Faceted Actuator Shaft Rotation Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing positioning devices for imaging apparatuses, such as those using piezoelectric motors, are often bulky and costly, making them unsuitable for certain applications where smaller and less expensive solutions are needed for precise positioning of movable components like lenses.
Innovation Solution
The use of linear actuator assemblies with a faceted motor shaft and a V-shaped notch on a carriage, coupled with a spring to maintain direct contact and prevent rotation, allows for efficient and accurate positioning of movable components, such as lenses, using a single motor with reduced size and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a piezoelectric motor is used for positioning, then positioning precision is improved, but device size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of the piezoelectric motor (ultrasonic vibration for linear motion) while removing the bulky motor housing and complex internal structure. Only the critical piezoelectric component and shaft are retained, reducing size while preserving positioning precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the expensive, complex piezoelectric motor with a simpler, more cost-effective linear actuator design that achieves the same positioning function. The design prioritizes cost-effectiveness while maintaining adequate performance for the application.
2Measurement precision
If a piezoelectric motor is used for positioning, then positioning precision is improved, but device cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the expensive piezoelectric motor with a more affordable linear actuator design. The simplified construction using a faceted shaft, V-shaped notch, and spring mechanism reduces manufacturing costs while achieving the required positioning precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent removes the costly motor housing and complex internal components of a traditional piezoelectric motor, retaining only the essential ultrasonic vibration mechanism. This extraction reduces material costs and simplifies manufacturing while preserving the core positioning function.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a faceted shaft with V-shaped notch is used, then rotation prevention is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an asymmetric V-shaped notch in the carriage that corresponds to the faceted shaft geometry. This asymmetric design prevents rotation by ensuring only one orientation allows the shaft to engage the notch, providing inherent rotational constraint without complex locking mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The shaft is segmented into faceted sections rather than a continuous cylindrical form. This segmentation creates discrete contact surfaces that engage with the V-shaped notch, enabling rotation prevention through geometric interlocking rather than continuous contact.
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 solution enables precise and cost-effective positioning of lenses, achieving a 40% cost savings and reducing weight and size, while maintaining performance by preventing rotation and minimizing friction through a faceted motor shaft and V-shaped notch design.
Implementation Method 1
The base includes a piezoelectric component to selectively oscillate the motor shaft. The piezoelectric component is driven to oscillate at an ultrasonic frequency.
Data Source
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AI summary
A linear actuator assembly (100) has a linear actuator including a motor shaft (104) extending from a base (24) with a piezoelectric component (28) which oscillates the shaft (104). The shaft (104) has a faceted surface. A movable carriage (16) has a notch (40) with at least one flat surface that receives the shaft (104) of the linear actuator. The carriage (16) is in direct and continuous contact with the motor shaft (104) at the notch (40) such that the motor shaft's facet is in contact with the flat surface of the notch (40) when the carriage (16) moves linearly along a travel axis (20). A spring (42) is coupled to the carriage (16) to urge the motor shaft (104) into contact with the notch (40) of the carriage (16) so as to maintain contact between the motor shaft's facet and the flat surface of the notch (40) to inhibit rotation of the motor shaft (104).