Temperature sensing device, ball screw, and thermal deformation suppression system

Abstract

The present application provides a temperature sensing device, a ball screw and a thermal deformation suppression system. The temperature sensing device can be installed in a screw of the ball screw, and includes a flexible member, a control circuit disposed on the flexible member, and two connectors respectively connected to opposite ends of the flexible member. Each of the connectors has a first signal transmission end and a first power transmission end. The sensing result of the screw temperature detected by a temperature sensor of the control circuit is transmitted by the first signal transmission ends. Thus, the temperature of the screw can be measured in real time, and the work of pulling a wire for each temperature sensing device can be saved.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a temperature sensor, in particular to a temperature sensing device, a ball screw with the temperature sensing device and a thermal deformation suppression system. BACKGROUND

[0002] A ball screw will be deformed due to heat generated during operation, resulting in poor precision. For example, patent JPA2002361541 discloses a thermal displacement correction method, which installs multiple detection pieces in a hollow screw, then estimates the thermal expansion amount of each detection position of the hollow screw according to the temperature detected by each detection piece, and further estimates the position correction amount. However, the rod, elastic body and temperature sensor to be installed in the hollow screw are not easy to assemble, and the temperature sensor needs to be pulled to the controller one by one, so there is a problem of wiring difficulty. SUMMARY

[0003] The purpose of the present application is to provide a temperature sensing device, a ball screw with the temperature sensing device and a thermal deformation suppression system, the design of the temperature sensing device allows multiple temperature sensing devices to be connected in series to form a power transmission channel and a signal transmission channel, thereby saving the work of individually pulling the temperature sensing devices to the control management end.

[0004] Another purpose of the present application is to provide a temperature sensing device, a ball screw with the temperature sensing device and a thermal deformation suppression system, the design of the temperature sensing device can flexibly adjust the number of temperature sensing devices according to the length of the screw.

[0005] Still another purpose of the present application is to provide a temperature sensing device, a ball screw with the temperature sensing device and a thermal deformation suppression system, the design of the temperature sensing device allows the temperature sensor of each temperature sensing device to directly touch the wall of the accommodation channel of the screw, thereby accurately measuring the temperature distribution of the screw.

[0006] To achieve the above and other purposes, the present application provides a temperature sensing device according to an embodiment, which is suitable for being installed in an accommodation channel of a screw, the temperature sensing device comprising: a flexible member; a control circuit arranged on the flexible member, the control circuit including a temperature sensor configured to detect the temperature of the screw; two connecting members respectively connected to opposite ends of the flexible member, each of the connecting members is provided with a connecting portion, the connecting portion is provided with a first signal transmission end and a first power transmission end, the first signal transmission end and the first power transmission end are electrically connected to the control circuit, and the first signal transmission end is further configured to transmit the sensing result of the temperature sensor. In this embodiment or other embodiments, one of the connecting portions can cooperate with the other connecting portion.

[0007] The application further provides a ball screw according to an embodiment, comprising: a screw rod provided with a receiving channel; at least two temperature sensing devices as claimed in claim 1, which are arranged in series in the receiving channel; and an end cover arranged at an end face of the screw rod to close the receiving channel, the end cover comprising a second signal transmission end, a third signal transmission end, a second power transmission end and a power receiving end, the second signal transmission end being configured to contact the first signal transmission end of the temperature sensing device closest to the end face, the second power transmission end being configured to contact the first power transmission end of the temperature sensing device closest to the end face, the third signal transmission end being electrically connected to the second signal transmission end and being configured to output the sensing results, and the power receiving end being electrically connected to the second power transmission end and being configured to receive power supply.

