Artificial Muscle Camera Sweeper for Quiet Rotational Scanning
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional motors used for rotational device movement are often expensive, bulky, and noisy, especially in harsh environments, and lack a cost-effective and quiet alternative for applications like vehicles.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus utilizing a rectangular frame with a load-bearing conductive support and artificial muscle actuators, which rotate a non-conductive platform to provide a sweeping motion for devices like cameras or sensors, using polymer and/or Carbon Nanotube actuators that generate torsional and tensile actuation when powered electrically, photonically, thermally, or chemically.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional motors are used for rotational device movement, then reliable rotational motion is achieved, but the device becomes expensive, bulky, and noisy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional electromagnetic motors with artificial muscle actuators that convert electrical energy directly to mechanical motion through electroactive polymer materials. This substitution eliminates bulky motor components while maintaining reliable rotational motion through the natural contraction and relaxation cycles of the artificial muscles, directly resolving the contradiction between reliability and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the fundamental actuation mechanism from electromagnetic fields to electrochemical/electromechanical responses in artificial muscle materials. By altering the physical-chemical parameters of the actuation system (using ionically conductive polymers that respond to electrical stimuli), the patent achieves compact, quiet motion generation without sacrificing reliability
2Ease of operation
If conventional motors are used in harsh environments like vehicles, then rotational function is maintained, but cost and noise increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs artificial muscle actuators made from relatively inexpensive electroactive polymer materials that can be manufactured at low cost compared to precision motors. These actuators are designed to be replaceable and tolerant of harsh conditions, providing a cost-effective solution for vehicle environments where noise reduction and budget constraints are critical
Solution Approach 2:
By replacing noisy electromagnetic motors with silent artificial muscle actuators, the patent eliminates the primary noise source in harsh environment applications. The electroactive polymer-based actuators operate quietly through material deformation rather than mechanical rotation, directly addressing the noise reduction requirement while maintaining operational reliability
3Object-generated harmful factors
If artificial muscle actuators are used instead of motors, then cost and noise are reduced, but production volume and manufacturing complexity must be managed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes composite electroactive polymer materials that combine conductive fillers (like carbon nanotubes or conductive polymers) with elastomeric matrices. These composite materials can be manufactured using standard polymer processing techniques such as extrusion and molding, enabling high-volume production while maintaining the low-cost, quiet operation benefits of artificial muscles
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adjusts the manufacturing parameters by using thermoplastic or thermosetting polymer formulations that can be processed through conventional injection molding or extrusion lines. This parameter optimization allows artificial muscle actuators to be produced at scale using existing manufacturing infrastructure, directly addressing the production volume concern
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 solution provides a low-cost, quiet, and robust alternative to conventional motors, enabling a sweeping motion with controlled rotation and tilting of devices, maintaining efficiency and durability across various environments.
Implementation Method 1
Artificial actuator devices based on elastic polymeric fibers... polymer and/or Carbon Nanotube actuators that generate torsional and tensile actuation when powered electrically, photonically, thermally, or chemically
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method of manufacturing an apparatus that includes a rectangular frame, a first load bearing conductive support bisecting the rectangular frame lengthwise, and two artificial muscle actuators disposed on the same sides of the rectangular frame as the first load bearing conductive support on opposite sides of the first load bearing conductive support is disclosed. The apparatus includes a non-conductive platform, where the width of the frame is sufficiently wide to prevent the non-conductive platform from touching the sides of the frame when rotated about the axis of the load bearing support. The apparatus includes a device disposed in the center of the non-conductive platform. Individual actuation of the artificial muscle actuators rotates the non-conductive platform about the axis of the first load bearing conductive support.