Machine Tool Probe Pairing via Wireless Contact Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual association of a wireless communication type measurement probe with a receiver or holding portion in a machine tool is burdensome and prone to errors, potentially causing incorrect associations and damage to the measurement probe.
Innovation Solution
A machine tool with a control portion that automatically associates a wireless communication type measurement probe by moving a holding portion to bring it into contact with the object to be cut, using a receiver to identify the probe and store the association based on received signals, simplifying the association process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual association of measurement probe with receiver is implemented, then flexibility and control are improved, but operation complexity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement probe automatically performs self-association with the receiver through wireless communication. The probe transmits its identification information autonomously, and the control portion automatically pairs it with the correct holding portion, eliminating the need for manual user configuration and significantly reducing association time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical association operations with automated wireless communication and electronic pairing. The measurement probe uses wireless signals to transmit identification information, and the control system automatically processes this information to establish associations, substituting manual mechanical processes with automated electronic systems
2Reliability
If manual association of measurement probe is implemented, then user control is improved, but association accuracy deteriorates due to potential user errors
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement probe autonomously transmits its identification information to the receiver, and the control portion automatically matches it with the corresponding holding portion. This self-service mechanism eliminates human error in the association process, ensuring high reliability and accuracy without requiring user intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback through the wireless communication between the measurement probe and receiver. The probe transmits identification information, the control portion receives and processes this feedback, and automatically establishes the correct association. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures accurate pairing without manual intervention
3Extent of automation
If automated association is implemented, then operation simplicity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control portion integrates multiple functions including receiving wireless signals, processing identification information, managing holding portion operations, and storing association data. By making the control portion multi-functional, the patent achieves automated association without adding separate dedicated components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the association control functionality into the existing control portion of the machine tool. Rather than adding a separate association management device, the control portion is enhanced to handle wireless communication and automatic pairing, combining multiple functions into a single integrated component
Data Source
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AI summary
This machine tool holds measurement probes and causes the measurement probes to come into contact with an object to be cut, to measure dimensions of the object to be cut. The machine tool is characterized in that the machine tool comprises a main spindle to which the object to be cut is attached, a plurality of holding portions capable of holding the measurement probes, a receiver for receiving signals transmitted after the measurement probes have come into contact with the object to be cut, and a control unit for controlling the operations of the plurality of holding portions, and in that: the control unit moves one of the plurality of holding portions; and if the receiver receives a signal from a measurement probe that is not associated with any of the plurality of holding portions, the control unit associates the moved holding portion with the measurement probe that transmitted the signal to the receiver, on the basis of the signal received by the receiver.