JP2003156305A - Installation structure for sensor of actuator body - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable miniaturization and weight-reduction of actuator body as a whole. SOLUTION: A sensor installing structure 10 comprises a groove 40 for installing a magnetism sensing sensor 42 formed to a rectangular cross section to the actuator body 16. This groove 40 has a tapered part, that is set to a rectangular aperture cross section and is narrowed from an external form side to the inside, and an expansion part that is expanded from the end part of a narrow width of the taper part and claw parts 46a, 46b of the magnetism- detecting sensor 42 are mounted.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sensor mounting of an actuator body for mounting a sensor for detecting the position of a movable portion movable with respect to the actuator body under the action of an actuator at a predetermined portion of the actuator body. Regarding the structure.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, a rotary driving force of an electric motor is transmitted to a movable portion via a feed screw shaft, and the movable portion is linearly reciprocated along an axial direction of an actuator body, whereby the movable portion is moved. An electric actuator capable of advancing and retracting a work or the like mounted on the is used.

This type of electric actuator is incorporated in an automated assembly process, machining process, etc., and it is necessary to automatically detect whether or not the electric actuator is surely performing a desired operation. Therefore, usually, various sensors are attached to an actuator body constituting an electric actuator, and control is performed to confirm the operation of the electric actuator based on a detection signal from the sensor (for example, see Patent Documents 1 and 2). ).

[0004]

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 5-180299

[Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-31115

For example, as shown in FIG. 15, an electric actuator 1 comprises an electric motor 2 and an actuator body 3 connected to the electric motor 2. The (movable part) 4 is configured to be movable back and forth in the axial direction (direction of arrow A) of the actuator body 3. In order to detect the advance / retreat position of the rod 4, for example, a structure in which a magnet (not shown) is attached to the rod 4 and a magnetic detection sensor (auto switch) 5 is attached to a predetermined portion of the actuator body 3 is known. .

The magnetic detection sensor 5 is integrally formed of a main body 5a having a substantially circular cross section and a protrusion 5b having a substantially rectangular cross section. The actuator body 3 is provided with the magnetic detection sensor 5 described above. For arrangement, a sensor mounting groove 6 is formed on each surface or on a predetermined surface so as to extend in the axial direction. Each of the groove portions 6 has a circular groove 6a having an opening having a substantially circular cross section corresponding to the main body portion 5a of the magnetic detection sensor 5, and a rectangular cross section having one end communicating with the circular groove 6a and the other end opened to the outside. It has a groove 6b.

[0007]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional technique, the groove portion 6 formed on the surface of the actuator body 3 has the circular groove 6a and the rectangular groove 6b corresponding to the shape of the magnetic detection sensor 5. The depth H of the groove 6 is relatively large from the outer side of the actuator body 3 toward the inside. This allows
It has been pointed out that the provision of the groove portion 6 causes the actuator body 3 to have a considerably large lateral dimension and a longitudinal dimension, which makes it impossible to reduce the size and weight of the entire actuator body 3.

Further, when the magnetic detection sensor 5 is mounted on the actuator body 3, the magnetic detection sensor 5 is inserted into each groove 6 from the end portion (rod 4 side) of the actuator body 3 and then the actuator body 3 is inserted. The magnetic detection sensor 5 must be arranged at a predetermined position in the axial direction of the magnetic field sensor 3.

For this reason, a relatively large space is required on the rod 4 side for attaching and detaching the magnetic detection sensor 5, and it becomes difficult to effectively utilize the narrow space, and the magnetic detection sensor 5 has a small space. There is a problem that mounting workability is poor.

The present invention solves this type of problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a sensor mounting structure for an actuator body, which is capable of easily and effectively reducing the size of the actuator body and having excellent sensor mounting workability. .

[0011]

According to the present invention, the sensor is formed to have a substantially rectangular cross section (thin shape), and has a protrusion protruding outward on the side of its mounting end. On the other hand, the outer shape portion of the actuator body is provided with a sensor mounting groove portion having an approximately rectangular opening cross section, and the groove portion has a taper portion that narrows inward from the outer shape side and the taper portion. And an enlarged portion to which the protruding portion of the sensor is attached and which is enlarged from the narrow end portion.

