EP0591614B1 - Actuator - Google Patents

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Publication number
EP0591614B1
EP0591614B1 EP93107873A EP93107873A EP0591614B1 EP 0591614 B1 EP0591614 B1 EP 0591614B1 EP 93107873 A EP93107873 A EP 93107873A EP 93107873 A EP93107873 A EP 93107873A EP 0591614 B1 EP0591614 B1 EP 0591614B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
piston
piston rod
cylinder
assembly according
cylinder assembly
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP93107873A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0591614A1 (en
Inventor
Kurt Dipl.-Ing. Stoll
Lothar Müller
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Festo SE and Co KG
Original Assignee
Festo SE and Co KG
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Publication date
Application filed by Festo SE and Co KG filed Critical Festo SE and Co KG
Publication of EP0591614A1 publication Critical patent/EP0591614A1/en
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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F15—FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS; HYDRAULICS OR PNEUMATICS IN GENERAL
    • F15B—SYSTEMS ACTING BY MEANS OF FLUIDS IN GENERAL; FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS, e.g. SERVOMOTORS; DETAILS OF FLUID-PRESSURE SYSTEMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F15B15/00—Fluid-actuated devices for displacing a member from one position to another; Gearing associated therewith
    • F15B15/20—Other details, e.g. assembly with regulating devices
    • F15B15/28—Means for indicating the position, e.g. end of stroke
    • F15B15/2807—Position switches, i.e. means for sensing of discrete positions only, e.g. limit switches
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F15—FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS; HYDRAULICS OR PNEUMATICS IN GENERAL
    • F15B—SYSTEMS ACTING BY MEANS OF FLUIDS IN GENERAL; FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS, e.g. SERVOMOTORS; DETAILS OF FLUID-PRESSURE SYSTEMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F15B15/00—Fluid-actuated devices for displacing a member from one position to another; Gearing associated therewith
    • F15B15/08—Characterised by the construction of the motor unit
    • F15B15/14—Characterised by the construction of the motor unit of the straight-cylinder type
    • F15B15/1414—Characterised by the construction of the motor unit of the straight-cylinder type with non-rotatable piston
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F15—FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS; HYDRAULICS OR PNEUMATICS IN GENERAL
    • F15B—SYSTEMS ACTING BY MEANS OF FLUIDS IN GENERAL; FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS, e.g. SERVOMOTORS; DETAILS OF FLUID-PRESSURE SYSTEMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F15B15/00—Fluid-actuated devices for displacing a member from one position to another; Gearing associated therewith
    • F15B15/08—Characterised by the construction of the motor unit
    • F15B15/14—Characterised by the construction of the motor unit of the straight-cylinder type
    • F15B15/1414—Characterised by the construction of the motor unit of the straight-cylinder type with non-rotatable piston
    • F15B15/1419—Characterised by the construction of the motor unit of the straight-cylinder type with non-rotatable piston of non-circular cross-section
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F15—FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS; HYDRAULICS OR PNEUMATICS IN GENERAL
    • F15B—SYSTEMS ACTING BY MEANS OF FLUIDS IN GENERAL; FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS, e.g. SERVOMOTORS; DETAILS OF FLUID-PRESSURE SYSTEMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F15B15/00—Fluid-actuated devices for displacing a member from one position to another; Gearing associated therewith
    • F15B15/20—Other details, e.g. assembly with regulating devices
    • F15B15/28—Means for indicating the position, e.g. end of stroke
    • F15B15/2815—Position sensing, i.e. means for continuous measurement of position, e.g. LVDT
    • F15B15/2846—Position sensing, i.e. means for continuous measurement of position, e.g. LVDT using detection of markings, e.g. markings on the piston rod
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F15—FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS; HYDRAULICS OR PNEUMATICS IN GENERAL
    • F15B—SYSTEMS ACTING BY MEANS OF FLUIDS IN GENERAL; FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS, e.g. SERVOMOTORS; DETAILS OF FLUID-PRESSURE SYSTEMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F15B15/00—Fluid-actuated devices for displacing a member from one position to another; Gearing associated therewith
    • F15B15/20—Other details, e.g. assembly with regulating devices
    • F15B15/28—Means for indicating the position, e.g. end of stroke
    • F15B15/2815—Position sensing, i.e. means for continuous measurement of position, e.g. LVDT
    • F15B15/2853—Position sensing, i.e. means for continuous measurement of position, e.g. LVDT using potentiometers

