Distance Measuring Probe Air Discharge System Steady Force
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing distance measuring probes for coordinate measuring machines face challenges in providing a small, steady measuring force, especially when measuring precision objects with slanted surfaces, as current methods either result in force variability or tip deformation, leading to measurement errors.
Innovation Solution
A distance measuring probe with an air discharge system and an actuator using hollow tubes and a linear measuring scale, where air pressure is used to move a tip extension relative to a tube track, providing a small and steady measuring force through continuous air flow and discharge, minimizing friction and deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a spring is used to provide measuring force, then the measuring force can be maintained, but the spring may resonate and deform causing measuring force variation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical spring system with an air pressure system. Instead of using elastic deformation of a spring to provide measuring force, the invention uses controlled air pressure to push the hollow tube, eliminating resonance and deformation issues associated with spring-based systems while maintaining steady measuring force.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs pneumatic principles by using air pressure to drive the hollow tube. The air pressure system provides smooth, vibration-free force application compared to mechanical springs, resolving the contradiction between maintaining measuring force and ensuring its stability.
2Force
If an air pump is used to provide measuring force, then force can be applied, but the pulsed pressure cannot provide steady measuring force
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous air flow through the hollow tube with continuous discharge at the front end. This continuous action eliminates the pulsed pressure characteristic of traditional air pumps, providing steady and uninterrupted measuring force throughout the measurement process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the air pressure system dynamic by continuously adjusting and discharging air pressure in response to the measurement process. The air pressure is not static but actively managed to maintain steady force application, adapting to the measurement needs while ensuring force stability.
3Force
If a contact tip is slantingly arranged to reduce measuring force, then the measuring force becomes small, but the measuring force becomes difficult to control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of force application from gravitational component (slanted arrangement) to pneumatic pressure. This allows independent control of measuring force magnitude through air pressure regulation, making the force both small and easily controllable without relying on fixed geometric angles.
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 enables precise, high-accuracy measurements with reduced risk of tip deformation and measurement errors, allowing for precise measurement of precision components like optical lenses with improved control over measuring force, resulting in manufacturing errors within ±0.1 microns.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the at least one hollow tube defines a cavity for containing a flux of air, and is configured to be driven by the flux of air to push the tip extension to move
Implementation Method 2
The air discharge system is configured to eject at least part of the flux of air in the at least one hollow tube out of the at least one hollow tube
Data Source
AI summary
An exemplary distance measuring probe (100) includes a tube track (12), a tip extension (16), a pair of hollow tubes (14), a pair of air discharge systems (115), a linear measuring scale (18), and a displacement sensor (19). The tip extension is configured to touch a surface of an object (50). The linear measuring scale and the displacement sensor are respectively fixed relative to one of the tube track and the tip extension. The hollow tubes contain a flux of air, and are configured to cooperatively push the tip extension to move. Each air discharge system ejects part of air in the corresponding hollow tube out of the hollow tube. The linear measuring scale displays values of displacements of the tip extension. The displacement sensor detects and reads the displacement values displayed by the linear measuring scale.