Vernier Adjustment Assembly for Readable Precision Boring Scales

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Solution Overview

Problem

In precision cutting and boring mechanisms, manual angular adjustment is hindered by the small size of graduation markings on parts with restricted diameters, affecting readability and adjustment quality, especially when combined with vernier markings.

Innovation Solution

An assembly with a fixed support and a pivoting part featuring a measurement scale on the fixed support and a vernier scale on the pivoting part, optimizing the surface area for measurement scale readability and reducing the necessary surface area for vernier markings, allowing improved angular adjustment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a regular scale is positioned on the pivoting part, then angular position adjustment is enabled, but the graduation markings become small and illegible on parts with small diameter

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveangular position measurementVSAvoidreadability of graduation markings
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention relocates the regular measurement scale from the pivoting part (2) to the fixed support (1), utilizing the larger surface area of the fixed support. This dimensional relocation allows the scale to be positioned on a different component with sufficient surface area, thereby maintaining large, legible graduation markings while preserving angular measurement functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Measurement precision

If a vernier scale is added to optimize manual angular adjustment, then adjustment precision is improved, but the surface area required for markings increases further

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanual angular adjustment precisionVSAvoidsurface area for graduation markings
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSArea of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

By positioning both the regular scale and vernier scale on the fixed support (1) rather than the pivoting part (2), the invention utilizes the larger available surface area of the fixed support. This allows the vernier scale to be implemented with adequate spacing and size, maintaining high adjustment precision without the space constraints that would plague a small-diameter pivoting part.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Productivity

If the diameter of the pivoting part is kept small for precision mechanism constraints, then mechanism compactness is maintained, but the readability of adjustment markings deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprecision mechanism performanceVSAvoiduser readability of markings
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention separates the measurement and adjustment functions from the pivoting part and relocates them to the fixed support. This segmentation allows the pivoting part to remain small and precise for mechanism performance, while the fixed support provides the necessary surface area for large, readable markings. The two functions are divided between different components, each optimized for its specific role.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3720636B1Assembly arranged to be integrated into a precision cutting and/or boring mechanism for its manual adjustment
Publication Date: 2023.03.15 SECO TOOLS TOOLING SYST
  • EP3720636B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The present invention relates to an assembly comprising:- a fixed support (1), - a piece (2) which has at least one substantially circular face and is mounted on the fixed support (1) so that the piece (2) is mounted so as to be rotatable about an axis which is substantially centred on the circular face, the assembly also comprising a device for adjusting the position of the piece relative to the support (1) comprising at least:- a first graduation (4) on a surface (5) which is associated with the fixed support (1) and which is positioned on at least a portion of the periphery of the movable piece (2), the first graduation (4) being a measurement graduation, - a second graduation (6) which is positioned on the circular face of the movable piece (2), the second graduation (6) being of the vernier type, the surface (5) which is associated with the support (1) which carries the first graduation (4) forming a second piece (51) which is mounted so as to be rotatable relative to the support (1) about a pivoting axis which is shared with the pivoting axis of the movable piece (2).