Electronic cam device and method of preparing cam data in electronic cam device

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic cam device for electrically achieving a cam motion by driving an object to be driven on the basis of preset cam data, and in particular, a method of generating a cam profile that generates cam data to achieve a smooth cam profile that an acceleration becomes zero at a given designated point.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] In prior arts, a mechanical cam has been used for many years as means for converting rotating motions of a main shaft, which is driven by a motor, etc., into cyclic linear motions of a driven shaft. However, if a profile of one cam is determined in a case of a mechanical cam, only one cyclic cam profile (displacement curve) can be obtained. Therefore, since mechanical cams of different profiles to realize different cam profiles are manufactured in order to obtain the different cam profiles, and the mechanical cams are changed, considerable time for set-up time is required for manufacture, replacement and adjustment. Recently, an electronic cam device is used as means for reducing such troublesome work, which can directly drive a driven shaft being an object to be controlled, by a servomotor on the basis of preset cam data. The electronic cam device stores displacement data of cam profiles in a memory portion in advance, and the servomotor is driven and controlled on the basis of instructions from the memory portion, wherein the driven shaft may be displaced in compliance with desired cam profiles. According to such an electronic cam device, since it can respond to a different cam profile if the displacement data of cam profiles in the memory portion are replaced, designing time thereof can be shortened in comparison with a mechanical cam device.

[0003] A construction of such a prior art electronic cam device is shown in FIG. 14. Referring to FIG. 14, the prior art electronic cam device is composed of a controller 61, a servo driver 2 for carrying out speed control of a motor 3 upon receiving speed instructions from the controller 61, a motor 3, and a pulse generator (PG) 4.

[0004] Pulse signals corresponding to phases of a mechanical cam device are inputted into the controller 61, and the controller 61 outputs speed instructions to the servo driver 2 in response to the number of pulses of the pulse signals. Also, the controller 61 is composed of a counter 11, a set value storage section 12, a speed calculation section 13, a position calculation section 14, a position control gain multiplier 16, an adder 17 and a subtracter 18.

[0005] The counter 11 counts the number of pulses of inputted pulse signals. The set value storage section 12 stores cam data to realize cam profiles.

[0006] The speed calculation section 13 obtains the present phase on the basis of a count value of the counter 11, reads a displacement amount responsive to the phase from the cam data stored in the set value storage section 12, and calculates and outputs a speed instruction based on the displacement amount.

[0007] The position calculation section 14 obtains the present phase on the basis of a count value of the counter 11, reads a displacement amount responsive to the phase from the cam data stored in the set value storage section 12, and calculates and outputs a position instruction based on the displacement amount. The subtracter 18 subtracts position data counted by the counter 22 from the position instruction coming from the position calculation section 14 and outputs the same as a position error.

[0008] The position control gain multiplier 16 multiplies the position error, which is obtained by the subtracter 18, by a position control gain Kp, and outputs the same. The adder 17 adds value coming from the position control gain multiplier 16 to the speed instruction coming from the speed calculation section 13, and outputs the same to the servo driver 2 as a new speed instruction.

[0009] Also, the servo driver 2 is composed of a D/A converter 21, a counter 22, and a speed control section 23.

[0010] The D/A converter 21 converts the speed instruction from the controller 61 to analog signals and outputs the same. The counter 22 calculates position data, which expresses the position of the motor 3, by counting the number of pulse signals from the pulse generator 4. The speed control section 23 carries out speed control of the motor 3 on the basis of speed instructions of analog signals from the D/A converter 21.

[0011] Next, a description is given of actions of the prior art electronic cam device. First, cam data established by setting means (not illustrated) are stored in the set value storage section 12 of the controller 61. A start instruction of a cam action (not illustrated) is transmitted to the speed calculation section 13 and position calculation section 14 via the counter 11, wherein a speed instruction and a position instruction subject to the cam data stored in the set value storage section 12 are outputted to the servo driver 2. And, the speed of the motor 3 is controlled by the servo driver 2 on the basis of the speed instruction and position instruction.