[0008] The application further provides a thermal deformation suppression system according to an embodiment, which is configured to suppress thermal deformation of a ball screw, the ball screw comprising a screw rod provided with a receiving channel, the thermal deformation suppression system comprising a position controller configured to compensate the position of the screw rod according to a total displacement, the thermal deformation suppression system further comprising: at least two temperature sensing devices as claimed in claim 1, which are arranged in series in the receiving channel; an end cover arranged at an end face of the screw rod to close the receiving channel, the end cover comprising a second signal transmission end, a third signal transmission end, a second power transmission end and a power receiving end, the second signal transmission end being configured to contact the first signal transmission end of the temperature sensing device closest to the end face, the second power transmission end being configured to contact the first power transmission end of the temperature sensing device closest to the end face, the third signal transmission end being electrically connected to the second signal transmission end and being configured to output the sensing results, and the power receiving end being electrically connected to the second power transmission end and being configured to receive power supply; a power supply device arranged at a position corresponding to the power receiving end and configured to wirelessly inductively or contactively transmit power to the power receiving end; and a terminal processor electrically connected to the power supply device and in communication with the third signal transmission end, the terminal processor being configured to control the operation of the power supply device and receive each of the sensing results from the third signal transmission end to estimate the total displacement of the screw rod. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0009] Other aspects of the application will become apparent upon reviewing the detailed description in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

[0010] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a thermal deformation suppression system according to an embodiment of the application.

[0011] Figure 2 FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the thermal deformation suppression system according to an embodiment of the application.

[0012] Figure 3 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a temperature sensing device according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0013] Figure 4 FIG. 2 is a side view of a temperature sensing device according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0014] Figure 5 FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a thermal deformation suppression system according to an embodiment of the present application along section line 3-3 of FIG. 1. Figure 1

[0015] Figure 6 FIG. 4 is a side view of an end cap of a ball screw according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0016] Figure 7 FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a power supply device working with a power receiving end according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0017] Figure 8 FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of a thermal deformation suppression system according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0018] Figure 9 FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a power supply device working with a power receiving end according to another embodiment of the present application.

[0019] Figure 10 FIG. 8 is a timing diagram of a working schedule of each temperature sensing device according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0020] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0021] 10, 10A, 10B, 10C, S1, S2, S3, Sn: temperature sensing device

[0022] 11: flexible member

[0023] 111: flexible rib

[0024] 112: surface

[0025] 12: control circuit

[0026] 121: temperature sensor

[0027] 122: power manager

[0028] 13, 14: connector

[0029] 131: connection portion

[0030] 132: first signal transmission end

[0031] 133: first power transmission end

[0032] 134: signal electrode ​

[0033] 135: power electrode

[0034] 141: connecting portion

[0035] 142: first signal transmission end

[0036] 143: first power transmission end

[0037] 144: signal electrode

[0038] 145: power electrode

[0039] 20: ball screw

[0040] 21: screw

[0041] 211: accommodating channel

[0042] 212: wall surface

[0043] 213: end surface

[0044] 22: end cover

[0045] 23: transmission connecting portion

[0046] 231: second signal transmission end

[0047] 232: second power transmission end

[0048] 233: signal electrode

[0049] 234: power electrode

[0050] 24: fixing portion

[0051] 25: cover portion

[0052] 251: power receiving end

[0053] 252: power electrode

[0054] 26: management circuit

[0055] 261: third signal transmission end

[0056] 30: power supply device

[0057] 31: brush

[0058] 40: server

[0059] 41: terminal processor

[0060] 50: position controller

[0061] D1: axial direction

[0062] D2: radial direction DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0063] In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the application. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the application can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures and / or elements have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the application.

[0064] Reference is made to Figures 1 to 5 and Figure 8 According to an embodiment, the present application provides a temperature sensing device 10 adapted to be installed into a receiving passage 211 of a screw 21 of a ball screw 20 together with another temperature sensing device 10. The receiving passage 211 can be, for example but not limited to, a through hole or a blind hole. The temperature sensing device 10 comprises a flexible member 11, a control circuit 12 and two connectors 13 and 14.

