Leaf-Spring Coupler for Gantry Positioning Rigidity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Positioning devices in portal designs, such as gantry systems, face challenges in achieving precise positioning due to undesirable pivoting about one linear direction while allowing desired pivoting about a perpendicular direction, which affects the rigidity and accuracy of the functional element's placement.
Innovation Solution
A coupling member with a central part and side parts connected by leaf springs, where the leaf springs are arranged to allow pivoting about a central axis parallel to the desired perpendicular direction, while preventing pivoting about the other directions, enhancing rigidity and allowing controlled movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the coupling between perpendicular linear guides is made rigid to prevent pivoting, then positioning precision is improved, but the system cannot accommodate asynchronous movement of parallel linear guides
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling element incorporates pivoting capability that allows dynamic adaptation between rigidity and flexibility. The coupling can maintain a rigid connection for precise positioning while allowing controlled pivoting movements to accommodate asynchronous operation of parallel linear guides, resolving the contradiction between precision and adaptability
2Adaptability or versatility
If the coupling element allows pivoting about the vertical axis to accommodate asynchronous movement, then adaptability is improved, but unwanted pivoting about other axes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling element is designed with differential pivoting characteristics - it allows pivoting about the vertical axis to accommodate asynchronous movement while maintaining stability and preventing unwanted pivoting about other axes. This local quality approach enables selective freedom of movement in specific directions while maintaining rigidity in others
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 coupling member achieves improved rigidity and controlled pivoting, reducing tilting errors and enhancing the precision and accuracy of positioning by allowing limited pivoting about the desired axis while maintaining stability against undesirable movements.
Implementation Method 1
A plurality of connecting leaf springs (33) connect the central part (31) and the two side parts (32) to one another. The connecting leaf springs (33) are arranged in planes parallel to the third linear direction (Z), in which the normals of the connecting leaf springs (33) intersect at a central axis (C) of the central part (31).
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
A coupling element (30) is proposed for a positioning device (100) comprising a first linear guide (10A) for guiding a first carriage (11A) along a first linear direction (X) and a second linear guide (20) for guiding a second carriage (21) along a second linear direction (Y) that is essentially perpendicular to the first linear direction (X). The coupling element (30) is designed to form a coupling between the first carriage (11A) and the second linear guide (20).The coupling element (30) comprises a central part (31); two side parts (32), each arranged at a distance in the second linear direction (Y) from the central part (31) and flanking the central part (31); and a plurality of connecting leaf springs (33) that form a connection between the central part (31) and the two side parts (32), wherein the planes in which the connecting leaf springs (33) are arranged intersect in a central axis (C) of the central part (31).