Therefore, the groove portion provided on the outer shape of the actuator body is set to a thin shape, and the dimension in the depth direction can be significantly reduced as compared with the conventional groove portion having a circular opening end surface. it can. Therefore, the outer dimensions of the actuator body are effectively reduced, and the overall size and weight of the actuator body can be easily reduced.

When mounting the sensor in the groove, the sensor is arranged at a predetermined position of the actuator body and pressed inwardly of the groove, and the sensor is guided by the taper portion constituting the groove. It is easily inserted into the groove. Then, by mounting the protrusion of the sensor on the enlarged portion that is enlarged from the narrow end of the taper portion, the sensor is surely housed and held in the groove and attached at a predetermined position of the actuator body. become. As a result, the workability of attaching the sensor is effectively improved.

Further, by forming the sensor by a sheet-shaped flexible substrate, the depth of the sensor mounting recess can be made extremely small. Alternatively, the sensor constituted by the sheet-like flexible substrate may be directly attached to the outer surface of the actuator body in which no sensor mounting recess or the like is formed by using an attaching member.

[0015]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Preferred embodiments of a sensor mounting structure for an actuator body according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an electric actuator 12 incorporating a sensor mounting structure 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

The electric actuator 12 comprises an electric motor (actuator) 14 and an actuator body 16 to which the electric motor 14 is connected at one end. Inside the actuator body 16, the electric motor 1 is connected.
Under the action of 4, a rod portion (movable portion) 18 that is movable in the axial direction (direction of arrow A) is housed so as to be able to move back and forth.

As shown in FIG. 2, the electric motor 14 includes a motor shaft 24 which is rotationally driven via an electromagnetic coil 20 and a magnet 22, and is fed to one end of the motor shaft 24 via a coupling member 26. The screw shaft 28 is coaxially connected. The feed screw shaft 28 is rotatably supported in the actuator body 16 via a bearing 30, and the rod portion 18 is screwed onto the tip end side of the feed screw shaft 28.

The rod portion 18 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and a screw hole 32 that is screwed into the feed screw shaft 28 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the rod portion 18. At the inner end of the rod portion 18,
A permanent magnet (magnetic source) 34 is mounted, and this permanent magnet 34 is movable in the actuator body 16 in the direction of arrow A integrally with the rod portion 18.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, side surfaces 16a to 16d of the actuator body 16 along the circumferential direction.
In the sensor mounting structure 10, two groove portions 40 for mounting the sensor, which constitute the sensor mounting structure 10, extend in parallel to the axial direction. A sensor attached to each groove 40, for example, a magnetic detection sensor 42 includes a main body 44 having a substantially rectangular cross-section, and the main body 44 has a pair of mounting ends that have an elastic force protruding outward. Claws (projections) 46a, 46b
Is provided. The pair of claw portions 46a and 46b are made of, for example, a resin material.

As shown in FIG. 3, the groove portion 40 is enlarged from the taper portion 48 that narrows inward from the outer shape side of the actuator body 16 and the narrow end portion of the taper portion 48 to detect the magnetic field. It has an enlarged portion 50 to which the claw portions 46a and 46b of the sensor 42 are attached. The actuator body 16 has, for example, three magnetic detection sensors 42,
The two groove portions 40 provided on one vertical surface side and the one groove portion 40 provided on the upper surface side are respectively attached at predetermined positions.

The operation of the electric actuator 12 thus constructed will be described below.

When a work (not shown), a tool or the like (not shown) is attached to the tip of the rod portion 18 and then the electromagnetic coil 20 constituting the electric motor 14 is energized as shown in FIG. 22 under the action of the motor shaft 2
4 rotates. The rotation of the motor shaft 24 is transmitted to the feed screw shaft 28 via the coupling member 26, and the rod portion 18 screwed onto the feed screw shaft 28 is moved along the axial direction (arrow A direction) of the actuator body 16. It moves back and forth.

At this time, the permanent magnet 34 moves integrally with the rod portion 18 in the direction of arrow A, and the permanent magnet 34 is placed at a predetermined position.
The two magnetic detection sensors 42 detect the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet 34 to detect the magnetic field of the rod portion 1.
It is possible to automatically and surely detect the forward end position, the reverse end position, the intermediate position, etc.