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a piston-cylinder unit, with a piston rod protruding from the cylinder on at least one end face and with means for determining the position of the piston rod and / or the piston connected to it and arranged in the cylinder, which is a fixedly arranged on the piston rod have in the longitudinal direction extending measuring section and at least one cylinder-fixed interrogation means cooperating with the measuring section.
  • a piston-cylinder unit of this type is known, for example, from GB-A-2 062 124.
  • the measuring section provided on the piston rod consists of a large number of successive markings which run past a series of interrogation means.
  • a respective marking When passing through a respective query means, a respective marking generates a pulse.
  • the polling process can be carried out without contact by using suitable sensor units as polling means.
  • a query by direct contact with the query means is also mentioned, the query means being formed by microswitches which are actuated when they come into contact with the markings, for example formed as elevations.
  • the piston rod has on the circumference at least one supporting surface which extends over a large part of its length and has a flat shape and on which the measuring section is arranged, and in that the measuring section is an electrical resistance strip which is laid along the supporting surface and which is used by an interrogator serving cylindrical fixed sliding contact is tapped.
  • An at least partially flattened piston rod is therefore used as a carrier for the measuring section.
  • the measuring section can be attached and queried precisely.
  • an anti-rotation lock is achieved so that the Measuring section always takes the same angular position with respect to the cylinder. Since the measuring section is simply attached to the piston rod from the outside, the prerequisites for economical manufacture are met.
  • the measuring section By designing the measuring section as a resistance strip, which is tapped by a strip contact arranged fixed to the cylinder, very precise conclusions about the current piston rod position can be drawn on the basis of the electrical resistance change occurring when the resistance strip is displaced.
  • a square rod as the piston rod, one or more wings being formed by a corresponding number of the four rod surfaces arranged on the circumference. If necessary, several measuring sections can be attached to the piston rod offset in the circumferential direction. If the square bar is rectangular in cross-section and in particular square, the manufacture is particularly simple and, at the same time, optimum support is obtained in the penetration area of the associated cylinder cover. The bar edges can be rounded.
  • the piston-cylinder unit includes a cylinder 1 in which a piston 2 (not shown in more detail in FIG. 1) is accommodated in an axially displaceable manner.
  • a piston rod 3 which extends in the longitudinal direction of the cylinder and penetrates a cylinder cover 4, which closes one end of the cylinder 1.
  • it can be a continuous piston rod which then also penetrates the second cylinder cover 5 (not shown).
  • connection openings 8 open, which in a manner known per se allow the supply and / or discharge of pressure medium in order to move the piston 2 together with the piston rod 3 back and forth in the axial direction 12.
  • This is a pneumatic unit that is operated with compressed air.
  • the piston-cylinder unit shown in the figures is therefore equipped with means 13 for determining the position of the piston rod.
  • a measuring section 14 which can be detected electrically. It extends in the longitudinal direction 12 of the piston rod 3 and is fastened to a support surface 15 formed on the piston rod 3.
  • the wing 15 thus practically forms a support for the measuring section 14 and extends along the piston rod 3 over at least a large part of its length. It is characterized in that it has a flat shape and is therefore not, as is usual with piston rods, provided with a rounded contour.
  • the supporting surface 15 extends over the entire length of the piston rod 3 as far as the piston 2, for example.
  • the measuring section 14 can also extend over this entire length, but is somewhat shorter in the exemplary embodiment, so that it ends at a short distance in front of both the fastening device 16 and the piston 2. In any case, it should expediently be so long that it extends at least approximately over the entire length of the piston rod section located outside the cylinder cover 4 when the piston rod 3 is fully extended.
  • the piston rod 3 is expediently designed as a polygonal rod, which in the case of the exemplary embodiments is a square rod which has a square cross section.
  • the wing 15 is formed by one of the four outer flat rod surfaces.
  • the measuring section 14 is in the form of an electrical resistance strip 25.
  • This is glued to the piston rod 3, for example, which has been found to be the best of the possible fixed connection types.
  • the resistance strip 25 can be raised on the wing 15.
  • the seal in the penetration area of the cylinder cover 4 can, however, be handled much better if, as can be seen in FIG. 2, it comes to lie sunk in the wing 15.
  • the wing 15 has a longitudinal groove 26 of suitable depth, in which the resistance strip 25 is inserted.
  • the outward-facing surface of the resistance strip 25 forms a sliding surface 27, which preferably merges flush with the adjacent surface regions of the supporting surface 15.
  • the resistance strip 25 is opposite in the exemplary embodiment the piston rod 3 is electrically insulated, which in the present case consists of an electrically conductive material such as aluminum material or steel. The insulation takes place, for example, by interposing a stored insulation layer 30. Only with one of its two axial end regions, in this case the end region 28 lying outside the cylinder 1, is the resistance strip 25 in an electrically conductive connection with the piston rod 3. The connection point is indicated at 29.
  • a first sliding contact 32 is provided, which is fastened in an insulated manner to the cylinder 1 and, in particular, is seated on an axial projection 39 of the cylinder cover 4 that surrounds the piston rod 3.
  • the sliding contact 32 is on the one hand under resilient prestress in contact with the sliding surface 27. On the other hand, it is connected via an electrical line 33 to an evaluation unit 34.
  • a second sliding contact 35 is also mounted on the cylinder cover 4 in an electrically insulated manner and is in spring-loaded prestress in contact with a section of the piston rod 3 located next to the resistance strip 25 is not used as wings. It makes sense to use the rod surface 36 diametrically opposite the support surface 15 as the contact surface for the second sliding contact 35.
  • the second sliding contact 35 is also connected to the evaluation unit 34 via an electrical line 33 '.
  • the electrical resistance of the resistance strip 25 is chosen so that that of the piston rod 3 and also the contact resistance to the sliding contacts 32, 35 are negligible. Now a voltage is applied to the two electrical lines 33, 33 ', which generates a current flow. The current flows from the electrical line 33 'to the second sliding contact 35, from there to the piston rod 3 and in this to the connecting point 29, further along the resistance strip 25 to the contact point 37 of the first sliding contact 32, and then via this first sliding contact 32 and the electrical line 33 back to the evaluation unit 32, where the voltage source is located.
  • the relevant electrical resistance, which is generated by the resistance strip 25, is decisive for the current intensity. This is determined by the axial length of the strip section 38 currently lying between the connection point 29 and the contact point 37 of the first sliding contact 32.
  • the strip section 38 is longer the further the piston rod 3 is extended, and accordingly the electrical resistance increases, which can be registered in the evaluation unit 35 as a current change.
  • the two sliding contacts 32, 35 grind along the sliding surface 27 and along the rod surface 36.
  • the evaluation unit 34 is able to determine the current position and / or the distance traveled by the piston rod 3 in relation to the cylinder 1 also display. Depending on certain values, further switching functions can then also be triggered.
  • the described potentiometer measuring principle would also work if the connection point 29 is moved to the axially inner end of the resistance strip 25.
  • the sliding contacts 32, 35 used according to the example are resilient metal sheets which, starting from the cylinder cover 4, run obliquely outwards axially and at the same time in the direction of the piston rod 3. It would also be conceivable to use sliding contacts which are pressed exactly radially against the piston rod 3 or the resistance strip 25 and in particular are under the pretension of a spring arrangement. It would be possible to integrate these sliding contacts in the axial projection 39 provided according to the example and coaxially surrounding the piston rod 3 on the outside of the cylinder cover 4.
  • the piston rod 3 would be provided with an axially extending cavity 40 which is open towards the cylinder cover 5.
  • a contact rod 41 which is attached to this cylinder cover 4 in a particularly insulated manner, then protrudes axially into the cavity 40 and carries a sliding contact 35 ′ which is in an electrically conductive sliding connection with that formed by the piston rod 3 Wall of the cavity 40 is.
  • the electrical connection between the contact rod 41 and the evaluation unit 34 is established via an electrical line 33 ′′ indicated by a dot-dash line.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Measurement Of Length, Angles, Or The Like Using Electric Or Magnetic Means (AREA)
  • Actuator (AREA)

