Rotary Table Sealing Piston Layout for Pressure Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The rotary table device for working machines experiences structural malfunctions due to increased air pressure within the frame when a sealing piston is used to prevent foreign matters from entering during machine stoppage, as the pressure required to move the piston against elastic members exceeds the air seal mechanism's pressure, leading to seal member protrusion.
Innovation Solution
The device incorporates an annular accommodation groove with a sealing piston and elastic members, along with a protrusion portion on the frame to define a pressure chamber, allowing the sealing piston to be displaced away from the rotary body during operation and preventing air from entering the frame by maintaining a separate high-pressure supply for the piston's displacement, thus preventing structural malfunctions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sealing piston with elastic members is used to close the gap during machine stoppage, then foreign matter entry is prevented, but the high pressure required to displace the piston causes seal member protrusion and structural malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the air supply system into two separate channels: a first air supply channel that supplies air at a first pressure to the interior space for preventing foreign matter entry, and a second air supply channel that supplies air at a second pressure for displacing the sealing piston. This segmentation allows independent control of pressures, preventing the harmful effect of high pressure on seal members while maintaining the beneficial effect of preventing foreign matter entry.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different pressure conditions to different locations: the interior space receives air at a lower first pressure suitable for sealing without causing protrusion, while the sealing piston receives air at a higher second pressure necessary for displacing the piston against elastic members. This local differentiation of pressure quality resolves the contradiction between preventing foreign matter entry and avoiding seal member damage.
2Loss of energy
If air supply to the frame is stopped during machine stoppage, then energy consumption is reduced, but air contraction due to temperature decrease draws external air and coolant into the frame
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains a continuous low-pressure air supply through the first air supply channel to the interior space, even during machine stoppage. This preliminary action of maintaining air pressure prevents external air and coolant from being drawn in due to temperature-induced air contraction, while consuming minimal energy compared to high-pressure supply.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the pressure parameter of the air supply to a low first pressure during machine stoppage, which is sufficient to prevent foreign matter entry due to air contraction but consumes minimal energy. This parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction between energy conservation and preventing harmful effects.
3Ease of operation
If high pressure air is supplied to displace the sealing piston during operation, then the gap is opened for air seal functionality, but the high pressure causes seal member protrusion and structural malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the air supply function into two independent systems: the first air supply channel maintains low pressure for protecting seal members, while the second air supply channel provides high pressure only to the sealing piston for enabling air seal functionality during operation. This segmentation eliminates the harmful effect while preserving the beneficial effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the sealing piston as an intermediary mechanism that responds to high-pressure air supply locally, while the overall interior space remains at low pressure. This intermediary approach allows high pressure to be applied only where needed for operation without exposing the entire system to harmful high pressure conditions.
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 effectively prevents foreign matter entry and structural malfunctions by ensuring the sealing piston closes the gap during machine stoppage and maintains the air seal functionality without supplying high-pressure working fluid to the frame, thereby controlling air pressure within the frame.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member for urging the sealing piston toward the rotary body
Implementation Method 2
a supply device configured to supply a working fluid with a pressure sufficient to displace the sealing piston away from the rotary body against urging of the elastic member
Implementation Method 3
an air seal mechanism configured to supply air from an air supply port formed in the frame in order to blow out the air from a gap between a surface of the rotary body and a surface of the frame facing each other
Data Source
AI summary
A rotary table device includes an annular accommodation groove opening to a gap between a surface of a rotary body and a surface of a frame facing each other in an axis line direction of a rotary shaft and formed in the frame coaxially with the rotary shaft; a sealing piston accommodated to be slidable in the axis line direction; an elastic member for urging the sealing piston toward the rotary body; a protrusion portion provided to the frame in a form of protruding in a radial direction of the rotary shaft from a peripheral edge of the accommodation groove toward a center thereof so as to cover a part of the opening of the accommodation groove over an entire circumference; a pressure chamber defined by the protrusion portion and the sealing piston with respect to the axis line direction; and a working fluid supply device.