Ball-Rolling Floating Unit With Inclined Restoring Surface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing floating units with helical compression springs face challenges in minimizing size in the horizontal direction while achieving a large horizontal relative movement range, as the size of the unit is often too large and the movement range is limited by the natural length and solid length of the springs.
Innovation Solution
A floating unit design featuring a rolling portion with a sphere and an opposing portion with an inclined abutment surface, allowing the first member to move relative to the second member in both horizontal and vertical directions, and rotate around a vertical axis, with the inclined surface generating a restoring force for returning the first member to its initial position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If helical compression springs are aligned in the horizontal direction to provide restoring force, then the restoring force function is achieved, but the horizontal size of the floating unit becomes too large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reorients the restoring force mechanism from horizontal alignment to vertical stacking. The inclined surface is arranged vertically, and the sphere rolls on this inclined surface, converting the horizontal restoring force problem into a vertical arrangement that generates horizontal restoring force through the inclination angle, thereby reducing the horizontal size of the floating unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the restoring force mechanism by introducing an inclined surface with a specific inclination angle. This angular parameter allows the vertical arrangement to generate horizontal restoring force components, resolving the contradiction between compact horizontal size and effective restoring force.
2Force
If helical compression springs are used to provide restoring force, then the restoring force function is achieved, but the horizontal relative movement range is limited to the spring's expansion and contraction range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from linear spring compression/expansion to spherical rolling on an inclined surface. This dimensional change allows the first member to achieve larger horizontal displacement while the sphere maintains contact with the inclined surface, as the rolling motion accommodates greater range without the physical constraints of spring coil geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a sphere instead of a linear spring, utilizing spherical geometry to achieve the restoring force function. The sphere's ability to roll on the inclined surface provides a smoother, continuous motion with potentially larger displacement range compared to the discrete coil structure of helical springs.
3Length of moving object
If the floating mechanism is arranged in the vertical direction with an inclined surface, then the horizontal size is reduced, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The inclined surface serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the restoring force through gravity component, guides the sphere's rolling motion, defines the horizontal movement range, and enables the vertical arrangement. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby limiting the increase in structural complexity despite the vertical reconfiguration.
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 reduces the horizontal size of the floating unit and enables a larger relative movement range, while effectively generating a restoring force for returning the first member to its initial position, enhancing the unit's mobility and stability.
Implementation Method 1
a load having a component in the vertical direction acts on a portion in which the abutment surface abuts against the sphere
Implementation Method 2
a rolling portion that includes a holding portion fixed to one of the first member and the second member, and a sphere held by the holding portion so as to be rotatable in all directions
Implementation Method 3
the abutment surface includes an inclined surface that is formed, over the entire region of the abutment surface in a circumferential direction around a reference position, so as to come close to a sphere arrangement side
Data Source
AI summary
In a floating unit, a floating mechanism is provided with: a rolling portion that includes a holding portion fixed to one of a first member and a second member, a sphere held by the holding portion so as to be rotatable in all directions; and an opposing portion that is fixed to the other one of the first member and the second member, and has an abutment surface that abuts against the sphere. The abutment surface includes an inclined surface that is formed, over the entire region of the abutment surface in a circumferential direction around a reference position, so as to come close to a side, in the vertical direction, on which the sphere is arranged, while extending outward in the horizontal direction from the reference position.