Probe Head Collision Detection via Segmented Housing and Switching Unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Probe heads in material-working machines are prone to damage from collisions, and existing systems lack robustness and high measuring accuracy, especially when the housing collides with obstacles.
Innovation Solution
A probe head design featuring a housing with a deflectable stylus and a switching unit with contact elements that trigger an electrical signal upon deflection, allowing for collision detection and machine stoppage to prevent damage, while maintaining high measuring accuracy through axial elastic contact elements and a mechanical and electrical contact system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the probe head uses a rigid housing structure, then structural strength is improved, but collision sensitivity increases causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into multiple segments: a rigid first housing unit for structural strength and a movable second housing unit for collision absorption. This segmentation allows the system to simultaneously achieve structural integrity and collision resistance by distributing functions across different structural components.
Solution Approach 2:
The second housing unit is designed to be movable relative to the first housing unit, transforming the static rigid structure into a dynamic system. This dynamic capability allows the housing to adapt to collision forces while maintaining overall structural strength through the controlled movement and resetting mechanism.
2Reliability
If the probe head uses a movable second housing unit for collision detection, then collision detection capability is improved, but structural stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The movable second housing unit provides excessive movement capability beyond what is strictly necessary for detection. This allows the system to maintain structural stability in the first housing unit while enabling sufficient movement in the second housing unit for reliable collision detection and signal generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact elements act as intermediaries between the movable second housing unit and the rigid first housing unit. These intermediaries transmit collision information from the movable portion to the fixed portion, enabling reliable collision detection while maintaining the structural stability of the overall system through controlled mechanical coupling.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the contact elements are made axially elastic, then collision absorption is improved, but measurement precision may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The axially elastic contact elements provide localized flexibility only at the collision detection interface, while the rest of the measurement system maintains rigid precision. This local quality application allows collision absorption without compromising overall measurement precision, as the elasticity is confined to the specific function of collision detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact elements change their mechanical parameters (elasticity) specifically for collision absorption while maintaining dimensional stability for measurement purposes. The elastic properties are tuned to provide sufficient collision absorption while minimizing impact on measurement precision through controlled parameter selection.
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 probe head is insensitive to collisions, ensuring reliable operation and preventing damage by generating a switching signal that stops the machine, while maintaining high measuring accuracy and allowing for precise positioning.
Implementation Method 1
At least one of the contact elements may be axially elastic, which means that this contact element elastically deformable, or flexible, along the longitudinal axis
Data Source
AI summary
A probe head includes a housing having a first housing unit to be affixed on a machine, and a second housing unit on which a stylus is supported so as to be deflectable. The second housing unit is movably supported on the first housing unit so as to allow a deflection. The probe head furthermore has a switching unit, which includes a first contact element and a second contact element, the contact elements being arranged such that when the second housing unit is deflected relative to the first housing unit, the contact elements are able to be brought into mutual contact at different points as a function of the direction of deflection, whereby an electrical switching signal is able to be triggered by this contact.