[0012] In the prior art electronic cam device, it is necessary to generate cam data, which are established in the set value storage section 12, in advance. In detail, as shown in FIG. 15, where displacement is pointed out at respective designated points P0, P1, P2, P3, P4, which are caused to correspond to the phase of the cam, a cam profile by which the respective designated points are connected to each other is designed by a straight or curved line. And, data to realize the obtained cam profile are generated and established in the set value storage section 12, wherein a cam motion is achieved on the basis of the designed cam profile.

[0013] In order to secure a cam profile that is able to suppress a shock, which is applied to a machine at the respective points, to the minimum, it is necessary to generate a cam profile for which an acceleration becomes zero at respective designated points. However, in order to design a smooth cam profile which connects the designated points and for which the acceleration becomes zero at respective designated points, a technique of a mechanical cam mechanism is needed, wherein a smooth cam profile cannot be easily obtained by the unskilled.

[0014] Also, in the prior art electronic cam device described above, it is necessary that cam data to realize a smooth cam profile passing through respective given designated points at an acceleration of zero are generated in advance, wherein, since expert knowledge of cam profile technology is required, there is a problem by which it is impossible to set cam data by anyone other than specified engineers.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0015] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an electronic cam device, which is able to automatically generate cam data to realize, without requiring any special technique, a smooth cam profile that an acceleration is zero at a designated point, and a method for generating cam data in the electronic cam device.

[0016] In order to achieve the above-described object, a method for generating cam data in an electronic cam device according to the present invention, which controls the electronic cam device for electrically realizing cam actions by driving an object to be driven, on the basis of preset cam data, comprising the steps of:

[0017] inputting coordinate values composed of phases of a plurality of designated points and displacement thereof;

[0018] calculating inclinations of the start and end points of a cam profile corresponding to a district between two designated start and end points adjacent to each other of a plurality of given designated points;

[0019] obtaining values of tan β0 and tan β1 by an equation which is expressed by the above calculated inclinations of the start and end points, Δx which is a difference in phase between the start and end points, and

[0020] tan β0=Inclination at the start point×Δx/π

[0021] tan β1=Inclination at the end point×Δx/π

[0022] calculating a cam profile in the corresponding district by obtaining a value of displacement y with respect to the phase θ using an equation which is expressed by the above-described tan β0, tan β1, and Δy which is a difference between displacement at the start point and at the end point, and

y=A
(Φ−1/2 sin 2Φ)+Φ tan β0+1/2(tan β1−tan β1)(Φ−sin Φ)

A=Δy/π−1/2
(tan β1−tan β0)

[0023] and

[0024] generating the entire cam curve by calculating and synthesizing a cam profile existing between the two corresponding points with respect to all districts.

[0025] Further, the step of calculating the inclinations at the start point and end point of a cam profile of a district for which two designated points adjacent to each other of the above-described plurality of given designated points are made into the start point and end point may calculate the inclination at the above-described start point in compliance with the following steps:

[0026] (1) in a case where the present district is a straight line, the inclination (Δy/Δx) of the present district is made into an inclination at the start point;

[0027] (2) in a case where the present district is the top district, the final district is made into the foregoing district;

[0028] (3) in a case where the foregoing district is a straight line and the present district is a curved line, the inclination of a straight line of the foregoing district is made into an inclination at the start point;

[0029] (4) in a case where both the foregoing district and the present district are curved lines, and the polarities of the inclinations at the entire foregoing districts are different from that of the inclination at the entire present district, the inclination at the start point is regarded as zero; and

[0030] (5) in a case where both the foregoing district and the present district are curved lines, and the polarities of the inclinations at the entire foregoing districts are the same as that of the inclination at the entire present district, the average of an inclination when the present district is linearly approximated and an inclination when the foregoing district is linearly approximated is made into the inclination at the start point; and

[0031] the above-described step may calculate an inclination at the above-described end point in compliance with the following steps:

