Actuating Part Parallel Guidance With Flexure-Coupled Levers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing operating members with large actuating surfaces and small stroke distances face challenges in parallel guidance due to mechanical play in multi-part designs, leading to 'lost motion' and requiring additional resetting mechanisms, which affect haptic perception and increase complexity.
Innovation Solution
A guidance mechanism using a pair of coupled levers with flexure joints and a coupling rod minimizes mechanical play by allowing translational displacement while maintaining the actuating surface's orientation, and integrates resetting forces through elastic deformation, eliminating the need for additional resetting means.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If multi-part mechanism designs (scissor mechanisms or wire rods) are used for parallel guidance, then the actuating part with extensive actuating surface is stabilized, but mechanical play in the joint designs results in lost motion and poor haptic perception
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanism is divided into multiple coupled levers (at least two levers) that work together to provide parallel guidance. Each lever is pivotably mounted and connected through coupling elements, creating a segmented structure that maintains stability while reducing play through the distributed lever system.
Solution Approach 2:
Traditional mechanical joints with potential play are replaced by a lever-based parallel mechanism where the coupling between levers (through coupling rods or direct coupling) provides guidance with minimal play. The lever mechanism substitutes the conventional joint-based stabilization approach.
2Stability of the object's composition
If multi-part mechanism designs are used for parallel guidance, then the actuating part is stabilized, but additional resetting means are necessary, increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The guidance function and resetting function are merged into a single lever mechanism. The coupled levers provide both the parallel guidance stability and the resetting action through their elastic deformation and pivoting motion, eliminating the need for separate resetting means.
Solution Approach 2:
The lever mechanism serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides parallel guidance, enables actuating motion, and performs resetting. This multi-functionality reduces the overall device complexity by consolidating what would traditionally require separate components.
3Stability of the object's composition
If traditional guidance mechanisms are used, then parallel guidance is provided, but additional resetting means are required, consuming additional constructional space
Solution Approach 1:
The guidance structure and resetting mechanism are merged into the same lever assembly. The levers themselves provide both the guidance geometry for parallel motion and the elastic compliance for resetting, eliminating the need for additional resetting components and reducing constructional space.
Solution Approach 2:
The lever mechanism is designed to perform multiple functions within a single structural element: it guides the actuating part in parallel motion while simultaneously providing the resetting force through its elastic deformation characteristics, maximizing space utilization.
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
The solution provides precise, noise-free parallel guidance and resetting without additional constructional space, enhancing haptic perception and reducing mechanical play, making it suitable for applications with extensive actuating surfaces and small stroke distances.
Implementation Method 1
the coupling rod is fixed to the levers of the pair in an articulated manner, in each case by means of a first flexure joint... at least one pivot joint of each lever of the pair consisting of the first and second pivot joints is configured as a further, second flexure joint per lever
Data Source
AI summary
An operating member includes: a support; an actuating part, which defines an actuating surface is mounted on the support by a mount to be movable relative to the support, by manual actuation against a resetting force, while carrying out an actuating movement from a rest position into a depressed position; a detector having at least one force sensor, wherein the detector is adapted to detect at least one position of the actuating part; wherein the mount includes a guidance mechanism having at least one pair of coupled levers, wherein the levers are each pivotably mounted on the support by a first pivot joint and on the actuating part—by a second pivot joint to cause a pivoting movement of the at least one pair of coupled levers by the actuating movement, wherein the guidance mechanism further includes at least one coupling rod.