Mobile Machine Tool Contact Sensing for Concealed Workpiece Regions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile machine tools lack optimal monitoring of the workpiece contact region, leading to suboptimal visibility and detection of the workpiece and tool engagement, especially when the contact region is concealed.
Innovation Solution
The machine tool employs a tool sensor arrangement with multiple sensors covering partial workpiece contact regions on opposite sides of the work tool, using different detection ranges and angles to ensure comprehensive monitoring, including capacitive or inductive measuring principles, and an illumination device for optimal illumination and display of sensor signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single tool sensor is used to detect the workpiece contact region, then the device complexity is low, but the measurement precision and visibility of the workpiece contact region is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The workpiece contact region is divided into multiple partial contact regions, each monitored by a dedicated tool sensor. This segmentation allows each sensor to focus on a specific area, improving detection precision while distributing the complexity across multiple simple sensor units rather than one complex sensor system.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution transitions from a single-point detection approach to a multi-dimensional detection system by placing sensors at different spatial positions around the work tool. This dimensional expansion enables comprehensive coverage of the contact region from multiple angles simultaneously.
2Loss of information
If multiple tool sensors are arranged to cover all partial workpiece contact regions, then the visibility and monitoring of the workpiece contact region is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The contact region monitoring is segmented into multiple independent detection zones, each handled by a separate sensor. This reduces information loss by ensuring no part of the contact region goes undetected, while keeping each sensor's function simple and well-defined.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple sensor signals detecting different partial contact regions are merged and evaluated together to form a complete picture of the workpiece contact region. This combination approach comprehensively captures all contact information without requiring any single sensor to be overly complex.
3Measurement precision
If the work tool is positioned between sensor and workpiece for optimal detection, then the measurement precision is improved, but the work tool obstructs the detection range of other sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The detection task is segmented across multiple sensors positioned at different locations. Each sensor detects a specific partial contact region without being obstructed by the work tool, as the tool only blocks its immediate line of sight. This segmentation eliminates the obstruction problem while maintaining high measurement precision for each detected region.
Solution Approach 2:
Sensors are positioned asymmetrically around the work tool at optimized angles and locations. This asymmetric arrangement ensures that each sensor has an unobstructed view of its assigned detection zone, with sensors placed where the work tool geometry does not block the detection path.
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
This configuration provides improved visibility and precise monitoring of the workpiece contact region, allowing operators to effectively track both entry and exit points of the work tool, enhancing operational efficiency and accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
Other measuring principles for the tool sensors are also advantageous at this point, for example capacitive, inductive or similar measuring principles
Implementation Method 2
Other measuring principles for the tool sensors are also advantageous at this point, for example capacitive, inductive or similar measuring principles
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile machine tool, namely a manually-operated machine tool (10) or semi-stationary machine tool (10), for machining a workpiece (W), wherein the machine tool (10) has a plate-like guide element (30) with a guide surface (32) for guiding the machine tool (10) on the workpiece (W) or the workpiece (W) on the machine tool (10), wherein the machine tool (10) has a drive unit (11) with a drive motor (13) for driving a tool holder (14) arranged on the drive unit (11), wherein the machine tool (10) is provided with a tool sensor arrangement (61, 62) for detecting a workpiece contact region in which a work tool (15) arranged on the tool holder (14), is in contact with the workpiece (W). The tool sensor arrangement (61, 62) comprises at least two tool sensors (61, 62), the detection ranges of which (EB1, EB2) are assigned to different partial workpiece contact regions (WK1, WK2) of the workpiece contact region.