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft ein Kolben-Zylinder-Aggregat, mit einer an mindestens einer Stirnseite aus dem Zylinder herausragenden Kolbenstange und mit Mitteln zur Positionsbestimmung der Kolbenstange und/oder des mit dieser verbundenen und im Zylinder angeordneten Kolbens, die eine an der Kolbenstange fest angeordnete, sich in deren Längsrichtung erstreckende Meßstrecke und mindestens ein mit der Meßstrecke zusammenarbeitendes zylinderfestes Abfragemittel aufweisen.The invention relates to a piston-cylinder unit, with a piston rod protruding from the cylinder on at least one end face and with means for determining the position of the piston rod and / or the piston connected to it and arranged in the cylinder, which is a fixedly arranged on the piston rod have in the longitudinal direction extending measuring section and at least one cylinder-fixed interrogation means cooperating with the measuring section.

Ein Kolben-Zylinder-Aggregat dieser Art geht beispielsweise aus der GB-A-2 062 124 hervor. Dort besteht die an der Kolbenstange vorgesehene Meßstrecke aus einer Vielzahl aufeinanderfolgender Markierungen, die an einer Reihe von Abfragemitteln vorbeilaufen. Beim Passieren eines jeweiligen Abfragemittels erzeugt eine jeweilige Markierung einen Impuls. Der Abfragevorgang kann berührungslos erfolgen, indem als Abfragemittel geeignete Sensoreinheiten eingesetzt werden. Darüberhinaus ist auch eine Abfrage durch unmittelbaren Kontakt mit den Abfragemitteln erwähnt, wobei die Abfragemittel von Mikroschaltern gebildet sind, die bei Kontakt mit den z.B. als Erhebungen ausgebildeten Markierungen betätigt werden.A piston-cylinder unit of this type is known, for example, from GB-A-2 062 124. There, the measuring section provided on the piston rod consists of a large number of successive markings which run past a series of interrogation means. When passing through a respective query means, a respective marking generates a pulse. The polling process can be carried out without contact by using suitable sensor units as polling means. In addition, a query by direct contact with the query means is also mentioned, the query means being formed by microswitches which are actuated when they come into contact with the markings, for example formed as elevations.

Durch die Verwendung einer Vielzahl von Abfragemitteln sind relativ aufwendige Maßnahmen zur Befestigung und Justierung erforderlich. Darüberhinaus baut das bekannte Kolben-Zylinder-Aggregat relativ groß. Handelt es sich um mechanisch eingebrachte Markierungen kann dies zudem Abdichtungsprobleme hervorrufen.The use of a large number of interrogation means requires relatively complex measures for fastening and adjustment. In addition, the known piston-cylinder unit builds relatively large. If the markings are made mechanically, this can also cause sealing problems.

Eine vergleichbare Anordnung geht aus der DE-U-8 627 037 hervor, mit dem Unterschied, daß hier eine reduzierte Anzahl von Abfragemitteln zum Einsatz kommt.A comparable arrangement emerges from DE-U-8 627 037, with the difference that a reduced number of interrogation means is used here.

Es ist die Aufgabe der vorliegenden Erfindung, ein Kolben-Zylinder-Aggregat der eingangs genannten Art zu schaffen, das mit relativ einfachen Maßnahmen und unter Gewährleistung eines kompakten Aufbaus eine zuverlässige Positionsbestimmung ermöglicht.It is the object of the present invention to create a piston-cylinder unit of the type mentioned at the outset, which enables reliable position determination with relatively simple measures and while ensuring a compact structure.

Diese Aufgabe wird dadurch gelöst, daß die Kolbenstange umfangsseitig mindestens eine sich über einen Großteil ihrer Länge erstreckende und Flachgestalt besitzende Tragfläche aufweist, an der die Meßstrecke angeordnet ist, und daß die Meßstrecke ein entlang der Tragfläche verlegter elektrischer Widerstandsstreifen ist, der von einem als Abfragemittel dienenden zylinderfesten Schleifkontakt abgegriffen wird.This object is achieved in that the piston rod has on the circumference at least one supporting surface which extends over a large part of its length and has a flat shape and on which the measuring section is arranged, and in that the measuring section is an electrical resistance strip which is laid along the supporting surface and which is used by an interrogator serving cylindrical fixed sliding contact is tapped.

