Ferromagnetic Contamination Trap for CMM Motors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Coordinate measuring machines (CMMs) face challenges in maintaining contamination protection, particularly with ferromagnetic debris, which can affect the efficiency and longevity of motors and bearing arrangements within protective housings.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a ferromagnetic contamination trap with magnets within protective housings to attract and retain ferromagnetic contamination, thereby enhancing contamination protection and extending service intervals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If motors and bearing arrangements are located inside protective housings, then contamination protection is improved, but ferromagnetic debris can still enter and affect component longevity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontamination protectionVSAvoidservice interval

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

A ferromagnetic contamination trap is introduced as an intermediary component between the external environment and the protective housing. This trap captures ferromagnetic debris before it can reach motors and bearing arrangements, extending their service life while maintaining the protective housing structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The harmful ferromagnetic contamination is extracted from the potential contamination path by using magnetic traps positioned at strategic locations within or near the protective housing, removing the debris before it can affect internal components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Productivity

If motors with exposed magnets are used, then productivity is improved, but ferromagnetic debris is attracted to the magnets increasing contamination risk

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveefficiencyVSAvoidferromagnetic contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The exposed magnets that initially cause contamination by attracting ferromagnetic debris are converted into a beneficial feature by using those same magnets as the contamination trap. The magnets actively capture and retain ferromagnetic particles, protecting the motor while maintaining productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 ferromagnetic contamination trap effectively reduces the ingress of ferromagnetic debris, improving the reliability and longevity of CMM components, particularly in environments with exposed magnets, by attracting and retaining ferromagnetic contamination.

Implementation Method 1

A ferromagnetic contamination trap comprising at least one magnet is provided and configured to attract and retain ferromagnetic contamination entering the protective housing/cover

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic attraction: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentUS10646883B2Contamination trap

Publication Date: 2020.05.12 RENISHAW PLC

AI summary

A coordinate positioning apparatus for inspecting an artefact. The coordinate positioning apparatus includes at least one moveable member moveable in at least one degree of freedom, and at least one motor and at least one bearing arrangement for facilitating said movement. At least a part of the at least one motor and/or at least one bearing arrangement are located inside a protective housing therefor. A ferromagnetic contamination trap comprising at least one magnet is provided and configured to attract and retain ferromagnetic contamination entering the protective housing.