Integrated Force and Position Sensing Actuator

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Solution Overview

Problem

Hydraulic and pneumatic systems are inefficient, costly, and noisy due to energy wastage in the form of heat when controlling fluid pressure through throttling, and they lack precision in measuring forces and positions, which is critical for high-efficiency applications like robotics.

Innovation Solution

An actuator with a housing containing a force sensing mechanism to measure forces exerted or on the actuator without energy loss, and a high precision position sensing mechanism, integrated within the system to provide accurate force and position data, reducing interference and distortion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If hydraulic and pneumatic systems use throttling to control fluid pressure, then pressure control is achieved, but energy is wasted in the form of heat

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy wasteVSAvoidpressure control

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical throttling valve system with an electro-hydraulic actuator system that uses electronic control and sensing. The actuator incorporates force sensing mechanisms and position sensing mechanisms that provide real-time feedback to a controller, enabling precise pressure control through electronic regulation rather than mechanical throttling, thereby eliminating energy waste while maintaining ease of operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback control system where force sensing mechanisms measure the actual force exerted by the actuator and position sensing mechanisms measure the actuator position. These measurements are fed back to a controller that adjusts the actuator output to match the desired force or position, enabling precise control without energy-wasting throttling

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If traditional actuators are used without integrated sensing, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision of force and position is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveforce and position measurementVSAvoidactuator structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the actuator function with force sensing and position sensing capabilities into a single integrated unit. The force sensing mechanism is positioned within the actuator housing and directly measures forces exerted by or on the actuator, while the position sensing mechanism measures actuator position, eliminating the need for separate external sensing systems and reducing overall device complexity while achieving high measurement precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The actuator is designed as a multi-functional device that simultaneously provides actuation, force measurement, and position measurement capabilities. This universal design allows a single component to perform multiple functions that would traditionally require separate devices, thereby improving measurement precision without proportionally increasing device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9115732B1Actuator with integrated force and position sensing

Publication Date: 2015.08.25 VECNA ROBOTICS INC

AI summary

An actuator including a housing and a force sensing mechanism positioned within an interior of the housing and in operable communication with the actuator, the force sensing mechanism capable of measuring the various forces exerted by or on the actuator without losing any of the energy being transmitted by the actuator. A high precision position sensing mechanism can also be included with the actuator.