Linear drive and lifting table
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing linear drives face challenges in integrating load sensors effectively, particularly in confined spaces, while ensuring reliable force measurement and minimizing installation space requirements.
Innovation Solution
A linear drive design that incorporates a sensor device with a hollow-cylindrical stress body to axially support the linear unit, allowing for the placement of a load sensor assembly to detect mechanical stress, thereby enabling reliable force measurement while minimizing space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a load sensor is integrated into the linear drive to enable reliable force measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The load sensor assembly is integrated into the bearing assembly, merging the sensing function with the existing mechanical support structure. This combination allows force measurement capability to be added without proportionally increasing overall device complexity, as the sensor shares the housing and mounting infrastructure of the bearing assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing assembly serves dual purposes: it provides mechanical support for the linear unit and simultaneously houses the load sensor assembly for force measurement. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated sensor mounting structures, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving reliable force measurement.
2Measurement precision
If a load sensor is integrated into the linear drive to enable reliable force measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but installation space increases
Solution Approach 1:
The load sensor assembly is nested within the bearing assembly housing, utilizing the existing internal space of the bearing structure. This nesting approach allows the sensor to be accommodated without requiring additional external space, as the sensor housing is contained within the already-present bearing assembly volume.
Solution Approach 2:
By combining the sensor housing with the bearing assembly housing, the patent eliminates the need for separate dedicated sensor mounting space. The merged structure allows both the mechanical bearing function and the sensing function to coexist within a single integrated housing volume, thereby minimizing the total installation space required.
3Measurement precision
If the sensor is placed to detect complete force flow through the linear drive, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing assembly is designed to serve multiple functions: it supports the linear unit mechanically and simultaneously provides the force measurement function through the integrated load sensor. This multi-functionality allows the sensor to be positioned at a location that captures the complete force flow path without requiring additional separate measurement structures, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
4Measurement precision
If the sensor is placed to detect complete force flow through the linear drive, then measurement precision is improved, but installation space increases
Solution Approach 1:
The load sensor assembly is nested within the bearing assembly, utilizing the existing internal volume of the bearing structure to house the sensing components. This nesting strategy allows the sensor to be positioned optimally for detecting complete force flow while not requiring additional external installation space, as the sensor housing is contained within the already-present bearing assembly volume.
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 proposed solution allows for reliable and precise force measurement within the linear drive, while maintaining a compact design that can be used in confined spaces and is easily retrofitted with a sensor device.
Implementation Method 1
a load sensor assembly (17) for detecting a mechanical stress of the stress body
Data Source
AI summary
A lifting table contains a linear drive. The linear drive has a housing, a drive with an electric motor arranged outside the housing, and a linear unit arranged in the housing. In addition, a sensor device for determining a force acting on the linear drive is provided. The sensor device has a stress body, which is configured to axially support a drive-side end of the linear unit and on the inner or outer surface of which there is arranged a load sensor assembly for detecting a mechanical stress of the stress body.