Tool Positioning via Complementary Mechanical Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for identifying the proper position of tool attachment and release in multifunction machine tools are either expensive and inaccurate or cheaper but prone to wear, lacking the necessary precision and reliability.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing two complementary mechanical elements, such as a truncated cone and a frusto-conical hollow, that align and automatically fit together, eliminating the need for additional pistons or electronic devices, reducing mechanical interactions and wear, and ensuring precise alignment without complex technologies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If electronic equipment (toothed wheels, resolvers, magnetic encoders) is used for position detection, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the position detection function from complex electronic systems and implements it through a simple mechanical reference element with identification features. The reference element is mounted on the piston and provides positional information through its orientation relative to the cylinder bore, eliminating the need for toothed wheels, resolvers, and magnetic encoders.
Solution Approach 2:
The piston itself serves as the reference element by mounting identification features directly on it. The piston's position and orientation automatically provide the necessary positional information without requiring separate detection systems. The identification features on the piston interact with sensors or visual inspection to determine position.
2Device complexity
If pneumatic piston with sensors and abutments is used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to wear
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the continuous moving abutments and their associated wear problems. Instead, it uses a reference element mounted on the piston that provides positional information through its orientation, eliminating the need for continuous mechanical contact between abutments and the piston.
Solution Approach 2:
The identification features on the reference element are designed to engage with detection mechanisms at specific predetermined positions. This pre-positioning approach ensures accurate detection without requiring continuous contact or adjustment, cushioning against the wear that would otherwise occur.
3Adaptability or versatility
If continuous movement of abutments and piston occurs, then operational flexibility is maintained, but reliability deteriorates due to wear
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the wear-prone continuous contact mechanism and replaces it with a reference element that provides positional information through its orientation. This eliminates the continuous friction and wear between abutments and piston surfaces while maintaining the ability to detect various positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical contact-based position detection (using abutments and sensors) with a reference element system that uses geometric orientation and identification features. This substitution reduces mechanical wear while maintaining detection capability.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system for the identification of a proper position of attachment / release of a tool, in particular for multifunction operating machines comprising a motor (1), a transmission shaft (2) of said motor (1), a rod (3) for engaging the tool and a cylinder with the relative piston (4) able to carry out the change of the tool; in particular, the system comprises a first mechanical element (10), which is mounted on the rod (3), and a second mechanical element (11), which is mounted on the piston (4) and which has a profile matching and complementary to the first mechanical element (10).