Reciprocating Press Dynamic Stroke Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Reciprocating press actuators in manufacturing and testing environments face challenges in adjusting stroke length efficiently, leading to downtime and variability in force application, affecting workpiece quality and tooling wear.
Innovation Solution
A reciprocating press design with an eccentric shaft and rotatable eccentric sleeve, coupled with a crank-slider mechanism, allows independent control of rotations to dynamically vary stroke length, using electric motors and a controller to achieve a desired motion profile and monitor load exerted on the workpiece.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If stroke length adjustment is accomplished by a machine operator when the actuator is not in-use, then the actuator structure remains simple, but it results in downtime and loss of productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic stroke length adjustment by making the eccentric sleeve rotatable independently from the eccentric shaft. This allows the stroke length to be changed dynamically during operation by rotating the eccentric sleeve to different angular positions, transforming a static adjustment mechanism into a dynamic one that can adapt without stopping the press cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-adjustment of stroke length through automated control of the eccentric sleeve rotation. The controller automatically positions the eccentric sleeve at the appropriate angle corresponding to the desired stroke length, eliminating the need for manual operator intervention and enabling the system to serve itself in adjusting parameters during operation.
2Productivity
If the reciprocating press operates at high rates greater than 1 Hz, then productivity increases, but it becomes difficult to provide consistent, uniform exerted force or pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a load sensor that provides real-time feedback on the force being exerted by the press. This feedback signal is fed to the controller, which continuously monitors and adjusts the motor torque and stroke length to maintain consistent force application even at high operating rates greater than 1 Hz, ensuring manufacturing precision is maintained despite increased speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes operating parameters including stroke length and motor torque in real-time based on the desired force profile. By adjusting these parameters through controlled rotation of the eccentric sleeve and modulation of motor output, the press maintains consistent force application across high-speed cycles.
3Adaptability or versatility
If stroke length is fixed, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different workpiece requirements is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the eccentric press universal by enabling it to perform multiple stroke length configurations without requiring different tools or complex changeover mechanisms. The rotatable eccentric sleeve allows a single press to adapt to various workpiece requirements by simply rotating the sleeve to different angular positions, providing multi-functionality in a relatively simple manner.
Data Source
AI summary
A reciprocating press for acting on a workpiece is described, and includes an eccentric shaft rotatably disposed in a rotatable eccentric sleeve, and a crank-slider mechanism coupled to the eccentric shaft. Rotations of the eccentric shaft and the rotatable eccentric sleeve are independently controllable to dynamically vary a stroke length of the crank-slider mechanism.