Modular Rotary Table Brake for Fail-Safe Spindle Braking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional braking devices for lathes lack a modular design, making maintenance and adjustment inconvenient, and often fail to provide sufficient braking force, especially in unexpected power outages or fluid supply disruptions, posing safety risks.

Innovation Solution

A pushing force-actuated braking device with a modular design, featuring an annular housing, brake disc, braking piston, brake-releasing piston, and braking elements, which can maintain a normally closed braking mechanism using different axial forces applied by fluids and elastic or magnetic forces, ensuring the brake disc remains engaged even if the braking piston fails.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of repair

If a conventional braking device is used, then the device can apply braking force to the spindle, but the device lacks modular design making maintenance and adjustment inconvenient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemaintenance and adjustment convenienceVSAvoidmodular design

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The braking device is divided into independent modular components including a brake assembly, actuator assembly, and control assembly that can be separately maintained and adjusted. The brake disc, braking elements, and housing form a self-contained brake module that can be serviced independently from the actuation system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Force

If a conventional braking device is used, then the device can provide braking force, but the braking force is too weak for relatively large spindles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebraking forceVSAvoidsuitability for large spindle

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple braking elements are combined to act simultaneously on the brake disc, distributing and multiplying the braking force. The plurality of braking elements work in parallel to generate sufficient total braking force for large spindles while maintaining individual element simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If elastic elements are used to disengage brake discs, then the brake-releasing effect is achieved, but the elastic elements experience elastic fatigue after use for a certain amount of time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebrake-releasing reliabilityVSAvoidservice life of elastic elements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical elastic element system is replaced with a fluid pressure system. Hydraulic or pneumatic pressure applied to the actuator provides the force to disengage the brake disc, eliminating elastic fatigue issues while maintaining reliable brake-releasing function throughout the system's service life.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Ease of operation

If the braking device lacks modular design, then the components can be put together individually, but this causes inconveniences in maintenance and adjustment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemaintenance and adjustment easeVSAvoidmodular structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The braking device is segmented into modular assemblies with standardized interfaces. The brake module, actuator module, and control module can be independently removed and serviced, greatly facilitating maintenance and adjustment operations while maintaining clear functional boundaries.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 facilitates easy assembly and maintenance, and the normally closed mechanism enhances operational safety by ensuring the brake disc remains engaged, preventing damage to the headstock and ensuring safety even during power outages or fluid supply failures.

Implementation Method 1

apply a third axial pushing force to the brake disc constantly

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic force: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

can apply a first axial pushing force to the brake disc when subjected to the action of a first fluid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure: Hydraulic Press

Implementation Method 3

can apply a second axial pushing force to the brake disc when subjected to the action of a second fluid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPneumatic pressure: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 4

pushing, i.e., causing axial displacement of, the piston disc and a large brake disc

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAxial displacement: Displacement

Data Source

PatentUS11708876B2Pushing force-actuated braking device and rotary table using the same

Publication Date: 2023.07.25 HIWIN TECH CORP

AI summary

A pushing force-actuated braking device includes an annular housing that houses a brake disc, a braking piston, plural braking elements, and a brake-releasing piston. When only the braking piston is under the action of a fluid, the braking piston applies an axial pushing force to the brake disc such that the brake disc is kept at a braking position jointly by the braking piston and the braking elements. When only the brake-releasing piston is under the action of a fluid, the brake-releasing piston applies an opposite pushing force to the brake disc to keep it at a brake-releasing position. Should the fluid acting on the braking piston fail, the force of the braking elements still enables the brake disc to produce a braking effect. The pushing force-actuated braking device has a modular design to facilitate assembly and disassembly. A rotary table using the braking device is also provided.