Hammer Linear-Movement Brake With Progressive Plate-Spring Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hammer devices lack a mechanism to smoothly stop linear movement, leading to potential damage from impacts directed to mechanical structures when the actuator tip is not against external material, causing material fatigue and damage.
Innovation Solution
A brake system for linear movement using a frame structure with an annular element and a center element, featuring a plate spring that adjusts aperture flow to increase braking force progressively, eliminating the need for separate valves to control damper fluid flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a non-progressive brake generating substantially constant braking force is used, then the braking force is simple to control, but the movement range on which the brake is active must be longer leading to increased power losses and potential overlap with normal operating range
Solution Approach 1:
The brake system changes the parameter of braking force from constant to progressive by utilizing the increasing compression of the plate spring as the mover travels. The spring's progressive stiffness characteristic automatically increases the braking force as displacement increases, eliminating the need for complex control valves while minimizing power losses by keeping the brake active only over a short movement range.
2Device complexity
If no braking means are provided, then the device structure is simpler, but the hammer device may get damaged when impacts are directed to mechanical structures supporting the actuator member
Solution Approach 1:
The plate spring brake acts as a beforehand cushioning mechanism that is pre-configured to engage and progressively absorb kinetic energy when the mover travels. The spring's progressive braking force provides advance protection to the mechanical structures supporting the actuator member, preventing damage from uncontrolled impacts while maintaining a relatively simple device structure.
3Length of moving object
If an abrupt stop mechanism is used, then the stopping distance is shorter, but the linear movement is not stopped smoothly causing mechanical stress
Solution Approach 1:
The brake system transitions from a static braking force to a dynamic progressive braking force through the plate spring's compression characteristics. As the mover travels and compresses the spring, the braking force dynamically increases, providing smooth deceleration that eliminates mechanical stress while achieving effective stopping within a short distance.
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 brake system ensures smooth stopping of linear movement, reducing mechanical stress and power loss, and preventing damage to the hammer device by progressively increasing braking force.
Implementation Method 1
a spring configured to move the annular element with respect to the frame structure in a first direction in which the volume of the annular chamber is increasing
Implementation Method 2
A portion of the annular element surrounding the contact portion comprises apertures configured to conduct the damper fluid to and from the annular chamber
Implementation Method 3
a linear electric machine comprising a mover configured to direct impacts to the actuator member and a stator connected to the frame and provided with windings configured to generate a magnetic force directed to the mover in response to electric current supplied to the windings
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a
AI summary
A brake (101) for linear movement comprises a frame structure (102), a linearly moveable annular element (103), a linearly moveable center element (104) surrounded by the annular element, and a spring (106) for moving the annular element in a direction (+z) in which a volume of an annular chamber (105) whose wall is constituted by the annular element increases. The center element comprises a collar (107) for moving the annular element together with the center element against a spring force of the spring. The annular element comprises apertures for conducting damper fluid to and from the annular chamber. The spring is a plate spring that gradually closes the apertures when the annular element moves against the spring force so that a plate of the spring gets gradually parallel with a surface of the annular element around the apertures.