Vacuum Valve Plate Lug Clamping for Play-Free Carrier Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing design of valve plates for vacuum valves requires a large number of separate clamping pieces for installation and removal, which is costly and complex.
Innovation Solution
A valve plate design featuring lugs with through-passage bores that allow for clamping screws to be screwed into the carrier, creating a tilting moment that securely fastens the valve plate to the carrier, enabling straightforward installation and removal without numerous loose parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If multiple separate clamping pieces are used to fasten the valve plate to the carrier, then the valve plate can be securely fastened, but the device complexity and production cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate clamping pieces into a single integrated clamping element that spans across the valve plate. This clamping element has a U-shaped cross-section with two clamping arms that engage with the valve plate and a single fastening mechanism, reducing the number of separate parts while maintaining secure fastening of the valve plate to the carrier
2Strength
If multiple separate clamping pieces are used to fasten the valve plate, then the valve plate can be securely fastened, but the installation and removal process becomes more time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping element integrates multiple clamping functions into a single component that can be installed and removed as one unit. The U-shaped design with two clamping arms and a single fastening mechanism allows for rapid installation by simply positioning the element and securing it with one fastening operation, and equally rapid removal by reversing the process
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping element incorporates a resilient clamping arm that can flex during installation and removal. The spring element allows the clamping arm to deform elastically, enabling the clamping element to be easily positioned onto the valve plate and carrier, then locked into place, and subsequently removed by releasing the fastening mechanism
3Strength
If numerous loose parts are used for fastening, then the valve plate can be secured, but the risk of losing parts and increasing assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The design integrates multiple clamping functions into a single clamping element with a U-shaped cross-section. This element includes two clamping arms that engage with the valve plate and a single fastening mechanism, eliminating the need for multiple separate screws, washers, and clips that would otherwise be required to achieve the same fastening security
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 design simplifies the installation and removal of valve plates by reducing the number of required parts and ensuring a play-free fit, making the process more efficient and cost-effective.
Implementation Method 1
a sealing ring made of an elastomer material is fitted on a front side of the valve plate for the purpose of sealing the valve plate in relation to a sealing seat
Implementation Method 2
this design gives rise to a tilting moment, as a result of which a portion of the rear side of the valve plate which, as seen in relation to the direction parallel to the narrow sides of the valve plate, is closer to the at least one lug than to the sloping surface of the valve plate is pushed against the carrier
Data Source
AI summary
A sealing ring made of an elastomer material is fitted on the front side of an essentially rectangular valve plate for sealing a vacuum valve opening. On the rear side, the valve plate has a recess with an undercut boundary wall which forms a sloping surface which, for fastening the valve plate on a carrier, is braced with a sloping surface of the carrier. The valve plate has a lug which protrudes beyond the rear side thereof and has a through-passage bore through which a clamping screw is screwable into a threaded bore of the carrier, for bracing the valve plate sloping surface with the carrier sloping surface. In a side view of the valve plate, seen parallel to the longitudinal sides, the straight-line extension of the longitudinal center axis of the through-passage bore runs past the sloping surface at a distance from the rear side of the valve plate.