Man verwendet also eine zumindest teilweise abgeflachte Kolbenstange als Träger für die Meßstrecke. In Folge der Flachgestalt ist eine präzise Anbringung und Abfrage der Meßstrecke möglich. Gleichzeitig wird eine Verdrehsicherung erreicht, so daß die Meßstrecke immer die gleiche Winkellage bezüglich des Zylinders einnimmt. Da die Meßstrecke einfach von außen her an der Kolbenstange angebracht ist, sind die Voraussetzungen für eine kostengünstige Herstellung gegeben. Indem die Meßstrecke als Widerstandsstreifen ausgebildet ist, die von einem zylinderfest angeordneten Streifkontakt abgegriffen wird, sind auf Grundlage der bei der Verlagerung des Widerstandsstreifens auftretenden elektrischen Widerstandsänderung sehr präzise Rückschlüsse auf die aktuelle Kolbenstangenposition möglich.An at least partially flattened piston rod is therefore used as a carrier for the measuring section. As a result of the flat shape, the measuring section can be attached and queried precisely. At the same time an anti-rotation lock is achieved so that the Measuring section always takes the same angular position with respect to the cylinder. Since the measuring section is simply attached to the piston rod from the outside, the prerequisites for economical manufacture are met. By designing the measuring section as a resistance strip, which is tapped by a strip contact arranged fixed to the cylinder, very precise conclusions about the current piston rod position can be drawn on the basis of the electrical resistance change occurring when the resistance strip is displaced.

Vorteilhafte Weiterbildungen der Erfindung sind in den Unteransprüchen aufgeführt.Advantageous developments of the invention are listed in the subclaims.

Es ist besonders vorteilhaft, als Kolbenstange eine Vierkantstange zu verwenden, wobei eine oder mehrere Tragflächen von einer entsprechenden Anzahl der vier umfangsseitig angeordneten Stangenflächen gebildet sind. Bei Bedarf kann man mehrere Meßstrecken in Umfangsrichtung versetzt an der Kolbenstange anbringen. Handelt es sich um eine im Querschnitt rechteckige und dabei insbesondere quadratische Vierkantstange, so ist die Herstellung besonders einfach und man erhält zugleich eine optimale Abstützung im Durchdringungsbereich des zugeordneten Zylinderdeckels. Die Stangenkanten können abgerundet sein.It is particularly advantageous to use a square rod as the piston rod, one or more wings being formed by a corresponding number of the four rod surfaces arranged on the circumference. If necessary, several measuring sections can be attached to the piston rod offset in the circumferential direction. If the square bar is rectangular in cross-section and in particular square, the manufacture is particularly simple and, at the same time, optimum support is obtained in the penetration area of the associated cylinder cover. The bar edges can be rounded.

Nachfolgend wird die Erfindung anhand der beiliegenden Zeichnung näher erläutert. In dieser zeigen:

Figur 1
eine Bauform des Kolben-Zylinder-Aggregates in perspektivischer Darstellung, wobei der Zylinder nur teilweise gezeigt ist und ohne Darstellung der zur Positionsbestimmung der Kolbenstange und/oder des Kolbens dienenden Mitteln, und
Figur 2
das Kolben-Zylinder-Aggregat unter Darstellung der Mittel zur Positionsbestimmung der Kolbenstange und/oder des Kolbens im Längsschnitt und schematisiert, wobei in der Praxis vorhandene Dichtungs- und/oder Führungseinrichtungen zwischen Kolben bzw. Kolbenstange und Zylinder der Einfachheit halber nicht dargestellt sind.
The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawing. In this show:
Figure 1
a design of the piston-cylinder unit in perspective, the Cylinder is only partially shown and without showing the means used to determine the position of the piston rod and / or the piston, and
Figure 2
the piston-cylinder unit showing the means for determining the position of the piston rod and / or the piston in longitudinal section and schematized, wherein in practice existing sealing and / or guiding devices between the piston or piston rod and cylinder are not shown for the sake of simplicity.

Das beispielsgemäße Kolben-Zylinder-Aggregat beinhaltet einen Zylinder 1, in dem ein in Figur 1 nicht näher dargestellter Kolben 2 axial verschiebbar aufgenommen ist. An dem Kolben 2 sind eine Kolbenstange 3, die sich in Zylinderlängsrichtung erstreckt und einen Zylinderdeckel 4 durchdringt, der die eine Stirnseite des Zylinders 1 abschließt. Prinzipiell kann es sich um eine durchgehende Kolbenstange handeln, die dann auch den zweiten Zylinderdeckel 5 durchdringt (nicht dargestellt).The piston-cylinder unit according to the example includes a cylinder 1 in which a piston 2 (not shown in more detail in FIG. 1) is accommodated in an axially displaceable manner. On the piston 2 are a piston rod 3 which extends in the longitudinal direction of the cylinder and penetrates a cylinder cover 4, which closes one end of the cylinder 1. In principle, it can be a continuous piston rod which then also penetrates the second cylinder cover 5 (not shown).

In die vom Kolben 2 voneinander abgeteilten Zylinderräume 6, 7 münden Anschlußöffnungen 8, die in an sich bekannter Weise eine Zufuhr und/oder Abfuhr von Druckmittel erlauben, um den Kolben 2 zusammen mit der Kolbenstange 3 in Axialrichtung 12 hin und her zu verlagern. Vorliegend handelt es sich um ein pneumatisches Aggregat, das mit Druckluft betrieben wird.In the cylinder chambers 6, 7, which are separated from one another by the piston 2, connection openings 8 open, which in a manner known per se allow the supply and / or discharge of pressure medium in order to move the piston 2 together with the piston rod 3 back and forth in the axial direction 12. This is a pneumatic unit that is operated with compressed air.

