Cooperative Multi-Actuator Bandwidth Control Under Varying Loads

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional multi-actuator systems lack the ability to independently control the response bandwidth of each effect, such as roll, pitch, and yaw, which is essential for applications where response requirements change significantly during operation, leading to inefficiencies and potential power wastage.

Innovation Solution

A cooperative multi-actuator variable bandwidth controller system that computes actuator commands based on estimated reaction torque and rotational speed, allowing for real-time modification of bandwidths and decoupling individual actuators from maximum load torque requirements, using a single controller to manage multiple actuators and allocate effects across them.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If conventional independent actuator control is used, then each actuator can be controlled individually, but the response bandwidth of each effect cannot be controlled independently leading to power wastage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidindependent bandwidth control
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple actuator control functions into a single cooperative multi-actuator controller that manages bandwidth for multiple effects simultaneously. This integration allows the system to optimize power consumption by coordinating actuator operations rather than controlling each actuator independently, directly addressing the contradiction between energy efficiency and control adaptability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the response bandwidth of each effect based on operational requirements. The variable bandwidth controller modifies control parameters in real-time, allowing the system to adapt to changing conditions and reduce power consumption when full bandwidth is not required, while maintaining the capability for independent bandwidth control when needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Speed

If higher bandwidth is used for all effects, then response speed is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponse bandwidthVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements variable bandwidth control that changes the response bandwidth parameter dynamically based on operational needs. The controller can adjust bandwidth parameters for different effects independently, allowing high bandwidth when fast response is critical and low bandwidth when power conservation is prioritized, thus resolving the trade-off between response speed and power consumption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If multiple actuators are controlled independently, then individual actuator performance is optimized, but system-level bandwidth control is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem efficiencyVSAvoidcontroller architecture
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges individual actuator controllers into a unified cooperative multi-actuator controller that provides system-level bandwidth control. This consolidation maintains actuator performance optimization while adding the capability to control bandwidth for multiple effects simultaneously, improving system efficiency without excessive complexity increase

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cooperative controller is designed with multi-functionality to handle both individual actuator control and system-level bandwidth management. This universal controller architecture can operate in multiple modes, providing both detailed actuator optimization and overall system bandwidth control, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3859482B1Cooperative multi-actuator variable bandwidth controller
Publication Date: 2024.03.13 SIMMONDS PRECISION PRODUCTS INC
  • EP3859482B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3859482B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3859482B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A system (100) including a system controller (104) configured to transmit a first amount of commands in order to produce a desired effect by a group of actuators (105) acting in combination. A system controller (104) configured to control a group of at least two actuators (105) in order to produce at least one combined effect, wherein the number of actuators (105) is greater than or equal to the number of effects. A system controller (104) configured to achieve independent and variable bandwidths or responses of the desired effects produced by the actuators (105) acting in combination.