Measuring Device Mounting With Pivot Bearing Spring Pretensioning

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional measuring devices for determining the path and speed of moving objects, such as conveyor belts, require complex mounting procedures that can lead to overstretching of spring elements and necessitate additional mechanical stops or tools for proper prestressing.

Innovation Solution

A measuring device with a holding unit featuring a pivot bearing and a spring element, where the pivot bearing has a through-hole for receiving one end of the spring element and a second through-hole for a tool to manually set the spring's prestressed state, allowing for defined pretensioning without mechanical stops or additional tools.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional mounting procedure with mechanical stops and measuring gauges is used, then the spring element can be prestressed to the required force, but the mounting becomes complex and the spring element risks overstretching

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespring element prestressing accuracyVSAvoidmounting procedure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the mechanical stops and measuring gauges from the mounting procedure. The through-hole in the pivot bearing extracts the function of mechanical stops by allowing direct visual inspection of the spring element's prestressing state, eliminating the need for separate stopping mechanisms and measurement tools.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The spring element itself serves as both the prestressing mechanism and the indicator of its own state. By making the spring element visible through the through-hole during mounting, the system uses the component's own physical state as the measurement reference, eliminating the need for external measuring devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If mechanical stops are provided in the pivot bearing to prevent overstretching, then the spring element is protected, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespring element protectionVSAvoidpivot bearing structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the protective function from separate mechanical stops and integrates it into the through-hole design of the pivot bearing. The through-hole allows direct observation of the spring element's state, providing protection against overstretching through visual feedback rather than mechanical intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The pivot bearing's through-hole serves multiple functions: it allows the spring element to pass through for mounting, enables visual inspection of the spring element's prestressing state, and prevents overstretching by providing a reference point for correct positioning. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate protective stops.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enables easy and secure mounting of the measuring device without overstretching the spring element, ensuring a slip-free contact and eliminating the need for auxiliary devices like gauges or mechanical stops, while maintaining the required contact pressure.

Implementation Method 1

a spring element 6, which is connected to a first end on the first side 4a of the holding unit 4, presses the measuring wheel 2 against the object O

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Implementation Method 2

The running surface 2a of the measuring wheel 2 is placed on the conveyor belt 10 with a friction fit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3091331B1Measuring device for measuring a path and/or a speed and method for mounting the same
Publication Date: 2017.10.04 SICK STEGMANN
  • EP3091331B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3091331B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

To enable the mounting of a measuring device in the operating position without overloading the spring element, a measuring device for measuring the displacement and/or velocity of an object moving relative to the measuring device is provided, comprising a measuring wheel attached to a shaft of a rotary encoder and with a running surface on the object, and a holding unit for attaching the measuring device to a stationary component, which is rotationally fixed to the measuring device on one side and rotatably connected to the component on the other side by means of a rotary bearing such that the holding unit presses the measuring wheel against the object by means of a spring element.wherein the rotary bearing has a first bore for receiving one end of the spring element and a second bore for temporarily receiving a tool and for manually rotating the rotary bearing using the tool. Furthermore, a method for mounting the measuring device is provided.