Single Axis Actuator Waterproofing via Motor Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional single axis actuators with thin wedge portions for waterproofing face challenges in load resistance and moment resistance, particularly when submerged in water, limiting their high load specifications.
Innovation Solution
A single axis actuator design featuring a vertically oriented driving-side and driven-side timing pulleys, a timing belt, and a motor with corrosion-resistant materials, along with strategically placed liquid-tight sealing members, allows for high load specifications without compromising waterproofing or resistance, even when submerged in water.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a thin wedge portion is used for waterproofing, then sealability is improved, but load resistance and moment resistance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the waterproofing function from the slider structure by positioning the motor above the water level, eliminating the need for a thin wedge portion on the slider. This allows the slider to be designed with sufficient thickness for high load resistance while achieving waterproofing through a different mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces liquid-tight sealing members as intermediary elements between the slider and the environment. These sealing members provide the necessary sealability without requiring the slider itself to have a thin wedge portion, thus preserving the slider's structural strength for high load applications.
2Reliability
If sealing structures are added to ensure waterproofing, then sealability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex sealing requirements from the submerged components by positioning the motor above the water level. This eliminates the need for complex sealing structures on the motor while maintaining effective waterproofing for the submerged slider and timing belt mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
A single axis actuator includes a driving-side timing pulley located at one end in a longitudinal direction of a device frame in such a manner that a rotational center thereof is vertically oriented, a rotation transmission shaft coaxially connected to the driving-side timing pulley and extending upwardly, a driven-side timing pulley located at another end in the longitudinal direction of the device frame in such a manner that a rotation shaft thereof is vertically oriented, a timing belt bridged between the driving-side and driven-side timing pulleys, a slider connected to a part of the timing belt to be made movable in the longitudinal direction of the device frame, and a motor having a motor shaft that is connected to an upper end of the rotation transmission shaft.