Modular Fluid-Actuated Linear Drive With Optional Stroke Setting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid-actuated linear drives are over-dimensioned for applications that do not require travel setting, leading to increased manufacturing costs and unnecessary complexity.
Innovation Solution
A modular design for fluid-actuated linear drives that includes a multi-function module for both fluid transmission and stroke limitation, allowing for optional assembly and disassembly, enabling flexible operation with or without the module for adjustable stroke end positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If integrated travel setting possibilities are included in the linear drive design, then adaptability and versatility are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The linear drive is divided into modular components: a base unit with drive housing and channels, and an optional multi-function module containing the module block with integrated channel systems and stroke limitation counter-stops. This segmentation allows customers to order only the base unit if travel setting is not needed, reducing complexity and cost for simple applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-function module serves dual purposes: it provides fluid transmission through integrated channel systems and enables stroke limitation through counter-stops. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise be separate components into a single add-on module, allowing flexible configuration based on application requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If integrated travel setting possibilities are included in the linear drive design, then adaptability and versatility are improved, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the travel setting functionality into an optional multi-function module that can be ordered independently, the manufacturer can produce base units at lower cost for simple applications, while offering the expensive multi-functional version only to customers who need it. This reduces average manufacturing costs and makes the base product more competitive.
Solution Approach 2:
The system configuration is made dynamic and configurable - customers can choose whether to include the multi-function module based on their specific application needs. This dynamic ordering option allows the manufacturing system to adapt production to actual demand, avoiding the waste of producing full-featured units for customers who need only basic functionality.
3Ease of manufacture
If the multi-function module is made separate and modular, then ease of manufacture and cost flexibility are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-function module merges multiple functions (fluid transmission channels and stroke limitation counter-stops) into a single integrated component that attaches to the drive housing. This merging reduces the number of separate parts that need to be managed, making assembly simpler despite the modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The module block is designed as a universal interface that can be attached to standard drive housings, providing both fluid transmission and stroke limitation through a single standardized component. This universality simplifies manufacturing and assembly processes by using standardized connection interfaces.
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 modular design reduces manufacturing costs by allowing the linear drive to be operated with or without the multi-function module, providing flexibility and precision in stroke end position settings while maintaining fluidic control capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a drive piston which in the drive housing separates two drive chambers from one another, said drive chambers being successive in the housing longitudinal direction... a drive fluid which generates the linear stroke movement
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid actuated linear drive includes a drive housing and a drive member which is movable between two stroke end positions. The drive member has a drive unit with a drive piston which divides off two drive chambers from one another, the drive chambers via two housing channels being connected to axial housing coupling openings which are arranged on a housing rear side. A multi-function module is built onto the housing rear side in a position of use and includes components of an external end position setting device for the drive member and is furthermore provided with module block channel systems which communicate with the housing channels and can be used for the feed and discharge of a drive fluid when the multifunction module is built onto the drive housing in the position of use.