Actuator Endless Screw Axial Play Elimination
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Solution Overview
Problem
The precision of optical element positioning in automotive lighting systems, particularly in DBL-type and ADB lights, is compromised by toothing play in gear assemblies, leading to errors in beam formation due to the use of electric actuators with endless screws and spur gears, which cannot effectively eliminate radial and axial play.
Innovation Solution
An electric actuator with a mechanical transmission assembly that includes an endless screw, a support element, and a return means that exerts axial and transverse pressure on the endless screw to eliminate axial, transverse, and radial play, ensuring precise positioning of optical elements by blocking any movement that could alter their position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a gear assembly with endless screw and spur gears is used to transmit motor movement to optical elements, then the actuator can achieve sufficient speed, torque and output performance, but toothing play in the gear assembly causes imprecise positioning of the optical elements
Solution Approach 1:
The return means applies a preliminary counteracting force to the endless screw in the opposite direction of motor rotation, creating pre-compression that eliminates axial and transverse play before the motor drives the screw during operation. This preliminary anti-action prevents positioning errors caused by gear clearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The return means dynamically adjusts the compression parameter on the endless screw, transforming it from a state with axial and transverse play to a state where the screw is firmly pressed against the support element, thereby changing the mechanical contact parameters to eliminate clearance.
2Ease of manufacture
If the endless screw has axial play relative to its support, then the actuator can accommodate manufacturing tolerances, but the positioning of optical elements becomes inaccurate
Solution Approach 1:
The return means applies a preliminary compressive force to the endless screw in the axial direction, counteracting any axial play or clearance before the motor drives the screw. This pre-compression ensures that even with manufacturing tolerances, the screw maintains firm contact with the support element during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The return means performs a preliminary action of compressing the endless screw against the support element before the motor initiates movement. This preliminary compression establishes a firm mechanical connection that eliminates axial play and ensures accurate positioning from the start of operation.
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 effectively eliminates play in the endless screw, preventing vibrations from affecting the positioning of movable optical elements, thereby improving the precision and stability of beam formation in automotive lighting systems.
Implementation Method 1
said return means exerts an axial pressure against the endless screw in such a way as to press the endless screw against the support element
Implementation Method 2
said return means exerts a transverse pressure against said endless screw in such a way as to press the endless screw against the support element
Implementation Method 3
a mechanical transmission assembly comprising an endless screw; a support element of the endless screw; a drive means intended to drive said movable optical element
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure relates to an electric actuator to render optical elements movable. The electrical actuator generally has a motor, a mechanical transmission assembly having an endless screw, a support element of the endless screw, a drive mechanism, and a return mechanism. The motor is configured to drive the mechanical transmission assembly and the mechanical transmission assembly is configured to drive the drive mechanism, wherein the return mechanism exerts an axial pressure against the endless screw in such a way as to press the endless screw against the support element. The disclosure also relates to an assembly having a movable optical element and an electric actuator of the movable optical element as described above.