Ball Dent Testing Apparatus for Actuator Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ball bearings in actuator assemblies can cause damage, such as dents, to other components, leading to noise, performance issues, and reduced device lifetime, necessitating a method to test their performance characteristics.
Innovation Solution
A ball dent testing apparatus comprising an actuator and a trigger assembly with a tip having a radiused terminus is used to simulate the impact of ball bearings on samples, allowing for the evaluation of materials before incorporation into actuator assemblies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ball bearings are used in actuator assemblies to guide the lens module, then the alignment and movement guidance is improved, but damage to other components (dents, noise, performance degradation) occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by conducting ball dent testing on material samples before incorporating them into actuator assemblies. The testing apparatus simulates ball bearing impacts on guide rod surfaces to evaluate dent resistance in advance, allowing selection of materials that have already been verified to resist damage, thus preventing component damage before it occurs in the actual device.
2Productivity
If traditional testing methods are not used, then device development proceeds quickly, but material performance characteristics remain unknown leading to potential failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies copying by creating a simplified test model that replicates the essential impact conditions of ball bearings on guide rods. Instead of testing complete actuator assemblies, the invention uses a copied scenario where a trigger assembly simulates ball impacts on sample materials, enabling rapid evaluation of material performance characteristics without requiring full device assembly or complex testing procedures.
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 apparatus effectively determines the ball dent characteristics of samples, providing insights into the long-term performance of materials in actuator assemblies, thereby helping to prevent damage and extend device lifespan.
Implementation Method 1
moving a trigger assembly that contains a tip having a radiused terminus towards the sample such that the terminus impacts the sample one or more times
Data Source
AI summary
A method for testing a sample for ball dent properties is provided. The method comprises disposing a sample on a stage of a testing apparatus and moving a trigger assembly that contains a tip having a radiused terminus toward the sample such that the terminus impacts the sample one or more times.