Actuator System Eliminates Hunting via Switched Reference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Actuator hunting occurs due to voltage shifts caused by wire resistance between the power source and the load, leading to increased power consumption, audible noise, and wear, and existing solutions like designing actuators with wide insensitivity ranges or low resistance wires compromise performance and increase costs.
Innovation Solution
A switch is used to break the connection between the power source and the load during command signal measurement, eliminating current flow and wire resistance-induced voltage differences, with a power storage module like a capacitor providing continuous current and replenishing energy when the connection is restored.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a common wire is used for both power distribution and signal reference, then device complexity is reduced, but voltage shifts occur due to wire resistance causing actuator hunting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power distribution and signal reference functions by introducing a separate low-impedance reference path through the capacitor. This allows the common wire to handle power while the capacitor provides a stable reference potential, eliminating voltage shifts without requiring completely separate wiring for power and signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The capacitor acts as an intermediary element that mediates between the power distribution system and the signal reference system. It provides a stable reference potential by filtering voltage fluctuations caused by wire resistance, thus eliminating actuator hunting while maintaining the simplicity of using a common wire for power distribution.
2Reliability
If actuators are designed with wide insensitivity ranges to prevent hunting, then control stability improves, but manufacturing precision and performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates an equipotential reference path through the capacitor that maintains a stable reference potential independent of current flow in the common wire. This eliminates voltage shifts that cause hunting, allowing actuators to maintain high precision without requiring wide insensitivity ranges, thus resolving the contradiction between stability and precision.
3Reliability
If low resistance wires are used to eliminate voltage shifts, then actuator hunting is prevented, but installation costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The capacitor serves as an intermediary that compensates for wire resistance effects without requiring expensive low-resistance wires. It filters voltage fluctuations caused by ordinary wire resistance, preventing actuator hunting while maintaining the use of standard, cost-effective wiring materials and simplifying installation.
4Use of energy by moving object
If current flow is maintained through wires during command signal measurement, then continuous power supply is provided, but voltage shifts cause measurement errors
Solution Approach 1:
The capacitor is pre-charged during periods when the actuator is not actively moving, storing energy in advance. When command signal measurement is required, the capacitor provides the necessary current without causing voltage shifts in the common wire, thus enabling accurate measurements while maintaining power continuity through the stored energy.
Solution Approach 2:
The capacitor acts as an intermediary power source that supplies current during measurement periods without flowing through the resistive common wire. This eliminates voltage shifts and measurement errors while maintaining continuous power supply to the actuator, resolving the contradiction between power continuity and measurement precision.
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 approach eliminates actuator hunting, enhancing sensitivity and accuracy, reducing power consumption and noise, and extending product lifetime without additional costs when used with micro-controlled PFC or DC-DC converters.
Implementation Method 1
a power storage module, such as a capacitor, may provide and continue the current flow to the load
Implementation Method 2
A switch may break a connection between the power source and the load thus removing the current flow
Implementation Method 3
The load may have a different voltage at its ground than the common ground of the power source, due to resistance of the wires between the power supply and the load, and due to the current flow
Data Source
AI summary
An actuator system designed to avoid load position hunting. The system may eliminate a voltage drop of resistance of connecting wires between a load (e.g., a motor) and a power source, by removing current flow through the wires. A command source may provide a command voltage for controlling the load relative to a ground at the power source. However, the voltage may be different relative to a ground at the load. A switch may break a connection between the power source and the load, thus removing the potential difference between the grounds. After the command voltage is entered at the load, the switch may remove the break of the connection between the power source and the load. During the break, a power storage module, such as a capacitor, may provide a current flow to the load. The power storage module may be replenished with current when the break is removed.