Bipod Adjustment Mechanism With Compliant Linear Motion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multiple-degree-of-freedom adjustment mechanisms, such as hexapod systems, face challenges with high precision, weight, size, and complexity due to the need for numerous electrical and mechanical parts, complicated assembly, and reliance on high-voltage piezoelectric transducers, which hinder miniaturization and weight reduction.
Innovation Solution
A multiple-degree-of-freedom adjustment mechanism utilizing a bipod structure with an elliptical ring-based linear motion mechanism, composed of elastic materials with varying spring constants, allowing for precise, orthogonal displacement transformations without complex assembly or high-voltage requirements, enabling miniaturization and simple production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If electromechanical actuators are used in hexapod systems, then high precision positioning is achieved, but device complexity and weight increase due to numerous electrical and mechanical parts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electromechanical actuators with a purely mechanical passive compliant mechanism. The hexapod system uses elastic elements and flexible joints that naturally provide the required motion without motors, sensors, or control electronics, thereby eliminating complex electrical-mechanical assemblies while maintaining positioning capability through geometric constraints and material elasticity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs flexible joints and compliant mechanisms made from thin elastic materials that allow controlled deformation to achieve precise positioning. These flexible elements replace rigid mechanical linkages with moving parts, reducing the number of components while maintaining the desired degrees of freedom and positioning accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If piezoelectric transducers are used for high precision adjustment, then positioning precision is improved, but weight and size increase due to high voltage power supply requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates piezoelectric transducers and their associated high-voltage power supplies by using passive compliant mechanisms. The positioning is achieved through the elastic deformation of mechanical elements and geometric constraints, requiring no external power source and thereby dramatically reducing system weight while maintaining nanometer-level adjustment precision.
3Measurement precision
If piezoelectric transducers are used for high precision adjustment, then positioning precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to complicated assembly and adjustment operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses flexible compliant mechanisms that can be manufactured as integrated structures using additive manufacturing or sheet metal forming. These flexible elements eliminate the need for precise assembly of multiple rigid components and adjustment of mechanical linkages, allowing the entire hexapod assembly to be manufactured in fewer steps with simpler procedures while achieving the same sub-micrometer positioning accuracy.
4Volume of moving object
If traditional hexapod systems are miniaturized, then size is reduced, but precision and reliability deteriorate due to component scaling limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent scales down the hexapod system by using thin flexible elements whose compliance can be precisely controlled through material selection and geometric design. The compliant mechanisms maintain their functional performance at small scales because their behavior is governed by elastic theory rather than by the dimensions of discrete mechanical components, enabling miniaturization to sub-10mm scales while preserving nanometer-level positioning 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
The mechanism achieves high precision, structural robustness, and ease of operation with reduced weight and size, allowing for nano-resolution motion and operation in severe environments without complex sensors or closed-loop control, while maintaining precision and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
an elliptical ring 101 made of elastic material which has a fixed point 102 connected to a fixed section 103 and a movable point 104 connected to a movable section 105
Implementation Method 2
soft spring sections 106a and 106b which are fixed respectively to both sides of the elliptical ring 101 in the direction of the minor axis so as to press or stretch the elliptical ring 101
Data Source
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AI summary
A multiple-degree-of-freedom adjustment mechanism with precise linear motion has structural robustness and allows easy reduction in weight and size, simple production and easy operation. The multiple-degree-of-freedom adjustment mechanism includes: at least one support assembly; and a plate supported by the at least one support assembly, wherein the at least one support assembly includes: a bipod having a first rod and a second rod, one ends of which are fixed to each other at a top provided with a support section; and a linear motion arrangement having a first movable member and a second movable member which are fixed to the other ends of the first rod and the second rod respectively, wherein the first movable member and the second movable member independently move in a linear motion direction.