Curved Cam Actuator for Smooth Rider Posture Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing actuator devices for human-powered vehicles face challenges in smoothing the relative movement between the cam and follower, leading to stress and inefficiency in the rider-posture changing mechanism.
Innovation Solution
The actuator device incorporates a cam follower and a cam member with curved surfaces that rotate about a rotational axis, allowing for movement in a direction different from the circumferential direction, reducing stress and enhancing smoothness through a cam groove and electric actuator assistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional cam and follower mechanism is used, then the structure is simple, but the relative movement between cam and follower is not smooth and stress is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by providing curved surfaces on both the cam member and follower that contact each other. The curved surface of the cam member and the curved surface of the follower are designed to match each other, creating a smooth rolling contact that reduces stress and improves the smoothness of relative movement during the actuation cycle.
2Stress or pressure
If curved surfaces are added to cam and follower, then stress is reduced and movement is smoothed, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cam member and follower into a single integrated unit where both components are formed as one piece. This integration eliminates the need for separate curved surfaces on distinct parts, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining the stress-reducing curved contact interface.
3Productivity
If the cam follower moves in circumferential direction, then the mechanism is simple, but the rider posture changing efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions the cam follower movement from a simple circumferential (rotational) path to a three-dimensional trajectory that includes both rotational and axial components. The curved surfaces guide the follower through a complex spatial path that efficiently transforms rotational cam motion into linear actuation, improving rider posture changing efficiency while accepting increased mechanism complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An actuator device for a rider-posture changing apparatus of a human-powered vehicle comprises a cam follower and a cam member. The cam member is rotatable about a rotational axis. At least one of the cam follower and the cam member includes a curved surface contactable with another of the cam follower and the cam member to move the cam follower in a movement direction in response to a rotation of the cam member. The movement direction is different from a circumferential direction defined about the rotational axis. The curved surface has a curved shape in a first cross-section perpendicular to the circumferential direction.