Solid-State Actuator Drive Decoupling Torque Loads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mechanically brittle actuators in solid-state actuator drive devices face significant bending stress and potential failure due to torque loads, as the load torque is transmitted directly to the actuators, causing tensile stress that can lead to cracks and fracture.
Innovation Solution
The design decouples torque loads from the actuators by transmitting them directly to the motor housing or base element, using rotary bearings to pivot the shaft relative to the actuators, thereby avoiding bending stress and allowing the actuators to remain torque-free, while still enabling torque determination through linear load detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If torque loads are transmitted directly to the actuators, then the actuators can drive the shaft, but the actuators are subjected to bending stress that causes tensile stress and can lead to cracks and fracture
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into separate functional components: the actuators are separated from the torque transmission path, with the drive body handling torque loads independently. This segmentation allows the actuators to focus solely on positioning without bearing torque-related bending stresses, thereby improving reliability while maintaining power transmission capability through the dedicated drive body mechanism.
2Reliability
If the actuators are made more robust to withstand bending stress, then the reliability improves, but the device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The torque transmission function is extracted from the actuator system and assigned to a separate drive body mechanism. This extraction eliminates the need for robust actuator designs to handle torque loads, allowing the use of simpler, more precise actuators that would otherwise be vulnerable to bending stress, thereby improving reliability without increasing device complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If the actuator deflection amplitude is increased to exceed the diameter difference between drive body opening and shaft, then the positioning accuracy improves, but the bending stress on the actuators increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates positioning function (handled by actuators with precise small deflections) from torque transmission function (handled by the drive body). This segmentation allows the actuators to achieve positioning accuracy through small, controlled deflections that do not generate harmful bending stresses, while the drive body handles torque transmission independently.
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 configuration significantly reduces or eliminates bending stress on the actuators, preventing damage and failure, while allowing for accurate torque determination and stable operation, with the added benefit of simplified electrical connections and reduced vibration transmission.
Implementation Method 1
solid-state actuators
Implementation Method 2
frictional engagement
Implementation Method 3
pivot bearing
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The invention relates to a solid-state actuator drive apparatus comprising - a shaft (1; 1°), - a pivot bearing (2) for supporting the shaft (1; 1°), - a drive body (6; 6°), - at least two actuators (5.1, 5.2) for the excitation of the drive body (6; 6°) and the shaft (1; 1°) relative to each other for causing the shaft (1; 1°) to rotate relative to the drive body (6; 6°), and - a base element, on which these components are attached, wherein - either the drive body (6) is configured such that it comprises a drive body opening (6.1), and the shaft (1) at least leads into the drive body opening (6.1), - or the shaft (1°) is configured as a hollow shaft, and an element (6.1°) of the drive body (6°) having an annular or discoid circumference is disposed therein, and wherein - the drive body (6) is disposed stationary relative to the base element, and - the shaft (1; 1°) is disposed in the pivot bearing (2) and is adjustably disposed in the radial direction of the shaft (1; 1°) relative to the base element by means of the solid-state actuators (5.1, 5.2).