Balancing Machine Drive Arch Dynamics

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing balancing machines with encircling belt drives face challenges in efficiently changing workpieces due to the belt getting in the way, requiring high effort and ergonomic issues, and lack variability to handle different workpiece sizes and shapes effectively.

Innovation Solution

A drive apparatus with a movable arch that can be easily operated, balanced for minimal gravitational torque, and equipped with guide devices and a tensioning system, allowing the belt to be removed and adjusted for different rotor dimensions without manual intervention, ensuring smooth operation and safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If the belt winds around the workpiece on a large circumferential region, then the drive force is improved, but the belt gets in the way when the workpiece is changed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrive forceVSAvoidworkpiece change operation

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The arch is designed to be movable between open and closed positions, allowing the belt to dynamically adjust its engagement with the workpiece. When the arch is closed, the belt winds around a large circumferential region for optimal drive force. When the arch is opened, the belt can be easily removed or adjusted, facilitating quick workpiece changes without manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Stability of the object's composition

If the arch is made fixed to provide structural stability, then the structural stability is improved, but the effort required to operate the arch increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidarch operation effort

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The arch is balanced so that its center of gravity coincides with the pivot axis, eliminating gravitational torque. This counterbalancing allows the arch to be easily moved between open and closed positions without requiring significant force, while maintaining structural stability when closed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

3Reliability

If damping elements are added to control the arch movement, then the operational safety is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational safetyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The balanced arch design allows the system to self-regulate its movement. The gravitational balance provides natural control over the arch's motion, eliminating the need for external damping elements or complex control mechanisms while maintaining operational safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Reliability

If the belt is designed to encircle the workpiece completely, then the drive reliability is improved, but the handling of different workpiece sizes becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrive reliabilityVSAvoidworkpiece size adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The movable arch enables the belt system to dynamically adapt to different workpiece sizes. The arch can be opened to remove or replace the belt, and closed to engage the belt with the workpiece circumference, providing both drive reliability for complete encirclement and versatility for handling various workpiece dimensions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

The solution significantly improves ergonomics, reduces cycle times, and enhances operational safety by eliminating the need for lifting the arch and using damping elements, while allowing for efficient handling of various workpiece sizes and shapes with minimal additional installation space.

Implementation Method 1

the mass distribution of the arch and all the components of the drive apparatus that are movable together with the arch are balanced such that the gravitational torque acting on account of the mass distribution is not sufficient to overcome a frictional force acting counter to movement of the arch

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravitational torque: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

the gravitational torque acting on account of the mass distribution is not sufficient to overcome a frictional force acting counter to movement of the arch

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS11169043B2Drive apparatus for a balancing machine and a balancing machine

Publication Date: 2021.11.09 SCHENCK ROTEC GMBH

AI summary

A balancing machine drive apparatus for driving rotational movement of a workpiece rotatably mounted about a rotational axis by a looping belt includes a frame at least partially surrounding, transaxially to the rotational axis, a workpiece mounting position and having an opening closable by an arch and through which the mounting position is accessible, the drive apparatus including guide devices on the frame and/or arch to guide the belt such that, when the arch is closed, the belt winds at least partially around a workpiece in the mounting position on a cylindrical circumferential workpiece region, and a drive device for the belt. The arch is held on the frame so as to be movable between open and closed positions. A balancing machine for balancing a workpiece includes a mounting apparatus in order to rotatably mount the workpiece about a rotational axis in a mounting position, and the drive apparatus.