Slide Position Sensor for Press Machines with Dual-Axis Link
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional slide position sensors in press machines fail to accurately sense the position of a slide when it is inclined due to eccentric loads, leading to potential damage and inaccurate positioning.
Innovation Solution
A slide position sensor design featuring a dual axis link member, a rotatable plate with a rack, and an encoder system, which maintains a vertical hanging direction even when the slide is inclined, ensuring accurate positioning and preventing sensor damage through increased clearance and guide roller mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional slide position sensor with a scale and sensing device is used, then the structure is simple, but the sensor cannot tolerate slide inclination caused by eccentric loads, leading to contact between the sensing device and scale or excessive spacing, resulting in inaccurate position sensing and potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the plate rotatable about a horizontal axis instead of being rigidly fixed. This allows the plate to dynamically adjust its orientation in response to slide inclination, maintaining proper alignment between the rack and pinion and preventing contact between sensing components while accommodating eccentric loads during the drawing process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a dual-axis link member as an intermediary between the slide and the plate. This link member transfers motion from the slide to the plate while allowing relative movement and orientation adjustment, enabling the system to tolerate slide inclination without transmitting harmful forces directly to the sensing components
2Volume of moving object
If the scale and sensing device are disposed close to each other, then the device size is reduced, but the sensor cannot tolerate slide inclination, causing contact or excessive spacing between components
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable plate design allows the sensing components to maintain proper spatial relationship and alignment dynamically during operation, even when the slide is inclined. This enables close disposal of components while preserving sensing accuracy through adaptive repositioning rather than requiring large safety margins
3Device complexity
If the sensing device is positioned close to the scale, then the structure is compact, but slide inclination causes contact between the sensing device and scale leading to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable plate acts as a dynamic buffer that prevents harmful contact between the sensing device and scale during slide inclination. The plate can rotate to accommodate angular misalignment, maintaining functional proximity while preventing mechanical contact that would cause damage to the sensing components
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable plate design provides beforehand cushioning by creating a mechanical buffer zone between the sensing device and scale. This buffer allows for angular deviations and prevents direct contact before harmful forces can be transmitted, protecting the sensing components from inclination-induced damage
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 solution allows for precise sensing of the slide's position while tolerating inclination, preventing damage to the sensor and ensuring accurate downward movement control in press machines.
Implementation Method 1
the plate is also rotated to be inclined relative to the link supporting member. Consequently, the hanging direction of the plate can be kept vertical by the weight of the plate
Data Source
AI summary
A slide position sensor includes: a link supporting member projecting from the slide toward the upright, a dual axis link member whose first end is rotatably supported and hung by the link supporting member, a plate rotatably supported and hung by a second end of the dual axis link member, a rack that is provided to the plate and extends in the hanging direction, a pinion that meshes with the rack and an encoder system that senses the rotation of the pinion.