Planar Spring Asymmetric Elastic Components Torque Linearity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional planar springs are unsuitable for robotics and automation due to their non-linear torque-angle relationships, making precise torque measurement difficult, and they either lack thinness and lightness or have limited torsion range.
Innovation Solution
A planar spring design with an outer and inner ring and symmetric elastic components, where the elastic components have an outer and inner connecting portion and a flexible strip, forming an angle greater than 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees, allowing for precise torque measurement and a wide range of torsion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If conventional planar springs use elastic components with large degrees of deformability to provide large range of output torque, then the range of output torque is improved, but the relation between output torque and angles of twist becomes non-linear, making precise measurement difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by designing elastic components that are asymmetric with respect to the axis of symmetry of the inner and outer rings. This asymmetric configuration allows the elastic components to deform in a controlled manner that maintains a linear relationship between torque and twist angle, while still achieving a large range of output torque through the non-symmetric deformation pattern.
2Measurement precision
If conventional planar springs use symmetric elastic components to achieve linear torque-angle relationship, then measurement precision is improved, but the extent of torsion is strictly limited, reducing the range of output torque
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dimensionality change by moving from traditional symmetric radial deformation to asymmetric deformation that utilizes both radial and tangential components. The elastic components are configured to deform in multiple dimensions simultaneously, allowing the system to achieve both linearity in the torque-angle relationship and an extended range of torque output through multi-dimensional deformation modes.
3Force
If conventional torsion springs are used to transmit torque, then torque transmission is achieved, but the mechanism is large in size and lacks thin planar structure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential torque transmission function from traditional three-dimensional torsion springs and reformulates it in a two-dimensional planar configuration. By removing the need for complex coiled structures and retaining only the necessary elastic deformation elements in a flat plane, the design achieves torque transmission with dramatically reduced volume and thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from three-dimensional volumetric torsion spring structures to two-dimensional planar elastic components. This dimensionality reduction allows the torque transmitting mechanism to achieve the same functional capability with significantly reduced size, thickness, and material usage, making it suitable for compact applications.
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 design maintains a linear relationship between torque and twist angle, enabling precise torque calculation and application in robotics and automation by ensuring compatibility with various usage conditions.
Implementation Method 1
two elastic components (30A, 30B, 30C, 30D, 30E)... Each one of the two elastic components (30A, 30B, 30C, 30D, 30E) has an outer connecting portion (31A, 31B, 31C, 31D, 31E), an inner connecting portion (32A, 32B, 32C, 32D, 32E), and a flexible strip (33A, 33B, 33C, 33D, 33E)
Data Source
AI summary
A planar spring has an outer ring, an inner ring, and two elastic components. The inner ring is disposed in the outer ring, and forms a space therebetween. The two elastic components are disposed in the space, and are symmetric with respect to a central line at a spaced interval. Each elastic component has an outer connecting portion, an inner connecting portion, and a flexible strip. The outer connecting portion is connected to the outer ring at a first connecting point. The inner connecting portion is connected to the inner ring at a second connecting point. The flexible strip is connected between the outer connecting portion and the inner connecting portion. An included angle between the first connecting point and the second connecting point from the center is greater than or equal to 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees. A rotational series elastic actuator is also provided.