Servo Amplifier Positioning in Brush Manufacturing Machines

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Solution Overview

Problem

Brush manufacturing machines expose servo amplifiers to high mechanical loads, particularly in curved path sections, reducing their service life.

Innovation Solution

The servo amplifier is positioned closer to the reference point of the curved path, allowing it to move along a path that is closer to the reference point than the motor, reducing centrifugal forces, and can be arranged on a movable base or positioning station, with a combination servo amplifier setup and reduced number of slip rings for power and control signal transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the servo amplifier is positioned close to the motor on the positioning station, then the machine structure is simplified and cable length is reduced, but the servo amplifier is exposed to high centrifugal forces in curved path sections which reduces its service life

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemachine structureVSAvoidservo amplifier service life
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system is segmented into two functional groups: motors remain on the movable positioning station while servo amplifiers are relocated to the stationary base. This segmentation separates the components subject to high mechanical loads (motors) from those sensitive to such loads (servo amplifiers), resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and component reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The servo amplifiers are extracted from the movable positioning station and placed on the stationary base. This extraction removes the servo amplifiers from the high-centrifugal-force environment while maintaining their functional connection to the motors through optimized signal/cable routing, thereby extending their service life without compromising machine structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of operation

If the servo amplifier is moved along with the positioning station on a curved path, then it can be positioned close to the motor, but it experiences high mechanical loads that reduce its service life

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservo amplifier positioningVSAvoidservo amplifier service life
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of moving the servo amplifier with the positioning station along the curved path, the invention inverts the arrangement by keeping the servo amplifier stationary on the base while allowing the motor on the positioning station to move. This inversion maintains ease of operation through optimized cable routing while eliminating the harmful mechanical loads on the servo amplifier.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Reliability

If multiple slip rings are used for power and control signal transmission to moving components, then complete power and signal supply is achieved, but the machine construction becomes more complex and cable torsion increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower and signal transmissionVSAvoidmachine construction
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the servo amplifiers from the movable positioning station and places them on the stationary base. This extraction eliminates the need for slip rings to supply power and control signals to the servo amplifiers during motion, reducing machine construction complexity and cable torsion while maintaining complete power and signal transmission to the motors through the remaining slip ring connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 reduces mechanical stresses on servo amplifiers, extends their service life, simplifies machine construction, and improves operational reliability by minimizing cable torsion and reducing the size of the control cabinet, leading to cost savings and improved accessibility.

Implementation Method 1

during which the servo amplifier movable between the at least two processing stations can be exposed to high centrifugal forces, the centrifugal forces acting on the servo amplifier can be reduced in this way by arranging it closer to the reference point of the curved path

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentEP3085268B1Brush manufacturing machine
Publication Date: 2021.06.16 ZAHORANSKY AG
  • EP3085268B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

To reduce the mechanical loads acting on at least one servo amplifier (10) of at least one positioning station (3) of a brush manufacturing machine (1) during the movement of the positioning station (3) about a reference point (5) along a path (4), in particular in curved path sections (6) of the path (4), it is provided that the at least one servo amplifier (10) is spaced apart from the at least one motor (9) and is also closer to the reference point (5) than the motor.