Self-Cleaning Clamping Claw for Accurate Sheet Position Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Clamping claws used in processing machines for plate-shaped workpieces often become stuck due to contamination from smoke, dust, or slag splashes, which prevents accurate positioning and detection of the workpiece, leading to reduced functionality and inconsistent processing conditions.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning device is integrated into the clamping claw that uses a fluid jet to release and position the sensing element, ensuring it can detect the workpiece correctly by removing contaminants and maintaining consistent operation. The cleaning device includes a pressure generator connected to a fluid supply, allowing for controlled pressure surges to effectively dislodge adhering contaminants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the sensing element is exposed to detect workpiece positioning, then detection accuracy is improved, but contamination from smoke, dust, or slag causes the sensing element to become stuck, reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning device activates before the sensing element performs detection to prevent contamination buildup. A fluid jet is directed at the sensing element to blow away smoke, dust, or slag particles before they can adhere and cause malfunction, ensuring the element remains ready for accurate detection without becoming stuck
Solution Approach 2:
The sensing element is equipped with an integrated cleaning mechanism that automatically maintains its own functionality. The cleaning device, triggered by the control system, provides self-cleaning capability to the sensing element, removing contaminants without requiring manual intervention or system shutdown
2Productivity
If the sensing element remains exposed for continuous detection, then productivity is improved, but contamination accumulates causing the sensing element to become stuck, reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning device operates periodically at predetermined intervals during the processing cycle. The control system triggers the fluid jet at regular intervals to clear accumulating contaminants from the sensing element, maintaining detection reliability without requiring continuous cleaning that would slow down production
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning operation is scheduled in advance within the processing cycle, performing maintenance before contamination reaches critical levels. This proactive approach ensures the sensing element remains functional throughout high-speed processing without unexpected failures
3Reliability
If a cleaning device is added to maintain sensing element functionality, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning device uses a fluid jet system (pneumatic or hydraulic) to remove contaminants from the sensing element. This approach replaces complex mechanical cleaning mechanisms with a simpler fluid-based system that can be controlled through standard pneumatic/hydraulic components already present in many industrial systems
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid supply system serves multiple functions: it provides the cleaning jet for the sensing element and can be integrated with existing pneumatic/hydraulic systems in the processing machine. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated cleaning system components, thereby limiting the increase in overall system complexity
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 cleaning device ensures the sensing element can be reliably positioned and maintained in a starting position, enabling consistent detection and clamping of workpieces, thereby enhancing the long-term functionality and accuracy of the clamping process by preventing contamination from affecting the clamping mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
the cleaning device discharges at least one fluid jet in the claw part, which is directed toward the probe element for transferring it to the starting position
Implementation Method 2
The pressure generator can apply increased pressure to the at least one fluid jet to enable the removal and/or blowing off of contaminants from or on the probe element
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a clamping jaw for fixing a plate-shaped material, in particular sheet metal, of a processing machine (11) with a jaw lower part (41) and a jaw upper part (42), which can be moved into a clamping position for clamping the plate-shaped material (34), with a support surface (44) provided on the jaw lower part (41) for supporting the plate-shaped material (34) and an end face (46) oriented towards the support surface (44), which serves to support an end face of the plate-shaped material (34), with a clamping surface provided on the jaw upper part (42) which is oriented towards the support surface (44), with a sensor device (60) arranged in the jaw lower part (41), which includes a sensing element (49) and a sensor element (64) connected to the sensing element (49) for detecting an initial position (61) of the sensing element (49),in which the sensing element (49) is extended relative to the pad base (41) and comprises a detection position (76) into which the sensing element (49) is at least partially retracted into the pad base (41), wherein a cleaning device (52) is provided which acts on the sensing element (49) and releases a retraction movement of the sensing element (49) into the starting position (61).