In this case, in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the actuator body 16 is provided with a groove portion 40 having an approximately rectangular opening cross-section corresponding to the magnetic detection sensor 42 having a substantially rectangular cross-section. ing. For this reason, the depth H1 of the groove portion 40 is set to a relatively small size inside the actuator body 16, and the depth H1 is significantly thinner than the depth H of the groove portion 6 provided in the conventional actuator body 3. To be done.

As a result, the actuator body 16
The external dimensions are significantly reduced as compared with the conventional actuator body 3, and the effect that the entire actuator body 16 can be effectively reduced in size and weight is obtained.

Further, in the first embodiment, the groove portion 40 has the taper portion 48 which becomes narrower inwardly,
When the magnetic sensor 42 is pressed against the groove 40, the magnetic sensor 4 is guided by the tapered portion 48.
2 is easily and smoothly inserted into the groove 40. Therefore, the magnetic sensor 42 is connected to the actuator body 16
The magnetic detection sensor 42 can be reliably inserted into the groove 40 and easily attached to a desired position by simply pressing the magnetic detection sensor 42 into the groove 40 in a state where the magnetic detection sensor 42 is preliminarily arranged at the predetermined position. Will be possible.

This simplifies the work of attaching the magnetic detection sensor 42, and, for example, the magnetic detection sensor 42 is inserted into the groove 40 from the end portion (rod 18 side) of the actuator body 16 to a predetermined position. There is no need to slide it up, and the space for installation work does not expand.

In the first embodiment, the inner peripheral surface of the actuator body 16 may be set to have a circular opening cross section, or may be set to a spline hole having a detent function.

Next, FIG. 4 shows an electric actuator 62 incorporating a sensor mounting structure 60 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The same components as those of the electric actuator 12 according to the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The electric actuator 62 has an actuator body 64, a spline hole 66 is formed in the actuator body 64, and the upper portion of the spline hole 66 communicates with the outside through an opening 68 (see FIG. 5). A movable table (movable portion) 70 is arranged corresponding to the opening 68, and the movable table 70 is provided.
Set of spline shafts 72a, 72b fixed before and after
Is screwed into the spline hole 66. Therefore, the movable table 70 can move forward and backward in the direction of arrow A under the rotating action of the electric motor 14 while maintaining a predetermined posture.

In the table type electric actuator 62 having such a structure, the actuator body 64
The two magnetic detection sensors 4 corresponding to the forward end position and the backward end position of the movable table 70 on one vertical surface constituting the
2 is attached and this magnetic detection sensor 42
The groove portion 40 for mounting is set to have a substantially rectangular opening cross section. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained such that the entire actuator body 64 can be easily reduced in size and weight.

Next, FIG. 6 shows an electric actuator 81 incorporating a sensor mounting structure 80 according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

The sensor mounting structure 80 according to the third embodiment has a magnetic detection sensor 82 formed of a sheet-shaped flexible substrate, and a lead wire 83 is electrically connected to the flexible substrate. There is. Further, on the side surface of the actuator body 84, a sensor mounting recess 86 corresponding to the shape of the magnetic detection sensor 82 made of the sheet-shaped flexible substrate is formed in parallel along the axial direction. The sensor mounting recess 8
As shown in FIG. 7, the depth H2 of 6 is extremely small corresponding to the sheet-like thickness of the magnetic detection sensor 82.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 8, a sheet-shaped magnetic detection sensor 82 is formed by using a so-called double-sided tape (adhesive member) 88 made of a belt-shaped flexible sheet body having adhesive surfaces on both front and back surfaces. Can be attached to any part of the sensor mounting recess 86.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, a single-sided tape (adhesive member) 89 made of a band-shaped flexible sheet having an adhesive surface on only one of the front and back sides is used, and the magnetic detection sensor 82 is an actuator. The magnetic detection sensor 82 is covered from the outer side of the body 84 and the magnetic detection sensor 82 is recessed for sensor mounting 86.
It may be locked inside.

In the third embodiment, as shown in FIG.
The actuator body 84 is provided with a sensor mounting recess 86 corresponding to the shape of the sheet-shaped magnetic detection sensor 82. Therefore, the depth H2 of the sensor mounting concave portion 86 is set to a very small dimension inside the actuator body 84, and the depth H2 of the groove portion 6 provided in the actuator body 3 according to the related art is set. It is made much thinner than before.

