Handling Unit Braking Adjustment Using Smartphone Motion Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing handling devices in automation technology require manual adjustment of shock absorber parameters, which is time-consuming and prone to incorrect settings, leading to overstressing, wear, and premature failure, especially when handling different masses and varying moment of inertia.
Innovation Solution
A method using a smartphone or tablet with acceleration and gyro sensors to measure movement and provide recommendations for adjusting the braking device and drive device parameters, optimizing end position damping and reducing acceleration sign changes for smoother operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual adjustment of shock absorber parameters is performed, then the handling device can be operated, but the adjustment process is time-consuming and prone to incorrect settings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment with an automated electronic system. A smartphone or tablet with sensors (accelerometer, gyroscope) automatically measures the actual movement parameters of the handling device and uses application software to calculate optimal shock absorber settings, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual trial-and-error adjustment while ensuring precise parameter settings.
Solution Approach 2:
The handling device performs self-diagnosis and self-adjustment through the automated measurement and calculation system. The device itself generates the data needed for optimization through its own operation, and the system automatically determines the correct parameters without external intervention, enabling rapid and accurate setup.
2Ease of operation
If shock absorber parameters are incorrectly adjusted, then the handling device can operate, but this leads to overstressing, wear, and premature failure
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the actual movement parameters of the handling device using sensors in the smartphone or tablet. By comparing measured values with target values and automatically calculating optimal shock absorber settings, the system provides real-time feedback to ensure parameters are always correctly adjusted, preventing overstressing and wear while maintaining simple operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary measurement and calculation of optimal parameters before actual operation begins. By determining the correct shock absorber settings in advance based on measured movement characteristics, the system prevents incorrect adjustment from causing damage, ensuring reliability before the handling device is put into service.
3Adaptability or versatility
If varying masses are handled regularly, then the handling device is versatile, but this necessitates frequent adjustments to end-position damping
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically adapts to varying masses by continuously measuring the actual movement parameters and recalculating optimal shock absorber settings for each loading condition. This feedback mechanism eliminates the need for manual re-adjustment when handling different masses, maintaining versatility while preventing time loss through automated parameter optimization.
4Productivity
If the moving part is decelerated smoothly within a target time, then the operation is optimized, but this requires precise adjustment of damping stiffness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex manual adjustment procedures with automated electronic measurement and calculation. The smartphone or tablet with sensors automatically determines the precise damping stiffness settings needed to achieve smooth deceleration within target time, maintaining high productivity while eliminating the complexity of manual adjustment through software-based optimization.
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 method enables faster, more precise adjustment of handling device parameters, reducing wear and tear, and ensuring harmonious braking, thus extending the lifespan of the braking and drive devices.
Implementation Method 1
the acceleration is measured using at least one acceleration and/or gyroscope sensor of the smartphone or tablet
Implementation Method 2
the acceleration is measured using at least one acceleration and/or gyroscope sensor of the smartphone or tablet
Implementation Method 3
a braking unit for decelerating the movable moving part in the region of the two end positions. The adjustable braking unit is typically a shock absorber
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
A method for optimizing the operation of a handling unit (2), in particular a linear or pivot unit, wherein the unit comprises a base part (2), a movement part (10) arranged on the base part (2) to be moveable between two end positions (6, 8), a drive unit (11) for moving the movement part (10), and an adjustable braking unit (12, 14) for braking the movement part (10), wherein the drive unit (11) and/or the braking unit (12, 14) can be adjusted in that the following steps are carried out: a. arranging of a smartphone or tablet on the movement part; b. moving of the movement part between the end positions and measuring of the acceleration by means of at least one acceleration sensor and/or gyro sensor of the smartphone or tablet; c. using an application software to compare the measured values or the temporal acceleration curves resulting therefrom with reliable characteristic values stored in the smartphone or in the tablet; d. outputting of a handling recommendation for the braking unit and/or the drive unit (11) by the application software. The invention also relates to an associated arrangement.