Pneumatic Travel Unit Synchronization Without Mechanical Wear
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for synchronizing the movement of production resources in manufacturing processes, such as industrial robots and conveyor systems, face issues of wear due to mechanical coupling and require complex electrical synchronization, which increases operational complexity and costs.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a conveyor device and a traversing device with a load-carrying device that uses a pneumatic actuated force sensor to synchronize the movement of a load and workpiece along parallel paths, minimizing wear and eliminating the need for complex electrical control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical coupling is used to synchronize conveyor and robot movements, then synchronization is achieved, but wear increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical coupling with a pneumatic system. A pneumatic cylinder is connected to the conveyor belt, and pneumatic pressure is used to drive the belt, eliminating mechanical contact between the conveyor drive and the belt. This substitution of pneumatic actuation for mechanical coupling reduces wear while maintaining synchronization capability through pressure regulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs pneumatic technology throughout: a pneumatic cylinder provides the driving force for the conveyor belt, and a force sensor with pneumatic actuation detects contact forces between the belt and workpiece. The pneumatic system enables wear-free transmission of motion while maintaining the necessary mechanical interaction for synchronization through force feedback.
2Measurement precision
If electrical drives with complex control technology are used, then synchronization precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a force sensor that automatically detects contact between the conveyor belt and workpiece, triggering pneumatic actuation to start or stop movement. This self-regulating mechanism eliminates the need for complex electronic control systems, sensors, and programming while achieving precise synchronization through passive force-based feedback.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces electrical control systems with a pneumatic control system. Instead of using motors, encoders, and electronic controllers, the system uses pneumatic pressure regulation and force-sensing actuation to achieve synchronized movement, significantly reducing device complexity while maintaining functional precision.
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 system achieves synchronized movement with reduced wear and operational complexity by using pneumatic actuation, allowing for efficient and cost-effective coordination of load and workpiece movements without requiring complex hardware or software synchronization.
Implementation Method 1
The measuring sensor is a force sensor arranged on the load-carrying device
Implementation Method 2
the load-carrying device is designed to be movable by pneumatic actuation of the traversing unit
Data Source
Figure 1~2b
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a system comprising a conveying device (1) for moving a workpiece (2) along a conveying path (3), as well as comprising a travel device (4) having a travel unit (5) for moving a load (6) along a travel path (7) which is adjacent to the conveying path (3). The travel unit (5) also has a load-receiving device (8) in order to receive the load (6), and the system has at least one sensor in order to couple the motions of the workpiece (2) and the load (6) along the conveying path (3) and the travel path (7). The sensor is a force sensor (9) arranged on the load-receiving device (8), and furthermore the load-receiving device (8) can be moved by means of pneumatic actuation of the travel unit (5). The invention also relates to a method for pneumatically actuating the travel unit (5) of the system.