Multi-Load Link Actuation with Sequenced Force Peaks
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Motorized actuators become complex and expensive when designed to handle multiple loads with significant resistances, requiring high forces to overcome the sum of resistances, making it challenging to efficiently actuate multiple loads simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A device with a link mechanism that receives an input force and outputs different forces to separate loads, allowing for different strokes and sequencing of actuation, thereby reducing the maximum force required from the motorized actuator by separating the peaks of output forces in the time domain and implementing load limiting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single motorized actuator is designed to handle multiple loads with significant resistances, then all loads can be actuated by one actuator, but the actuator complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The actuation process is segmented into sequential phases where different loads are actuated at different times. The link mechanism divides the motion into distinct stages: first actuating one load (e.g., headrest locking mechanism) then subsequently actuating another load (e.g., backrest locking mechanism). This temporal and functional segmentation allows a single actuator to handle multiple loads without requiring simultaneous force output to all loads.
Solution Approach 2:
A mechanical link mechanism serves as an intermediary between the motorized actuator and multiple loads. This link translates the actuator's linear motion into differentiated motions for multiple output ports, each connected to different loads. The intermediary mechanism enables force multiplication and motion transformation, allowing the actuator to overcome resistance from multiple loads sequentially rather than simultaneously.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a motorized actuator is designed to overcome the sum of resistances from multiple loads, then all loads can be actuated, but significant force is required which increases actuator complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The link mechanism provides dynamic motion transformation, changing the force requirements throughout the actuation cycle. As the link moves through its range of motion, it dynamically redistributes the force requirements: initially overcoming resistance from one load, then transitioning to overcome resistance from another load. This dynamic behavior allows the actuator to provide peak force to one load at a time rather than requiring continuous peak force to multiple loads simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism performs preliminary action by first actuating one load (e.g., unlocking the headrest) before subsequently actuating another load (e.g., unlocking the backrest). This sequential approach allows the system to prepare and reduce resistance from the first load before applying full force to the second load, thereby reducing the peak force requirement compared to attempting to overcome all resistances simultaneously.
3Ease of operation
If different loads require different strokes for actuation, then each load can be optimized, but coordinating multiple strokes increases system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple stroke requirements are merged into a single integrated link mechanism. The link is designed with multiple output ports at different positions and orientations, each providing the required stroke for its associated load. A single actuator input drives the entire link mechanism, which internally coordinates the different stroke requirements through its geometric design. This merging approach eliminates the need for separate actuators or complex coordination control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The link mechanism serves multiple functions simultaneously: it translates linear motion to multiple output directions, provides different stroke lengths for different loads, and coordinates sequential actuation. This multi-functional design allows a single component to handle what would otherwise require multiple separate actuation systems, reducing overall system complexity while meeting diverse stroke requirements.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A device (219) includes a housing (301) and a link (320) displaceably arranged in the housing (301) and having an input port (323) configured to receive an input force (269) oriented along a first axis (91), a first output port (321) configured to provide a first output force (261) based on the input force (259, 269), and a second output port (322) configured to provide a second output force (262) based on the input force (259, 269). The link (320) is configured to move the first output port (321) from a start position (291) to a stop position along the first axis (91) by a first distance in response to receiving the input force (269) and to move the second output port (322) from the start position (291) to the stop position (294) along the first axis (91) by a second distance (422) in response to receiving the input force (259, 269). The first distance is smaller than the second distance.