Compact Misalignment Gauge Layout for Limited Lathe Clearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional misalignment determining devices are too large in the axial direction, making them unsuitable for lathes or similar machinery with limited space between the tool holder mounting portion and the chuck.
Innovation Solution
A compact misalignment determining device design featuring a tubular case with a dial gauge, a rotatable holder portion, a pivotal portion, a lever member, and a slide member, where the pivot amount of the pivotal portion is transmitted to the lever member and then to the slide member, allowing for detection of misalignment without increasing the device's size in the axial direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the misalignment determining device uses a conventional configuration with a slider body moving in the axial direction to detect pivot amount, then the measurement precision is maintained, but the size of the device in the axial direction becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the detection dimension from axial movement to radial movement. The slide member moves in the radial direction (perpendicular to the axial direction) rather than axially, allowing the dial gauge to detect pivot amount through radial displacement. This dimensional change enables compact axial size while maintaining measurement precision through the lever member's mechanical advantage.
Solution Approach 2:
The lever member acts as an intermediary that converts the pivot motion into radial movement of the slide member. By positioning the lever member's contact point with the slide member at a distance from the pivot axis, the system transforms the pivot amount into a measurable radial displacement, enabling precise measurement without requiring axial movement space.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the device size in the axial direction is reduced for compact lathes, then the adaptability to limited space is improved, but the capability to transmit pivot amount accurately is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The invention resolves this contradiction by detecting pivot amount in the radial dimension rather than the axial dimension. The slide member's radial movement is caused by the lever member's rotation, which itself is driven by the pivot motion. This allows accurate pivot amount transmission while keeping the axial footprint minimal, enabling adaptation to compact lathe configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The lever member functions as a mechanical amplifier that compensates for the reduced axial space. By using the lever arm mechanism, a small radial movement of the slide member corresponds to a measurable pivot amount, effectively 'counterbalancing' the limitation imposed by reduced axial dimensions and maintaining measurement accuracy.
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 accurate misalignment detection in lathes with limited space by reducing the axial size of the device while maintaining precision, allowing for efficient alignment adjustments without enlarging the device's radial dimensions.
Implementation Method 1
a lever member extending along an intersecting direction intersecting the axial direction at a position which is on the leading end side and which also is on a side closer to the base end side than the pivotal portion is, the lever member being held to the holder portion in such a manner to be pivotable about a pivot axis which is in a direction perpendicular to both the axial direction and the intersecting direction, a pivot amount of the pivotal portion being transmitted to the lever member
Implementation Method 2
a slide member accommodated in the case at a position on more base end side than the lever member and configured to come into contact with the lever member to be movable along the axial direction; wherein the slide member is placed in contact with a stylus of the dial gauge
Implementation Method 3
a dial gauge fixed to the case with a graduation scale portion thereof being exposed from the case and configured to determine a change amount of a distance
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a misalignment determining device having a size thereof in an axial direction being made short. The misalignment determining device (1) includes a case (2), a dial gauge (3), a holder portion (4), a support portion (5), a pivotal portion (6), a lever member (7), and a slide member (8). The slide member (8) is placed in contact with a stylus (32) of the dial gauge (3). While the pivotal portion (6) and the lever member (7) are rotated in synchronism with rotation of the holder portion (4), a pivot amount of the pivotal portion (6) is transmitted to the slide member (8) via the lever member (7), and based on an amount of movement of the slide member (8) along an axis MX direction, the dial gauge (3) determines the pivot amount.