Parallel Actuator Carriage Design for Independent Motion Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

In systems requiring independent motion of parallel actuators, such as medical imaging collimators, achieving independent control of components like plates perpendicular to the actuators is challenging without increasing the system's bulk, as existing solutions often require multiple actuators and bearing supports that are difficult to align accurately and compactly.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves arranging motors and position detection modules on the same side of parallel actuators, using a combination of driven and free carriages to enable independent motion of the plates while maintaining a compact design, by having a driven carriage engaged with one actuator and a free carriage disengaged from the other, allowing each plate to move independently without increasing the spatial footprint.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple actuators and bearing supports are used for independent control of parallel actuators, then independent control capability is improved, but device complexity and alignment difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent control capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the control mechanism into separate driven carriages (each controlled by its own actuator) and a shared free carriage. Each driven carriage is independently controlled by its respective actuator, while the free carriage moves freely along the common rail, enabling independent control of multiple plates without requiring complete independence of all control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The free carriage serves multiple functions: it moves along the common rail independently, can be coupled to either driven carriage, and enables both driven carriages to share a common mounting structure. This multi-functional design reduces the need for separate dedicated mechanisms for each actuator, thereby reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple actuators and bearing supports are used for independent control of parallel actuators, then independent control capability is improved, but manufacturing and alignment precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent control capabilityVSAvoidalignment accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple bearing supports are merged into a single common rail structure that accommodates the free carriage. This consolidation reduces the number of separate alignment-critical interfaces and simplifies the manufacturing and assembly process, as the common rail serves as a unified reference structure for all carriages.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The free carriage acts as an intermediary between the two driven carriages and the common rail. It absorbs alignment tolerances and provides a flexible coupling mechanism that reduces the precision requirements for the mounting structures, as the free carriage can accommodate minor misalignments through its free movement along the rail.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If independent control mechanisms are added for each plate, then independent motion control is improved, but the spatial footprint and bulk of the system increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent motion controlVSAvoidspatial footprint

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from a configuration where each actuator requires its own independent mounting space to a shared common rail structure. The carriages move along the length of the common rail, utilizing the linear dimension efficiently, while the width and height dimensions are minimized by sharing the mounting structure, thereby reducing the overall spatial footprint.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The free carriage and driven carriages are nested along the common rail structure, with each carriage capable of occupying positions along the rail's length. This nested arrangement allows multiple control mechanisms to be compactly arranged in a linear sequence rather than requiring separate lateral spaces, reducing the overall bulk of the system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS10367403B2Systems and methods for independent motion of parallel actuators

Publication Date: 2019.07.30 GENERAL ELECTRIC CO

AI summary

Techniques for independent motion actuator are described herein. The techniques may include a first linear actuator, a first driven carriage to be driven by movement of the first linear actuator, and a first free carriage in line with the first linear actuator but being disengaged from the first linear actuator. The techniques may also include a second linear actuator substantially parallel to the first linear actuator. A second driven carriage is to be driven by movement of the second linear actuator, and a second free carriage in line with the second linear actuator but being disengaged from the second linear actuator and to be coupled to the first driven carriage.