Drain Valve Control in Electric Discharge Machines to Prevent Overflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wire electric discharge machines face issues with liquid scattering and overflowing when draining, which can prolong the drainage time.
Innovation Solution
An electric discharge machine equipped with a liquid tank, a drain valve, an actuator, a liquid level sensor, and a control unit that adjusts the drain valve opening based on the liquid level to maintain a consistent outflow rate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the drain valve is fully opened at the time of draining, then the draining time is shortened, but liquid scattering and overflowing occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The drain valve opening amount is dynamically adjusted based on liquid level. The valve is fully opened when liquid level is high to maximize drainage speed, then gradually closed as liquid level decreases to control outflow rate and prevent scattering. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between drainage speed and spill prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The opening amount parameter of the drain valve is changed according to liquid level parameter. By changing the valve opening from full open to partially closed as liquid level drops, the system maintains high drainage efficiency while preventing liquid scattering and overflowing at the end of drainage.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the drain valve opening amount is reduced to prevent liquid scattering, then liquid scattering is reduced, but draining time is prolonged
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of maintaining a fixed small opening to prevent scattering, the valve opening is dynamically controlled to be large when liquid level is high (prioritizing drainage speed) and gradually reduced as liquid level decreases (prioritizing spill prevention). This time-dependent adjustment optimizes both drainage speed and spill control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary drainage with large valve opening while liquid level is high, then transitions to controlled drainage with reduced opening when liquid level approaches the drain port. This preliminary fast drainage followed by controlled drainage prevents both time loss and scattering.
Data Source
AI summary
An electric discharge machine capable of suppressing scattering and overflow of a liquid flowing out of a drain port. An electric discharge machine according to one embodiment includes a liquid tank for storing a liquid; a drain valve which opens/closes a drain port for draining the liquid stored in the liquid tank; an actuator which drives the drain valve; a liquid level sensor which detects the level of the liquid stored in the liquid tank; and a control unit which controls the actuator so that as the liquid level detected by the liquid level sensor is lower, the opening amount of the drain valve becomes greater.