Während des Betriebes des Aggregates ist es häufig erforderlich, die aktuelle Position des Kolbens und/oder der Kolbenstange zu ermitteln oder den von diesen zurückgelegten Weg, insbesondere in Bezug zum Zylinder 1, zu erfassen. Es ist dadurch beispielsweise möglich, in Abhängigkeit von bestimmten Positionen oder zurückgelegten Wegstrecken eine exakte Umsteuerung des Kolben-Zylinder-Aggregates selbst oder eine Ansteuerung externer Einrichtungen vorzunehmen. Daneben besteht natürlich auch die Möglichkeit, sich lediglich zur Information einen überblick über die aktuelle Situation zu verschaffen.During the operation of the unit, it is often necessary to determine the current position of the piston and / or the piston rod or to record the distance traveled, in particular in relation to the cylinder 1. This makes it possible, for example, to perform an exact reversal of the piston-cylinder unit itself or a triggering of external devices depending on specific positions or distances traveled. In addition, there is of course also the possibility to get an overview of the current situation for information only.

Das in den Figuren gezeigte Kolben-Zylinder-Aggregat ist daher mit Mitteln 13 zur Positionsbestimmung der Kolbenstange ausgestattet. Zu diesen gehört eine Meßstrecke 14, die elektrisch erfaßbar ist. Sie erstreckt sich in Längsrichtung 12 der Kolbenstange 3 und ist an einer an der Kolbenstange 3 ausgebildeten Tragfläche 15 befestigt. Die Tragfläche 15 bildet also praktisch einen Träger für die Meßstrecke 14 und erstreckt sich längsseits an der Kolbenstange 3 über mindestens einen Großteil deren Länge. Sie zeichnet sich dadurch aus, daß sie Flachgestalt besitzt und daher nicht, wie bei Kolbenstangen sonst üblich, mit gerundeter Kontur versehen ist. Abgesehen von einer am äußeren Endbereich der Kolbenstange 3 angeordneten Befestigungseinrichtung 16, die im Ausführungsbeispiel nach Art eines Gewindebolzens ausgebildet ist, erstreckt sich die Tragfläche 15 beispielsgemäß über die gesamte Länge der Kolbenstange 3 bis hin zum Kolben 2.The piston-cylinder unit shown in the figures is therefore equipped with means 13 for determining the position of the piston rod. These include a measuring section 14 which can be detected electrically. It extends in the longitudinal direction 12 of the piston rod 3 and is fastened to a support surface 15 formed on the piston rod 3. The wing 15 thus practically forms a support for the measuring section 14 and extends along the piston rod 3 over at least a large part of its length. It is characterized in that it has a flat shape and is therefore not, as is usual with piston rods, provided with a rounded contour. Apart from a fastening device 16 arranged on the outer end region of the piston rod 3, which in the exemplary embodiment is designed like a threaded bolt, the supporting surface 15 extends over the entire length of the piston rod 3 as far as the piston 2, for example.

Die Meßstrecke 14 kann sich ebenfalls über diese gesamte Länge erstrecken, ist beim Ausführungsbeispiel allerdings etwas kürzer, so daß sie mit geringem Abstand vor sowohl der Befestigungseinrichtung 16 als auch dem Kolben 2 endet. Jedenfalls sollte sie zweckmäßigerweise so lang sein, daß sie sich zumindest annähernd über die gesamte Länge des bei vollständig ausgefahrener Kolbenstange 3 außerhalb des Zylinderdeckels 4 befindlichen Kolbenstangenabschnittes erstreckt.The measuring section 14 can also extend over this entire length, but is somewhat shorter in the exemplary embodiment, so that it ends at a short distance in front of both the fastening device 16 and the piston 2. In any case, it should expediently be so long that it extends at least approximately over the entire length of the piston rod section located outside the cylinder cover 4 when the piston rod 3 is fully extended.

Infolge der flachen Gestalt der Tragfläche 15 läßt sich die Meßstrecke 14 gut befestigen und zuverlässig ablesen. Außerdem wird automatisch eine Verdrehsicherung gegenüber dem Zylinder 1 erreicht, da die von der Kolbenstange 3 durchquerte Durchbrechung 17 eine zu der Kolbenstange 3 komplementäre Kontur besitzt. Zweckmäßigerweise ist die Kolbenstange 3 als Mehreckstange ausgebildet, wobei es sich im Falle der Ausführungsbeispiele um eine Vierkantstange handelt, die einen quadratischen Querschnitt besitzt. Die Tragfläche 15 ist dabei von einer der vier äußeren ebenen Stangenflächen gebildet.Due to the flat shape of the wing 15, the measuring section 14 fasten well and read reliably. In addition, an anti-rotation device with respect to the cylinder 1 is automatically achieved, since the opening 17 traversed by the piston rod 3 has a contour that is complementary to the piston rod 3. The piston rod 3 is expediently designed as a polygonal rod, which in the case of the exemplary embodiments is a square rod which has a square cross section. The wing 15 is formed by one of the four outer flat rod surfaces.

Es wäre prinzipiell auch möglich, mehrere der durch Kanten voneinander abgeteilten äußeren Stangenflächen als Tragflächen zu verwenden, die eine Meßstrecke tragen. Um größtmögliche Genauigkeit zu erzielen, ließen sich hierbei für die vorhandenen Meßstrecken sogar unterschiedliche Abfragearten vorsehen.In principle, it would also be possible to use several of the outer rod surfaces, which are separated from one another by edges, as wings which carry a measuring section. In order to achieve the greatest possible accuracy, different types of polling could even be provided for the existing measuring sections.

