Cylinder Cover Waveguide Sensing for Continuous Piston Position
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional distance measuring devices for piston position detection in pneumatic or hydraulic cylinders face challenges such as high structural complexity, increased costs, and reduced accuracy due to external sensor fitting and sensitivity to dielectric property changes in the medium, leading to frequent production line stoppages and inaccurate measurements.
Innovation Solution
A distance measuring device that incorporates a transmitting and receiving device with a conduction junction to couple and decouple electromagnetic waves, allowing for continuous, absolute distance measurement with high accuracy by considering the dielectric properties of the medium, and integrates the sensor components within the cylinder cover, eliminating the need for external components and mechanical adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If external magnetic sensors are fitted to detect piston position, then discrete position detection is achieved, but structural complexity and installation costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the distance measurement function directly into the cylinder body by integrating a transmitting device and receiving device into the cylinder cover, eliminating the need for external sensor mounting structures. The measurement function is merged with the existing cylinder components rather than being added as separate external elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical sensor mounting and adjustment systems with an electromagnetic measurement system. Instead of mechanically fitting and adjusting external magnetic sensors, the system uses electromagnetic waves transmitted through the cylinder wall to detect piston position, eliminating mechanical installation complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple external sensors are installed to detect additional positions, then more position points are covered, but material and installation costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated electromagnetic measurement system serves multiple detection positions simultaneously through a single transmitting-receiving device combination. The system can detect multiple piston positions along the entire stroke range without requiring separate sensors for each position, making the system universal for the complete measurement range.
Solution Approach 2:
The cylinder body itself serves as part of the measurement system by conducting electromagnetic waves. The existing cylinder structure is utilized for its inherent electromagnetic properties rather than requiring additional dedicated components, reducing material and installation costs.
3Ease of operation
If external sensors are mechanically adjusted at customer premises, then sensor positions are optimized, but accessibility and installation time are affected
Solution Approach 1:
The electromagnetic measurement system is pre-integrated into the cylinder body during manufacturing, with transmitting and receiving devices positioned optimally before the cylinder reaches the customer. This preliminary integration eliminates the need for on-site mechanical adjustment and reduces installation time at the customer premises.
4Measurement precision
If continuous piston position measurement is implemented, then continuous position data is obtained, but structural complexity increases due to integration requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous measurement function is merged with the cylinder body structure by integrating the electromagnetic transmitting and receiving devices directly into the cylinder cover. This combination achieves continuous position measurement without requiring separate external measurement systems or complex integration structures.
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
This solution enables precise, continuous distance measurement with reduced structural complexity and costs, while accounting for dielectric property fluctuations, ensuring high accuracy and reliability by integrating the sensor components within the cylinder cover and using a measuring line to detect material properties.
Implementation Method 1
a conduction junction (15) provided on the coupling region (CR) for coupling the transmitting and receiving device (9, 10) to the conducting structure (4) containing a medium to couple an electromagnetic wave into the conducting structure (4) and to decouple the electromagnetic wave reflected on the reflection body from the conducting structure
Implementation Method 2
the electromagnetic wave reflected on the reflection body
Implementation Method 3
an evaluation device for determining the distance between the coupling region and the reflection body from the complex reflection coefficient between the coupled electromagnetic wave and the decoupled electromagnetic wave
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a distance-measuring device for determining a distance between a reflection body in a conducting structure and a coupling region for electromagnetic waves, which region is provided on an end section of the conducting structure, said measuring device comprising a transmitting and receiving device, and a conduction junction (1) provided on the coupling region, for coupling the transmitting and receiving device to the conducting structure containing a medium, in order to couple an electromagnetic wave into the conducting structure, and to decouple the electromagnetic wave, reflected on the reflection body, from the conducting structure. Said measuring device also comprises an evaluation device for determining the distance between the coupling region and the reflection body from the complex reflection coefficient between the coupled electromagnetic wave and the decoupled electromagnetic wave. The invention also relates to the corresponding method.