Stopper Cylinder Electromagnetic Lock Spring Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing stopper cylinders fail to reliably stop workpieces during power outages, as they rely on electrically powered mechanisms to maintain the stopping position, leading to incomplete or ineffective stopping.

Innovation Solution

A stopper cylinder with a piston mechanism and biasing member that allows displacement in the axial direction upon power loss, utilizing an electromagnetic lock mechanism to restrict displacement when power is available, ensuring reliable stopping through a spring-actuated lever mechanism.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an electrically powered mechanism is used to maintain the stopping position, then the stopping function can be controlled during normal operation, but the stopping reliability deteriorates during power outages

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestopping reliabilityVSAvoidelectric power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional approach by using a spring mechanism that naturally maintains the stopping position without power, and only requires power to release the stopper when movement is needed. This reverses the conventional logic of using power to maintain position and releasing it for movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The spring mechanism automatically maintains the stopping position without requiring external power input. The system serves itself by using the spring's inherent elastic energy to keep the stopper engaged, eliminating the need for continuous electrical power to maintain the stopping function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If a spring-actuated mechanism is used to maintain stopping position without power, then stopping reliability during power outages is improved, but the ability to control stopping position during normal operation is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestopping reliability during power outageVSAvoidcontrollability of stopping position

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between two states: a passive spring-actuated state for power outages that ensures reliable stopping, and an active electrically-controlled state for normal operation that allows precise positioning. The lock mechanism enables seamless transition between these dynamic modes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The spring mechanism is pre-loaded and positioned to automatically engage the stopper in the event of power loss. This preliminary action ensures that the stopping function is already prepared and will activate immediately without requiring control input during power outages.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If a lock mechanism is added to restrict piston displacement, then controllability during normal operation is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecontrollabilityVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lock mechanism is merged with the existing piston and spring assembly, integrating the locking function into the structural components rather than adding a separate complex locking system. The lock utilizes the piston's own structure and the spring's force to achieve both locking and release functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The lock mechanism acts as an intermediary between the electric control system and the spring-piston assembly. It translates electrical signals into mechanical locking and release actions, simplifying the interface between the control circuit and the mechanical stopping mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Enables reliable stopping of workpieces even during power outages by releasing the displacement restriction, allowing the piston mechanism to move and engage the lever, effectively halting the workpiece's movement through the elastic force of a spring, thus providing a simpler and more reliable single-acting structure.

Implementation Method 1

a biasing member for urging the piston mechanism in the axial direction... the piston mechanism is displaced a predetermined direction along the axial direction under an urging action of the biasing member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic force: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a lock mechanism disposed on the body, which restricts displacement of the piston mechanism along the axial direction upon supply of electric power to the lock mechanism

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic force: Electromagnet

Data Source

PatentUS8708131B2Stopper cylinder

Publication Date: 2014.04.29 SMC CORP

AI summary

A stopper cylinder is equipped with a body having a drive unit, a piston mechanism being displaceable along an axial direction in the interior of a tube connected to the body, and a stopper lever connected to the piston mechanism for stopping conveyance of a workpiece. Displacement of the piston mechanism is restricted by an electromagnetic lock mechanism, which is disposed on the body and is excited by supply of electric power. After approaching the workpiece, by releasing a locked state of the electromagnetic lock mechanism, the piston mechanism is displaced to a position facing the workpiece by an elastic force of a spring.