Next, FIG. 10 shows an electric actuator 91 incorporating the sensor mounting structure 90 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The same components as those of the sensor mounting structure 80 according to the third embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In the sensor mounting structure 90 according to the fourth embodiment, the magnetic detection sensor 82 made of a sheet-shaped flexible substrate is attached to the flat side surface 94a (94b to 94d) of the actuator body 92. ing. As shown in FIG. 11, the actuator body 92 has no side surface 94a which is a flat outer surface of the actuator body 92 without any groove or recess for attaching the magnetic detection sensor 82.
It is directly attached to (94b to 94d).

In this case, a double-sided tape 88 made of a belt-shaped flexible sheet having adhesive surfaces on both front and back surfaces or a single-sided tape (adhesive member) 89 having an adhesive surface on only one surface is used, and the magnetic detection sensor 82 is used. Actuator body 9
2 may be directly attached to the outer surface (see FIGS. 12 and 13).
reference).

In the sensor mounting structures 80 and 90 according to the third and fourth embodiments of the present invention, the depth H2 of the sensor mounting recess 86 is made extremely small as compared with the prior art.
Alternatively, by not forming the sensor mounting recess 86 or the like, the rigidity of the actuator bodies 84 and 92 can be further improved as compared with the actuator body 3 according to the related art in which the groove portion 6 is formed.

Next, FIG. 14 shows an electric actuator 102 incorporating a sensor mounting structure 100 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. The same components as those of the sensor mounting structure 90 according to the fourth embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In the sensor mounting structure 100 according to the fifth embodiment, the magnetic detection sensor 104 made of a sheet-like flexible substrate having a wireless communication function and the magnetic detection sensor mounted on the outer surface of the end block 106 are provided. And a communication chip 108 that transmits and receives wireless signals to and from the wireless communication device 104. A connector 110, which is connected to a power source (not shown) through a lead wire, is attached to the end block 106, and the communication chip 10 is connected through the connector 110.
A power signal is sent to 8.

The magnetic detection sensor 104 and the communication chip 1
08, for example, spread spectrum communication system,
Wireless communication is bidirectional by wireless LAN such as BLUETOOTH. Specifically, a wireless power supply signal is sent from the communication chip 108 to the magnetic detection sensor 104 by a microwave, while a detection signal (wireless signal) is sent from the magnetic detection sensor 104 to the communication chip 108. It For example, a configuration may be adopted in which a normal battery such as a solar cell or a fuel cell is held in the magnetic detection sensor 104 without supplying power by wireless communication.
When the wireless communication is used, it is not necessary to always have an energy source, and there is an advantage that a signal can be transmitted and received only when necessary. The magnetic detection sensor 104 is
Of course, it can be applied to fluid pressure cylinders such as air cylinders and hydraulic cylinders.

As described above, the wireless communication function is performed between the magnetic detection sensor 104 and the communication chip 108, so that the lead wire attached to the magnetic detection sensor 104 is removed and the wiring space is reduced. The magnetic detection sensor 104 can be easily replaced without performing wiring work.

[0046]

According to the present invention, the groove portion for mounting the sensor having a substantially rectangular cross section is set to have a substantially rectangular opening cross section, and the depth direction of the groove portion is shortened as much as possible. It is easy to reduce the size and weight of the entire actuator body. Moreover, since the sensor is easily and smoothly inserted into the groove under the guiding action of the taper portion provided in the groove, the workability of attaching the sensor is effectively improved.

Further, by forming the sensor by a flexible substrate formed in a sheet shape, the depth of the sensor mounting recess can be made extremely small.

Further, the sensor made of the sheet-like flexible substrate is directly adhered to the outer surface of the actuator body in which no groove or recess for mounting the sensor is formed by an adhering member. It is possible to simplify the manufacturing process by making the depth direction of the groove portion or the recess for mounting the sensor as zero as possible and omitting the processing work of the groove portion or the recess.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an electric actuator incorporating a sensor mounting structure according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view of the electric actuator shown in FIG. 1 taken along the axial direction.

3 is a front view of an actuator body forming the electric actuator shown in FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of an electric actuator incorporating a sensor mounting structure according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a front view of an actuator body that constitutes the electric actuator shown in FIG. 4. FIG.

