Telescopic Cover With Wire Pulley Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional telescopic covers for machine tools are prone to wear and breakage due to rapid axial movement, leading to complex and expensive structures, and require frequent maintenance to mitigate impact, which compromises their durability and reliability during high-speed, high-acceleration/deceleration movements.
Innovation Solution
A telescopic cover design featuring a pair of first and second cover members connected by a joint with pulleys and a wire or cable system, where the wire is secured to both the mobile and fixed elements, allowing the covers to move in synchronism with the mobile element without the need for stoppers, thereby reducing wear and impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If stoppers are arranged individually on the opposite side end portions of a movable range of the second cover member to suppress extension and contraction, then the telescopic cover can follow rapid axial movement and mitigate impact, but the structure becomes more complex and the components are more prone to wear and breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the extension and contraction control functions into a single stopper mechanism positioned at one end of the movable range, rather than using individual stoppers at both ends. This consolidation reduces structural complexity while maintaining the ability to control the telescopic cover's movement and mitigate impact during rapid axial movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the stopper mechanism from both ends of the movable range and positions it at only one end, simplifying the overall structure. This extraction eliminates unnecessary components while preserving the essential function of controlling extension and contraction during rapid movement.
2Reliability
If a pantograph is used to extend and contract the telescopic cover in synchronism with feed shaft movement, then the cover can protect the drive unit effectively, but the structure becomes complicated and expensive and the link shaft is worn and broken by rapid axial movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex pantograph mechanical system with a simpler telescopic cover mechanism that uses a single stopper and elastic body. This substitution eliminates the link shaft and multiple moving parts of the pantograph, reducing structural complexity while maintaining effective protection during rapid axial movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters by allowing the telescopic cover to move freely within a controlled range defined by a single stopper, rather than using the rigid, multi-jointed pantograph structure. This parameter change enables smoother, more durable operation during high-speed movement without the wear and breakage issues of the link shaft.
3Ease of operation
If stoppers are used to brake the motions of movable covers at the ends of the movable range, then extension and contraction are suppressed, but impact is generated during rapid axial movement requiring frequent maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an elastic body that provides cushioning before the stopper engages during rapid axial movement. This beforehand cushioning absorbs impact energy gradually, preventing the sudden shock that would otherwise occur when the stopper brakes the movable cover, thereby reducing wear and extending durability while maintaining operational control.
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 design enhances the durability and reliability of the telescopic cover, enabling high-speed, high-acceleration/deceleration movements while preventing noise and impact, and reduces the need for maintenance, resulting in a cost-effective and robust protection system for machine tools.
Implementation Method 1
a wire (7) stretched around and between the first and second pulleys (8, 9)
Implementation Method 2
a first pulley (8) and a second pulley (9) individually disposed on a joint body formed of the pair of second cover members and the connecting member
Data Source
AI summary
A telescopic cover of a machine tool is provided with two movable covers connected by a joint, two pulleys mounted on the joint, and a single wire stretched around and between the two pulleys. One and the other ends of the wire are secured to the mobile element, and a middle portion of the wire to a fixed portion. In this arrangement, the two movable covers connected by the joint move half the movement stroke of the mobile element in association with the action of the mobile element.