Actuating Device for Pivotable Arm Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing actuating devices for precise positioning of pivotable arms in metalworking processes, such as those used in vehicle body construction, face challenges in achieving continuous and repeatable adjustments due to inaccessible adjusting means and unreliable fastening mechanisms, leading to potential positional drift over time.
Innovation Solution
An actuating device with mechanical coupling means that transform a rotary control movement into a relative displacement between two parts of the actuating means along the piston axis, allowing for stepless adjustment of the pivotable arm's position and maintaining it reliably over time, even without actuation force, through accessible rotary elements and elastic means.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If adjusting means are positioned at the bottom face of the device, then the device structure is compact, but the adjusting means become inaccessible when mounted in use
Solution Approach 1:
The adjusting means are relocated from the bottom face (vertical dimension) to the lateral face (horizontal dimension) of the device. This dimensional transition makes the adjusting means accessible from the side when the device is mounted, while maintaining a compact overall structure through optimized spatial arrangement of the piston and rod components.
2Ease of operation
If a headless screw is used to block the sliding of piston parts, then the adjustment is easily performed, but the screw cannot reliably withstand high forces applied by the device
Solution Approach 1:
A retaining element with an enlarged portion acts as an intermediary between the piston rod and the adjustment mechanism. The enlarged portion engages with a corresponding recess in the piston, distributing the high forces applied by the device across a larger contact area. This intermediary structure allows the use of accessible adjusting means while reliably withstanding the high forces generated during device operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If through holes with constant pitch are used to define axial positions, then the structure is simple, but only discrete adjustment of the pivotable arm position can be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The discrete mechanical positioning system (through holes with constant pitch) is replaced with a continuous adjustment mechanism. The piston rod features a threaded portion that engages with a nut, allowing continuous rotational adjustment of the piston rod's axial position. This mechanical substitution transforms the adjustment from discrete steps to continuous variability, enabling precise positioning of the pivotable arm while maintaining structural simplicity through standard threaded components.
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
Enables continuous, precise, and repeatable adjustment of the pivotable arm's position with reduced wear and maintenance, ensuring accurate positioning throughout metalworking cycles.
Implementation Method 1
mechanical coupling means acting on the first part of the actuating means in order to transform a rotary control movement imparted on said coupling means about a second rotary axis transversal to the piston axis, into a relative displacement between the first and the second part of the piston actuating means along the piston axis
Implementation Method 2
the first rotary element is coupled to first elastic means adapted to urge the at least one first rotary element into its initial position
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~3b
Figure 4
AI summary
There is described an actuating device (10) of the articulated lever or cam type for the precise positioning of a pivotable arm (14) comprising a body (15) coupled to a sliding control piston (11), the piston (11) being connected to or coupled to actuating means (12a,12b) movable along a first piston axis (A) and operatively coupled to a pivotable arm (14) through interposition of an articulated lever or a cam mechanism (13) in order to induce a pivoting movement of the pivotable arm (14) about a first rotational axis (B) perpendicular to the piston axis (A) upon a sliding movement of the actuating means (12a,12b) along the piston axis (A), the pivotable arm (14) being movable between a non-operative angular position and an operative angular position, the actuating means (12a,12b) comprising a first (12a) and a second part (12b) displaceable with respect to one another along the piston axis (A), and adjusting means (20) for the adjustment of the length of the actuating means (12a,12b), characterized in that the adjusting means (20) comprise mechanical coupling means (21a,21b,22) acting on the first part (12a) of the actuating means in order to transform a rotary control movement imparted on said coupling means (21a,21b,22) about a second rotary axis (C) transversal to the piston axis (A), into a relative displacement between the first (12a) and the second (12b) part of the piston actuating means (12a,12b) along the piston axis (A), thereby modifying the length of the actuating means (12a,12b).