Pneumatic Actuator Position Feedback for Constant Machining Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for machining and scanning workpieces lack precision and require significant technical effort, often resulting in inconsistent force application and poor surface processing quality.
Innovation Solution
A working system comprising a pneumatic actuator, controller, and manipulator that uses position sensors and proportional valves to control compressed air supply, ensuring constant force transmission and precise spatial orientation, allowing for closed-loop control of force and movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional machining and scanning systems are used, then technical effort is significant, but manufacturing precision and consistency are poor
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements closed-loop feedback control by continuously measuring the actual position of the pneumatic actuator using position sensors (encoders, potentiometers, or external sensors) and comparing it with the desired position. The control unit automatically adjusts the pneumatic supply through proportional valves to eliminate position errors, ensuring precise and consistent surface processing without requiring complex manual intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical positioning and force application systems with a pneumatic actuation system controlled by electronic feedback. Instead of complex mechanical linkages and manual positioning mechanisms, the system uses pneumatic cylinders with electronic position sensors and proportional valves to achieve precise control, reducing overall device complexity while improving precision
2Force
If force application is not controlled, then device complexity is low, but force consistency varies
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses position sensors to continuously monitor the actuator position and provides feedback to the control unit. This closed-loop feedback enables the system to maintain consistent force application by automatically adjusting pneumatic pressure through proportional valves based on actual position deviations, ensuring uniform machining and scanning forces across the workpiece surface
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically changes pneumatic pressure parameters through proportional valves to maintain consistent force application. By adjusting the pneumatic supply pressure and flow rate based on position feedback, the system optimizes force transmission between the manipulator and end effector, ensuring constant contact force during machining and scanning operations without requiring complex mechanical force control mechanisms
3Reliability
If pneumatic control is implemented, then force transmission is constant, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pneumatic control system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides force transmission, position control, and damping. The same pneumatic actuator and control unit that maintain constant force also provide oscillation damping and precise positioning, reducing the need for separate systems and thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity while improving reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs pneumatic technology to achieve reliable and stable force transmission. Pneumatic cylinders with proportional valves provide smooth, controllable force application with inherent compliance and damping characteristics. The compressibility of pneumatic media naturally absorbs shocks and vibrations, providing stable force transmission without requiring complex mechanical damping mechanisms or rigid linkages
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
Enables precise machining and scanning with minimal technical effort by maintaining consistent force application and compensating for weight and spatial orientation influences, improving processing quality and reducing oscillations.
Implementation Method 1
The pneumatic actuator (12) has the task of providing a relative movement between the moveable element (13) and the actuator housing (11) depending on at least one fluid flow, which is supplied to the pneumatic actuator (12) and/or discharged from the pneumatic actuator (12)
Implementation Method 2
For determining a spatial position or orientation of the pneumatic actuator (12), the controller (15) comprises a position sensor system (16), in particular an absolute position transducer system or an attitude sensor system
Data Source
AI summary
Working system for an application of force onto a workpiece, with a pneumatic actuator having an actuator housing designed to be fixed to a manipulator and a moveable element designed to couple an end effector and movably received on the actuator housing, and with a controller having a valve arrangement for a compressed air supply to the pneumatic actuator, has a position sensor system for determining a spatial position of the pneumatic actuator and for providing position-dependent electrical position sensor signals, and a processing system for processing the position sensor signals and for providing control signals to the valve arrangement, the processing system being designed for controlling a pneumatic supply to the pneumatic actuator as a function of the position sensor signals.