Linear actuator with protection mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing linear actuators lack a sensitive obstacle-encountering protection mechanism that promptly responds to potential collisions, risking damage and safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
A linear actuator with a protection mechanism featuring a motor case, drive mechanism, transmission mechanism, and a pressure-sensitive sensor, where the sensor is amplified by an elastic member to detect obstacles with high sensitivity, triggering a response to stop the actuator's movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the obstacle-encountering detection unit is disposed at a location with relatively smaller deformation, then the structure is compact, but the generated deformed stress is not large enough to trigger the detection unit promptly
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure-sensitive sensor is nested within the elastic member, which itself is integrated into the fastening structure. This nested arrangement allows the detection unit to be positioned at a location with sufficient deformation to generate adequate stress for prompt obstacle detection, while maintaining structural compactness without requiring separate complex mounting mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic member acts as an intermediary between the machine core and the pressure-sensitive sensor. It amplifies the mechanical stress from obstacle contact into sufficient deformation at the sensor location, enabling prompt detection even when the sensor is positioned in a structurally integrated location rather than at the extreme collision point.
2Reliability
If the pressure-sensitive sensor is integrated into the fasten unit, then the obstacle detection sensitivity is improved, but the maintenance complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening structure is segmented into modular components: the fasten unit, the elastic member with integrated sensor, and the bottom plate. This segmentation allows the sensor-containing elastic member to be independently removed and replaced by simply detaching the fasten unit from the bottom plate, maintaining ease of repair while preserving the integrated detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The design allows the elastic member with the pressure-sensitive sensor to be easily discarded (removed) from the fastening assembly when malfunction occurs, and a new one can be quickly installed by reattaching the fasten unit to the bottom plate. This simplifies the replacement process while maintaining the integrated detection function.
3Measurement precision
If the penetrated hole of the extending plate is deviated from the bearing cave, then the amplifying effect is improved, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The penetrated hole in the extending plate is deliberately positioned asymmetrically, deviated from the bearing cave center. This asymmetric positioning creates a lever arm effect that amplifies the mechanical stress when the machine core contacts an obstacle, enhancing the detection sensitivity without requiring additional complex amplification mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The deviation of the penetrated hole from the bearing cave introduces a spatial dimension (offset distance) that provides mechanical advantage. This dimensional change transforms the collision force into amplified stress at the elastic member location, improving detection precision through geometric configuration rather than force multiplication mechanisms.
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 mechanism provides enhanced safety and reliability by promptly stopping the actuator upon obstacle encounter, with a wide applicability to different types of linear actuators and easy maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
the elastic member generates a deformation to trigger the pressure-sensitive sensor to sense an obstacle encountering situation
Data Source
AI summary
A linear actuator (1) with the protection mechanism includes: a motor case (10) having a case member (11) with a bottom plate (111) on which a through hole (114) is formed; a drive mechanism (20) accommodated in the case member (11); a transmission mechanism (30) having a machine core (31), a bearing (32), a base seat (33) with an extending plate (332) on which a penetrated hole (333) is formed, and a fasten unit (34) with a head part (341), the machine core (31) is connected to the drive mechanism (20), the bearing (32) is disposed on the base seat (33) and sheathes the machine core (31), the fasten unit (34) is fastened with the bottom plate (111); and a protection structure (40) sheathing the fasten unit (34) and disposed between the bottom plate (111) and the head part (341).