[0032] (1) in a case where the present district is a straight line, the inclination (Δy/Δx) of the present district is made into an inclination at the end point;

[0033] (2) in a case where the present district is the final district, the top district is made into the succeeding district;

[0034] (3) in a case where the succeeding district is a straight line and the present district is a curved line, the inclination of a straight line of the succeeding district is made into an inclination at the end point;

[0035] (4) in a case where both the succeeding district and the present district are curved lines, and the polarities of the inclinations of the entire succeeding districts are different from that of the inclination of the entire present district, the inclination at the end point is regarded as zero; and

[0036] (5) in a case where both the succeeding district and the present district are curved lines, and the polarities of the inclinations of the entire succeeding districts are the same as that of the inclination of the entire present district, the average of an inclination when the present district is linearly approximated and an inclination when the succeeding district is linearly approximated is made into the inclination at the end point.

[0037] According to the invention, since it is possible to automatically calculate, on the basis of coordinate values of the given designated point, a smooth cam profile that passes through respective designated points by a smooth curve and the accelerations at the respective designated points become zero, a smooth cam profile can be easily realized without requiring any special technique.

[0038] As described above, according to the invention, it is possible for even unskilled persons to produce cam data that does not bring about any shock to a machine, without acquiring a cam technique of a mechanical cam mechanism, wherein such an effect can be brought about, which can shorten the designing time to a large extent.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a construction of an electronic cam device according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0040]
FIG. 2 is a view describing a method for calculating an inclination at the start point and an inclination at the end point in an electronic cam device according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0041]
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a method for calculating the inclination at the start point;

[0042]
FIG. 4 is a view describing a detailed method of obtaining the inclination at the start point;

[0043]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a method for calculating the inclination at the end point;

[0044]
FIG. 6 is a view showing a method for generating a smooth speed curve;

[0045]
FIG. 7 is a view showing position data of a fixed-dimension cutting machine;

[0046]
FIG. 8 is a view showing a cam profile, at district 1 in FIG. 7, which is generated in a cam device according to the present embodiment;

[0047]
FIG. 9 is a view showing a cam profile, at district 2 in FIG. 7, which is generated in a cam device according to the present embodiment;

[0048]
FIG. 10 is a view showing a cam profile, at district 3 in FIG. 7, which is generated in a cam device according to the present embodiment;

[0049]
FIG. 11 is a view showing a cam profile, at district 4 in FIG. 7, which is generated in a cam device according to the present embodiment;

[0050]
FIG. 12 is a view showing the entire cam profile obtained by connecting cam curves at the respective districts in FIG. 8 through FIG. 11;

[0051]
FIG. 13 is a view showing data of displacement, speed and acceleration where the machine is operated with the cam profile obtained in FIG. 12;

[0052]
FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a construction of a prior art electronic cam device; and

[0053]
FIG. 15 is a view describing a method for generating cam data according to the prior art electronic cam device.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0054] Next, a detailed description is given of an embodiment of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0055]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a construction of an electronic cam device according to one embodiment of the invention. In FIG. 1, components which are the same as those in FIG. 14 are given the same reference number, and overlapping description thereof is omitted.

[0056] An electronic cam device according to the present embodiment is such that the controller 61 in the prior art electronic cam device is substituted by the controller 1, And, the controller 1 is different from the controller 61 in that an automatic generating section 15 of set values, which is able to automatically generate cam data to realize a smooth cam profile on the basis of given designated points, is newly added to the controller 61 shown in FIG. 14.

[0057] Set values generated by the set value generating section 15 are stored in the set value storage section 12. Since subsequent processes are similar to those carried out by the prior art electronic cam device shown in FIG. 14, description thereof is omitted.

[0058] Next, a detailed description is given of a method for automatically generating cam data by the set value automatic generating section 15 of an electronic cam device according to the embodiment with reference to the drawings.

