Inspection Head Bearing Preload Structure for Rotational Precision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surface inspecting apparatuses face challenges in achieving high precision rotation of inspection heads at increased speeds, require lengthy centering processes during maintenance, and incur costs from frequent replacement of optical path changing devices.
Innovation Solution
The inspection head supporting structure incorporates a hollow tubular bearing fitting part with a main shaft, coaxial head supporting shaft, and bearings that apply radial and axial loads, utilizing pressure preloading members and a spring device to enhance rotational precision, allowing for integral removal and installation without centering, and a modular optical path changing device for easy cleaning and replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the rotation speed of the inspection head is increased to enhance inspection efficiency, then productivity is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to higher requirements for rotational shake precision
Solution Approach 1:
The inspection head is divided into separable components: the optical path changing device can be removed independently from the inspection head body. This allows the optical components to be cleaned or replaced without affecting the rotational mechanism, enabling high-speed rotation maintenance while improving inspection efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing structure is designed with preload capability to dynamically adjust and maintain rotational precision at varying speeds. The bearing configuration ensures that even at high rotation speeds, the inspection head maintains precise rotational movement with minimal shake
2Ease of repair
If the entire inspection head is removed and reinstalled for optical path changing device maintenance, then ease of repair is improved, but loss of time increases due to required centering work
Solution Approach 1:
The optical path changing device is segmented as a separate removable component from the inspection head body. This allows maintenance personnel to access, remove, clean, or replace optical components without removing the entire inspection head, eliminating the time-consuming centering process while maintaining ease of repair
Solution Approach 2:
The optical path changing device is extracted as an independent serviceable unit. By taking out only the optical components that require maintenance rather than the entire inspection head, the repair process becomes faster and simpler without requiring precise recentering operations
3Measurement precision
If the optical path changing device is replaced frequently to maintain inspection quality, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of substance increases due to replacement costs
Solution Approach 1:
The optical path changing device is designed to be easily removed and recovered for cleaning or replacement. When optical components become contaminated or degraded, they can be taken out, cleaned, and reused, or replaced with new components. This extends the service life of optical components while maintaining inspection quality, reducing the frequency of replacements and associated costs
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 solution improves rotational precision, reduces maintenance time, and lowers costs by enabling efficient inspection head handling and easy replacement of optical path components, enhancing inspection efficiency and longevity.
Implementation Method 1
a spring device which is disposed between the first and the second pressure preloading members and each of which urges each pressure preloading member toward each outer race of the pair of bearings
Implementation Method 2
a ring of elastic material disposed between the first pressure preloading member and an outer race of one of the bearings, and an outer circumference of the ring being contacted with the inner circumference of the bearing fitting part
Data Source
AI summary
A pair of angular contact bearings 20A, 20B are disposed between a bearing house 16b of an inspection head 16 and a head supporting tube 8, and a spacer 25 and a spring bearing ring 26 are disposed between outer races 20o of the bearings 20A, 20B. The spacer 25 and the spring bearing ring 26 are urged by a coil spring 27 toward the side of the outer race 20o. An O-ring 28 is disposed between the spacer 25 and the outer race 20o of the bearing 20B, and the outer circumference of the O-ring is brought into closely contact with the inner circumference of the bearing house 16b. The outer races 20o are constrained by a step part 16f in the bearing house 16b and an end cap 29 screwed into the inspection head 16. Removing the end cap 29 makes it possible to take out the bearing housing 16b and a main shaft part 16c integrally from atop of the bearings 20A, 20B.