JPH0453536Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] Industrial application field This invention is a cartridge type digitizer,
This invention relates to a linear scale support device for a drawing machine, etc.

Conventional technology As a conventional technology, for example,
Examples include those developed by the applicant of the present application, as described in Publication No. 96308.

In this conventional device, a linear scale in the form of a band plate is fixed at one end along the longitudinal direction of the guide rail in a carriage-type drafting machine, etc., in which a scale, etc. is supported by a carriage that moves along the longitudinal direction of the guide rail. A device is disclosed in which the other end is tensioned with a spring, and a detection element is provided on the carriage opposite a linear scale so that the amount of movement of the carriage can be detected.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention In this conventional device, a linear scale in the form of a strip is fixed at one end and stretched by a spring along the length of the guide rail. It is not only excellent as a means of linearly extending a plate-shaped linear scale, but also as a means of absorbing the difference in expansion coefficient due to the difference in material between the guide rail and the linear scale. When the length is long, there is a problem in that the sagging becomes large and accurate measurements cannot be made. In this case, if you try to strengthen the tension spring to prevent it from sagging, it will not only change the width of the slit in the linear scale and cause measurement errors, but also cause deformation and damage. This may cause the problem of tearing into pieces.

In addition, if the middle part of a linear scale is fixed and both ends are tensioned with tension springs, it is difficult to equalize the tension force on both sides of the fixed part. Due to the cutout-like slits, it is impossible to measure if the entire transverse direction is fixed in a well-balanced manner, and it is difficult to fix it in a well-balanced manner.Also, considering that it is necessary to absorb the difference in expansion rate, There were other problems, such as the fact that it could only be fixed at one location.

Means for Solving the Problems Therefore, the present invention supports a digitizer, scale, etc. by a carriage that moves along the longitudinal direction of the guide rail, and supports a flexible or flexible linear carriage along the longitudinal direction of the guide rail. In a carriage-type digitizer, drafting machine, etc., in which a scale is provided and a detection element is provided in the carriage opposite to the linear scale to detect the amount of movement of the carriage, the intermediate portion of the linear scale is It is an object of the present invention to provide a linear scale support device for a digitizer, a drafting machine, etc., which is supported so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction by a support member.

Function According to the device of the present invention, since the flexible or flexible linear scale provided along the longitudinal direction of the guide rail is supported by the support member so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction, the entire linear scale can be moved freely in the longitudinal direction. It is possible to prevent the linear scale from sagging by maintaining the tension force applied to it evenly. Therefore, no matter how long the guide rail and linear scale are,
It is possible to prevent sagging by providing support members at one or more appropriate locations, and it is stable against external forces such as vibration without impairing the means to absorb the difference in expansion coefficient due to the difference in the materials of the guide rail and linear scale. This has the effect of supporting the linear scale.

EXAMPLES The device of the present invention will be explained in detail with reference to the examples shown below. 1 is a linear scale, in which slits 1a are formed on a thin stainless steel strip by etching, and a metal coating is attached to the parts other than the slits 1a by electrolytic treatment. They are all made of very thin, flexible or pliable strip-like materials, such as those made with a transparent film or an opaque synthetic resin film with optically transparent slits 1a. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, this linear scale 1 has a mounting piece 2 integrally joined to both ends thereof, which has a long hole 3 and a connecting hole 4, and this mounting piece 2 is connected to the guide rail. The elongated hole 3 is guided by a guide pin 7 at one end and fixedly by a guide pin 7 at one end and by a tension spring 8 at the other end on the guide piece 6a of a fixed frame 6 fixed near both ends of the frame 5 so as to be adjustable in position. A linear scale 1 is stretched in a straight line along the longitudinal direction of a guide rail 5. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the linear scale 1 is provided with an optical detection element 10 fixed to a carriage that is movably guided along a guide rail 5. In the figure, reference numeral 9 denotes a pedestal with a convex cross-section, which is integrally fixed to the carriage, and a pair of plastic guide gap members 11 fixedly installed by a fixing member 9a to straddle this pedestal are connected to the linear scale. 1 is sandwiched between them through a guide gap 12, which is about 2 to 3 times the thickness of the linear scale 1, as an example, and a guide gap 12 facing the slit 1a of the linear scale 1 is provided with a guide gap 12 in the longitudinal direction. A groove 12a is provided, and two pairs of through holes 13 are provided at positions opposite to the groove 12a, and two pairs of light emitting elements 15 and light receiving elements 16 are inserted into these through holes 13. Detecting elements are provided facing each other, and an index scale 14 is fixed in the groove 12a on the light receiving element 16 side. The index scale 14 is provided with a slit, and as the carriage moves, the light receiving element 16 detects the movement of the slit 1a of the linear scale 1 while blocking the light from the light emitting element 15, at two locations at about 90 degrees. The light is received as a sine or cosine waveform with a phase difference, and the output is passed through a Schmitt circuit, a phase identification circuit, etc. to identify the direction of movement and is converted into a pulse signal, which is sent to an up-down counter, and the amount of carriage movement is detected from the count value. It is configured to do so.

By the way, as the guide rail 5 becomes longer, the linear scale 1 also needs to be made longer, but in that case, if the linear scale 1 is stretched by holding both ends, it will sag in the middle. The slit 1a of the linear scale 1 no longer properly blocks the slit of the index scale.
Measurement errors will occur.

