Positioning device for positioning system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a positioning device for a positioning system for positioning a first object relative to a second object in an XY reference system. The positioning device includes a spring arrangement (130) having at least one first spring portion (132) coupled in series with at least one second spring portion (134), the first spring portion (132) configured to deflect in a positive Z direction (+Z) during operation, and the second spring portion (134) configured to deflect in a negative Z direction (-Z) during operation to counteract the deflection of the first spring portion (132) in the positive Z direction. This improves the positioning accuracy of the first object relative to the second object.

Description

【Technical Field】 【0001】 The present invention relates to a positioning device for a positioning system for positioning a first object relative to a second object. Further, the present invention also relates to a positioning system provided with such a positioning device. 【Background Art】 【0002】 When placing two objects, for example, a workbench or a base plate, on the table of a milling machine, it is important that these two objects can be accurately positioned relative to each other so that, for example, the reference system of the milling machine can be used with respect to an object placed on the workbench. Before the 1960s, the majority of machining and measurement in the engineering industry was carried out by relative measurements using, for example, micrometer calipers, vernier calipers, and templates for dimensional accuracy. Drawings were made manually to match these manufacturing methods. Accuracy depended more on the skills of the machine workers and operators than on the lack of machine stability and play. When numerically controlled machine tools for manufacturing came onto the market, the manufacturing methods began to be increasingly automated, and today, for example, using a CNC-controlled multi-operation machine, manufacturing is largely automated, albeit with some differences. 【0003】 During the above development of the manufacturing process, the manufacturers of these machines have also minimized the previous problems of these machines and have been able to convert each input command into the corresponding output process stage without accuracy problems. This also applies to problems regarding temperature stability, play, and elastic deformation. The above enables the transition of metal processing equipment to fully digitized manufacturing based on absolute coordinates starting from a given zero offset point, using digital measurement and control systems and automated tool change systems in the machine. 【0004】 For example, a commonly used reference system in machine shops is the Cartesian coordinate system with XYZ directions. When discussing precise positioning in machine shops, and for example, turning, milling, and drilling, tolerances of 0.01 mm to 1 pm are considered "accurate," while tolerances of less than 1 pm are often difficult to measure in actual manufacturing and therefore impractical for manufacturing applications. Achieving and maintaining high tolerances is relatively easy in laboratory settings, but in actual manufacturing equipment, whether manually operated or automated, it is necessary to address issues such as temperature changes, contamination, and wear. [Overview of the Initiative] [Means for solving the problem] 【0005】 One objective of multiple embodiments of the present invention is to provide solutions that mitigate or resolve the shortcomings and problems of conventional solutions. 【0006】 Another object of some embodiments of the present invention is to provide a solution that improves the positioning accuracy of a first object relative to a second object in the XY plane. 【0007】 The above and further objectives are achieved by the subject matter of each independent claim. Further advantageous embodiments of the present invention are described in each dependent claim. 【0008】 According to a first aspect of the present invention, the above and other objectives are achieved by a positioning device for a system for positioning a first object relative to a second object in an XY reference frame. The positioning device is A first XY reference means configured to be fixed to a first object, A second XY reference means configured to be fixed to a second object, Equipped with, The first XY reference means comprises a spring device configured to contact the second XY reference means for positioning the first object in the XY direction relative to the second object during operation, the spring device comprising at least one first spring portion coupled in series with at least one second spring portion, The first spring section is configured to deflect in the positive Z direction during operation, and the second spring section is configured to deflect in the negative Z direction during operation in order to counteract the deflection of the first spring section in the positive Z direction. 【0009】 This positioning device may also be referred to as a zero positioning device or a positioning device. The XY reference system may also mean the XY plane of the Cartesian coordinate system. The deflection of the first and second spring sections may occur when radial forces due to press-fit mounting act on the spring device. This deflection may also be understood as deformation. The first XY reference means may be referred to as the first XY positioning means. The second XY reference means may be referred to as the second XY positioning means. 【0010】 One advantage of the positioning device according to the first embodiment is that the positioning accuracy of the first object relative to the second object in the XY plane is improved compared to conventional solutions. 【0011】 In one implementation form of a positioning device according to the first embodiment, The first spring portion is configured to bend by a first amount in the positive Z direction. The second spring section is configured to deflect by a second amount in the negative Z direction. The first quantity is substantially the same as the second quantity. 【0012】 Therefore, the deflections of the first and second spring sections are balanced due to the controlled deflection of the spring device. 【0013】 In one implementation form of a positioning device according to the first embodiment, The first XY reference means has a conical inner surface in the Z direction, The second XY reference means has a conical outer surface in the Z direction. 