Actuator with Shear-Deformed Gel Connection Body
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing actuators with a movable body vibrated in an axial direction face issues of stress concentration at the connection points, leading to potential separation and increased size due to required clearances, which compromises durability and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The actuator design incorporates a connection body with a first and second connection body, both formed in a tube shape, where the inner peripheral parts are shear-deformed towards each other at the home position, reducing size and stress concentration, and eliminating the need for adhesives during assembly by using gel members that are cast as one component with the frame members.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If clearances are provided between the movable body and cap members to avoid collision, then the movable body can vibrate freely, but the size of the actuator in the axial line direction is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The connection body is designed as a flexible tube-shaped gel member that can elastically deform during vibration. This flexibility allows the movable body to vibrate with larger amplitude without requiring excessive clearance, as the connection body absorbs the movement through elastic deformation rather than rigid spacing.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection body's material properties are optimized to provide appropriate elasticity and viscoelasticity. By controlling the gel composition and physical parameters, the connection body can accommodate vibration movements while maintaining a compact overall size, effectively reducing the clearance requirement.
2Productivity
If the movable body is vibrated in the axial line direction, then the actuator performs its function, but stress is concentrated on the inner peripheral part of the connection body causing easy separation
Solution Approach 1:
The tube-shaped gel connection body provides flexible coupling that distributes stress more evenly. The gel material's viscoelastic properties allow it to absorb and dissipate vibration stresses, preventing concentration at specific points and reducing the risk of separation from the movable body.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection body utilizes gel material with specific viscoelastic properties that combine the benefits of flexibility and structural integrity. This composite approach creates a connection body that can withstand repeated vibration cycles without degrading or separating, enhancing overall durability.
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 design reduces the actuator's size, enhances durability by minimizing stress on connection points, and simplifies assembly by eliminating the need for adhesives, while maintaining stable vibration characteristics.
Implementation Method 1
a connection body which is connected with the support body and the movable body and is provided with at least one of elasticity and viscoelasticity
Implementation Method 2
a connection body which is connected with the support body and the movable body and is provided with at least one of elasticity and viscoelasticity
Implementation Method 3
a magnetic drive mechanism structured to relatively move the movable body with respect to the support body
Implementation Method 4
the inner peripheral part of the first connection body is pulled to a side of the second connection body with respect to the outer peripheral part of the first connection body and is shear-deformed
Data Source
AI summary
An actuator includes a connection body connected with a support body and a movable body and having at least one of elasticity and viscoelasticity, and a magnetic drive mechanism structured to relatively move the movable body with respect to the support body. The connection body formed in a tube shape is disposed on both end sides in the vibration direction of the movable body. In a state that the movable body is located at a home position, the inner peripheral part connected with one of the movable body and the support body of each of the connection bodies is pulled to a center side in the vibration direction of the movable body with respect to its outer peripheral part connected with the other of the movable body and the support body and is shear-deformed.