Die Meßstrecke 14 liegt als elektrischer Widerstandsstreifen 25 vor. Dieser ist beispielsgemäß mit der Kolbenstange 3 verklebt, was sich als Beste der möglichen festen Verbindungsarten herausgestellt hat. Zwar kann der Widerstandsstreifen 25 erhaben auf die Tragfläche 15 aufgesetzt sein. Die Abdichtung im Durchdringungsbereich des Zylinderdeckels 4 läßt sich jedoch erheblich besser in den Griff bekommen, wenn er, wie aus Figur 2 hervorgeht, in der Tragfläche 15 versenkt zu liegen kommt. Hierzu besitzt die Tragfläche 15 eine Längsnut 26 geeigneter Tiefe, in der Widerstandsstreifen 25 eingelegt ist. Die nach außen weisende Oberfläche des Widerstandsstreifens 25 bildet eine Gleitfläche 27, die vorzugsweise bündig in die angrenzenden Oberflächenbereiche der Tragfläche 15 übergeht.The measuring section 14 is in the form of an electrical resistance strip 25. This is glued to the piston rod 3, for example, which has been found to be the best of the possible fixed connection types. The resistance strip 25 can be raised on the wing 15. The seal in the penetration area of the cylinder cover 4 can, however, be handled much better if, as can be seen in FIG. 2, it comes to lie sunk in the wing 15. For this purpose, the wing 15 has a longitudinal groove 26 of suitable depth, in which the resistance strip 25 is inserted. The outward-facing surface of the resistance strip 25 forms a sliding surface 27, which preferably merges flush with the adjacent surface regions of the supporting surface 15.

Der Widerstandsstreifen 25 ist beim Ausführungsbeispiel gegenüber der Kolbenstange 3 elektrisch isoliert, die vorliegend aus elektrisch leitendem Material wie Aluminium-Material oder Stahl besteht. Die Isolation erfolgt z.B. durch Zwischenfügen einer gespeicherten Isolationsschicht 30. Lediglich mit einem seiner beiden axialen Endbereiche, vorliegend dem außerhalb des Zylinders 1 liegenden Endbereich 28, steht der Widerstandsstreifen 25 in elektrisch leitender Verbindung mit der Kolbenstange 3. Die Verbindungsstelle ist bei 29 angedeutet.The resistance strip 25 is opposite in the exemplary embodiment the piston rod 3 is electrically insulated, which in the present case consists of an electrically conductive material such as aluminum material or steel. The insulation takes place, for example, by interposing a stored insulation layer 30. Only with one of its two axial end regions, in this case the end region 28 lying outside the cylinder 1, is the resistance strip 25 in an electrically conductive connection with the piston rod 3. The connection point is indicated at 29.

Desweiteren ist ein erster Schleifkontakt 32 vorgesehen, der isoliert am Zylinder 1 befestigt ist und insbesondere an einem die Kolbenstange 3 umschließenden Axialvorsprung 39 des Zylinderdeckels 4 sitzt. Der Schleifkontakt 32 steht einerseits unter federnder Vorspannung in Berührkontakt mit der Gleitfläche 27. Andererseits ist er über eine elektrische Leitung 33 an eine Auswerteeinheit 34 angeschlossen. Ein zweiter Schleifkontakt 35 ist ebenfalls elektrisch isoliert am Zylinderdeckel 4 angebracht und steht unter federnder Vorspannung in Berührkontakt mit einem neben dem Widerstandsstreifen 25 liegenden Abschnitt der Kolbenstange 3. Beispielsgemäß handelt es sich bei dem genannten Abschnitt der Kolbenstange um eine (36) der Stangenflächen, die nicht als Tragflächen verwendet wird. Es bietet sich an, die der Tragfläche 15 diametral entgegengesetzte Stangenfläche 36 als Kontaktfläche für den zweiten Schleifkontakt 35 zu verwenden.Furthermore, a first sliding contact 32 is provided, which is fastened in an insulated manner to the cylinder 1 and, in particular, is seated on an axial projection 39 of the cylinder cover 4 that surrounds the piston rod 3. The sliding contact 32 is on the one hand under resilient prestress in contact with the sliding surface 27. On the other hand, it is connected via an electrical line 33 to an evaluation unit 34. A second sliding contact 35 is also mounted on the cylinder cover 4 in an electrically insulated manner and is in spring-loaded prestress in contact with a section of the piston rod 3 located next to the resistance strip 25 is not used as wings. It makes sense to use the rod surface 36 diametrically opposite the support surface 15 as the contact surface for the second sliding contact 35.

Auch der zweite Schleifkontakt 35 steht über eine elektrische Leitung 33' mit der Auswerteeinheit 34 in Verbindung.The second sliding contact 35 is also connected to the evaluation unit 34 via an electrical line 33 '.