【0014】 Therefore, during operation, the conical inner surface of the first XY reference means can abut / come into contact with the conical outer surface of the second XY reference means. 【0015】 In one implementation form of the positioning device according to the first aspect, The spring device has an annular disc shape, The second XY reference means includes a tapered portion. 【0016】 In one implementation form of the positioning device according to the first aspect, The second XY reference means is configured to be fixed to the second object via a spacer. 【0017】 In one implementation form of the positioning device according to the first aspect, the spring device has a rim portion coupled in series to the first spring portion, and the rim portion is configured to abut against the tapered portion of the second XY reference means during operation. 【0018】 In one implementation form of the positioning device according to the first aspect, the spring device has press - fitting guiding means coupled in series to the second spring portion, and the press - fitting guiding means is configured to abut against the first object during operation. 【0019】 In one implementation form of the positioning device according to the first aspect, The rim portion is disposed on the inner circumference of the spring device, The press - fitting guiding means is disposed on the outer circumference of the spring device. 【0020】 In one implementation form of the positioning device according to the first aspect, the spring device includes a spring coupling portion configured to couple the first spring portion and the second spring portion in series. 【0021】 In one implementation form of the positioning device according to the first aspect, the spring coupling portion has a groove. 【0022】 In one implementation form of the positioning device according to the first aspect, the groove is a punched groove. 【0023】 In one implementation of the positioning device according to the first aspect, this groove is annularly arranged at a constant radius around the central axis of the positioning device. 【0024】 In one implementation of the positioning device according to the first aspect, the spring device is formed from a single sheet-like metal piece of a constant thickness. 【0025】 In one implementation of the positioning device according to the first aspect, the second object is configured to support the first object in the positive Z direction during operation. 【0026】 According to a second aspect of the present invention, the above and other objects are achieved by a system for positioning a first object with respect to a second object in an XY reference system, the system comprising at least one positioning device according to any one of claims 1 to 14. 【0027】 Further uses and advantages of the various embodiments of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description. 【0028】 The accompanying drawings are intended to illustrate and explain several different embodiments of the present invention. 【Brief Description of the Drawings】 【0029】 [Figure 1] A positioning system according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown in a cross-sectional view. [Figure 2] A positioning device according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown in a cross-sectional view. [Figure 3a] A spring device according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown in a cross-sectional view. [Figure 3b] A spring device according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown in a view from above. [Figure 4] A part of a spring device according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown in a cross-sectional view. [Figure 5] Exemplary dimensions of an exemplary spring device are shown. [Modes for carrying out the invention] 【0030】 Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a positioning system 200 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The positioning system 200 may comprise any number of positioning devices 100. In the exemplary case of Figure 1, two positioning devices 100 are shown in their mounted operating positions. Each positioning device 100 may function as a zero reference in the system 200 for high precision. Furthermore, the system 200 further comprises a first object 302 and a second object 304 positioned relative to each other in an XY reference system or XY plane. The positive Z direction +Z and the negative Z direction -Z are also shown. Thus, a Cartesian coordinate system is shown. However, in some embodiments of the present invention, if there is cylindrical symmetry, cylindrical coordinates may also be used, along with the axis A and radial extension R, as shown in these figures. 【0031】 Furthermore, the first object 302 may be, for example, a workbench, base plate, fastener, pallet, tool, etc., and the second object 304 may be, for example, a workbench, machine base, etc., but is not limited to these. The first object 302 may have a downward-facing cavity. The first XY reference means 102 may be fixed to this cavity by being pressed against the side wall of the cavity, as shown in Figure 1. Therefore, for example, if the first XY reference means 102 is equipped with a spring device, the first XY reference means 102 may be positioned to be fixed to the inner wall of the cavity by press-fitting. Thus, the first XY reference means 102 may be irremovably attached thereby by, for example, pushing it there using a mandrel. The second XY reference means 104 may be configured to be fixed to the second object 304 by or without a spacer 110. The second XY reference means 104 may be made of hard metal to withstand wear. 【0032】 In several embodiments of the present invention, the second object 304 is configured to support the first object 302 in the positive Z direction during operation, as shown in Figure 1. 【0033】 Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a positioning device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The positioning device 100 comprises a first XY reference means 102 configured to be fixed to a first object 302 and a second XY reference means 104 configured to be fixed to a second object 304. The first XY reference means 102 includes a spring device 130. The spring device 130 is configured to contact or press against the second XY reference means 104 in order to position the first object 302 relative to the second object 304 in the XY direction or in the XY plane during operation. Furthermore, the spring device 130 includes at least one first spring portion 132. The first spring portion 132 is coupled in series to at least one second spring portion 134. The first spring portion 132 is configured to bend or deform in the positive Z direction +Z during operation. The second spring section 134 is configured to deflect or deform in the negative Z direction -Z during operation in order to counteract the deflection or deformation of the first spring section 132 in the positive Z direction. 