Fluid Pressure Cylinder Return Stroke Using Recovered Air
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing driving methods for fluid pressure cylinders are inefficient in reducing fluid consumption and shortening the returning step time, as they rely solely on the fluid supply source during the returning operation.
Innovation Solution
The method involves utilizing discharged fluid to drive the piston in the returning step by supplying part of the accumulated fluid from one cylinder chamber to the other, and subsequently using the supply source to further move the piston, thereby reducing fluid consumption and accelerating the returning process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If fluid is supplied from the supply source to drive the piston during the returning step, then the piston can be moved in the other direction, but fluid consumption increases and the returning time is extended
Solution Approach 1:
The patent recovers the fluid discharged from the first cylinder chamber during the driving step and reuses it to drive the piston during the returning step. Instead of discarding the discharged fluid to the outside, the system captures and stores it in a fluid storage device, then supplies it back to the other cylinder chamber for the returning operation, thereby reducing fluid consumption from the supply source.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own discharged fluid to perform the returning operation, making the system self-sufficient. The fluid discharged during driving serves double purpose: it is both the exhaust from the driving operation and the drive medium for the returning operation, eliminating the need for additional fluid supply during returning.
2Loss of time
If fluid is supplied from the supply source during the returning step, then the piston can be moved rapidly, but the time required for the returning step increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by storing the discharged fluid in the fluid storage device during the driving step, before the returning step begins. This pre-prepared fluid is then immediately supplied to the other cylinder chamber when the returning step starts, enabling rapid piston movement without waiting for fluid supply from the external supply source.
3Productivity
If discharged fluid is utilized to move the piston during the returning step, then fluid consumption is reduced and returning time is shortened, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the fluid discharge path and fluid supply path into a unified system. The fluid storage device serves as both a collection point for discharged fluid and a supply source for returning operation. The switching valve integrates control of fluid flow between different cylinder chambers, combining multiple functions into a coordinated system that achieves high productivity with minimal additional complexity.
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 approach reduces fluid consumption and shortens the time required for the returning step by utilizing discharged fluid, allowing for more efficient operation of the fluid pressure cylinder.
Implementation Method 1
supplying fluid from a supply source to one of cylinder chambers in the fluid pressure cylinder while the fluid is discharged from the other of the cylinder chambers to the outside
Data Source
AI summary
A drive device for driving a fluid pressure cylinder has an air supply source which supplies air, a switching valve which switches between the supply and discharge of the air to and from the fluid pressure cylinder, bypass piping which connects the head-side cylinder chamber and rod-side cylinder chamber of the fluid pressure cylinder, and a bypass switching valve which switches between the states of flow of air through the bypass piping. Air in the head-side cylinder chamber is supplied to the rod-side cylinder chamber through the bypass piping by setting the bypass switching valve to an open state in a return stroke of the fluid pressure cylinder.