Der elektrische Widerstand des Widerstandsstreifens 25 wird so gewählt, daß derjenige der Kolbenstange 3 und auch die Übergangswiderstände zu den Schleifkontakten 32, 35 vernachlässigbar gering sind. Nun wird an die beiden elektrischen Leitungen 33, 33' eine Spannung angelegt, die einen Stromfluß erzeugt. Der Strom fließt von der elektrischen Leitung 33' zum zweiten Schleifkontakt 35, von dort zur Kolbenstange 3 und in dieser zur Verbindungsstelle 29, im weiteren entlang des Widerstandsstreifens 25 bis zur Berührstelle 37 des ersten Schleifkontaktes 32, und sodann über diesen ersten Schleifkontakt 32 und die elektrische Leitung 33 zurück zur Auswerteeinheit 32, wo sich die Spannungsquelle befindet. Maßgeblich für die Stromstärke ist dabei der jeweils wirkende elektrische Widerstand, der durch den Widerstandsstreifen 25 erzeugt wird. Dieser wird bestimmt durch die axiale Länge des momentan zwischen der Verbindungsstelle 29 und der Berührstelle 37 des ersten Schleifkontaktes 32 liegenden Streifenabschnittes 38. Der Streifenabschnitt 38 ist um so länger, je weiter die Kolbenstange 3 ausgefahren ist, und dementsprechend erhöht sich der elektrische Widerstand, was in der Auswerteeinheit 35 als Stromänderung registrierbar ist. Wenn sich die Kolbenstange 3 axial bewegt, schleifen die beiden Schleifkontakte 32, 35 an der Gleitfläche 27 und an der Stangenfläche 36 entlang.The electrical resistance of the resistance strip 25 is chosen so that that of the piston rod 3 and also the contact resistance to the sliding contacts 32, 35 are negligible. Now a voltage is applied to the two electrical lines 33, 33 ', which generates a current flow. The current flows from the electrical line 33 'to the second sliding contact 35, from there to the piston rod 3 and in this to the connecting point 29, further along the resistance strip 25 to the contact point 37 of the first sliding contact 32, and then via this first sliding contact 32 and the electrical line 33 back to the evaluation unit 32, where the voltage source is located. The relevant electrical resistance, which is generated by the resistance strip 25, is decisive for the current intensity. This is determined by the axial length of the strip section 38 currently lying between the connection point 29 and the contact point 37 of the first sliding contact 32. The strip section 38 is longer the further the piston rod 3 is extended, and accordingly the electrical resistance increases, which can be registered in the evaluation unit 35 as a current change. When the piston rod 3 moves axially, the two sliding contacts 32, 35 grind along the sliding surface 27 and along the rod surface 36.

Basierend auf den ermittelten Werten vermag die Auswerteeinheit 34 die aktuelle Position und/oder den zurückgelegten Weg der Kolbenstange 3 in Bezug zum Zylinder 1 festzustellen und auch anzuzeigen. In Abhängigkeit von bestimmten Werten können dann auch weitere Schaltfunktionen ausgelöst werden.Based on the determined values, the evaluation unit 34 is able to determine the current position and / or the distance traveled by the piston rod 3 in relation to the cylinder 1 also display. Depending on certain values, further switching functions can then also be triggered.

Das geschilderte Potentiometermeßprinzip würde auch dann funktionieren, wenn man die Verbindungsstelle 29 zum axial innen liegenden Ende des Widerstandsstreifens 25 verlegt.The described potentiometer measuring principle would also work if the connection point 29 is moved to the axially inner end of the resistance strip 25.

Die beispielsgemäß verwendeten Schleifkontakte 32, 35 sind federnde Metallbleche, die ausgehend vom Zylinderdeckel 4 schräg nach axial außen und zugleich in Richtung zur Kolbenstange 3 verlaufen. Denkbar wäre es auch, Schleifkontakte zu verwenden, die exakt radial gegen die Kolbenstange 3 bzw. den Widerstandsstreifen 25 angedrückt werden und insbesondere unter der Vorspannung einer Federanordnung stehen. Es wäre möglich, diese Schleifkontakte in den beispielsgemäß vorgesehenen, die Kolbenstange 3 koaxial umschließenden Axialvorsprung 39 an der Außenseite des Zylinderdeckels 4 zu integrieren.The sliding contacts 32, 35 used according to the example are resilient metal sheets which, starting from the cylinder cover 4, run obliquely outwards axially and at the same time in the direction of the piston rod 3. It would also be conceivable to use sliding contacts which are pressed exactly radially against the piston rod 3 or the resistance strip 25 and in particular are under the pretension of a spring arrangement. It would be possible to integrate these sliding contacts in the axial projection 39 provided according to the example and coaxially surrounding the piston rod 3 on the outside of the cylinder cover 4.

Denkbar wäre es auch, die Kolbenstange 3 im Zylinderinnern abzugreifen. In diesem Falle würde man, wie dies strichpunktiert angedeutet ist, die Kolbenstange 3 mit einem sich axial erstreckenden Hohlraum 40 versehen, der zum Zylinderdeckel 5 hin offen ist. Ein an diesem Zylinderdeckel 4 insbesondere isoliert befestigter Kontaktstab 41 ragt dann axial in den Hohlraum 40 hinein und trägt einen Schleifkontakt 35', der in elektrisch leitender Schleifverbindung mit der von der Kolbenstange 3 gebildeten Wandung des Hohlraumes 40 steht. Über eine strichpunktiert angedeutete elektrische Leitung 33'' wird die elektrische Verbindung zwischen dem Kontaktstab 41 und der Auswerteeinheit 34 hergestellt. Es können nun der oben erläuterte zweite Schleifkontakt 35 und die zugehörige elektrische Leitung 33' entfallen.It would also be conceivable to tap the piston rod 3 inside the cylinder. In this case, as indicated by dash-dotted lines, the piston rod 3 would be provided with an axially extending cavity 40 which is open towards the cylinder cover 5. A contact rod 41, which is attached to this cylinder cover 4 in a particularly insulated manner, then protrudes axially into the cavity 40 and carries a sliding contact 35 ′ which is in an electrically conductive sliding connection with that formed by the piston rod 3 Wall of the cavity 40 is. The electrical connection between the contact rod 41 and the evaluation unit 34 is established via an electrical line 33 ″ indicated by a dot-dash line. The second sliding contact 35 explained above and the associated electrical line 33 'can now be omitted.

