Active Stick Apparatus Actuator Counterbalance Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional active stick apparatuses in dynamic environments require mass balancing to counteract inertial reactions from acceleration forces, which can be cumbersome and inefficient, especially when using a lump mass for counterbalance.
Innovation Solution
The active stick apparatus employs an actuator, such as a servo motor, to counterbalance the stick control member's movement about the pivot point under acceleration forces, eliminating the need for a lump mass and allowing for a more compact and efficient design by using a drive link and mounting linkage system with positional and force sensors for precise feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a lump mass is used for counterbalance in conventional active stick apparatus, then the stick control member is protected from inadvertent movement under acceleration forces, but the apparatus becomes cumbersome and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the counterbalance function from a separate lump mass and integrates it into the actuator mechanism itself. The actuator is positioned and configured to provide counterbalancing torque directly at the pivot point, eliminating the need for a distinct counterbalance mass and its associated mounting hardware, thus reducing overall device complexity while maintaining stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the actuator and counterbalance functions into a single integrated system. The actuator serves dual purposes: providing active control torque and simultaneously acting as the counterbalance mechanism through its positioning and mechanical configuration, thereby reducing the number of components and simplifying the overall apparatus design.
2Reliability
If a lump mass is used for counterbalance, then acceleration forces are compensated, but the apparatus size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator and counterbalance mass are merged into a single integrated component. The actuator's housing and mechanical structure serve as the counterbalance mass, eliminating the need for a separate lump mass attachment. This integration significantly reduces the overall volume of the apparatus while maintaining effective counterbalance performance under acceleration forces.
3Reliability
If a lump mass is used for counterbalance, then inertial reactions are managed, but the apparatus requires more mounting space and structural support
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the counterbalance function from a separate mounting requirement and integrates it into the actuator's mounting structure. The actuator is mounted directly to the stick control member in a position that provides both active control and counterbalance functions, eliminating the need for additional mounting space and reducing the structural support requirements compared to a separate lump mass system.
4Reliability
If conventional mass balancing is used, then the stick control member remains stable under acceleration, but the apparatus lacks compactness
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator and counterbalance mass are merged into a single integrated component, with the actuator positioned to provide both active control torque and counterbalance torque. This integration achieves effective mass balancing under acceleration forces while maintaining a compact apparatus design, as the counterbalance function is accomplished through the actuator's own positioning rather than requiring additional space for separate counterbalance masses.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enhances the active stick apparatus's stability and responsiveness by effectively counterbalancing acceleration forces without the need for a lump mass, improving its performance in dynamic environments and reducing the apparatus's size and complexity.
Implementation Method 1
can be mass balanced to ensure that a stick control portion of either the passive or active stick apparatus is not inadvertently moved by an inertial reaction of a control mechanism for the stick control portion to acceleration forces
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 5
AI summary
An active stick apparatus 40 includes a stick housing 41 and a stick control member 42 pivotally mounted to the stick housing 41 at a pivot point 43. The pivot point 43 acts to divide the stick control member 42 into a first member section 44 and a second member section 45. The pivot point 43 allows the stick control member 42 to pivot with respect to the stick housing 41, as indicated by directional arrows 46 and 47. An actuator 50 is attached to the first member section 44 at an end distal from the pivot point 43. The actuator 50 is arranged to act as a counterbalance to movement of the stick control member 42 about the pivot point 43 under acceleration forces asserted on the stick control member 42. The output axle drive 52 of the actuator 50 is fixedly coupled to a first section 53 of a drive link 54 and a second section 55 of the drive link 54 is pivotally coupled to a first section 56 of a mounting linkage 57. A second section 58 of the mounting linkage 57 is pivotally coupled to the stick housing 41. Coupling of the actuator 50 to the first member section mitigates the requirement for a conventional lump mass.