[0059] In the method for generating cam data in the electronic cam device according to the embodiment, inclinations at respective designated points when an optimum cam profile is realized are obtained for the respective designated points. And, cam curves are obtained at respective districts, for which two designated points are made into the start point and end point, by using the inclination values and the following equations (1), (2), (3) and (4), and the entire cam profile is obtained by synthesizing cam curves obtained for the respective districts:

y=A
(Φ−1/2 sin 2Φ)+Φ tan β0+1/2(tan β1−tan β0)(Φ−sin Φ) (1)

[0060] where A in equation (1) is expressed by the following equation (2).

A=Δy/π
7−1/2(tan β1−tan β0) (2)

[0061] And, tan β0 and tan β1 in the equations (1) and (2) are, respectively, expressed by equations (3) and (4). Δx/π is a coefficient to convert a real unit (°) to Radian. Δx is a difference in the x coordinate between two designated points, and Δy is a difference in the y coordinate between two designated points.

tan β0=y/Φ [rad]=Inclination at the start point×Δx/π (3)

tan β1=y/Φ [rad]=Inclination at the end point×Δx/π (4)

[0062] The above-described equation (3) can be obtained by substituting Φ=x×π/Δx in tan β0=y/Φ [rad]. The reason Φ=x×π/Δx is obtained is as shown below. Although, in FIG. 2, smooth curves are generated in districts 0 through π, a difference in phase between the two actual designated points does not necessarily become π. Therefore, in order to scale curves generated in the districts from 0 through π to the actual difference in phase between two designated points, Φ=x×π/Δx is assumed.

[0063] At this time, a method for calculating the inclination at the start point and that at the end point is described with reference to FIG. 2. In order that the final data obtained by synthesizing cam curves obtained at respective districts becomes a smooth profile (curve), it is indispensable that the final speed (inclination) of the cam profile of the foregoing district is coincident with the initial speed (inclination) of the succeeding district.

[0064] First, a description is given of a method for obtaining the inclination at the start point with reference to FIG. 3.

[0065] In order that the synthesized final data becomes a smooth curve, it is necessary that the inclination at the start point of the foregoing and succeeding straight and curved lines is matched to the inclination at the end point. In cases of connection of a straight line and a curved line, the start district and the end district, the inclination at the start point is obtained by the following steps, with a case, in which the polarities of the inclinations differ from each other, taken into consideration:

[0066] (1) in a case where the present district is a straight line, the inclination (Δy/Δx) of the present district is made into an inclination at the start point;

[0067] (2) in a case where the present district is the top district, the final district is made into the foregoing district;

[0068] (3) in a case where the foregoing district is a straight line and the present district is a curved line, the inclination of a straight line of the foregoing district is made into an inclination at the start point;

[0069] (4) in a case where both the foregoing district and the present district are curved lines, and the polarities of the inclinations of the entire foregoing districts are different from that of the inclination of the entire present district, the inclination at the start point is regarded as zero; that is, the initial speed becomes zero, and

[0070] (5) in a case where both the foregoing district and the present district are curved lines, and the polarities of the inclinations of the entire foregoing districts are the same as that of the inclination of the entire present district, the average of an inclination when the present district is linearly approximated and an inclination when the foregoing district is linearly approximated is made into the inclination at the start point.

[0071] In such a case, a description is given of a detailed method for obtaining the inclination at the start point with reference to FIG. 4. It is assumed that, in FIG. 4, data of the designated points are (X0,Y0), (X1,Y1), (X2,Y2), (X3,Y3), (X4,Y4), and the corresponding point is approximated by a straight line. It is assumed that lengths and inclinations of segments at this time are, respectively, I01, I12, I23, I34, and k01, k12, k23, and k34. At this time, the inclination at the start point is determined by Equation (5) based on the lengths and inclinations of the foregoing and succeeding segments at the designated point which becomes the start point.

