Angular Motion Control via Groove-Bearing Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current angular motion control systems lack precision and efficiency in translating linear motion to rotary motion, particularly in achieving small angular movements with unidirectional rotation.
Innovation Solution
The system comprises a cylinder with a rod and unidirectional bearings, where a groove on the rod engages with a protuberance on the bearing, allowing for selective incremental radial motion and linear force generation, converting linear motion into controlled angular rotation through a motion assembly with spline members for precise unidirectional rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional linear to rotary motion translation mechanisms are used, then rotation is achieved, but precision and control for small angular movements are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The motion translation is segmented into discrete incremental steps through the interaction of the groove profile on the rod and corresponding engagement features on the bearing. This segmentation allows precise control of small angular movements by translating linear displacement into discrete rotational increments, directly addressing the precision requirement while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular functional decomposition.
Solution Approach 2:
The groove-protuberance engagement mechanism acts as an intermediary between the linear motion input and rotary motion output. This intermediary translates linear displacement of the rod into controlled angular rotation through the geometric relationship between the groove profile and bearing engagement features, enabling precise angular control without requiring complex control systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If bidirectional rotation is allowed, then flexibility is improved, but unidirectional rotation control is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The unidirectional bearing introduces asymmetric constraints to the rotation mechanism, allowing rotation in only one direction while blocking the opposite direction. This asymmetry enables precise unidirectional rotation control by eliminating back-play and reverse motion, directly addressing the manufacturing precision requirement for controlled angular positioning while maintaining adaptability through the groove profile design.
3Productivity
If linear motion to rotary motion translation is implemented, then angular movement is achieved, but efficiency and precision for small angular movements are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The groove profile on the rod is designed with dynamic geometric characteristics that change along its length, creating variable transmission ratios between linear and rotary motion. This dynamic design allows the system to achieve both efficiency in motion translation and high precision for small angular movements by optimizing the groove geometry for different positional requirements, enabling the rod to translate linear displacement into precisely controlled angular increments.
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 solution enables precise and controlled angular motion with limited rotation (1-10 degrees per cycle), effectively translating linear motion into rotary motion with high precision and simplicity, suitable for applications like hydraulic pumps to reduce wear.
Implementation Method 1
angular motion control system and method relates to precise and small angular motion control by the mechanical motion translation from linear to rotary motion program
Implementation Method 2
The first bearing may contain a spline member on an outer diameter surface, and wherein the spline member is operatively attached to an inner diameter surface of the cylinder
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method for imparting an angularly rotational movement. The apparatus includes a cylinder having an internal portion, a rod operatively positioned within the internal portion of the cylinder, a first bearing operatively positioned about rod; a second unidirectional bearing operatively positioned about the rod and a motion program for selectively inputting incremental radial motion to the rod. The apparatus may also include a force generator for linearly moving the rod in a linear axial motion along an axis of the cylinder.