Fluid Drive Control for Adaptive Braking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fluidically actuated drives face challenges in gently moving components to end positions under changing operating and environmental conditions, such as pressure fluctuations and friction, leading to inefficient braking and potential damage due to fixed timing settings.

Innovation Solution

The control device triggers measuring signals shortly before the end position is reached, activating switching elements late in the movement phase to minimize braking distance and adjust switching times based on current conditions, allowing for adaptive control and reduced movement times.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If fixed timing settings are used for switching elements, then the control circuit is simple, but the drive cannot adapt to changing operating conditions leading to inefficient braking and potential damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to changing operating conditionsVSAvoidcontrol circuit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control device continuously monitors the actual position of the component and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust the switching times of the switching elements. This closed-loop control enables the drive to adapt to changing operating conditions such as pressure fluctuations and friction variations, while the feedback mechanism itself adds complexity to the control circuit

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The switching times are made dynamic rather than fixed, allowing the control system to continuously optimize the braking phase timing based on real-time operating conditions. This dynamic adjustment improves adaptability but requires more complex control logic and timing mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If early switching element activation is used, then component is braked over longer distance, but movement time increases and positioning precision decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidmovement time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The control device dynamically adjusts the switching timing parameters based on the actual movement phase and position of the component. By optimizing the activation time of switching elements, the system achieves precise positioning while minimizing movement time, adapting the parameters in real-time rather than using fixed values

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If manually operated control elements are used for setting timing, then the drive is simple, but timing is fixed and cannot adapt to pressure fluctuations, load changes or friction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetiming adaptabilityVSAvoidautomation level
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

Manual mechanical control elements (potentiometers) are replaced with an electronic control device that automatically adjusts switching times based on sensor feedback and processing. This substitution enables timing adaptability to changing conditions while reducing the need for manual intervention and mechanical adjustment components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 ensures gentle and precise positioning of components, reduces movement times, and minimizes the impact of changing conditions, leading to improved drive performance and extended service life.

Implementation Method 1

a component (2) that can be adjusted by means of pressure medium

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure differential: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

the pressure chambers (8, 9) are alternately charged with the system pressure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid pressure: Hydraulic Press

Implementation Method 3

the drive (1) is equipped with shock absorbers (45) in its end positions, which absorb the impact energy of the component (2) striking them

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImpact energy absorption: Damping

Implementation Method 4

the component of the drive is acted upon by the pressure medium for a specified period of time in the opposite direction to the direction of movement immediately before it reaches its end position to be approached, thereby generating a braking effect

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInertial braking: Inertia

Data Source

PatentEP1882102B8Fluid operated drive and method for control thereof
Publication Date: 2010.11.17 STIWA HLDG

AI summary

The invention relates to a fluid-operated drive (1) and a method for control thereof with components which may be adjusted relative to each other, of which one component may be displaced in a first and an opposing second movement direction by means of a switch element (10, 11). In a first displacement phase for the component, a first measured signal (S1) is recorded shortly before reaching the approached end position at a time (T1) by a switch flag arrangement and a second measured signal (S2) recorded at a later time (T2). A time span (t1Ist) is subsequently determined by the controller (13) from the time difference between the measured signals (S1, S2) and used by a regulator for a soft approach to the end position from a variance comparison between a fixed time span (t1Soll) and the determined time span (t1Ist) to determine a parameter for at least one of two different serial switch times for the switch element (10, 11). A switch time for the switch element (10, 11) in the further displacement phase subsequent to and in the same direction as the first displacement phase is set by means of the parameter.