Electric Cylinder Load Detection via Outer Cylinder Strain Gauges
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric cylinder systems face challenges in simplifying the configuration and reducing size while enabling load detection and position detection, often resulting in complex apparatus configurations and limitations due to the placement of load cells and output cables, which can interfere with machining targets and suffer from cable rupture issues.
Innovation Solution
The electric cylinder system incorporates a strain detecting section positioned between the bearing and the fixing section of the outer cylinder, eliminating the need for a load cell at the rod's end and output cables, using strain gauges to detect loads in the axis direction and convert them into electric signals, thereby simplifying the configuration and reducing size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a load cell is provided at the distal end of the rod to detect load, then load detection is enabled, but the configuration becomes complex and the apparatus size increases due to additional components like output cables and protective structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the load detection function with the existing outer cylinder structure by integrating a strain gauge directly onto the outer cylinder surface. This merging eliminates the need for a separate load cell and its associated output cables, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining load detection capability. The strain gauge becomes part of the outer cylinder assembly rather than an independent component.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the load detection function from the traditional load cell configuration and relocates it to the outer cylinder structure. By taking out the strain gauge measurement function and integrating it into the outer cylinder, the patent removes the need for separate load cell components, output cables, and protective structures, thus simplifying the overall system configuration.
2Measurement precision
If a load cell with output cable is provided at the rod end, then load detection is achieved, but the apparatus size increases and cable rupture risks arise from repeated reciprocating motion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the load detection function directly into the outer cylinder structure using a strain gauge, eliminating the need for separate output cables that connect a remote load cell. This integration removes the cable from the system entirely, preventing cable rupture issues caused by repeated reciprocating motion while maintaining reliable load detection capability.
3Measurement precision
If a load cell is provided at the rod end, then load detection is enabled, but the apparatus size increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the load detection function with the existing outer cylinder structure by integrating a strain gauge directly onto the outer cylinder surface. This merging eliminates the need for separate load cell components, mounting structures, and cable management space, thereby reducing the overall apparatus volume while maintaining full load detection capability.
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 allows for flexible system configurations, reduces the apparatus's size, and prevents cable rupture issues, enabling effective load and position detection without the need for additional load cells or cables, resulting in a more compact and efficient system.
Implementation Method 1
a strain detecting section 7 functioning as load detecting means that detects a load in an axis direction applied to the rod 3 in a position where the load is transmitted from the rod 3 through the screw mechanism 6
Data Source
AI summary
An electric cylinder system includes: an electric cylinder (1); and a control section (101) that controls the electric cylinder (1). The electric cylinder (1) includes: an outer cylinder (2); a rod (3) configured to be capable of extending and retracting in an axis direction from an opening (2b) on one end side of the outer cylinder (2); a bearing (4) provided on the inside of the outer cylinder (2); a rotating shaft (5) rotatably supported by the bearing (4) and driven to rotate with driving force of a motor (12); a screw mechanism (6) that converts a rotary motion of the rotating shaft (5) into a linear motion of the rod (3) and transmits the linear motion; and a load detecting section (7) that detects a load in an axis direction applied to the rod (3) in a position where the load is transmitted from the rod (3) through the screw mechanism (6). The control section (101) controls the electric cylinder (1) on the basis of a signal from an encoder (39) of the motor (12) and a signal from the load detecting section (7).