Claims (9)

  1. Piston-cylinder assembly, with a piston rod (3) extending from at least one end face of the cylinder (1), and with means of determining the position of the piston rod (3) and/or of the piston (2) connected to the latter and mounted in the cylinder, which have a measuring section securely mounted on the piston rod (3) and extending in its longitudinal direction (12), and one or more means of sensing (32) fixed to the cylinder and working in conjunction with the measuring section (14), characterized in that the piston rod (3) has on its circumferential side at least one bearing surface (15) extending over the greater part of its length and having a flat shape, on which the measuring section (14) is mounted, and that the measuring section (14) is an electrical resistance strip (25) laid along the bearing surface (15) and read by a friction contact (32) fixed to the cylinder and serving as the means of sensing.
  2. Piston-cylinder assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the piston rod (3) is a rectangular bar of in particular square cross-section, with the bearing surface (15) being formed -by one of the four bar surfaces.
  3. Piston-cylinder assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the resistance strip (25) is recessed in the bearing surface (15).
  4. Piston-cylinder assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that the resistance strip (25) is inserted in a longitudinal groove (26) provided on the bearing surface (15).
  5. Piston-cylinder assembly according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the outwards-facing surface of the resistance strip (25) is flush with the adjacent surface areas of the bearing surface (15).
  6. Piston-cylinder assembly according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the resistance strip (25) is bonded to the piston rod (3).
  7. Piston-cylinder assembly according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that an insulating layer (30) is interposed between the resistance strip (25) and the piston rod (3) which is of electrically-conductive material.
  8. Piston-cylinder assembly according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, at one of its end areas, the resistance strip (25) is in electrically-conductive contact with the piston rod (3), from which it is otherwise electrically insulated, with a second friction contact (35, 35') reading the piston rod (3) and with both friction contacts (32; 35, 35') being connected to an evaluation unit (34).
  9. Piston-cylinder assembly according to claim 8, characterized in that the second friction contact (35') is supported by a contact bar (41) fixed to the cylinder and extending into a hollow space (40) in the piston rod (3).
EP93107873A 1992-07-24 1993-05-14 Actuator Expired - Lifetime EP0591614B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE9209980U 1992-07-24
DE9209980U DE9209980U1 (en) 1992-07-24 1992-07-24 Piston-cylinder unit

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0591614A1 EP0591614A1 (en) 1994-04-13
EP0591614B1 true EP0591614B1 (en) 1996-12-27

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DE (2) DE9209980U1 (en)

Cited By (2)

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DE29713825U1 (en) * 1997-08-02 1997-10-02 Festo Kg, 73734 Esslingen Fluid operated cylinder
CN107740794A (en) * 2016-01-06 2018-02-27 合肥龙精灵信息技术有限公司 A kind of cylinder of cubic cylindricality piston rod

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DE4403639A1 (en) * 1994-02-05 1995-08-10 Festo Kg Fluidically actuated feed unit
DE9412435U1 (en) * 1994-08-02 1994-09-29 Festo Kg, 73734 Esslingen Working cylinder
DE29713546U1 (en) * 1997-07-30 1997-09-25 Festo AG & Co, 73734 Esslingen Optical path and / or position sensor arrangement
EP0941812A1 (en) * 1998-03-10 1999-09-15 Novartec, Ltd. Ram device with a fluid pump and press tool
EP0941813B1 (en) * 1998-03-10 2003-10-29 Ridge Tool Ag Press tool and pressing process for crimping fittings
CN100342143C (en) * 2004-07-22 2007-10-10 杨世祥 Two-stage screw internal foodback digital fluid cylinder
DE102007045849A1 (en) * 2007-09-26 2009-04-02 Bpw Bergische Achsen Kg Actuating element for axle lifts and retrofit kit for axle lift actuators
EP2222966B1 (en) * 2007-10-22 2014-04-23 A.M.A. S.p.A. System for determining the position of a piston along its path of travel for a fluid-dynamic actuator
US11828306B2 (en) 2021-04-30 2023-11-28 Industries Mailhot Inc. Method and a system for position measurement of a piston rod of a hydraulic cylinder

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US3096497A (en) * 1961-03-06 1963-07-02 Ling Temco Vought Inc Combination hydraulic actuator and potentiometer
FR2233512A1 (en) * 1973-06-14 1975-01-10 Repiquet Sa Vice with controlled displacement - has plastic marks on stem for photodetector
FR2343909A1 (en) * 1976-03-12 1977-10-07 Outillage Air Comprime Valve piston position monitoring device - has detector opposite grooves on spindle connected by optical fibre light guide to actuator
GB2062124B (en) * 1979-10-22 1983-10-05 Secretary Industry Brit Fluid driven oscillator and hammer device
DE3535704A1 (en) * 1985-10-05 1987-04-09 Festo Kg PISTON CYLINDER ARRANGEMENT
DE8627037U1 (en) * 1986-10-11 1987-01-08 Hügler, Klaus, 73614 Schorndorf Working cylinders, especially pneumatic cylinders for components of handling machines

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE29713825U1 (en) * 1997-08-02 1997-10-02 Festo Kg, 73734 Esslingen Fluid operated cylinder
CN107740794A (en) * 2016-01-06 2018-02-27 合肥龙精灵信息技术有限公司 A kind of cylinder of cubic cylindricality piston rod

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DE59304878D1 (en) 1997-02-06
DE9209980U1 (en) 1992-09-24
EP0591614A1 (en) 1994-04-13

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