Rotary Stop Assembly With Direct Drive and Precise Angular Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rotary devices for processing and handling units require a large installation space and face challenges in energy and data supply due to complex drive mechanisms and gear interpositions, which compromise precision and accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A locking device with a hollow shaft element and torque motor unit that allows direct drive without gears, combined with a controlled bolt element and working cylinder for precise angular positioning and energy/data supply through a central opening, reducing installation space and simplifying supply lines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a drum cam and gearbox mechanism are used to drive the rotary device, then the drive motion can be redirected, but the installation space increases and the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the intermediate drum cam and gearbox mechanisms from the drive system, extracting only the essential direct drive function. The torque motor is directly coupled to the rotating body, eliminating unnecessary components that consumed space while maintaining the core drive motion capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a complex mechanism to redirect drive motion, the invention inverts the approach by having the drive motor directly generate rotational motion in the desired direction. The torque motor's rotor rotates perpendicular to the receiving axis, directly driving the rotating body without intermediate redirection mechanisms.
2Ease of operation
If intermediate gear units are used in the drive mechanism, then motion transmission is achieved, but precision and accuracy are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes all intermediate gear units from the drive mechanism. The torque motor is directly coupled to the rotating body, eliminating gear intermediaries that introduce backlash and precision losses. This direct coupling ensures that angular positioning precision is maintained without compromise.
3Adaptability or versatility
If power and data supply lines are provided to rotating units, then operational capability is enabled, but the design becomes cumbersome and difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The hollow shaft element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the structural support for the rotating body, provides the rotational interface, and serves as a conduit for power and data supply lines. This multi-functionality enables operational capability while avoiding the complexity of separate supply line routing.
Solution Approach 2:
The power and data supply lines are nested within the hollow shaft element, which itself is nested within the rotating body structure. This nested arrangement allows supply lines to pass through the central opening of the hollow shaft, enabling operational capability while simplifying the overall design by integrating supply routing into the structural component.
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 provides a highly precise, tolerance-free locking mechanism with reduced installation space and simplified energy/data supply, enabling accurate and efficient operation of rotary devices in manufacturing processes.
Implementation Method 1
The working cylinder assembly can, for example, be pneumatically or electrically operated
Implementation Method 2
a torque motor unit (7) designed to directly drive the hollow shaft element (4) about the rotary or pivot axis (DA)
Implementation Method 3
Bearing assemblies (5) can be provided for the rotatable mounting of the hollow shaft element (4) in the support body (3)
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to providing a locking device for a rotary device for receiving several processing and handling units, wherein the rotary device comprises at least one support body with a hollow shaft element rotatably mounted therein about a rotary or pivot axis, in which a rotary body for receiving the processing and handling units is arranged at a free end, wherein the rotary body of the rotary device can be locked against rotation about the rotary or pivot axis by means of the locking device.