[0065] The flexible member 11 is made of a flexible material, such as but not limited to metal or plastic. In the present embodiment, the flexible member 11 is provided with a plurality of flexible ribs 111, and two adjacent flexible ribs 111 are separated by a distance. However, the present application is not limited to this embodiment. In other embodiments, the flexible member 11 can be replaced by a spring.

[0066] The control circuit 12 is disposed on the flexible member 11. In the present embodiment, the control circuit 12 is implemented on a flexible printed circuit board, which is attached to one of the flexible ribs 111. The control circuit 12 comprises a temperature sensor 121 and a power manager 122. The power manager 122 is electrically connected to the temperature sensor 121. The temperature sensor 121 is configured on a surface 112 of the flexible rib 111 facing a wall surface 212 of the receiving passage 211 to detect the temperature of the screw 21. The power manager 122 is configured to control the power supply of the temperature sensor 121.

[0067] Connectors 13 and 14 are respectively connected to the opposite ends of the flexible member 11. Connector 13 has a connecting portion 131, and connector 14 also has a connecting portion 141. Connecting portion 131 is provided with a first signal transmission terminal 132 and a first power transmission terminal 133, and connecting portion 141 is also provided with a first signal transmission terminal 142 and a first power transmission terminal 143. In this embodiment, connector 13 may be, for example, but not limited to, a socket, and connector 14 may be, for example, but not limited to, a plug. Therefore, connecting portion 131 is a socket, and connecting portion 141 is a plug (transmission terminal). Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first signal transmission terminal 132 includes a pair of signal electrodes 134 disposed on the inner surface of the socket, the first power transmission terminal 133 includes a pair of power electrodes 135 disposed on the inner surface of the socket, the first signal transmission terminal 142 includes a pair of signal electrodes 144 disposed on the surface of the plug, and the first power transmission terminal 143 includes a pair of power electrodes 145 disposed on the surface of the plug. The two signal electrodes 134 correspond to the two signal electrodes 144 respectively, and the two power electrodes 135 correspond to the two pairs of power electrodes 145 respectively. Moreover, these signal electrodes and these power electrodes are all electrically connected to the control circuit 12.

[0068] By means of the design of the temperature sensing device 10 described above, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the connecting portion 131 of the connector 13 of the intermediate temperature sensing device 10A can be inserted into the connecting portion 141 of the connector 14 of the preceding temperature sensing device 10B, and the connecting portion 141 of the connector 14 of the temperature sensing device 10A can be inserted into the connecting portion 131 of the connector 13 of the following temperature sensing device 10C, so that a pair of signal electrodes 134 and a pair of power electrodes 135 of the connector 13 of the temperature sensing device 10A can respectively contact a pair of signal electrodes 144 and a pair of power electrodes 145 of the connector 14 of the temperature sensing device 10B, and a pair of signal electrodes 144 and a pair of power electrodes 145 of the connector 14 of the temperature sensing device 10A can respectively contact a pair of signal electrodes 134 and a pair of power electrodes 135 of the connector 13 of the temperature sensing device 10C. In this way, the three temperature sensing devices 10 can jointly form a signal transmission channel and a power transmission channel. The signal transmission channel can transmit control commands to the control circuit 12 and transmit the sensing results of the temperature sensor 121, while the power transmission channel can supply power to each control circuit 12.

[0069] This allows multiple temperature sensing devices 10 to be connected in series by plugging them into each other, thereby flexibly adjusting the number of temperature sensing devices 10 to accommodate screws 21 of different lengths.

[0070] When the connectors 13 and 14 of the same temperature sensing device 10 are brought close together under the force in the axial direction D1, the flexible ribs 111 of the flexible member 11 of the temperature sensing device 10 will bend outward in the radial direction D2, so that the temperature sensor 10 contacts the wall 212 of the receiving channel 211.

[0071] On the other hand, please refer to Figure 1 , 2 As shown in Figures 5-6 and 8, the present invention also provides a ball screw 20 according to one embodiment. The ball screw 20 includes the aforementioned screw 21, a nut (not shown) movably fitted onto the screw 21, a plurality of the aforementioned temperature sensing devices 10, and an end cap 22. These temperature sensing devices 10 are arranged in series within a receiving channel 211 of the screw 21.

