Dual Voice Coil Translator Layout for Shorter Linear Travel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional voice coil translators require a length that is 20% greater than the desired travel length due to individual voice coil actuators, resulting in a longer overall device length, which is a concern for space-saving applications.
Innovation Solution
A dual voice coil linear translator design where at least one actuator is oriented opposed and offset from another, parallel to the axis of motion, allowing for overlapping of actuator housings to reduce the overall device length.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If traditional voice coil actuators are used with length equal to or greater than desired translation range, then the actuator can achieve the required travel length, but the overall device length becomes greater than twice the translation range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nesting by placing one voice coil actuator inside another concentrically. The inner actuator is positioned within the outer actuator's housing, allowing both actuators to share the same spatial envelope. This nested configuration enables the device to achieve travel length greater than the individual actuator lengths while minimizing the overall device length, directly resolving the contradiction between achieving required travel range and minimizing device footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a linear sequential arrangement of actuators to a concentric spatial arrangement, utilizing the radial dimension to pack multiple actuators into a compact configuration. By arranging actuators in concentric circles rather than end-to-end, the device achieves the same or greater travel length while significantly reducing the overall length in the direction of motion, thus resolving the length contradiction.
2Length of moving object
If two voice coils are arranged with orientations opposite to each other, then the extended length increases to 2(X+Y+Z), but this configuration allows for overlapping housings to reduce overall device length
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements nesting by placing the inner voice coil actuator within the outer actuator's housing space. The concentric arrangement allows the moving components of both actuators to operate within a shared volume, enabling the device to achieve translation range exceeding the length of any single actuator while keeping the overall device volume compact, thus resolving the contradiction between translation range and device volume.
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
This design achieves a 19.91% reduction in overall device length compared to traditional designs, enabling the same travel range with shorter voice coil actuators, thus addressing space-saving needs in precision applications.
Implementation Method 1
The voice coil includes two basic parts; a permanent magnet assembly and an electromagnetic coil. The coil moves in and out of the magnet assembly based on an electric current applied to the coil.
Data Source
AI summary
A linear translator device, including: a first body; a second body; and a plurality of actuators; wherein each actuator includes a first part first part mounted to the first body and a second part is mounted to the second body, the first part includes a front end and a back end, the second part is configured to extend and retract parallel to the direction of motion; wherein the plurality of actuators are arranged so that the extending or retracting direction of the second part of one of the plurality of actuators is offset, parallel and opposite to that of another one of the plurality of actuators; and wherein at least a portion of the first part of the one of the plurality of actuators overlaps with a portion of the first part of the other one of the plurality of actuators in the direction of motion space.