Dual-Belt Tool Changer Mechanism for Rigid Linear Motion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional belt-driven sliding bases in mechanical equipment suffer from insufficient rigidity, particularly when longer belts are needed, leading to deformation and suboptimal transmission accuracy due to lack of tension.
Innovation Solution
A tool changing system with a rigidity improved belt moving mechanism using two intermeshed belts with gear racks, where one belt is fixed to stabilize the other, ensuring optimal rigidity and accuracy by maintaining the meshing status of the belts through a detouring section driven by a rotating wheel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a belt and pulley transmission means is used to drive the sliding base, then the cost is reduced, but the rigidity is insufficient causing deformation and suboptimal transmission accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission system is segmented into two separate belts: a positioning belt that provides rigidity and a transmission belt that provides drive force. This segmentation allows each belt to specialize in one function, resolving the contradiction between cost and precision by combining the advantages of both rigid and flexible transmission elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning belt acts as an intermediary element between the fixed structure and the transmission belt. It mediates the contradiction by providing a rigid reference framework that prevents deformation of the transmission belt, thereby maintaining transmission accuracy while still using cost-effective belt transmission.
2Length of moving object
If a longer belt is used to meet longer transmission distance demand, then the transmission distance is increased, but the belt is easily bent due to lack of tension resulting in insufficient rigidity
Solution Approach 1:
The long transmission system is divided into two functional belts: the positioning belt maintains rigidity along the entire length, while the transmission belt provides drive force. This segmentation allows the system to achieve long transmission distance without sacrificing rigidity, as the positioning belt prevents bending throughout the extended distance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the structural parameters by introducing a second belt with different functional characteristics. The positioning belt is configured to maintain tension and rigidity parameters along the entire length, enabling the transmission belt to operate at full length without bending issues.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a gear rack and corresponding gear are used to drive the sliding base, then the rigidity is improved, but the cost is relatively higher
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a positioning belt as a cost-effective alternative to expensive gear racks. The belt provides similar rigidity functions at lower cost, and can be easily replaced if needed, resolving the contradiction between rigidity and manufacturing cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention substitutes the traditional gear rack and pinion mechanical system with a belt-based system. The positioning belt replaces the rigid gear rack structure, providing comparable stiffness through tension and meshing geometry while significantly reducing manufacturing cost and 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
The system achieves stable and accurate linear movement of the sliding base with enhanced rigidity, reducing costs compared to traditional lead threaded rods or gear racks while maintaining high transmission accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
The transmission belt is meshed with the first gear rack through the second gear rack
Data Source
AI summary
A tool changing system with rigidity improved belt moving mechanism includes a pedestal, a sliding base, a driving unit, a positioning belt, and a transmission belt. The sliding base is disposed on the pedestal, and reciprocatively moves along a linear direction. The driving unit is disposed on the sliding base. The positioning belt and the transmission belt are disposed on the pedestal and include a gear rack, respectively. A detouring section of the transmission belt is separated from the positioning belt, and transmissibly meshed with the driving wheel of the driving unit. When the driving wheel rotates, the detouring section is driven to continuously shift on the transmission belt, and the sliding base is simultaneously driven to slide on the pedestal along the linear direction. Thus, a combination of the positioning belt and the transmission belt achieves an improved rigidity.