Fluid Pressure Position Sensing for Sealed Turret Air Cylinders
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing position detection systems for machine tools face challenges in detecting the movement of actuators like air cylinders, especially when electrical wiring cannot be routed, and when the space is small or sealed, as in the interior of a turret.
Innovation Solution
A position detection device that uses a fluid filling portion in the fixed object, a pressure sensor to detect pressure changes, and a detection recessed portion in the moving object to determine its position, allowing for remote pressure sensing without the need for electrical wiring near the moving object.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a proximity sensor is disposed inside the protruding portion of the turret to detect the position of the piston rod, then the position detection function is achieved, but the device complexity increases and the turret size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the proximity sensor (electronic detection device) with a pressure sensor that detects the position of the piston rod through fluid pressure changes. The pressure sensor is disposed outside the turret, eliminating the need for complex electrical wiring inside the sealed turret while achieving the same position detection function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces fluid (gas or liquid) as an intermediary between the piston rod and the pressure sensor. The fluid transmits pressure information from the piston rod position to the pressure sensor, enabling indirect detection without requiring direct contact or proximity sensing inside the turret.
2Reliability
If the turret is sealed to protect electronic devices from coolant, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates because electrical wiring cannot be routed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electrical wiring-based proximity sensor system with a fluid pressure-based detection system. This allows the turret to remain sealed without compromising detection functionality, as the pressure sensor can be positioned outside the sealed area while still detecting piston rod position through fluid pressure transmission.
3Volume of moving object
If the turret size is decreased to meet compactness requirements, then the productivity is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates because there is insufficient space for sensors and wiring
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the pressure sensor from the interior of the turret and positions it outside the turret structure. This extraction eliminates the space requirement for the sensor and wiring inside the turret, allowing for more compact turret design while maintaining full detection functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses fluid as an intermediary to transmit detection information from the piston rod to the externally positioned pressure sensor. This allows the sensor to be located outside the compact turret volume while still accessing position information from inside the turret.
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
Enables reliable detection of the moving object's position even in constrained spaces, such as within a turret, without the need for proximity sensors or electrical wiring, thus enhancing the functionality and compactness of machine tool systems.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure sensor that detects a pressure in the fluid filling portion
Implementation Method 2
fluid flows from the fluid filling portion to the outside and the pressure in the fluid filling portion can be decreased
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a position detection device that can detect movement of various actuators such as an air cylinder provided at a location where electrical wiring cannot be routed, and can be suitably used for a turret of a machine tool, for example. The position detection device detects a state where a moving object 32 that slides on a fixed object 31 is disposed at a predetermined position, and includes: a fluid filling portion 33 that is formed in the fixed object 31, and is open in a sliding surface of the fixed object 31, a pressure sensor P1 that detects a pressure of the fluid filling portion 33, a detection recessed portion 35 that is formed in the moving object 32 and is aligned with an opening 34 of the fluid filling portion 33 when the moving object 32 is disposed at a predetermined position.