Rotation Indexing Oil Level Detection for Accurate Angular Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

In machine tools with rotation indexing devices, managing the oil level in storage parts is burdensome due to dirt accumulation and the need for manual cleaning, which can lead to inaccurate lubrication and reduced angular position accuracy.

Innovation Solution

A detection device is provided on a one-to-one basis with each storage part to detect the oil level, and a display device is integrated to show the detected information, allowing for easy monitoring of oil levels without manual intervention and reducing operator burden.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If a direct-view type oil gauge is provided for visual checking of oil level, then the operator can check the oil amount, but the oil gauge surface accumulates dirt from the machining area requiring manual cleaning

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoil level informationVSAvoidcleaning operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical direct-view oil gauge system with an optical detection system. A detection device (optical sensor) detects the oil level by receiving light reflected from the oil surface, and this detection information is transmitted to a display device. This substitution eliminates the need for direct visual viewing of an exposed gauge surface, thereby preventing dirt accumulation and the associated cleaning operations while still providing oil level information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If the rotation indexing device is placed in the machining area for workpiece processing, then the workpiece can be machined, but dirt from coolant liquid and cutting chips attaches to the device surface

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveworkpiece machiningVSAvoiddirt accumulation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical direct-view oil gauge with an optical detection system that does not require an exposed surface in the machining area. The detection device uses light reflection principles to detect oil level without requiring a visible surface, thereby eliminating the problem of dirt accumulation from coolant and cutting chips while maintaining the ability to monitor oil levels in the machining environment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If manual cleaning of the oil gauge is required to check oil amount, then accurate checking can be performed, but operator burden and time consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoil level checking accuracyVSAvoidcleaning time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual cleaning and visual checking process with an automated optical detection system. The detection device continuously or periodically detects the oil level using light reflection, and the display device shows the oil level information automatically. This eliminates the need for manual cleaning operations and time-consuming visual inspections, providing accurate oil level measurements without operator intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Reliability

If the oil level is not accurately monitored, then the gear mechanism may suffer from insufficient lubrication or coolant mixing, but implementing complex monitoring systems increases device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelubrication accuracyVSAvoidmonitoring system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a simple optical detection system that uses light reflection principles to monitor oil level. The detection device emits light toward the oil surface and detects the reflected light to determine the oil level. This optical system provides accurate lubrication monitoring without requiring complex mechanical or electronic monitoring systems, maintaining reliability while minimizing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 system enables accurate and efficient management of oil levels, reducing the need for manual cleaning and maintaining optimal lubrication, thus improving the accuracy of angular position indexing.

Implementation Method 1

a detection device for detecting a height position of an oil level in the storage part

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical detection:

Data Source

PatentUS12122006B2Machine tool including rotation indexing device

Publication Date: 2024.10.22 KOMATSU NTC LTD

AI summary

A machine tool includes a rotation indexing device. The rotation indexing device includes a frame accommodates a rotary shaft, a drive motor rotationally drives the rotary shaft, a drive transmission mechanism accommodated in a space inside the frame, and a detection device. The drive transmission mechanism includes a gear mechanism, and the space includes one or more storage parts for storing lubricating oil. The detection device detects a height position of an oil level of the lubricating oil, and is provided on a one-to-one basis with respect to a detection target storage part, which is set as a detection target, of the one or more storage parts.