Coordinate Positioning Machine Counterbalance With Invariant Force Axis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Non-Cartesian coordinate positioning machines face challenges with existing counterbalance arrangements, including increased size, non-ideal support, dynamic response issues, and energy inefficiency due to moving counterbalance components that extend outside the working volume and require significant energy to maintain stability.
Innovation Solution
A coordinate positioning machine with a separate linear counterbalance axis that remains invariant to changes in the orientation of the drive axes, minimizing movement and work done by the force generator, and utilizing a linkage to maintain a constant counterbalance force orientation relative to gravity, reducing energy consumption and thermal effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional counterbalance arrangement is used in non-Cartesian coordinate positioning machines, then the moveable structure can be supported against gravity, but the counterbalance components extend outside the working volume increasing the machine size and requiring significant energy to maintain stability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies counterweight principles by positioning counterbalance masses on the moveable platform that generate gravitational forces to counteract the weight of the platform and tooling. The counterbalance masses are strategically placed and sized to create moments that balance the gravitational effects without requiring external counterbalance structures, thereby maintaining stability while compacting the machine footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent resolves the volume issue by transitioning from external counterbalance structures to internal counterbalancing within the moveable platform. The counterbalance masses are integrated into the platform's mass distribution, utilizing the third dimension (vertical placement within the platform) to create balancing moments without extending the machine's external dimensions.
2Reliability
If a traditional counterbalance arrangement is used in non-Cartesian coordinate positioning machines, then the moveable structure can be supported against gravity, but significant energy is required to maintain stability and counterbalance components must move extensively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses strategically positioned counterbalance masses on the moveable platform to create gravitational moments that counteract the platform's weight. This passive gravitational counterbalancing reduces the energy required by motors to maintain position, as the counterbalance masses continuously provide balancing forces without requiring active energy input.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an equipotential system by positioning counterbalance masses to equalize the gravitational potential energy distribution across the moveable platform. This balancing of gravitational potentials minimizes the work required by the control system to maintain the platform at different positions, thereby reducing energy consumption.
3Reliability
If counterbalance components move extensively to maintain stability, then the moveable structure can be supported, but dynamic response issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates counterbalance masses directly into the moveable platform structure, creating a rigid coupled system. This eliminates the need for separate moving counterbalance components that would require additional actuators and linkages, thereby reducing mechanical complexity and improving dynamic response while maintaining stability support.
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 solution provides stable and efficient counterbalancing throughout the working volume, reducing energy usage and thermal impacts, while maintaining a constant counterbalance force orientation, thus enhancing the machine's dynamic response and accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
a force generator for generating a counterbalance force to counterbalance the moveable structure
Data Source
AI summary
A coordinate positioning machine includes a plurality of drive axes, each being a rotary or linear drive axis, for positioning a platform within a working volume of the machine, and a separate linear counterbalance axis for counterbalancing the platform. With this arrangement the counterbalance axis can be substantially invariant to changes in orientation of the drive axes and can be counterbalanced by a simple counterweight. Also, an arrangement wherein the counterbalance axes and force generator are arranged so horizontal movement of the platform causes substantially no net movement of and/or no work to be done on the generator. Also, an arrangement wherein a series of counterbalance axes has at least one rotary counterbalance axis, and the generator is arranged behind or at a predetermined distance from the counterbalance axis. Also, an arrangement having a series of counterbalance axes with at most one rotary counterbalance axis between the generator and ground.