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of an electric actuator incorporating a sensor mounting structure according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

7 is a front view of an actuator body that constitutes the electric actuator shown in FIG. 6. FIG.

FIG. 8 is a partially enlarged vertical cross-sectional view showing a state in which a sheet-shaped magnetic detection sensor is attached to a sensor mounting recess using a double-sided tape.

FIG. 9 is a partially enlarged vertical cross-sectional view showing a state in which a sheet-shaped magnetic detection sensor is covered from the outer shape side of an actuator body using a single-sided tape.

FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view of an electric actuator incorporating a sensor mounting structure according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

11 is a front view of an actuator body forming the electric actuator shown in FIG.

FIG. 12 is a partially enlarged vertical cross-sectional view showing a state in which a sheet-shaped magnetic detection sensor is attached to the outer surface of an actuator body using a double-sided tape.

FIG. 13 is a partially enlarged vertical cross-sectional view showing a state in which a sheet-shaped magnetic detection sensor is coated on the outer surface of an actuator body using a single-sided tape.

FIG. 14 is a schematic perspective view of an electric actuator incorporating a sensor mounting structure according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a schematic perspective view of an electric actuator according to a conventional technique.

[Explanation of symbols]

10, 60, 80, 90, 100 ... Sensor mounting structure 12, 62, 81, 91, 102 ... Electric actuator 14 ... Electric motor 16, 64, 84, 92 ... Actuator body 18 ... Rod part 28 ... Feed screw shaft 34 ... Permanent magnet 40 ... Grooves 42, 82, 104 ... Magnetic detection sensors 46a, 46
b ... claw portion 48 ... taper portion 50 ... enlarged portion 66 ... spline hole 70 ... movable table 72a, 72b ... spline shaft 86 ... sensor mounting recess 88 ... double-sided tape 89 ... single-sided tape 108 ... communication chip 110 ... connector

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    F term (reference) 2F063 AA02 BA05 BA30 DA05 DD04                       GA52 KA02 NA01 NA08 ZA01                 2F073 AA21 AB20 BB01 BC02 CC01                       EE12 GG04                 2F077 AA49 CC02 JJ03 JJ07 JJ23                       VV21                 3H081 BB02 BB03 CC23 DD26 EE26                       GG04 GG06 GG15 GG23

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A sensor mounting structure for an actuator body, for mounting a sensor for detecting a position of a movable part movable with respect to an actuator body under the action of an actuator, to a predetermined portion of the actuator body. The sensor is configured to have a substantially rectangular cross section, and is provided with a protrusion protruding outward on the mounting end side, and an outer peripheral portion of the actuator body is provided with a sensor mounting groove portion having a substantially rectangular opening cross section. The sensor mounting groove is provided and is enlarged from a tapered portion that narrows inward from the outer shape side and a narrow end of the tapered portion, and the protrusion of the sensor is mounted on the groove. An actuator body sensor mounting structure comprising: an enlarged portion. 2. The sensor mounting structure according to claim 1, wherein the movable portion is provided with a magnetic generation source, and the sensor is a magnetic detection sensor. 3. A sensor mounting structure for an actuator body for mounting a sensor for detecting the position of a movable part movable with respect to the actuator body under the action of an actuator, at a predetermined portion of the actuator body, The sensor includes a flexible substrate formed in a sheet shape, and a sensor mounting recess having a shape corresponding to the flexible substrate in the sheet shape is provided in an outer shape portion of the actuator body. A sensor mounting structure for an actuator body, wherein a sticking member for sticking to the recess is provided. 4. The sensor mounting structure for an actuator body according to claim 3, wherein the attaching member is formed of a belt-shaped sheet body having an adhesive surface on both front and back surfaces or one surface. Construction. 5. A sensor mounting structure for an actuator body, for mounting a sensor for detecting a position of a movable part movable with respect to an actuator body under the action of an actuator at a predetermined portion of the actuator body, A sensor mounting structure for an actuator body, wherein the sensor is made of a flexible substrate formed in a sheet shape, and a sticking member for directly sticking the sensor to the outer surface of the actuator body is provided. 6. The sensor attachment structure for an actuator body according to claim 5, wherein the attaching member is a belt-shaped sheet body having an adhesive surface on either one of the front and back sides or one side thereof. Construction.