Adjustable Feeler Device with Conical Support Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing feeler devices for processing wood or wood-based materials lack precise adjustability and sufficient adjustment paths, leading to inefficiencies in tool positioning and increased non-productive times due to tool wear.
Innovation Solution
A sensing device with a conical outer surface on two support elements and an expandable feeler ring that can be adjusted by relative movement between the elements, allowing for precise centering and diameter changes of the feeler ring, which is made of elastic plastic to prevent scratches and accommodate tool wear without replacing the feeler device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a feeler device with fixed feeler ring diameter is used, then the device structure is simple, but the adjustability is poor and cannot accommodate tool wear
Solution Approach 1:
The feeler ring is designed to be expandable rather than fixed, allowing its outer circumference to be dynamically adjusted. The support elements with conical outer surfaces enable this dynamic adjustment by moving relative to each other, transforming the rigid structure into an adaptable one that can accommodate tool wear without requiring device replacement
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameter of the feeler ring's outer circumference through relative movement of the support elements. By moving the support elements relative to each other, the feeler ring's diameter can be adjusted within a specific range, allowing the same device to adapt to different tool conditions without structural replacement
2Adaptability or versatility
If the feeler ring is made of elastic material to enable adjustment, then the adjustability is improved, but the risk of uneven deformation and long contraction time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The feeler ring is prestressed during installation by pre-moving the support elements relative to each other before actual use. This preliminary action prepares the elastic material in advance, ensuring uniform stress distribution and preventing uneven deformation during subsequent adjustments while reducing contraction time by eliminating initial stress redistribution delays
3Manufacturing precision
If the feeler ring diameter is reduced to compensate for tool wear, then the tool positioning accuracy is maintained, but the adjustment path must be sufficient
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adjusting only the radial position of the feeler ring, the invention introduces axial movement of the support elements as an additional dimension of adjustment. The conical outer surfaces of the support elements convert axial movement into radial compression of the feeler ring, providing a sufficient adjustment path along the axial direction while achieving the required radial adjustment for tool wear compensation
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 precise and cost-effective adjustability of the milling cutter relative to the workpiece, reducing non-productive times and maintaining accuracy through the use of a prestressed feeler ring that avoids uneven deformation and long contraction times, ensuring secure support and uniform stretching.
Implementation Method 1
projections which are arranged radially on the inside (and/or inside the feeler surface) and are wedge-shaped. Thus, the projections of the feeler ring can rest against the support elements, and when there is a relative movement between the first and second support element, a force transmission takes place via the wedge-shaped projections
Implementation Method 2
The feeler ring is preferably made of an elastic plastic, in particular polyoxymethylene. In this way, the outer circumference of the stretchable feeler ring can be changed
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a sensing device that can be used in machine tools for machining, for example, plate-shaped workpieces. In particular, a sensing device for a machine tool is provided, wherein the sensing device comprises a first support element (10) having a conical outer surface (11) against which outer surface (11) a stretchable sensing ring (20, 20a) rests, at least partially. Furthermore, the sensing device comprises a second support element (15) with a conical outer surface (16), wherein the second support element (15) is arranged adjacent to the first support element (10) such that the conical outer surface (16) of the second support element (15) and the conical outer surface (11) of the first support element (10) form a groove in which the sensing ring (20, 20a) is received.The key assembly is also characterized by the fact that the first support element (10) and the second support element (15) are movable relative to each other.