Adjustable Spring Measuring Device for Conveyor Speed
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing measuring devices for determining the path and speed of moving objects, such as conveyor belts, face challenges in adjusting the pressing force accurately without loosening the attachment to stationary components.
Innovation Solution
A measuring device with a spring element connected to a holding unit that allows for adjustable fixing sections along the spring's longitudinal axis, enabling precise changes in spring stiffness and contact pressure without disengaging from the stationary component, using notches and a locking mechanism for precise adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the measuring device is attached to a stationary component with a fixed spring element, then the attachment stability is improved, but the pressing force adjustability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element is designed with a movable fixing section that can be repositioned along the longitudinal axis, transforming a static attachment into a dynamic adjustable system. This allows the pressing force to be modified by changing the position of the fixing section relative to the spring's ends, while maintaining stable attachment to both the measuring device and stationary component.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressing force parameter is changed by adjusting the position of the fixing section along the spring element's longitudinal axis. By moving the fixing section closer to one end or the other, the effective length of the spring changes, thereby altering the spring stiffness and pressing force without changing the attachment mechanism itself.
2Device complexity
If the spring element is fixed rigidly to the holding unit, then the structural simplicity is improved, but the pressing force adjustability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element is segmented into functional zones: a fixed section attached to the holding unit, a movable fixing section that can be repositioned, and the spring body itself. This segmentation allows the structure to remain simple overall while providing adjustability through the movable fixing section, which can be locked into different positions along the spring's longitudinal axis.
3Ease of manufacture
If the measuring device uses a standard spring element, then the manufacturing simplicity is improved, but the measurement precision for different surface conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element incorporates a movable fixing section that can be adjusted dynamically to optimize the pressing force for different surface conditions. This allows a single standard spring element design to achieve precise measurements across various applications by repositioning the fixing section, eliminating the need to manufacture different spring elements for different surface conditions.
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 easy and accurate adjustment of pressing force on the conveyor belt surface, ensuring slip-free contact and precise measurement without additional measuring devices, accommodating varying surface conditions and speeds.
Implementation Method 1
a spring element (6) which presses the measuring wheel (2) against the surface of the object (O) with a predetermined force
Implementation Method 2
The running surface of the measuring wheel, which is preferably rubberized, knurled or prepared in a similar way, is placed on the conveyor belt, in particular on the surface of the conveyor belt, with a friction fit
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3A
AI summary
To enable a simple and quick change of the contact force of a measuring device, a measuring device for measuring the displacement and/or velocity of an object moving relative to the measuring device is provided, comprising a measuring wheel attached to a shaft of a rotary encoder and with a running surface on the object, and a holding unit for attaching the measuring device to a stationary component, which is rotationally fixed to the measuring device on one side and rotatably connected to the component on the other side by means of a rotary bearing such that the holding unit presses the measuring wheel against the object by means of a spring element, wherein the spring element is connected to the holding unit on the first side and can be fixed in the rotary bearing on the second side.that a fixing section of the spring element is adjustable relative to one end of the spring element along a longitudinal axis of the spring element.