【0034】 In several embodiments of the present invention, the first spring portion 132 is configured to deflect by a first amount in the positive Z direction +Z, and the second spring portion 134 is configured to deflect by a second amount in the negative Z direction -Z. In order to balance the deflections of the first spring portion 132 and the second spring portion for a controlled total deflection of the spring device 130 of the positioning device 100, the first amount is substantially the same as the second amount. 【0035】 When the first XY reference means 102 is installed, for example by press-fitting, a large radial force acts on the first XY reference means 102. In this case, the first XY reference means 102 can deform uncontrolledly, so the positioning accuracy of the first object relative to the second object is not sufficient for precision applications. However, by having a spring device 130 according to several embodiments of the present invention, the deformation or deflection of the spring device 130 can be controlled. This means improved accuracy. 【0036】 Furthermore, the positioning device 100 may include means for attaching / fastening the positioning device 100 to the first object 302 and the second object 304. In the disclosed embodiment, the positioning device 100 includes a first mounting means 120 for attachment to the first object 302 and a second mounting means 118 for attachment to the second object 306. The first mounting means 120 and the second mounting means 118 may be, for example, first through-holes h1 and second through-holes h2 of different diameters, located inside the body 106. The body 106 has an axially extending portion, for example, cylindrical symmetry, and further has a portion surrounded by the tapered portion of the second XY reference means 104. The body may be made of a suitable material, such as metal. The first through-holes h1 and the second through-holes h2 may each include a female thread configured to accommodate the male threads of bolts (not shown) of the first object 302 and the second object 304, respectively. This allows for secure attachment or fastening of the positioning device 100 to the first object 302 and the second object 304, respectively. As further shown in this figure, the positioning device 100 may further include a gap 116 in the form of a through-hole h3 having a diameter larger than the diameter of the through-holes of the first mounting means 120 and the second mounting means 118, respectively. This reduces or minimizes the risk of the positioning device 100 shifting due to radial forces acting on it, thereby distorting the positioning accuracy in the XY plane. This is particularly true when the positioning device 100 is attached to the system 200. 【0037】 As further disclosed in Figure 2, the first XY reference means 102 may have a conical inner surface in the Z direction. The conical inner surface in the Z direction abuts against or presses against the conical outer surface in the Z direction of the second XY reference means 104 during operation. Furthermore, in several embodiments of the present invention, the spring device 130 has an annular disc shape, and the second XY reference means 104 has a tapered portion. In such cases, the disc may have a conical inner surface, while the tapered portion has a conical outer surface, and these inner surfaces abut each other as shown in Figure 2. It should also be noted that the second XY reference means 104 may be configured to be fixed to the second object 304 via a spacer 110 (also known as a separation device or distance piece), as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The spacer 110 supports the first object in the Z direction. The thickness and shape of the spacer 110 may vary depending on the application. 【0038】 Figures 3a and 3b show a spring device 130 according to one embodiment of the present invention in cross-sectional and top views, respectively. Furthermore, Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a portion of the spring device 130. Next, further details and embodiments of the spring device 130 will be described with reference to Figures 3a, 3b, and 4. 【0039】 As disclosed, in several embodiments of the present invention, the spring device 130 includes a rim portion 136 coupled in series with the first spring portion 132. The rim portion 136 may be of the rigid rim type and may be configured to press against the tapered portion of the second XY reference means 104 during operation, as shown in Figure 2. Furthermore, the spring device 130 may include a press-fit guide means 138 coupled in series with the second spring portion 134. The press-fit guide means 138 is configured to contact or press against the first object 302 during operation, as also shown in Figure 2. In this regard, the press-fit guide means 138 may include a beak-shaped portion 138' to lock and fix the spring device 130 to the first object 302 during operation after installation. In several embodiments of the present invention, the rim portion 136 is located on the inner circumference of the spring device 130, and the press-fit guide means 138 is located on the outer circumference of the spring device 130. 【0040】 As described above, the first spring portion 132 is connected in series to the second spring portion 134, or vice versa. This connection can be achieved by using a spring coupling portion 140 configured to connect the first spring portion 132 and the second spring portion 134 in series with each other. The spring coupling portion 140 can be considered a spring hinge that mechanically connects a plurality of independent springs while distinguishing each spring portion from one another. It should be noted that the spring device 130 in this specification may have any number of spring coupling portions connecting any number of first spring portions 132 and any number of second spring portions 134. In other words, the present invention is not limited to a single spring coupling portion connecting a single first spring portion and a single second spring portion. 