Backlash Measurement Device Without Reference Balls
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing backlash measurement techniques require the use of multiple reference balls, which are cumbersome to store and sort, and increase production inefficiency due to the need for multiple processes, making it difficult to quickly measure backlash without one.
Innovation Solution
A backlash measurement device with a part support mechanism that includes left and right pressing pieces extending from the rotation center, displacement amount detection mechanisms, and a calculation unit to determine backlash without a reference ball, allowing for efficient measurement of backlash in ball spline mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a reference ball is used to measure backlash, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity and production time increase due to multiple processes
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the reference ball from the measurement system. Instead of using a separate reference ball that requires multiple processes (placing reference ball, measuring, removing reference ball, placing actual ball), the system directly measures the actual ball spline mechanism without any reference ball, simplifying the measurement process while maintaining accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The pressing mechanism is designed to universally press both the inner spline and outer spline simultaneously, making the measurement device multi-functional. This allows the system to measure backlash directly without needing separate reference balls for different measurement steps, reducing device complexity and production time
2Measurement precision
If multiple balls with different diameters are prepared for measurement, then measurement accuracy is improved, but storage and sorting complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the requirement for multiple balls with different diameters from the measurement process. By eliminating the reference ball and using a direct pressing mechanism, the system can accurately measure backlash with a single ball configuration, thereby eliminating storage and sorting complexities associated with managing multiple balls
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement system is designed to self-adjust and self-measure using the actual ball spline components present in the workpiece. The pressing mechanism automatically adapts to the specific ball diameter and spline geometry, eliminating the need for manual selection and sorting of different ball sizes
3Measurement precision
If a reference ball is used in the measurement process, then backlash measurement is achieved, but productivity decreases due to increased number of processes
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the reference ball from the measurement process, eliminating multiple steps (placing reference ball, measuring, removing reference ball, placing actual ball). This reduces the number of processes from 4+ steps to a single direct measurement step, significantly improving productivity while maintaining backlash measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement system enables continuous measurement action by eliminating the need to remove and replace balls. The pressing mechanism continuously presses and measures the actual ball spline components in one uninterrupted operation, maximizing productivity while maintaining measurement precision
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 quick and accurate backlash measurement for various workpieces, including those with ball spline mechanisms, reducing production time and improving reliability, especially in belt-type continuously variable transmissions, by eliminating the need for reference balls and simplifying the measurement process.
Implementation Method 1
a displacement amount detection mechanism which comes into contact with the right pressing piece and measures an amount of displacement of the left pressing piece and an amount of displacement of the right pressing piece
Data Source
AI summary
This backlash measurement device measures the backlash existing between a first part and a second part that is provided with: a left pressing piece (37L) and a right pressing piece (37R) that rotate together with the second part, that pass through the center of rotation (41), and that extend the same distance from the center of rotation; a left pressing mechanism (38L) that presses the left pressing piece and a right pressing mechanism (38R) that presses the right pressing piece; a displacement amount detection mechanism (39) that comes into contact with the right pressing piece and that measures the displacement amount of the left pressing piece and the displacement amount of the right pressing piece; and a calculation unit (49) that determines backlash on the basis of the left displacement amount and the right displacement amount detected by the displacement amount detection mechanism.