Inclination at the start point=(Inclination of the segment immediately before the designated point×Length of the segment immediately after the designated point)/(Length of the segment immediately before the designated point+Length of the segment immediately after the designated point)+(Inclination of the segment immediately after the designated point×Length of the segment immediately before the designated point)/(Length of the segment immediately before the designated point+Length of the segment immediately after the designated point) (5)

[0072] A description is given of an example in which the segment connecting P1-P2 is taken for instance. The inclination at the start point is obtained by the following equation (6) on the basis of lengths I01, I12 and inclinations k01, k02 of P0-P1 and P1-P2. At this time, I01, I12, k01 and k12 are expressed by the following equations (7) through (10).

Inclination at the start point=(k01×I12)/(I01+I12)+(k12×I01)/(I01+I12) (6)

I

01
=((X1−X0)2+(Y1−Y0)2)1/2 (7)

I

12
=((X2−X1)2+(Y2−Y1)2)1/2 (8)

k

01
=((Y1−Y0)/(X1−X0)) (9)

k

12
=((Y2−Y1)/(X2−X1)) (10)

[0073] Next, a description is given, as follows, of the steps for obtaining the inclination at the end point with reference to FIG. 5 as in the above.

[0074] (1) in a case where the present district is a straight line, the inclination (Δy/Δx) of the present district is made into an inclination at the end point;

[0075] (2) in a case where the present district is the final district, the top district is made into the succeeding district;

[0076] (3) in a case where the succeeding district is a straight line and the present district is a curved line, the inclination of a straight line of the succeeding district is made into an inclination at the end point;

[0077] (4) in a case where both the succeeding district and the present district are curved lines, and the polarities of the inclinations of the entire succeeding districts are different from that of the inclination of the entire present district, the inclination at the end point is regarded as zero. That is, the final speed becomes zero; and

[0078] (5) in a case where both the succeeding district and the present district are curved lines, and the polarities of the inclinations of the entire succeeding districts are the same as that of the inclination of the entire present district, the average of an inclination when the present district is linearly approximated and an inclination when the succeeding district is linearly approximated is made into the inclination at the end point.

[0079] In such a case, by the method similar to that for having obtained the inclination at the start point, the inclination at the end point can be obtained by lengths I12, I23 and inclinations k12, k23 of P1-P2 and P2-P3 as well.

[0080] Next, a cam profile in the district 1 is produced by the above-described equations (1), (2), (3), and (4) using the obtained values of the inclinations at the start point and end point. Similarly, cam profiles in the respective districts are generated with respect to the districts 2, 3 and 4. Herein, by synthesizing the cam profiles in the entire districts, the entire cam profile can be obtained.

[0081] Next, a description is given of how the equations (1) and (2) have been obtained, with reference to FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a view showing a method for generating a smooth speed curve.

[0082] Referring to FIG. 6, it is assumed that, in a plane coordinate whose abscissa indicates phase Φ [rad] and ordinate indicates displacement y, the tangential angle at both ends of the start point and end point, which connect two optional points (X, Y), are, respectively, β0 and β1 [rad]. An equation to calculate a smooth cam profile that the acceleration becomes zero at two designated points is generated as shown below.

[0083] First, a speed curve y′ approximated by a SIN curve to obtain a smooth curve is led out.

[0084] In order to carry out curve approximation by (1−cos Φ), A is determined to be an indeterminate coefficient, wherein a speed component U′ in which the speeds at the start point and end point become zero is expressed by the following equation (11).

U′=A
(1−cos 2Φ) (11)

[0085] Since tan β0 and tan β1 respectively become a speed at the start point and that at the end point, a speed component V′ including the speed at the start point and that at the end point is expressed by the following equation (12).

V
′=tan β0+1/2(tan β1−tan β0)(1−cos Φ) (12)

[0086] The speed curve y′ becomes the sum of the speed component U′ and speed component V′ and is expressed by the following equation (13).

y′=A
(1−cos 2Φ)+tan β0+1/2(tan β1−tan β0)(1−cos Φ) (13)

[0087] Displacement y is obtained by integrating the speed curve y′ and is expressed by the following equation (14).

