Actuator Assembly Hollow Input Shaft Sensor Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing actuator assemblies face challenges in monitoring the rotational position of the output shaft efficiently, as electronic sensing arrangements need to be remote from the circuit board assembly, complicating the electronic componentry and potentially interfering with the gear assembly and motor components.
Innovation Solution
An actuator assembly design that integrates a housing with a motor compartment, gear compartment, and circuit board compartment, where a motor assembly with a hollow input shaft allows the output shaft to extend through, enabling a rotational position sensor to be positioned proximate to the motor compartment, thus simplifying the electronic componentry and allowing for remote sensing without additional external electronics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an electronic rotational position sensor is positioned proximal to the output shaft to monitor rotational position accurately, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to remote electronic components and circuit board assembly separation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the rotational position sensor with the circuit board assembly, integrating the sensing function into the existing electronic componentry. The sensor is mounted on the circuit board assembly and positioned to detect the position of the output shaft or a component attached to it, eliminating the need for separate remote sensing arrangements and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining measurement precision
2Measurement precision
If an electronic rotational position sensor is positioned proximal to the output shaft, then measurement precision is improved, but interference from motor-generated magnetic flux increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the circuit board assembly as an intermediary platform to mount the rotational position sensor at an optimized location. This positioning allows the sensor to detect rotational position while being sufficiently distant from the motor to minimize magnetic flux interference, yet close enough to maintain measurement accuracy. The circuit board assembly serves as a mediator that enables the sensor to operate in a compromised electromagnetic environment
3Ease of operation
If the output shaft extends through the hollow input shaft to reach the sensor location, then ease of operation is improved by simplifying electronic componentry, but device complexity increases due to the extended shaft configuration
Solution Approach 1:
The hollow input shaft serves multiple functions: it transmits rotational motion from the motor to the gear assembly, provides a passage for the output shaft to extend through, and maintains structural support for the motor assembly. This multi-functionality allows the extended shaft configuration to achieve sensor accessibility without requiring additional separate components, thereby simplifying the overall electronic componentry while managing the complexity of the shaft arrangement
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 enables accurate monitoring of the output shaft's rotational position without the need for remote electronic components, simplifying the assembly and reducing interference from motor-generated magnetic flux, thereby enhancing the operational efficiency and ease of assembly.
Implementation Method 1
An electronic rotational position sensor is fixed relative to the housing proximate the motor compartment... enabling accurate monitoring of the output shaft's rotational position
Data Source
AI summary
An actuator assembly includes a housing having a central axis, a motor compartment on one end defined about the central axis, a gear compartment on the other end. An electronic rotational position sensor is fixed relative to the housing proximate the motor compartment. A motor assembly is disposed in the motor compartment and has a hollow input shaft extending along the central axis into the gear compartment. An output shaft extends along the central axis and has a lower end extending out of the gear compartment and an upper end extending freely through the hollow input shaft to a point proximate to the electronic rotational position sensor. A gear assembly is supported within the gear compartment for translating rotation of the input shaft to the output shaft. A sensed object is disposed on the upper end of the output shaft opposed to the speed sensor.