Locking Device Helical Spring Buffering Braking Forces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing locking devices for protective doors in machine tools face challenges in reliably stopping the door under high movement and acceleration forces without causing damage to the components, leading to increased downtime and costs due to excessive braking forces on profile rails and the door.
Innovation Solution
A locking device that uses a helical compression spring to buffer and dampen braking forces on a guide column, which is not rigidly connected to the profile rail, allowing the servo device to operate at high speeds while preventing damage by limiting the damping path with a stop and optional damping bodies, ensuring precise control and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the servo device operates at high speed to reduce opening and closing time, then productivity is improved, but the braking forces during stopping can damage the profile rails and component
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies prior cushioning by introducing a guide column with a helical compression spring that is pre-loaded to cushion the braking forces before they reach the profile rails and component. The spring absorbs the shock during rapid stopping, preventing damage while allowing high-speed operation. The guide column acts as a shock-absorbing element that is activated in advance of the actual stopping event.
2Reliability
If the guide column is rigidly connected to the profile rail to ensure stability, then reliability is improved, but the braking forces directly damage the component and profile rail
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by positioning the guide column between the profile rail and the locking member, but not rigidly connecting it to the profile rail. Instead, the guide column is held by a helical compression spring that allows it to move and absorb braking forces. This intermediary guide column structure mediates between the need for stability and the need to protect against braking force damage.
3Strength
If the guide column is allowed to move freely to absorb braking forces, then damage protection is improved, but the adjustment path becomes uncontrolled and safety is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the movement parameters of the guide column through a stop element. The stop limits the adjustment path of the guide column to a predetermined maximum distance, ensuring that the guide column can absorb braking forces through controlled movement while maintaining safety. The helical compression spring provides a predetermined pretensioning force that also controls the movement parameters.
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 enables reliable stopping of the protective door under high forces without damaging the components, reduces material and manufacturing costs, and allows for faster opening and closing cycles, minimizing downtime and operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
a guide column (7), which is held in a linearly displaceable manner by means of a helical compression spring (15)
Implementation Method 2
the braking forces that occur on the guide column can be buffered or dampened, because the guide column is not rigidly connected to the profile rail, but is counteracted by the pretensioning force of the helical compression spring
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
In a device (1) for locking a movable component (2), in particular a protective door or device arranged in front of a work area to be secured, which is guided on one or both sides in profile rails (3, 4) and adjustable by means of a servo device (11), with a locking element (21) arranged on the component (2) and pivotably mounted to a limited extent, which completely surrounds a guide column (7) running parallel to the profile rails (3, 4) for automatic clamping and forms a force-fit operative connection for locking the component (2) when the locking element (21) is activated, a reliable raising of the component (2) under high movement and acceleration forces should be possible and the holding or stopping forces occurring should not damage the components (2) of the locking device (1).This is achieved by providing a helical compression spring (15) between the guide column (7) and one of the profile rails (3 or 4), by which the guide column (7) is held in a limited linearly displaceable manner on the respective profile rails (3 or 4), and by providing an air gap (17) between the free end (8) of the guide column (7) opposite the helical compression spring (15) and a stop (6) of the device (1).