Bidirectional Kinematic Component With Freewheel Position Referencing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Kinematic components without end stops face challenges in maintaining position reference, especially during endless rotating movements, leading to the need for multiple sensors and actuators to re-establish position, which is inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A kinematic component design featuring a rotatable actuator with two opposite directions of rotation, a drive unit, and gear elements that allow for independent actuation of movably adjustable components without end stops, using freewheel elements to transmit rotational movement in one direction only, reducing the need for multiple actuators and sensors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single actuator with opposite rotation directions is used to control multiple components, then the number of actuators is reduced, but it becomes difficult to maintain position reference during endless rotating movements without end stops

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of actuatorsVSAvoidposition reference maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple actuation functions into a single actuator that can rotate in opposite directions. The first movably adjustable component is coupled to the actuator for rotation in a first direction, while the second movably adjustable component is coupled for rotation in a second direction opposite to the first. This merging of functions reduces the total number of actuators while maintaining independent control capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the control function by direction: the actuator's first rotation direction controls the first component, while the opposite second rotation direction controls the second component. This segmentation allows a single actuator to independently control multiple components without requiring separate actuators, resolving the contradiction between reducing actuator数量 and maintaining reliable position control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If multiple sensors are used to re-establish position reference during endless rotation, then position accuracy is maintained, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition reference accuracyVSAvoidnumber of sensors

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the actuator's own rotational movement and the mechanical coupling to components as the reference mechanism. By monitoring the actuator's rotation directions and counting revolutions, the system can self-determine component positions without requiring external sensors. This self-service approach maintains measurement precision while eliminating the need for multiple sensors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If end stops are provided to establish position reference, then the actuator can count steps to reach desired positions, but the mechanical components may suffer damage from impacts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition control capabilityVSAvoidcomponent damage from impact

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using end stops to define position limits, the patent inverts the approach by using the actuator's bidirectional rotation capability and mechanical coupling to establish position reference. The actuator rotates in opposite directions to control different components, and position is determined by counting rotational steps from a reference point without requiring physical end stops, thereby eliminating impact damage while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 design enables efficient, compact, and damage-free operation of kinematic components by allowing endless rotating movements in both directions, reducing the number of actuators required and eliminating the need for multiple sensors, thus improving positional accuracy and reducing component damage.

Implementation Method 1

the device (4) which has a rotatable actuator (8), wherein the device (4) is provided and designed to transmit a rotary movement of the actuator (8) to the movably adjustable components (2, 3)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGear mechanism: Gear

Implementation Method 2

using freewheel elements to transmit rotational movement in one direction only

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP4454909A1Kinematic component

Publication Date: 2024.10.30 GRAMMER AG

Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C~1D
Figure 2A~2C

AI summary

The invention relates to a kinematic component (1) with a first movable adjustable component (2), a second movable adjustable component (3) and a device (4) which has a rotatable actuator (8), wherein the device (4) is designed and configured to transmit a rotary movement of the actuator (8) to the movable adjustable components (2, 3), wherein in a first direction of rotation (DR1) of the actuator (8) the first movable adjustable component (2) and in a second direction of rotation (DR2) of the actuator (8), which is opposite to the first direction of rotation (DR1), the second movable adjustable component (3) is adjustable.