Inner Ring Bearing Preload Mechanism to Minimize Rotational Backlash
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rotational mechanisms for camera platforms face manufacturing difficulties due to the need for precise component dimensions and surface properties to evenly press the movable unit against the fixed unit, leading to backlash and operational inaccuracies in tilt and rotation driving.
Innovation Solution
A rotational mechanism with a frame, inner ring, and rotation driving unit, where the inner ring has a protrusion on its outer periphery held between two bearings by pressing forces applied in opposite directions, reducing the need for precise surface management and component dimensions, thus minimizing backlash and enhancing operational accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional rotational mechanism with annularly disposed balls and elastic member is used, then rotational support function is achieved, but manufacturing difficulty increases due to precise dimension and surface property requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing force application is segmented from a complex elastic member system into simple bearing units with individual pressing members. Each bearing unit independently presses the protrusion portion, eliminating the need for complex elastic members and reducing manufacturing precision requirements while maintaining rotational support functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic member that applies pressing force is extracted and replaced with pressing members integrated into the bearing units. This extraction simplifies the overall structure by removing the complex elastic member system while maintaining the essential pressing function through the bearing unit design.
2Manufacturing precision
If pressing forces are applied to evenly press movable unit against fixed unit, then rotational accuracy is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing units self-adjust to provide uniform pressing forces on the protrusion portion through their inherent mechanical design. The pressing members are positioned such that they naturally apply force at optimal points, eliminating the need for complex adjustment mechanisms and high-precision component manufacturing while achieving accurate rotational support.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring uniform high precision across all components, the design concentrates precision requirements locally at the pressing points where bearing units contact the protrusion portion. The pressing members are specifically positioned and dimensioned to apply force at critical locations, while other components can be manufactured with standard tolerances.
3Stability of the object's composition
If complex elastic member structure is used to apply pressing force, then rotational stability is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing function and bearing support function are merged into a single integrated bearing unit structure. The pressing members are incorporated directly into the bearing units, combining two functions into one component system. This reduces the number of separate parts (eliminating the elastic member system) while maintaining both rotational stability and pressing force application.
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 allows for a more compact and accurately functioning rotational mechanism, reducing manufacturing complexity and operational inaccuracies by evenly supporting the inner ring, thereby improving the camera platform's rotational capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
The first pressing unit is configured to apply pressing forces to the two bearings in opposite directions in a rotational axis direction of the inner ring
Data Source
AI summary
A rotational mechanism includes a frame, a plurality of rotational units, an inner ring rotatably supported on the frame via the plurality of rotational units, and a rotation driving unit configured to generate power for rotating the inner ring. The inner ring is provided with a protrusion portion on an outer periphery. Each of the plurality of rotational units includes two bearings and a first pressing unit. The first pressing unit is configured to apply pressing forces to the two bearings in opposite directions in a rotational axis direction of the inner race. The protrusion portion is held between the two bearings due to the pressing forces.