Swing Probe Touch Detection for Accurate Tool Offset Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing touching detection devices in machine tools face challenges in achieving both operational efficiency and detection accuracy, particularly when using a large touch surface, which can lead to errors in tool detection positions and offset amounts.
Innovation Solution
A touching detection device with a swing-type probe that includes a touched part with a large touch surface, a support part that is adjustable via an angle adjustment mechanism, and a sensor that outputs a detection signal when the support part is swung to a predetermined angle, ensuring the touch surface is perpendicular to the touching direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the touch surface is made large to improve operational efficiency, then the ease of operation is improved, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to position variation in the pressing direction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a rotational degree of freedom for the support shaft, allowing it to tilt around its axis. This adds a rotational dimension to the otherwise linear displacement measurement, enabling the system to compensate for position variations caused by large touch surfaces through angular adjustment rather than requiring precise linear positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from purely linear displacement to a combination of linear displacement and rotational angle. By measuring both the displacement amount and the tilt angle of the support shaft, the system can calculate the actual tool position while compensating for variations introduced by the large touch surface area.
2Speed
If the sensor is set to sense very small displacement to improve responsiveness, then the speed is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to erroneous detection from vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the tilt angle of the support shaft as feedback to determine whether detected displacement is valid. By monitoring the angular position alongside linear displacement, the system can distinguish between genuine tool contact signals and false signals caused by vibration, thereby improving reliability while maintaining fast responsiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The tilt angle measurement acts as an intermediary parameter that mediates between the raw displacement signal and the final detection decision. This additional measurement dimension helps filter out erroneous signals from vibration while preserving legitimate detection events, resolving the contradiction between speed and reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A touching detection device (1) includes: a probe (10) having a touched part (11) with a touch surface (11a, 11b) to be touched by an object to be detected, a support part (13) supporting the touched part (11), and a sensed part (19); a sensor (S) sensing the sensed part (19); and a body (2) holding the probe (10) and the sensor (S). The support part (13) is held by the body (2) to be swingable in a direction in which the object to be detected touches the touch surface (11a, 11b) of the touched part (11). The sensed part (19) is displaced in accordance with the amount of swing of the support part (13). The sensor (S) senses the sensed part (19) and outputs a detection signal when the sensed part (19) is displaced by a preset displacement amount. The support part (13) supports the touched part (11) via an angle adjustment mechanism (15) configured to be able to adjust the angle of the touch surface (11a, 11b) in the swinging direction of the support part (13).