Fiber Optic Rotary Joint Internal Gear Anti-Backlash Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-channel fiber optic rotary joints face issues with increased size due to the use of external gears and wire springs in anti-backlash mechanisms, leading to motion loss, noise, and vibration, while internal gears offer advantages like compactness and reduced sliding action but are not commonly utilized.
Innovation Solution
A compact internal gear mechanism with an anti-backlash flexure is employed to provide a 2:1 speed ratio, utilizing internal gears and a single-piece anti-backlash flexure to eliminate backlash and reduce noise and vibration, incorporating dual gears and elastic beams for precise motion transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If external gears and wire springs are used in the anti-backlash mechanism, then the gear system can maintain engagement, but the device size increases and the diameter of the fiber optic rotary joint increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces wire springs with a flexible anti-backlash flexure that uses elastic deformation to maintain gear engagement. The flexure is a thin, flexible component that can compress and deform elastically to keep the gear teeth in contact, eliminating the need for bulky wire springs while maintaining reliable gear engagement and reducing overall device size.
2Speed
If external gears are used in the gear system, then the speed ratio can be achieved, but the device complexity increases and more external gears are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional gear arrangement by using internal gears instead of external gears. The internal gear mechanism achieves the same 2:1 speed ratio with fewer components and reduced complexity. The internal gear configuration allows the speed reduction to be achieved through a more compact arrangement where the gear teeth are oriented differently, reducing the number of external gear components needed.
3Reliability
If wire springs are used in the anti-backlash mechanism, then the gear engagement can be maintained, but the device diameter increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces wire springs with a flexible anti-backlash flexure that uses elastic deformation to maintain gear engagement. The flexure is a thin, flexible component that can compress and deform elastically to keep the gear teeth in contact, eliminating the need for bulky wire springs while maintaining reliable gear engagement and reducing overall device size.
4Speed
If conventional gear systems are used, then the speed ratio can be achieved, but motion loss and kinematic transmission error occur due to clearance and backlash
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible anti-backlash flexure that continuously adapts to manufacturing clearances and maintains constant contact between gear teeth. This flexible mechanism compensates for clearance and backlash, eliminating motion loss and kinematic transmission error while maintaining the desired speed ratio, thereby improving manufacturing precision and transmission accuracy.
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 achieves a compact design with reduced noise and vibration, enhancing the accuracy of kinematic transmission and maintaining smooth continuous motion, while minimizing the need for external gears and springs, thus improving the overall performance of multi-channel fiber optic rotary joints.
Implementation Method 1
a first elastic beam and a second elastic beam symmetrically arranged on two sides of a rotation axis of the internal gear mechanism
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-channel fiber optic rotary joint mechanism has been invented in which optic signals can be transmitted simultaneously from a rotating fiber optic collimator bundle and a stationary fiber optic collimator bundle through an opto-mechanical de-rotating mechanism, which includes an optic de-rotating element, an internal gear and an flexure anti-backlash mechanism. The optic de-rotating element, is positioned in the path between said rotating fiber optic collimator bundle and said stationary fiber optic collimator bundle. The internal gear mechanism provides 2:1 speed ratio for the rotating fiber optic collimator bundle and the optic de-rotating element.