Actuator Rod Optical Position Verification for Secure Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for precise movement tracking and position verification in robotics and medical procedures lack secure and reliable methods to ensure accurate alignment, which can lead to catastrophic consequences due to unwanted movement.
Innovation Solution
An actuator apparatus with precision bearings and a light sensor system that includes an actuator rod with an interior cavity and rod holes, a light assembly, and an actuator block with block holes, where a light sensor in the block hole senses light through a rod hole, and a verification module modulates light to transmit position signals, enabling secure verification of rod hole alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a light sensor system is used to track movement, then measurement precision is improved, but reliability is worsened due to lack of secure verification
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the light sensor detects light transmission through aligned rod holes and block holes, generates position signals, and feeds this information back to a controller for verification. This closed-loop feedback system ensures that position measurements are not only precise but also reliably verified, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces light as an intermediary medium to transmit position information from the rod holes through the block holes to the light sensor. This optical intermediary enables non-contact, secure verification of position, improving both measurement precision and reliability by eliminating mechanical contact errors and enabling tamper-evident position tracking.
2Reliability
If secure position verification is implemented, then reliability is improved, but device complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical verification mechanisms with an optical system. Instead of using mechanical switches, encoders, or complex sensor arrays, the invention uses simple light transmission through aligned holes to verify position. This substitution dramatically reduces device complexity while maintaining high reliability, as the optical verification mechanism is both simple to implement and difficult to tamper with.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an optical copy or representation of the mechanical position through light transmission patterns. The alignment of rod holes and block holes creates a unique light transmission signature for each position, which serves as a verified copy of the mechanical state. This copying approach simplifies verification by converting complex mechanical position verification into simple optical pattern recognition.
3Loss of information
If light modulation is used to transmit position signals, then information transmission accuracy is improved, but energy consumption is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic modulation of the light source to encode position information. Instead of continuously varying light intensity, the system uses periodic on/off switching or frequency modulation at specific rates. This periodic action maintains high signal-to-noise ratio for accurate position detection while reducing average power consumption compared to continuous high-intensity illumination, thus resolving the contradiction between information accuracy and energy consumption.
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 system ensures precise and secure verification of rod hole alignment, allowing for accurate movement tracking and preventing unwanted movement, thereby enhancing safety and precision in applications like robotics and medical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
a light sensor positioned in a block hole of the one or more block holes to sense light coming through a rod hole aligned with the block hole
Implementation Method 2
a verification module with a light modulator configured to modulate light of the light assembly to transmit a position signal
Data Source
AI summary
An actuator apparatus includes an actuator rod with a interior cavity and a set of rod holes extending through the actuator rod to the cavity. The apparatus includes a light assembly positioned to light the cavity and an actuator block with an opening sized to conform to an outer surface of the actuator rod and one or more block holes in the opening. Each of the block holes is positioned to align with each of the rod holes as the actuator rod moves with respect to the actuator block. The actuator block includes a light sensor positioned to sense light coming through a rod hole aligned with the block hole. The apparatus includes a verification module with a light modulator that modulates light of the light assembly to transmit a position signal, and a verification circuit that transmits a verification signal after the light sensor receives the position signal.