Rotary Clamp Cylinder Air-Passage Detection Without Sliding Wear
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rotary clamps face issues with accurate motion detection of the clamp rod due to sliding operations that lead to wear and mechanical interference, causing potential malfunctions and incorrect detection of the clamp rod's movement.
Innovation Solution
A cylinder with a first and second valve chamber and a valve rod, where compressed air flows between the chambers, allowing for direct detection of the clamp rod's movement without mechanical interference, using a seal section to control the air flow and reduce wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the operation unit slides around the periphery of the inlet hole opening to open and close it, then the motion detection device can detect the position of the clamp rod, but prolonged use causes wear that affects the closing performance of the inlet hole
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical sliding contact system with a magnetic field-based detection system. The operation unit includes a magnet, and the housing includes a magnetic sensor that detects the magnet's position without physical contact. This eliminates wear from sliding movements while maintaining position detection accuracy, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and reliability over time.
2Ease of operation
If a mechanical element is used to transmit the movement of the clamp rod to the valve body, then the valve body can open and close the pressurized air passage, but the mechanical element may break causing erroneous detection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates mechanical transmission elements by using direct magnetic field detection. The magnet attached to the clamp rod (or its moving part) is detected by the magnetic sensor in the housing, providing direct detection without intermediate mechanical components. This prevents breakage of transmission elements while maintaining valve operation capability through direct magnetic coupling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a magnetic field as an intermediary between the moving clamp rod and the stationary sensor. The magnet on the moving part creates a magnetic field that the magnetic sensor detects, allowing information transfer about position and movement without physical contact or mechanical transmission, thus eliminating wear and breakage issues.
3Measurement precision
If the operation unit is integrally attached to one end part of the clamp rod, then the position can be detected by opening and closing inlet holes, but sliding wear increases over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the mechanical sliding detection mechanism with a non-contact magnetic detection system. The magnet integrated with the operation unit (attached to the clamp rod) is detected by the magnetic sensor, enabling position detection without sliding contact. This maintains measurement precision while eliminating wear, thereby extending the service life of the detection components.
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
This configuration enables accurate and long-lasting motion detection of the clamp rod, reducing wear and ensuring precise detection without mechanical intervention, thus improving the reliability of the rotary clamp system.
Implementation Method 1
Between the valve rod and the second valve chamber, a seal section is provided on an outer peripheral wall side of the valve rod or on an inner peripheral wall side of the second valve chamber
Implementation Method 2
When the valve rod and the second valve chamber move relative to each other, a compressed air flow passage formed between the first valve chamber and the second valve chamber is configured so as to have a close region sealed by the seal section and an open region opened from the seal
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention makes a rotary movement smooth, the rotary movement allowing direct detection of the movement of an output member of a rotary clamp. In a clamp, an output member 5 is accommodated in a cylinder hole 2. A first valve chamber 21, to which compressed air is supplied, is provided between a lower wall 1b of a housing 1 and the output member 5. A second valve chamber 23 is hollowed out of the output member 5 so as to be provided open toward the first valve chamber 21. A valve rod 10c is inserted into the second valve chamber 23 from the lower wall 1b. A valve rod passage 10d that allows the second valve chamber 23 to communicate with outside air is provided in the valve rod 10c, and a seal section 27 is provided in a peripheral gap where the valve rod and the second valve chamber 23 move relatively to one another. The gap is formed so that, as the valve rod 10c and the second valve chamber 23 are in relative movement, there is a region which is sealed by the seal section 27 against movement of the compressed air through the gap between the valve rod and the second seal chamber and the there is a region which is open from the seal.