Cam Profile Modification via Polynomial Coefficient Scaling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tools for modifying virtual cam profiles are inflexible and often distort the original design when replicating or modifying existing profiles without additional mathematical information, requiring expert assistance and being time-consuming or expensive.
Innovation Solution
A cam development tool that converts various cam profile expressions into a well-characterized 'base profile' with pre-developed adjustment relationships, allowing for simple modifications by scaling polynomial coefficients to change cam performance, enabling localized modifications and maintaining boundary conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional tools and algorithms are used to modify cam profiles, then the original profile can be replicated, but the modification process becomes incomplete and distorts the original profile
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by representing cam profiles using polynomial functions with adjustable coefficients. Modification is achieved by scaling these coefficients according to predefined adjustment relationships, allowing precise control over profile characteristics such as velocity, acceleration, and jerk while maintaining the mathematical integrity of the original design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the cam profile into multiple polynomial segments, each describing a portion of the overall profile. This segmentation allows independent modification of specific profile portions while preserving the characteristics of other segments, enabling localized adjustments without affecting the entire profile
2Manufacturing precision
If additional mathematical information is obtained through re-engineering or reverse engineering, then the original profile can be accurately modified, but the process becomes time-consuming and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-developing adjustment relationships that define how polynomial coefficients should be scaled to achieve desired cam performance changes. These relationships are established in advance, so when modification is needed, the system can directly apply the predefined scaling factors without requiring time-consuming reverse engineering or manual re-engineering analysis
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital representation (polynomial model) of the original cam profile that can be copied and modified electronically. This digital copy contains all necessary mathematical information in a structured format, allowing rapid reproduction and modification without physical reverse engineering of the original cam
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual segmentation is performed to control the overall profile, then modification capability is improved, but the complexity and cost of the process increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by creating a unified polynomial-based framework that handles both profile representation and modification through consistent mathematical operations. The same polynomial structure and coefficient scaling approach works for all types of cam profiles and modification scenarios, eliminating the need for complex, case-specific manual segmentation procedures
Data Source
AI summary
A system for generating electronic cam profiles mimicking the action of mechanical cams operates on a variety of different cam profile inputs and converts them into a common form, for example, expressed as a polynomial spline and modifies that common form by predetermined adjustment relationships, for example by scaling coefficients of the common form cam profile according to desired changes in cam function and/or limitations in dynamic cam values input by a user. The common form of the cam profile may be obtained from a table of cam values by spline interpolation of those data values.