Y=A
(Φ−1/2 (sin 2Φ)+tan β0+1/2 (tan β1−tan β0)(Φ−sin Φ) (14)

[0088] Herein, in order to obtain a coefficient A, two cases are taken into consideration, one of which is a case where Φ=0 is established in Equation (1) and the other of which is a case where Φ=π is established therein.

[0089] In the case of Φ=0, the value of displacement y becomes zero.

[0090] In the case of Φ=π, Δy is expressed by the following equation (15).

Δy=π
(A+tan β0+(tan β1−tan β0)/2) (15)

[0091] By converting Equation (15) in the form of A=, the following equation (16) which is in the same form of Equation (2) can be obtained.

A=Δy/π−
1/2(tan β1+tan β0) (16)

[0092] As described above, in the generating method with a cam in the electronic cam device according to the embodiment, where a plurality of designated points are given, the inclination in the case where the optimum cam profiles at respective designated points are realized is first obtained for each of the respective designated points, and a cam profile for each of the districts where two designated points are made into the start point and end point is obtained by using the value of the inclination and Equations (1), (2), (3) and (4), wherein the entire cam profile is obtained by connecting the cam profiles acquired for each of the districts.

[0093] By doing so, in the electronic cam device according to the embodiment, by only designating a designated point, for which displacement is regulated, on the plane coordinate (X,Y), it is possible to automatically generate a smooth cam curve that passes through all the designated point at an acceleration of 0.

[0094] Next, a detailed description is given of a method for automatically generating an actual cam profile by an electronic cam device according to the embodiment with reference to FIG. 7 through FIG. 11.

[0095] An example of position data of a fixed-dimension cutting machine used in the description is shown in FIG. 7. In the plane coordinate on which the abscissa indicates a phase, and the ordinate indicates displacement. Reference symbol P0 denotes an operation start position, P1 and P2, respectively, denote a start point and an end point of a straight line area synchronized with products in order to cut off the respective products, P3 denotes a stop position after products are cut off, and P4 denotes a point returning to the start point. And it is assumed that districts of curves connecting the respective points are District 1 (P0-P1), District 2 (P1-P2), district 3 (P2-P3), and District 4 (P3-P4). Herein, the designated District P4 becomes a designated District P0 in the next cycle.

[0096] First, tan β0, tan β1 in respective districts and coefficient A are obtained as described below.

[0097] (1) District 1

[0098] Inclination at the start point=0 (zero is determined since the polarity of District 1 is different from the inclination of the entire District 4.

[0099] Inclination at the end point=1 (since the inclination of a straight line in District 2 is 24/24=1)

Δx=10

Δy=6

Φ×x input×π/Δx=x input×π/10

tan β0=Inclination at the start point×Δx/π=0×10/π=0

tan β1=Inclination at the end point×Δx/π=1×10/π=10/π

A=Δy/π−
1/2(tan β1+tan β0)=6/π−1/2(10/π)=1/π

[0100] (2) District 2

[0101] Inclination at the start point=1 (Δy/Δx since being a straight line)

[0102] Inclination at the end point (Δy/Δx since being a straight line)

Δx=24

Δy=24

Φ=x input×π/Δx=x input×π/24

tan β0=Inclination at the start point×Δx/π=1×24/π=24/π

tan β1=Inclination at the end point×Δx/π=1×24/π=24/π

A=Δy/π−
1/2(tan β1+tan β0)=24/π−1/2(24/π+24/π)=0

[0103] (3) District 3

[0104] Inclination at the start point=1 (Since the inclination of a straight line in District 2 is 24/24=1)

[0105] Inclination at the end point=0 (Zero is determined since the polarity is different from the inclination of the entire District 4).