[0072] An end cap 22 is disposed on the end face 213 of the screw 21 to close the receiving channel 211. The end cap 22 includes a transmission connection portion 23, a fixing portion 24, a cover portion 25, a management circuit 26, a second signal transmission terminal 231, a second power transmission terminal 232, and a power receiving terminal 251. The fixing portion 24 is located between the transmission connection portion 23 and the cover portion 25 and connects the transmission connection portion 23 and the cover portion 25. The fixing portion 24 is provided with a first fixing structure (e.g., but not limited to, a thread), and the wall surface 212 of the screw 21 near the end face 213 is also provided with a second fixing structure (e.g., but not limited to, a thread) that engages with the first fixing structure. Therefore, the fixing portion 24 can be fixed (e.g., screwed) to the screw 21 to limit the relative displacement between the end cap 22 and the screw 21. When the fixing portion 24 is fixed to the screw 21, the cover portion 25 can close the receiving channel 211 of the screw 21.

[0073] The second signal transmission terminal 231 and the second power transmission terminal 232 are disposed in the transmission connection portion 23 and electrically connected to the management circuit 26. In this embodiment, the transmission connection portion 23 may be, for example, but not limited to, a plug-in, and the second signal transmission terminal 231 may include a pair of signal electrodes 233, and the second power transmission terminal 232 may include a pair of power electrodes 234. Therefore, when the fixing portion 24 is fixed to the screw 21, the transmission connection portion 23 can be inserted into the connection portion 131 of the connector 13 of the temperature sensing device 10 closest to the end face 213, so that the two signal electrodes 233 of the second signal transmission terminal 231 can contact the pair of signal electrodes 134 of the connector 13 of the temperature sensing device 10, thereby becoming part of the signal transmission channel, and also so that the two power electrodes 234 of the second power transmission terminal 232 can contact the pair of power electrodes 135 of the connector 13, thereby becoming part of the power transmission channel.

[0074] At this time, since all the temperature sensing devices 10 are inserted into the accommodation channel 211 of the screw 21, the connecting members 13 and 14 of each temperature sensing device 10 are forced to approach each other in the axial direction D1 of the screw 21, and the flexible member 11 is flexible, so that the flexible ribs 111 of the flexible member 11 are warped outward in the radial direction D2 of the screw 21, causing the temperature sensors 121 on the flexible ribs 111 to contact the wall surface 212 of the accommodation channel 211 of the screw 21. In this way, the temperature change of the screw 21 can be more accurately detected. Moreover, the series connection of the two temperature sensing devices 10 does not limit the relative rotation of the two temperature sensing devices 10, so that the temperature sensors 121 of each temperature sensing device 10 can be adjusted in orientation as needed.

[0075] The power receiving end 251 is arranged in the cover portion 25. In the present embodiment, the power receiving end 251 may, for example but not limited to, include a pair of power electrodes 252, which are electrically connected to the management circuit 26, so that power can be transmitted to the management circuit 26. However, the present application is not limited to this example. In other embodiments, the power receiving end 251 can also be replaced by an inductive coil to generate power inductively.

[0076] The management circuit 26 is arranged in the cover portion 25 and is electrically connected to the second signal transmission end 231 and the second power transmission end 232. The management circuit 26 can provide power to each temperature sensing device 10 through the second power transmission end 232 of the circuit transmission channel. Moreover, the management circuit 26 can output control instructions to each temperature sensing device 10 through the second signal transmission end 231 of the signal transmission channel to manage the working schedule of each temperature sensing device 10, collect the sensing results provided by each temperature sensing device 10 through the second signal transmission end 231, and then integrate the collected sensing results. The management circuit 26 includes a third signal transmission end 261. In the present embodiment, the third signal transmission end 261 may, for example but not limited to, be a wireless signal transmitter, so that the management circuit 26 can arrange the integrated results into a packet and then send it out through the wireless signal transmitter. However, the third signal transmission end 261 of the present application is not limited to this example. In other embodiments, the third signal transmission end 261 can also be replaced by a signal output port to output the above-mentioned integrated results in a wired transmission manner.

