence and increase expenses.
Innovation Solution
The vacuum valve incorporates obliquely arranged linear guides, with a transverse stroke guide part parallel to an oblique adjustment direction between 5° and 45°, allowing for a cost-effective and robust design using standard mechanical components, enabling efficient movement of closure elements without changing the transmission piece's position relative to the valve housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional drive and guide element configurations are used, then the valve can close the vacuum openings, but the device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The closure element is divided into two separate closure elements (first and second closure elements), each responsible for closing a specific vacuum opening. This segmentation allows for simpler individual components rather than one complex closure mechanism handling multiple openings, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliable closure function.
Solution Approach 2:
The single drive mechanism serves multiple functions by simultaneously controlling both closure elements through the transmission piece. The drive mechanism can selectively actuate either the first or second closure element independently, providing multi-functionality without requiring separate drive systems for each closure element, thus reducing device complexity.
2Ease of operation
If conventional pivotable valve rod designs are used, then the closure element can be adjusted into position, but the device complexity increases due to slotted guide mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The complex slotted guide mechanisms are extracted and replaced with a simpler transmission piece design. The transmission piece directly couples the drive mechanism to the closure elements through defined geometric relationships, eliminating the need for intermediate slotted guides and pivotable valve rod configurations, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The transmission piece acts as an intermediary between the drive mechanism and the closure elements. It translates the drive's linear motion into the appropriate angular positions for each closure element through its geometric configuration, providing the necessary adjustment functionality without requiring complex pivotable mechanisms or slotted guides.
3Manufacturing precision
If intricate drive configurations are used, then precise closure sequence can be achieved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission piece utilizes geometric parameters (angles, lengths, and positions) to control the closure sequence. By adjusting these geometric parameters during design, precise closure sequencing is achieved without requiring complex mechanical linkages or multiple adjustment mechanisms, thereby simplifying manufacturing and reducing costs while maintaining manufacturing precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A vacuum valve including a valve body with first and second valve openings, first and second closure elements attached to a valve rod, a longitudinally adjustable transmission piece attached to the valve rod that is adjustable from an open position into an intermediate position, and in a transverse adjustment direction from the intermediate position into a first closing position, and counter thereto into a second closing position. The transmission piece is connected to the valve body via a longitudinal stroke linear guide and a transverse stroke linear guide having a transverse stroke guide part which extends parallel to an oblique adjustment direction and a transverse stroke carriage displaceably guided thereon. To adjust the transmission piece from the intermediate position into the first or second closing position, the transverse stroke carriage is linearly displaceable in or counter to the oblique adjustment direction from a central position into a first or second press-on position.