Pivotable Stop Mechanism for Direct Drive Positioning

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drive devices require complex movement sequences and reduced cycle rates due to the need for backward movement to relieve stops, leading to premature wear and inefficiency in positioning.

Innovation Solution

A pivotable stop that can be pivoted away from the counter-stop, allowing direct movement towards end positions without backward movement, simplifying the sequence and improving cycle rates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the carriage moves directly towards the end position while the stop is in the operative position, then the movement sequence is simplified and cycle rate is improved, but the bearings and guides experience premature wear due to direct loading

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecycle rateVSAvoidbearing wear
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The stop is designed to be pivotable between an operative position (where it engages the counter-stop to define the intermediate position) and an inactive position (where it is retracted from the loading path). This dynamic repositioning allows the carriage to move directly toward end positions without forced backward movement, simplifying the movement sequence and improving cycle rate while preventing premature bearing wear by eliminating unnecessary reverse movements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the carriage is forced to move away from the stop before moving to end positions, then bearing wear is reduced, but the movement sequence becomes more complicated and cycle rate decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebearing wearVSAvoidcycle rate
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The stop is preliminarily repositioned to the inactive position before the carriage moves toward the end position. This preliminary action of pivoting the stop away from the loading path eliminates the need for forced backward movement of the carriage, allowing direct movement to end positions and improving cycle rate while still protecting against bearing wear

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If a linearly displaceable stop is used to specify intermediate positions, then position specification is achieved, but the stop cannot be quickly repositioned and movement sequences are complicated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition specificationVSAvoidmovement sequence complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The stop is changed from a linearly displaceable mechanism to a pivotable mechanism that rotates between operative and inactive positions. This dynamic repositioning allows the stop to quickly transition between states without complex linear displacement mechanisms, simplifying the overall movement sequence while maintaining precise intermediate position specification when in the operative position

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 solution simplifies the movement sequence and enhances the cycle rate by allowing direct movement towards end positions, reducing wear and improving operational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

A stop device (1) for a drive device (30, 40) with a moving part (30), which has a displaceable stop (3) which can assume two positions, namely an operative position in which it acts on a counter-stop (7) to specify an intermediate position and an inactive position in which it is retracted from the loading path of a moving part (30)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPivoting: Hinge

Data Source

PatentEP2027967B1Drive device
Publication Date: 2010.11.03 AFAG HLDG AG
  • EP2027967B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2027967B1 patent drawingFigure 2~5
  • EP2027967B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The device has a movable part (30) arranged between end positions (P1, P2). A stopper (3) and an anti-stopper (7, 7a) are movable relative to each other on a trajectory. The stopper is pivotable at an axis of rotation (4) between active and inactive positions. The stopper and the anti-stopper restrict the movement of the part (30) in active position, and are movable in the inactive position. Rotational direction of the axis of rotation is adjusted such that the stopper is pivoted away from the anti-stopper, when the stopper is arranged in the active position.