Fluidic Position Control Apparatus Reducing Mechanical Complexity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing position control systems for accurately positioning and repositioning items in various industries are often costly and complex, failing to provide efficient adjustments for differently sized items during processing.
Innovation Solution
A position control apparatus utilizing a fluidic drive system with a compressor and parallel-linked positioner actuators, combined with a bias system of biasers that counteract the drive force, allowing for precise positioning with reduced complexity and cost, including the use of springs, compressible fluids, and electromagnetic devices as biasers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional position control systems are used to accurately position and reposition items, then positioning accuracy is improved, but system cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the positioning task into two independent components: a fluidic drive system that provides controlled motion in one direction, and a bias system with biasers that provide restoring force in the opposite direction. This segmentation allows each subsystem to be simpler while maintaining overall positioning accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a fluidic drive system using compressed gas to actuate positioners. The compressed gas can be rapidly introduced and released to move multiple positioners simultaneously, providing accurate positioning without complex mechanical linkages or electrical wiring to each actuator.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional position control systems are used to accommodate differently sized items, then adaptability is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bias system is pre-configured with biasers that provide the restoring force needed for positioning. The compressed gas system is pre-prepared to rapidly actuate the positioners when needed. This preliminary preparation allows the system to quickly adapt to different item sizes without complex real-time adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses dynamically controllable compressed gas actuation to rapidly adjust positioner locations. The gas can be introduced or released on demand to move positioners to new positions, allowing the system to adapt to different item sizes through dynamic reconfiguration rather than fixed mechanical adjustments.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple actuators are used to position side guides, then positioning precision is improved, but the number of mechanical connections and wires increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple positioners are merged into a single actuation system using compressed gas. The fluidic drive system distributes compressed gas to multiple positioners through simple tubing, replacing the need for separate mechanical linkages, wires, and control mechanisms for each actuator. This combining maintains positioning precision while dramatically reducing mechanical complexity.
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 enables accurate, flexible, and cost-effective positioning and repositioning of items, reducing the need for manual adjustments and mechanical connections, while enhancing reliability and simplicity in design, particularly suitable for applications like bottling, palletizing, and vehicle suspension systems.
Implementation Method 1
a fluid compressor configured to compress a gas
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of springs configured to bias the positioners in a direction that is opposite the first relative direction
Implementation Method 3
a compressible fluid configured to bias the positioners in a direction that is opposite the first relative direction
Data Source
AI summary
Particular embodiments of the inventive technology may be described as a position control apparatus that comprises a fluidic drive system configured to drive, with a single fluidic displacement, each of a plurality of positioners in a first relative direction; and a bias system that includes a plurality of biasers that bias the positioners in a direction that is opposite the first relative direction. In particular embodiments, and as but a few of the many possible design features, positioner actuators may be fluidicly linked in parallel and with the fluid compressor, the positioner actuators may each include a piston; and a plurality of positioners may each be responsive to at least one of the pistons.