Illumination Drive Apparatus Biasing Light Source Arm
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional illumination apparatuses face difficulties in suppressing issues caused by the weight of the light source or lamp body when changing its direction, leading to potential troubles at the connection points between the operation target and the arm.
Innovation Solution
A drive apparatus comprising a support unit, an arm, an operation target, and a bias part, where the arm is rotatable about a first rotational axis and the operation target is rotatable about a second rotational axis, with a bias part biasing the operation target towards the arm along the second rotational axis to mitigate weight-induced issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the operation target is pivotally supported by the arm on one side to enable direction changing, then the illumination apparatus can change the irradiation direction in horizontal and vertical directions, but troubles occur due to the weight of the operation target at the connection part between the operation target and the arm
Solution Approach 1:
A bias part (spring member) is introduced to apply an upward biasing force on the operation target, counteracting the gravitational force. This counterweight mechanism reduces the net downward force on the connection part between the operation target and the arm, thereby suppressing troubles caused by the weight of the operation target while maintaining the pivotal support structure that enables direction changing.
Solution Approach 2:
The bias part acts as a cushioning element that is pre-installed to compensate for the weight of the operation target before operation. By providing continuous biasing force, it prevents excessive stress accumulation at the connection part, ensuring reliable operation during direction changes without requiring reinforcement of the connection structure.
2Ease of operation
If the operation target is capable of changing direction in intended directions, then the illumination apparatus achieves versatile positioning, but the weight of the operation target causes inclination and wobble
Solution Approach 1:
The bias part provides an upward force that counteracts gravity, preventing the operation target from sagging or inclining under its own weight. This maintains the stability of the operation target's composition (its intended orientation and position) while allowing it to be rotated to various positions for versatile positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring constant and pre-compression of the bias part can be adjusted to change the biasing force parameter, optimizing the balance between supporting the operation target's weight and allowing smooth rotation. This parameter adjustment ensures stability during operation while maintaining ease of positioning.
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 effectively suppresses the inclination and wobbling of the light source unit, preventing breakage at the connection points and ensuring stable direction changes of the illumination apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
The bias part biases the operation target in a direction toward the arm along the second rotational axis
Data Source
AI summary
A drive apparatus according to an embodiment includes a support unit, an arm, an operation target and a bias part. The support unit includes an electrically-driven first driving source. The arm is supported by the support unit at one end part of the arm, and is, by the first driving source, rotatable about a first rotational axis that is along an extending direction of another end part of the arm extending from the one end part, the arm including an electrically-driven second driving source. The operation target is attached to the another end part side of the arm, and is, by the second driving source, rotatable about a second rotational axis intersecting with the extending direction. The bias part biases the operation target in a direction toward the arm along the second rotational axis.