[0077] For example, the working schedule of each temperature sensing device 10 is shown in the graph of FIG. 2, in which the horizontal axis represents time and the vertical axis represents the sensing results (for example but not limited to temperature values or other physical quantities that can be converted into temperature values) of temperature sensing by different temperature sensing devices 10, S1 represents the temperature sensing device 10 closest to the end surface 213 of the screw 21, and Sn represents the temperature sensing device 10 farthest from the end surface 213. Figure 10

[0078] In addition, please refer to​Figures 1-2 , 5 and 7-8, the present application further provides a thermal deformation suppression system configured to suppress thermal deformation of the ball screw according to an embodiment. The thermal deformation suppression system comprises the plurality of temperature sensing devices 10 connected in series, the end cap 22, a power supply device 30, a server 40 and a position controller 50. The server 40 has a terminal processor 41, which is electrically connected to the power supply device 30 and the position controller 50.

[0079] The power supply device 30 can be configured at a position corresponding to the power receiving end 251. In this embodiment, the power supply device 30 can for example but not limited to comprise two brushes 31, which can respectively contact two power electrodes 252 on the end cap 22, so that the terminal processor 41 can control the power supply device 30 to supply power to the power electrodes 252 of the end cap 22 through the brushes 31, thereby supplying power to each temperature sensing device 10. However, the power supply device 30 of the present application is not limited to this example. In other embodiments, as shown in FIG. 8, the power supply device 30 can also be provided with another coil set in the case of the coil set in the power receiving end 251, so that the terminal processor 41 can control the power supply device 30 to induce the coil set in the power receiving end 251 through the coil set of the power supply device 30, so that the coil set in the power receiving end 251 generates power, thereby supplying power to each temperature sensing device 10. Figure 9

[0080] In this embodiment, since the third signal transmission end 261 is a wireless signal transmitter, the terminal processor 41 can communicate with the third signal transmission end 261 through a signal receiver (not shown) of the server 40 to receive the packets sent by the third signal transmission end 261, thereby obtaining the sensing results of each temperature sensing device 10, and referring to the environmental temperature value of the machine to estimate the total displacement of the screw 21.

[0081] The position controller 50 can further compensate the position of the screw 21 according to the total displacement provided by the terminal processor 41 after receiving the total displacement.

[0082] Although the temperature sensing devices of the above embodiments are connected in series in the form of plug-in, and the signal electrodes and power electrodes are arranged on the plug and the socket; however, the present application is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the connecting portions of the two connecting members can also be changed to other shapes and structures, as long as the structures of the two connecting portions can cooperate. In other embodiments, the signal electrodes or the power electrodes can also be arranged on the end surface of the connecting member facing the other temperature sensing device.

[0083] ​While the application has been disclosed with reference to the previously described embodiments, the embodiments are not intended to limit the application. Various modifications, adaptations, and implementations are possible in light of the application's teachings. Therefore, the scope of the application is defined not by the preceding embodiments but by the following claims.

Claims

1. A temperature sensing device, characterized by: A temperature sensing device adapted to be installed into a receiving channel of a screw, the temperature sensing device comprising: a flexible member; a control circuit disposed on the flexible member, the control circuit including a temperature sensor configured to contact a wall of the receiving channel of the screw to detect a temperature of the screw; and two connectors respectively connected to opposite ends of the flexible member, each of the connectors being provided with a connecting portion, the connecting portion being provided with a first signal transmission end and a first power transmission end, the first signal transmission end and the first power transmission end being electrically connected to the control circuit, the first signal transmission end being configured to transmit a sensing result of the temperature sensor, wherein one of the connectors is provided with a receptacle and the other of the connectors is provided with a plug, the receptacle and the plug allowing a plurality of the temperature sensing devices to be connected in series in the receiving channel of the screw, when the connectors are forced to be close to each other in an axial direction, the flexible member is warped outward in a radial direction, so that the temperature sensor contacts the wall of the receiving channel of the screw, the axial direction being perpendicular to the radial direction.

