Kinematic Component Referencing Without End Stops
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Solution Overview
Problem
Kinematic components without end stops face challenges in maintaining position reference, especially during endless rotating movements, as they lose pre-stored reference due to errors or power failures, requiring frequent sensor interrogation to re-acquire position and necessitating multiple sensors for multiple actuators.
Innovation Solution
A kinematic component with a device that recognizes and adjusts independent reference positions for movable components using a sensor unit, eliminating the need for end stops by detecting maximum positions through a sensor unit, such as a Hall sensor or push-button sensor, and utilizing a drive unit with opposite directions of rotation to actuate components independently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a sensor unit is used to recognise reference positions in components without end stops, then positioning precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional sensors and actuators
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the reference recognition function into a single shared sensor unit that detects reference positions for multiple movably adjustable components. Instead of requiring separate sensors for each component, one sensor unit monitors all components by detecting when they reach their respective reference positions, thereby reducing the total number of sensors while maintaining positioning precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor unit is designed with multi-functionality to serve multiple purposes: it recognizes reference positions for different components, determines which component has reached the reference position based on actuator direction, and enables referencing for all components using a single device. This universal approach eliminates the need for component-specific sensors.
2Reliability
If multiple sensors are used for multiple actuators to maintain reference, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sensing functions are merged into a single sensor unit. The sensor unit collectively monitors all movably adjustable components, replacing what would traditionally require multiple separate sensors. This maintains reliability through comprehensive monitoring while reducing component count.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor unit provides feedback on which component has reached its reference position by detecting the reference position and communicating this information to the control unit. The control unit uses this feedback to determine which specific component actuated the sensor, enabling reliable referencing without needing individual sensors for each component.
3Device complexity
If end stops are used to maintain reference position, then device simplicity is improved, but adaptability decreases for endless rotating movements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the reference recognition function from the mechanical end stop structure and relocates it to a sensor-based detection system. By removing the physical end stop constraint and replacing it with sensor detection, the system gains adaptability for endless rotating movements while maintaining the ability to recognize reference positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical end stop system is replaced with an electronic sensing system. Instead of using physical stops to define reference positions, the patent uses a sensor unit to detect when components reach their reference positions, allowing for continuous rotation without mechanical constraints while maintaining positioning accuracy.
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
This solution allows for easy referencing of kinematic components without end stops, reducing the number of sensors and actuators needed, enabling precise positioning and avoiding unwanted stops, thus enhancing reliability and reducing potential damage.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing a drive unit with opposite directions of rotation to actuate components independently
Implementation Method 2
detecting maximum positions through a sensor unit, such as a Hall sensor or push-button sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A kinematic component comprising a first movably adjustable component, a second movably adjustable component and a device which is provided and designed to adjust the movably adjustable components independently of each other, and wherein the device is provided and designed to recognise a first reference position of the first movably adjustable component and a second reference position of the second movably adjustable component, wherein the device is further provided to reference the first movably adjustable component upon recognition of the first reference position and to reference the second movably adjustable component upon recognition of the second reference position.