Δx=10

Δy=6

Φ=x input×π/Δx=x input×π/10

tan β0=Inclination at the start point×Δx/π=1×10/π=10/π

tan β1=Inclination at the end point×Δx/π=0×10/π=0

A=Δy/π−
1/2(tan β1+tan β0)=6/π−1/2(10/π)=1/π

[0106] (4) District 4

[0107] Inclination at the start point=0 (Zero is determined because the polarity is different from the inclination of the entire District 3)

[0108] Inclination at the end point=0 (Zero is determined because the polarity is different from the inclination of the entire District

Δx=28

Δy=−36

Φ=x input×π/Δx=x input×π/28

tan β0=Inclination at the start point×Δx/π=0×28/π=0

tan β1=Inclination at the end point×Δx/π=0×28/π=0

A=Δy/π−
1/2(tan β1+tan β0)=−36/π

[0109] And, cam profile sin Districts 1, 2, 3 and 4 are, respectively, generated as shown in FIGS. 8, 9, 10 and 11, by using the values of tan β0 and tan β1 and value of the coefficient A, which are obtained by the above-described calculations, and using Equation (1).

[0110] Finally, it is possible to obtain FIG. 12, which shows the entire cam profile, by synthesizing the cam profiles in the respective Districts 1, 2, 3 and 4 obtained.

[0111]
FIG. 13 shows displacement, speed and acceleration data in the case where the fixed-dimension cutting machine being an object to be controlled, is operated by the cam profile obtained in FIG. 12. Referring to FIG. 13, in the cam profile obtained by the electronic cam device according to the present embodiment, it is found that the cam profile passes through the respective designated points with smooth curves, and the accelerations at the respective points become zero. Therefore, in the object to be controlled by such a cam profile, there is no case where any shock is applied to the machine.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0112] As described above, according to the invention, such effects can be brought about, by which it is possible for even unskilled persons to simply prepare cam data that do not apply any shock to a machine, without acquiring a cam technique of a mechanical cam mechanism, and the designing time thereof can be shortened to a large extent.