2. The temperature sensing device of claim 1, wherein: The flexible member includes at least one flexible rib, and the temperature sensor is located on the flexible rib.

3. The temperature sensing device of claim 1, wherein: Each of the first signal transmission ends is provided with a pair of signal electrodes, and each of the first power transmission ends is provided with a pair of power electrodes, the control circuit being electrically connected to the power electrodes and the signal electrodes.

4. The temperature sensing device of claim 1, wherein: The control circuit includes a power manager electrically connected to the temperature sensor, the power manager being configured to control power supply of the temperature sensor.

5. The temperature sensing device of claim 1, wherein: The first signal transmission end and the first power transmission end of one of the connectors of the temperature sensing device are configured to contact the first signal transmission end and the first power transmission end of another temperature sensing device.

6. A ball screw, characterized by: A screw provided with a receiving channel; at least two temperature sensing devices according to claim 1 connected in series in the receiving channel; and an end cover disposed on an end surface of the screw to close the receiving channel, the end cover including a second signal transmission end, a third signal transmission end, a second power transmission end and a power receiving end, the second signal transmission end being configured to contact the first signal transmission end of the temperature sensing device closest to the end surface, the second power transmission end being configured to contact the first power transmission end of the temperature sensing device closest to the end surface, the third signal transmission end being electrically connected to the second signal transmission end and being configured to output the sensing results, and the power receiving end being electrically connected to the second power transmission end and being configured to receive power supply. The end cover includes a transmission connecting portion, a fixing portion and a cover portion, the second signal transmission end and the second power transmission end being disposed on the transmission connecting portion, the fixing portion being located between and connecting the cover portion and the transmission connecting portion, the fixing portion being configured to limit relative displacement of the end cover and the screw, and the cover portion being configured to close the receiving channel, the third signal transmission end and the power receiving end being disposed on the cover portion.

7. The ball screw of claim 6, wherein: ​ 8. Ball screw according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that: The end cover includes a management circuit electrically connected to the second signal transmission end, the second power transmission end and the power receiving end, the third signal transmission end is disposed in the management circuit, the management circuit is configured to receive power through the power receiving end, provide the power to each temperature sensing device through the second power transmission end, manage the operation schedule of each temperature sensing device through the second signal transmission end, integrate the sensing results provided by the second signal transmission end, and output the integrated results of the sensing results through the third signal transmission end.

9. A thermal deformation suppression system configured to suppress thermal deformation of a ball screw, characterized in that: The ball screw includes a screw provided with a containing channel, the thermal deformation suppression system includes a position controller which compensates the position of the screw according to a total displacement, the thermal deformation suppression system includes: At least two temperature sensing devices as claimed in claim 1 are disposed in series in the containing channel; An end cover is disposed on the end face of the screw to close the containing channel, the end cover includes a second signal transmission end, a third signal transmission end, a second power transmission end and a power receiving end, the second signal transmission end is configured to contact the first signal transmission end of the temperature sensing device closest to the end face, the second power transmission end is configured to contact the first power transmission end of the temperature sensing device closest to the end face, the third signal transmission end is electrically connected to the second signal transmission end and is configured to output the sensing results, and the power receiving end is electrically connected to the second power transmission end and is configured to accept power supply; A power supply device is configured at a position corresponding to the power receiving end to transmit power to the power receiving end in a wireless induction or contact power supply manner; And A terminal processor is electrically connected to the power supply device and communicates with the third signal transmission end, the terminal processor is configured to control the operation of the power supply device and receive each sensing result from the third signal transmission end to estimate the total displacement of the screw.

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