Actuator Suspension Geometry for Resonance and Deformation Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing actuator devices face challenges in achieving a high resonant frequency for the second movable part around the second axis to suppress unintended vibrations, while also minimizing deformation of the second movable part around the first axis during the swinging motion of the first movable part.

Innovation Solution

The actuator device incorporates a second movable part with specifically designed connection portions that have a wider width than other parts, featuring depression and protrusion portions. These features increase the moment of inertia around the first axis, allowing the second movable part to maintain a high resonant frequency around the second axis while reducing deformation around the first axis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the second movable part is made with a larger moment of inertia around the first axis to suppress deformation, then the resonant frequency around the second axis decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeformation suppression of second movable partVSAvoidresonant frequency of second movable part
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The second movable part is designed with non-uniform width: wider at the second connection portions (where it connects to the support part) and narrower at the first connection portions (where it connects to the first movable part). This local variation in geometry allows the width in the first axis direction to be increased for deformation suppression while keeping the overall size compact to maintain resonant frequency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The second movable part features asymmetric geometry with respect to the two axes: the width in the first axis direction varies along the second axis, being larger at the second connection portions and smaller at the first connection portions. This asymmetric design enables differential control of moment of inertia for different rotational axes, allowing optimization of both resonant frequency and deformation suppression.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Speed

If the second movable part is made compact to maintain high resonant frequency, then the moment of inertia around the first axis decreases making deformation suppression difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresonant frequency of second movable partVSAvoiddeformation suppression of second movable part
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The second movable part is designed with non-uniform width: wider at the second connection portions (where it connects to the support part) and narrower at the first connection portions (where it connects to the first movable part). This local variation in geometry allows the width in the first axis direction to be increased for deformation suppression while keeping the overall size compact to maintain resonant frequency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The second movable part features asymmetric geometry with respect to the two axes: the width in the first axis direction varies along the second axis, being larger at the second connection portions and smaller at the first connection portions. This asymmetric design enables differential control of moment of inertia for different rotational axes, allowing optimization of both resonant frequency and deformation suppression.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

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 configuration effectively ensures a high resonant frequency for the second movable part around the second axis, while suppressing deformation around the first axis, thereby enhancing the overall performance and stability of the actuator device.

Implementation Method 1

Each of the pair of second connection portions includes a portion having a width larger than the width of a portion of the second movable part other than the pair of first connection portions and the pair of second connection portions when viewed in a direction orthogonal to the first and second axes. An inner edge of each of the pair of second connection portions, when viewed in the direction orthogonal to the first and second axes, includes a depression portion recessed in a second axis direction, and an outer edge of each of the pair of second connection portions, when viewed in the direction orthogonal to the first and second axes, includes a protrusion portion protruding in the second axis direction.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMoment of inertia: Moment of Inertia

Data Source

PatentEP3719559B1Actuator device
Publication Date: 2025.05.07 HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS KK
  • EP3719559B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3719559B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3719559B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An actuator device includes a support part, a first movable part, a second movable part, and a second connecting part. The second movable part includes a pair of first connection portions positioned on both sides of the first movable part on a first axis and connected to a pair of first connecting parts, and a pair of second connection portions positioned on both sides of the first movable part on a second axis and connected to a pair of second connecting parts. Each of the pair of second connection portions includes a portion having a width larger than a width of a portion of the second movable part other than the pair of first connection portions and the pair of second connection portions when viewed in a direction orthogonal to the first and second axes. An inner edge of each of the pair of second connection portions, when viewed in the direction orthogonal to the first and second axes, includes a depression portion recessed in a second axis direction, and an outer edge of each of the pair of second connection portions, when viewed in the direction orthogonal to the first and second axes, includes a protrusion portion protruding in the second axis direction.