Helical Groove Elevation Mechanism for Self-Locking Sensor Retraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional elevation devices for inspection robots, which expose radar devices to the external environment, lead to reduced service life, necessitating a simpler and more effective solution for retracting components like lidar.
Innovation Solution
A compact and modular elevation device with a rotary actuator, shaft, drive bar, and connecting member, incorporating a helical groove and guiding bars, that converts rotational motion into linear motion for smooth and stable component retraction, with self-locking mechanisms to maintain position without power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If conventional elevation devices are used to retract radar devices, then the service life of radar devices is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The elevation device is divided into independent functional modules: a rotary actuator for power supply, a shaft with helical groove for motion conversion, a drive bar with post for linear movement, and a connecting member for component attachment. This segmentation allows each module to perform its specific function efficiently while simplifying the overall structure and maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive bar with post is nested within the shaft, where the post fits into the helical groove. The connecting member is attached to the drive bar, creating a compact nested arrangement. This nesting reduces the device's footprint and eliminates the need for separate mounting structures, thereby reducing overall complexity.
2Device complexity
If a compact elevation device is designed, then the device complexity is reduced, but the motion smoothness and stability may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The shaft is designed with a helical groove instead of a straight linear guide, creating a curved path for the post. This helical curvature converts rotational motion into smooth linear motion of the drive bar, ensuring stable and vibration-free movement while maintaining a compact structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The post acting as an intermediary element transfers motion from the rotating shaft to the linearly moving drive bar. The connecting member serves as another intermediary, linking the drive bar to the radar device. These intermediary components ensure smooth motion transmission while reducing direct contact and friction between major parts.
3Reliability
If self-locking mechanism is added to maintain position without power, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The helical groove and post combination creates a self-locking mechanism where the geometry of the helix angle and friction between the post and groove surface automatically prevent backward motion. When the rotary actuator stops, the weight of the radar device causes the post to press against the helical groove surface, generating friction force that locks the position without requiring additional brakes or locking mechanisms.
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 a reliable, compact, and cost-effective means to retract components, enhancing the service life of radar devices by ensuring smooth motion and secure positioning, even when power is off, while reducing friction and wear.
Implementation Method 1
The shaft is able to rotate when driven by the rotary actuator, and defines a helical groove in a lateral surface thereof. The drive bar is slidably connected to the mounting frame. The drive bar includes a post at an end thereof. The post is movably fit in the helical groove.
Implementation Method 2
incorporating a helical groove and guiding bars, that converts rotational motion into linear motion for smooth and stable component retraction, with self-locking mechanisms to maintain position without power.
Data Source
AI summary
An elevation device includes a mounting frame, a rotary actuator fixed to the mounting frame, a shaft connected to the rotary actuator and rotatable with respect to the mounting frame, a drive bar slidably connected to the mounting frame, and a connecting member fixed to the shaft. The shaft defines a helical groove in a lateral surface thereof. The drive bar includes a post that is movably fit in the helical groove. The mounting frame, the shaft and the drive bar constitute a conversion mechanism that converts rotation of the shaft into linear motion of the drive bar. The drive bar is slidable with respect to the mounting frame along a direction that is parallel to an axis of rotation of the shaft.