Multi-Cylinder Fluid Actuator Control for Smooth Low-Wear Motion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current elongated fluid actuator arrangements are inefficient due to centrally controlled fluid supply, leading to ineffective force and motion rate control, often resulting in overweight materials and potential damage from uneven wear and noise.
Innovation Solution
A fluid actuator arrangement with a piston rod member, multiple cylinders, and a control element that allows for differential movement control of piston bodies, enabling slower forward movement and simultaneous overlap, reducing wear and energy consumption, and incorporating sensors for precise position control and safety features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If centrally controlled fluid supply is used to control maximum motion rate and force, then control functionality is provided, but the arrangement becomes ineffective and energy-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid actuator arrangement is divided into multiple independent piston-cylinder units (first piston unit, second piston unit, etc.), each capable of independent operation. This segmentation allows distributed control of the piston rod member, eliminating the need for a single centralized control point and reducing energy consumption by enabling localized actuation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between different piston units based on operational requirements. The control mechanism activates only the necessary piston units for the current task, rather than continuously operating all units or relying on a centralized system, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining effective control.
2Stress or pressure
If elongated fluid actuator arrangement is designed with specific features for desired pressure performance, then pressure distribution is improved, but the arrangement becomes overweight and over-dimensioned
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator is segmented into multiple smaller piston-cylinder units distributed along the elongated structure. Each unit handles a portion of the total load and pressure requirements, eliminating the need for a single oversized cylinder that would be required to achieve the same pressure performance, thereby reducing overall weight and material usage.
Solution Approach 2:
Each piston unit is designed with local pressure control capabilities tailored to its specific position and load requirements. This localized optimization allows each unit to be precisely sized for its function, avoiding the over-dimensioning that would occur if a single centralized unit had to handle all pressure requirements throughout the entire actuator length.
3Stability of the object's composition
If multiple piston bodies move simultaneously with overlap, then smooth movement is achieved, but control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The piston units operate in a periodic sequence with controlled overlap, where each unit activates in turn rather than simultaneously. This periodic operation creates smooth continuous movement of the piston rod member while simplifying control logic, as each unit follows a repeating cycle of activation and deactivation based on its position in the sequence.
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 provides robust, energy-efficient, and reliable operation with reduced weight, minimizing environmental impact and potential damage, suitable for various industrial and mobile applications without the need for additional energy-consuming components.
Implementation Method 1
hydraulic and/or pneumatic actuators
Implementation Method 2
hydraulic and/or pneumatic actuators
Implementation Method 3
clamping mechanism arranged to engage the piston body of the associated cylinder to the piston rod member
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid actuator arrangement comprises a piston rod member, at least two cylinders each said cylinder having a piston body, and a clamping mechanism associated to each cylinder. Each clamping mechanism is arranged to engage and disengage the piston body of the cylinder to the piston rod member. The fluid actuator arrangement comprises further a control element arranged to control a back and forward movement of the respective piston body so that forward movement is slower than the backward movement and to control the movement of the respective piston bodies in relation to each other such that at least one piston body is always moving forward and such that an overlap exists wherein at least two of the piston bodies are moving forward simultaneously during a cycle.