Optical Shutter Sealing for Machine Tool Part Checking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optoelectronic devices for checking mechanical parts in industrial environments face challenges in protecting optical devices from dust, liquids, and cooling splashes, with existing solutions failing to provide a reliable seal during power failures or when not powered.
Innovation Solution
A protection device with a movable shutter and pneumatic system that uses a combination of a cylindrical shell, nozzle, and sealing elements, including a ball and annular gasket, to ensure fluid-tight protection of optical devices by aligning conduits and using compressed air to maintain a shielding gas flow, even in non-operational conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a movable shutter is used to protect optical devices, then protection against dust and foreign materials is improved, but protection against liquids and cooling splashes is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
A pneumatic system with compressed air nozzles is introduced as an intermediary protective layer between the external environment (liquids, cooling splashes) and the optical devices. The pneumatic system creates a pressurized air barrier that prevents liquids and contaminants from reaching the optics, complementing the mechanical shutter's dust protection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a combination of mechanical shutter (rigid) and pneumatic field (flexible) to create a multi-layer protection system. The pneumatic protection acts as a flexible barrier that can dynamically respond to liquid intrusion attempts, providing reliable protection that rigid mechanical structures alone cannot achieve.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If compressed air is blown continuously to protect optics, then protection against dirt deposition is improved, but energy consumption increases and protection fails during power failure
Solution Approach 1:
The pneumatic system operates periodically rather than continuously - activated only when the optoelectronic device is not in use or when contamination is detected. This periodic operation maintains protection effectiveness while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary cleaning actions before contamination can accumulate on the optics. By activating the pneumatic system in advance (during non-operational phases), it prevents dirt deposition rather than requiring continuous operation to maintain cleanliness.
3Reliability
If a mechanical shutter is used to close the conduit, then protection during non-operative condition is improved, but seal reliability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two protection mechanisms - mechanical shutter and pneumatic system - into a unified protection system. The mechanical shutter provides the primary physical barrier, while the pneumatic system provides the sealing function, together achieving reliable liquid-tight protection during non-operative conditions.
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 solution effectively prevents foreign materials and liquids from reaching the optics, ensuring reliable operation even when the power is off, by maintaining a sealed environment through the use of a shielding gas flow and mechanical shutter alignment.
Implementation Method 1
a pneumatic system with a particular nozzle having different conduits around the one crossed by the light beam which generate a flow of air in form of a tubular protective shield around the light beam
Implementation Method 2
there can be movable mechanical protections such as sliding shutters that uncover the optical devices only during the time interval in which the checking is carried out
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for checking mechanical parts such as tools on machine tools employs optical devices for emitting and receiving a light beam, for example a laser beam, along a checking direction, and sensors for detecting variations in the features of such a light beam. A protection device (15) for at least one of the optical devices comprises a support element (21,22) with an inner seat (20), communication conduits (18,26,34) aligned along the checking direction and a shutter (44) movable, in the internal seat, from a rest position to an operative position of the apparatus. The shutter comprises a transversal through hole (60) which is arranged along the checking direction in the operative position, aligned with the communication conduits to allow the light beam to pass through. A movable closure element (55), for example a small sphere or ball, is arranged in a transversal hollow (54) of the shutter and is pushed by a spring towards the outside of the transversal hollow. In the rest position of the apparatus, the transversal hollow is arranged along the checking direction and the movable closing element partially protrudes and cooperates with a gasket at the inlet of one of the communication conduits, to prevent the entry of foreign material and fluids into the optical device.