Therefore, the present invention attempts to prevent the linear scale from sagging by supporting the intermediate portion of the linear scale so as to be freely movable in the longitudinal direction using a support member, and to absorb the difference in expansion rate and contraction rate using the support member. be.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, 20 is a support member according to the present invention, which is made of metal or synthetic resin, and whose center insertion groove is inserted into the edge of the linear scale 1, avoiding the slit 1a. It is fixed with adhesive etc. On the other hand, the guide rail 5 is provided with a guide groove 17 along the longitudinal direction of the linear scale 1, and a support member 20 is loosely fitted into the guide groove 17 so as to be movable along the longitudinal direction. Support the scale 1 so that it does not sag. The support location is not limited to one location in the middle of the linear scale 1, but may be provided at several locations as appropriate. In this case, the tensile force applied to the linear scale 1 and the guide rail 5
The relative slight movement in the longitudinal direction between the linear scale 1 and the guide rail 5 resulting from the difference in expansion coefficient between the linear scale 1 and the linear scale 1 is allowed and absorbed by the movement of the support member 20 itself along the longitudinal direction.

Note that if the mounting force between the support member 20 and the linear scale 1 is sufficient to linearly support the linear scale 1, the fixing means using adhesive between them can be omitted.

In addition, as a support member that absorbs and supports the slight movement of the linear scale with respect to the guide rail without losing the linearity of the entire linear scale, for example, a guide pin 7 can be used along the guide piece 6a fixed to the guide rail 5. Of course, other conventionally known supporting means such as guiding the elongated hole 3 on the linear scale 1 side can also be adopted, but according to the supporting member 20 of the above embodiment, the linear scale 1 can be easily processed without any special processing. There is also an advantage that the support member 20 can absorb horizontal shaking, vibration, etc. that occur in the long linear scale 1 during use.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, an extension is provided at the upper edge of the linear scale 1, and the extension is bent in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the linear scale 1 to form a support member 20. In this case, the support member 2
0, a pair of support members protruding alternately from both sides of the linear scale 1. In this case, the support member 20 can of course be constructed by welding or adhering a thin plate to the edge of the linear scale 1.

Effects As mentioned above, according to the linear scale support device for digitizers, drafting machines, etc. according to the present invention,
Since it has a structure in which a flexible or flexible linear scale is installed along the longitudinal direction of the guide rail, and its middle part is supported by a supporting member so as to be able to move slightly in the longitudinal direction, the tensioning force applied to the entire linear scale can be applied evenly. It is possible to prevent the linear scale from sagging while the linear scale is maintained, and therefore, no matter how long the length of the guide rail and the linear scale become, supporting members are provided at one or more appropriate locations to prevent the linear scale from sagging;
Moreover, it has the effect of absorbing the difference in expansion coefficient due to the difference in materials between the guide rail and the linear scale, and stably supporting the linear scale against external forces such as vibrations.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional front view showing the main part of one embodiment of the device of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the main part taken out, and Fig. 3 is a cutaway showing the main part of another embodiment. FIG. 4 is a front view, FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the main parts thereof, FIG. 5 is a schematic side view showing an embodiment of the linear scale to which the device of the present invention is applied, and FIGS. 6 and 7 are respective views thereof. FIG. 2 is a schematic slope view and a cross-sectional view showing important parts. 1... Linear scale, 5... Guide rail, 6
... fixed frame, 8 ... tension spring, 10 ... optical detection element, 11 ... guide gap member, 12 ... guide gap, 14 ... index scale, 17 ...
...Guide groove portion, 20...Support member.

Claims (1)

[Claims for Utility Model Registration] (1) A carriage that moves along the longitudinal direction of the guide rail supports a digitizer, a scale, etc., and also supports a flexible or flexible linear scale along the longitudinal direction of the guide rail. While setting up
In a carriage-type digitizer, drafting machine, etc., in which a detection element is provided on the carriage opposite to a linear scale so as to be able to detect the amount of movement of the carriage, the intermediate portion of the linear scale is longitudinally moved by a support member. A linear scale support device for digitizers, drafting machines, etc. that is movably supported. (2) A linear scale support device for a digitizer, drafting machine, etc., in which the support member is provided at one or more locations in the middle of the linear scale, in the device described in claim (1). (3) In the device described in claim (1) or (2) of the utility model registration, the support member is supported in a freely movable manner by a guide frame provided in the longitudinal direction of the guide rail, and the linear scale is supported by the free movement of the support member. A linear scale support device for a digitizer, drafting machine, etc., characterized by being configured to be suspended so as to be slightly movable in the longitudinal direction. (4) A linear scale support in a digitizer, drafting machine, etc., characterized in that the device described in claim (3) for utility model registration is configured such that the support member supports the linear scale by sandwiching both sides of the linear scale. Device. (5) A linear scale support device for a digitizer, drafting machine, etc., in which the linear scale and the support member are bonded with an adhesive, in the device described in claim (3) or (4) for utility model registration. (6) Scope of claims for utility model registration (1), (2), (3), (4) or
The device according to (5), wherein the support member is configured by providing an extension at the upper end of the linear scale and bending the extension in a horizontal direction. .