Cylinder Device with Segmented Motion Conversion for Compact Rotation

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cylinder devices face challenges in reducing their longitudinal dimension when the piston moves in an axial direction while maintaining installation space, as they often require simultaneous rotation and axial movement, leading to increased dimensions and space requirements.

Innovation Solution

The cylinder device incorporates a driving force conversion mechanism with independent first and second converting sections, allowing the piston and piston rod to move axially while the movable body undergoes only linear displacement, and later rotates independently, reducing the longitudinal dimension and conserving installation space by suppressing protrusion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the movable body undergoes simultaneous rotation and axial movement in conventional cylinder devices, then the piston rod can achieve both linear and rotational displacement, but the longitudinal dimension of the device increases and installation space is consumed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapability to produce both linear and rotational displacementVSAvoidlongitudinal dimension

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The driving force conversion mechanism is divided into two independent converting sections: a first converting section that converts axial piston movement to axial movable body movement, and a second converting section that converts axial piston movement to rotational movable body movement. This segmentation allows the two motion components to be generated separately rather than simultaneously, reducing the required longitudinal dimension.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the temporal dimension of motion conversion by having the two converting sections operate at different stages of the piston stroke. The first converting section operates during the initial axial movement phase, while the second converting section operates during the subsequent rotational movement phase, effectively using time sequencing to reduce spatial requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the movable body is made to rotate simultaneously while moving axially, then both linear and rotational functions are achieved, but the amount of protrusion increases and installation space is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecombined linear and rotational functionVSAvoidinstallation space

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention employs dynamic switching between different motion modes through the independent converting sections. The movable body dynamically transitions from axial movement (first converting section) to rotational movement (second converting section) based on the piston position, allowing the device to adapt its motion characteristics during operation while maintaining a compact profile.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If the driving force conversion mechanism uses a single converting section for simultaneous rotation and axial movement, then the structure is simpler, but the longitudinal dimension cannot be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidlongitudinal dimension

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The driving force conversion mechanism is divided into two independent converting sections: a first converting section that converts axial piston movement to axial movable body movement, and a second converting section that converts axial piston movement to rotational movable body movement. This segmentation allows the two motion components to be generated separately rather than simultaneously, reducing the required longitudinal dimension.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the temporal dimension of motion conversion by having the two converting sections operate at different stages of the piston stroke. The first converting section operates during the initial axial movement phase, while the second converting section operates during the subsequent rotational movement phase, effectively using time sequencing to reduce spatial requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS10520087B2Cylinder device

Publication Date: 2019.12.31 SMC CORP

AI summary

A cylinder device includes a piston and a piston rod disposed movably, and a movable body in which another end portion of the piston rod is inserted. The piston rod includes a first pin groove that extends along an axial direction and through which a support pin is inserted. The support pin is also inserted through second pin grooves formed in the movable body and having a substantially L-shaped cross section. Further, a link pin is inserted through a pin hole on the other end portion of the piston rod. The link pin is inserted through third pin grooves in the movable body which are inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the axis of the movable body. In addition, under a moving action of the piston, the movable body is displaced linearly, and thereafter, is rotationally displaced by the link pin moving along the third pin grooves.