Claims

1. A method for generating cam data in an electronic cam device which controls the electronic cam device for electrically realizing cam actions by driving an object to be driven, on the basis of preset cam data, comprising the steps of: inputting coordinate values composed of phases of a plurality of designated points and displacement thereof; calculating inclinations of the start and end points of a cam profile of a district for which two designated points adjacent to each other of a plurality of given designated points are made into the start and end points; obtaining values of tan β0 and tan β1 by an equation which is expressed by the above calculated inclinations of the start and endpoints, Δx which is a difference between the start and endpoints, and tan β0=Inclination at the start point×Δx/πtan β1=Inclination at the end point×Δx/πcalculating a cam profile in the corresponding district by obtaining a value of displacement y with respect to the phase θ using an equation which is expressed by said tan β0, tan β1, and Δy which is a difference between displacement at the start point and that at the end point, and y=A(Φ−1/2 sin 2Φ)+Φ tan β0+1/2(tan β1−tan β0)(Φ−sin Φ) A=Δy/π−1/2(tan β1−tan β0); and generating the entire cam curve by calculating and synthesizing a cam profile existing between the two corresponding points with respect to all districts.
2. The method for generating cam data in an electronic cam device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said step of calculating the inclinations at the start point and end point of a cam profile of a district for which two designated points adjacent to each other of said plurality of given designated points are made into the start and end points may calculate the inclination at said start point in compliance with the following steps: (1) in a case where the present district is a straight line, the inclination (Δy/Δx) of the present district is made into an inclination at the start point; (2) in a case where the present district is the top district, the final district is made into the foregoing district; (3) in a case where the foregoing district is a straight line and the present district is a curved line, the inclination of a straight line of the foregoing district is made into an inclination at the start point; (4) in a case where both the foregoing district and the present district are curved lines, and the polarities of the inclinations at the entire foregoing districts are different from that of the inclination at the entire present district, the inclination at the start point is regarded as zero; and (5) in a case where both the foregoing district and the present district are curved lines, and the polarities of the inclinations at the entire foregoing districts are the same as that of the inclination at the entire present district, the average of an inclination when the present district is linearly approximated and an inclination when the foregoing district is linearly approximated is made into the inclination at the start point; and said step may calculate an inclination at said end point in compliance with the following steps: (1) in a case where the present district is a straight line, the inclination (Δy/Δx) of the present district is made into an inclination at the end point; (2) in a case where the present district is the final district, the top district is made into the succeeding district; (3) in a case where the succeeding district is a straight line and the present district is a curved line, the inclination of a straight line of the succeeding district is made into an inclination at the end point; (4) in a case where both the succeeding district and the present district are curved lines, and the polarities of the inclinations of the entire succeeding districts are different from that of the inclination of the entire present district, the inclination at the end point is regarded as zero; and (5) in a case where both the succeeding district and the present district is a curved line, and the polarities of the inclinations of the entire succeeding districts are the same as that of the inclination of the entire present district, the average of an inclination when the present district is linearly approximated and an inclination when the succeeding district is linearly approximated is made into the inclination at the end point.
3. An electronic cam device for electrically realizing cam actions by driving an object to be driven, on the basis of preset cam data, wherein coordinate values composed of phases of a plurality of designated points and displacement thereof are inputted; inclinations of the start and end points of a cam profile corresponding to a district between two designated points adjacent to each other of a plurality of given designated points are calculated; values of tan β0 and tan β1 are obtained based on an equation which is expressed by the above calculated inclinations of the start and end points, Δx which is a difference in phase between the start and end points, and tan β0=Inclination at the start point×Δx/πtan β1=Inclination at the end point×Δx/π; a cam profile in the corresponding district is calculated by obtaining a value of displacement y with respect to the phase θ using an equation which is expressed by the above-described tan β0, tan β1, and Δy which is a difference between displacement at the start point and that at the end point, and y=A(Φ−1/2 sin 2Φ)+Φ tan β0+1/2(tan β1−tan β0)(Φ−sin Φ) A=Δy/π−1/2(tan β1−tan β0); and the entire cam profile is generated by calculating and synthesizing a cam profile existing between the two corresponding points with respect to all the districts
4. The electronic cam device as set forth in claim 3, wherein said means for automatically generating set values calculates the inclination at said start point in compliance with the following steps: (1) in a case where the present district is a straight line, the inclination (Δy/Δx) of the present district is made into an inclination at the start point; (2) in a case where the present district is the top district, the final district is made into the foregoing district; (3) in a case where the foregoing district is a straight line and the present district is a curved line, the inclination of a straight line of the foregoing district is made into an inclination at the start point; (4) in a case where both the foregoing district and the present district is a curved line, and the polarities of the inclinations of the entire foregoing districts are different from that of the inclination of the entire present district, the inclination at the start point is regarded as zero; and (5) in a case where both the foregoing district and the present district are curved lines, and the polarities of the inclinations of the entire foregoing districts are the same as that of the inclination of the entire present district, the average of an inclination when the present district is linearly approximated and an inclination when the foregoing district is linearly approximated is made into the inclination at the start point; and calculates the inclination at said end point in compliance with the following steps: (1) in a case where the present district is a straight line, the inclination (Δy/Δx) of the present district is made into an inclination at the end point; (2) in a case where the present district is the final district, the top district is made into the succeeding district; (3) in a case where the succeeding district is a straight line and the present district is a curved line, the inclination of a straight line of the succeeding district is made into an inclination at the end point; (4) in a case where both the succeeding district and the present district are curved lines, and the polarities of the inclinations of the entire succeeding districts are different from that of the inclination of the entire present district, the inclination at the end point is regarded as zero; and (5) in a case where both the succeeding district and the present district are curved lines, and the polarities of the inclinations of the entire succeeding districts are the same as that of the inclination of the entire present district, the average of an inclination when the present district is linearly approximated and an inclination when the succeeding district is linearly approximated is made into the inclination at the end point.

Priority Claims (1)

Number	Date	Country	Kind
2000-319319	Oct 2000	JP

PCT Information

Filing Document	Filing Date	Country	Kind
PCT/JP01/09169	10/18/2001	WO

Electronic cam device and method of preparing cam data in electronic cam device

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Priority Claims (1)

PCT Information