【0041】 In several further embodiments of the present invention, the spring coupling 140 comprises a groove. This groove may be arranged in an annular manner with a constant radius around the central axis A of the positioning device 100, as shown in Figures 3a, 3b, and 4. This groove is known to function perfectly well as the spring coupling 140 for many applications. However, the spring coupling 140 may also be realized by other means having the same functions as described above. 【0042】 If the spring coupling portion 140 is provided with a groove, economic advantages can be realized during the manufacture of the spring device 130 described in this specification. For example, this groove may be a punched groove, which is inexpensive to manufacture. In several embodiments of the present invention, the spring device 130 is formed from a single sheet of metal of a certain thickness. This single sheet of metal can be punched or die-stamped in a single manufacturing step using a dedicated tool to manufacture the spring device 130. This enables both high positioning accuracy and low cost during the manufacture of the positioning device 100. 【0043】 To provide a deeper understanding of multiple embodiments of the present invention with respect to the spring device 130, several numerical values ​​are shown. These values ​​are for illustrative purposes only and may vary depending on the application of the positioning device 100 and the positioning system 200. Referring to Figure 5, the spring device 130 may have a symmetrical disc shape. The smaller outer diameter d2 is 36 mm, the larger outer diameter d1 is 36.12 mm, and the inner diameter d3 of the rigid rim is 17.50 mm. The thickness of such a disc can be formed, for example, from a 0.9 mm thick metal sheet, by providing punched grooves that function as spring couplings 140. Typically, each part of the positioning device 100 can be made from any suitable material, such as various types of metals, plastics, etc., having the properties necessary for its function. 【0044】 Finally, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses all embodiments included in the scope of the appended independent claims.

Claims

[Claim 1] A positioning device (100) for a system (200) for positioning a first object (302) relative to a second object (304) in an XY reference frame, wherein the positioning device (100) is A first XY reference means (102) is configured to be fixed to the first object (302), A second XY reference means (104) is configured to be fixed to the second object (304), Equipped with, The first XY reference means (102) includes a spring device (130) configured to contact the second XY reference means (104) in order to position the first object (302) relative to the second object (304) in the XY direction during operation, the spring device (130) includes at least one first spring portion (132) coupled in series to at least one second spring portion (134), The first spring portion (132) is configured to deflect in the positive Z direction (+Z) during operation, and the second spring portion (134) is configured to deflect in the negative Z direction (-Z) during operation in order to counteract the deflection of the first spring portion (132) in the positive Z direction. Positioning device (100). [Claim 2] The first spring portion (132) is configured to bend by a first amount in the positive Z direction (+Z), The second spring portion (134) is configured to bend by a second amount in the negative Z direction (-Z), The first amount is substantially the same as the second amount. The positioning device (100) according to claim 1. [Claim 3] The first XY reference means (102) has a conical inner surface in the Z direction, The second XY reference means (104) has a conical outer surface in the Z direction, A positioning device (100) according to claim 1 or 2. [Claim 4] The spring device (130) has an annular disc shape, The second XY reference means (104) includes a tapered portion. A positioning device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3. [Claim 5] The second XY reference means (104) is configured to be fixed to the second object (304) via a spacer (110). A positioning device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4. [Claim 6] The spring device (130) is The rim portion (136) is connected in series with the first spring portion (132) and is configured to press against the tapered portion of the second XY reference means (104) during operation. A positioning device (100) according to claim 4, or according to claim 5, which is dependent on claim 4. [Claim 7] The spring device (130) is The press-fitting guide means (138) is connected in series to the second spring portion (134) and is configured to press against the first object (302) during operation. The positioning device (100) according to claim 6. [Claim 8] The rim portion (136) is positioned on the inner circumference of the spring device (130), The press-fitting guide means (138) is located on the outer circumference of the spring device (130). The positioning device (100) according to claim 7. [Claim 9] The positioning device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the spring device (130) includes a spring coupling portion (140) configured to connect the first spring portion (132) and the second spring portion (134) in series. [Claim 10] The positioning device (100) according to claim 9, wherein the spring coupling portion (140) is provided with a groove. [Claim 11] The positioning device (100) according to claim 10, wherein the groove is a punched groove. [Claim 12] The positioning device (100) according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the grooves are arranged in an annular manner with a constant radius around the central axis (A) of the positioning device (100). [Claim 13] The positioning device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the spring device (130) is formed from a single sheet-like metal piece of a certain thickness. [Claim 14] The positioning device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the second object (304) is configured to support the first object (302) in the positive Z direction during operation. [Claim 15] A system (200) for positioning a first object (302) relative to a second object (304) in an XY reference frame, the system (200) comprising at least one positioning device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

Images