Vacuum Valve Closure Unit with Offset Roller Axes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vacuum valves with spreading rollers face increased wear and overall size issues due to friction and the need for larger roller diameters, leading to a thicker closure unit.
Innovation Solution
The axes of rotation of the spreading rollers are offset, allowing them to be spaced closer together, reducing the overall width of the closure unit and minimizing wear by ensuring proper rolling on the plates, with all rollers having the same radius and being mounted on rolling bearings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If spreading rollers are mounted on their axle pins to slide, then the structure is simple, but the spreading rollers will slide over the plate surfaces during spreading, resulting in increased wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the sliding mechanical contact between axle pins and roller surfaces with rolling contact through bearing elements. The spreading rollers are mounted on axle pins that incorporate bearings, transforming the friction-based sliding mechanism into a low-friction rolling mechanism, thereby significantly reducing wear while maintaining structural simplicity.
2Reliability
If spreading rollers are mounted on rolling elements, then wear is reduced, but the diameter of the spreading rollers must be increased, resulting in increased thickness of the closure unit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent offsets the axes of rotation of the first and second spreading rollers of each roller pair in the displacement direction, utilizing the third dimension (depth/thickness direction) to achieve compactness. This dimensional reconfiguration allows the rollers to be spaced closer together in the spreading direction while maintaining adequate diameter for rolling element mounting, thereby reducing overall closure unit thickness without compromising wear resistance.
3Reliability
If the spreading rollers are spaced far apart, then they can roll properly on the plates, but the overall width of the closure unit increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces asymmetry by offsetting the axes of rotation of the spreading rollers in the displacement direction rather than maintaining symmetric alignment. This asymmetric configuration allows the rollers to be positioned closer together in the spreading direction while still providing sufficient space for proper rolling operation, thereby reducing the overall width of the closure unit.
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
This configuration reduces the overall height and width of the vacuum valve while minimizing wear, ensuring efficient operation and reduced maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
at least one spring by which the first and second plates are pulled against the spreading rollers
Implementation Method 2
all rollers having the same radius and being mounted on rolling bearings
Data Source
AI summary
Vacuum valve having a valve housing with first and second valve openings, and a closure unit having first and second plates, a roller support arranged between the plates, multiple roller pairs, each formed from first and second spreading rollers, and a spring. The plates are carried together with the roller support when it moves parallel to a movement direction from the open position into an intermediate position, and an additional movement of the plates in the movement direction is blocked when the roller support moves from the intermediate position into a closed position, during which the spreading rollers move along rising flanks of recesses, and the plates are thus spread apart. Rotational axes of the spreading rollers of each roller pair are offset relative to each other and are spaced apart in the spreading direction by a distance smaller than a sum of the radiuses of the spreading rollers.