Roundness Measurement Stylus Angle Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional roundness measurement devices require manual switching of the stylus between inclined and vertical states, leading to inefficiencies and potential measurement errors due to thermal expansion from motor heat generation, which complicates automation and reduces work efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A roundness measurement device with a displacement mechanism that automatically changes the stylus' angle position using a contact member, allowing for continuous operation without interrupting the measurement process, and reducing the need for additional mechanisms or motors, thus minimizing thermal expansion issues.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the stylus is supported inclined to avoid interference with the measured object during outer circumferential surface measurement, then the measuring capability is improved, but the stylus cannot be used for inner circumferential surface measurement without interference

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasuring capabilityVSAvoidstylus positioning complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The stylus is designed to be movable between inclined and vertical positions rather than fixed in one position. The stylus can be dynamically adjusted to an inclined position for outer circumferential surface measurement and to a vertical position for inner circumferential surface measurement, allowing the same stylus to adapt to different measurement requirements without interference issues

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The angle position of the stylus is changed as a variable parameter. By controlling the stylus to be inclined at specific angles during outer circumferential surface measurement and vertical during inner circumferential surface measurement, the system achieves versatile measuring capability while maintaining simple device structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Extent of automation

If manual switching of the stylus angle position is performed, then the measurement process can be completed, but working performance and automation cannot be improved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomation capabilityVSAvoidwork efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system achieves automatic switching of the stylus angle position through self-service control. The control unit automatically controls the stylus to be inclined or vertical based on the measurement requirements, eliminating the need for manual intervention and enabling continuous automatic operation without interrupting the measurement process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback control to automatically adjust the stylus position. By detecting the measurement conditions and automatically controlling the stylus angle position accordingly, the system achieves full automation and improved productivity without requiring operator intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Extent of automation

If a motor is used to drive the stylus inclination change, then the stylus angle can be changed automatically, but the configuration becomes complicated and thermal expansion causes measurement error

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic angle changingVSAvoidmeasurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The motor driving mechanism is extracted and removed from the system. Instead of using a motor to drive the stylus inclination change, the system uses a simple mechanical structure where the stylus can be freely moved between inclined and vertical positions without any driving source, eliminating thermal expansion issues while maintaining automatic control capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The motor-driven mechanical system is replaced with a simpler mechanical structure. The stylus is designed to be movable without motor assistance, using only basic mechanical guidance and control, which eliminates the source of thermal expansion while achieving the same automatic angle positioning function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS9803968B2Roundness measurement device and control method

Publication Date: 2017.10.31 MITUTOYO CORP

AI summary

A roundness measurement device provides a rotation table on a base and measures roundness of a measured object placed on the rotation table while rotating the rotation table, and includes a detecting main body, a detecting device driving mechanism, a stylus, a contact member, and a control device. The detecting device driving mechanism displaces the detecting device main body with respect to the base. The stylus has a base end rotatably supported on the detecting device main body and can change an angle position with respect to the detecting device main body using an external force. The contact member is provided at a position where the stylus comes in contact due to displacement of the detecting device main body by the detecting device driving mechanism. The control device controls driving of the detecting device driving mechanism.