Profiling Apparatus Gravity Alignment Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing profiling apparatuses are limited in their ability to maintain parallel alignment between a subject surface and a target surface when used in directions other than vertical, particularly in the horizontal direction, due to misalignment of the curvature center and gravity center, which can cause unwanted rotation and interference issues.
Innovation Solution
A profiling apparatus design featuring a holding part that rotates around a first fulcrum, an intermediate part that expands and contracts, and a balancer part that moves around a second fulcrum, aligning the first fulcrum position, first gravity center position, bending position, and second gravity center position to enable stable alignment and movement in various directions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If counterweights are attached to the movable part to align the curvature center and gravity center, then the movable part can maintain stable position without unwanted rotation, but the counterweights may interfere with the target during processing, measurement, and inspection operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the balancing function from the movable part and relocates it to a separate base structure. The base includes a curved surface with curvature center and gravity center aligned on a vertical line, while the movable part has its own spherical curved surface. This separation removes the counterweights from the movable part, eliminating interference with the target during operations while maintaining position stability through the base's gravitational alignment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the profiling mechanism is used in the horizontal direction, then it can expand its application scope beyond vertical use, but the misalignment of curvature center and gravity center causes the movable part to naturally rotate by its own weight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the gravitational balancing function into the base structure, allowing the movable part to be used in any direction without carrying counterweights. The base's curved surface is designed with its curvature center and gravity center aligned vertically, creating a stable reference that works regardless of the movable part's orientation, thus enabling horizontal and other directional applications while maintaining rotational stability.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the curvature center and gravity center are aligned on a vertical line in the movable part, then unwanted rotation is prevented, but this configuration only works effectively in the vertical direction and not in other directions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent relocates the vertical alignment of curvature center and gravity center from the movable part to the base structure. The base includes a curved surface with these centers aligned vertically, while the movable part is designed with a spherical curved surface that can rotate freely. This extraction allows the movable part to maintain rotational stability through the base's gravitational reference while being applicable in vertical, horizontal, and other directions.
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
Enables the subject surface to follow the target surface accurately in multiple directions, including the horizontal direction, by balancing the rotational movement and preventing interference, thus enhancing the apparatus's versatility and accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
an intermediate part that is coupled to each of the holding part and the balancer part, expands and contracts in a coupling direction
Implementation Method 2
a first gravity center position, a bending position, and a second gravity center position are aligned in this order
Data Source
AI summary
A profiling apparatus includes: a holder rotationally moves around a first fulcrum, and holds a subject; a balancer rotationally moves around a second fulcrum, an intermediate part coupled to holder part and balancer, expands and contracts in a coupling direction, and bends in a direction orthogonal to the coupling direction, in which a position of the first fulcrum, a first gravity center position, a bending position, and a second gravity center position are aligned in this order. The first gravity center position corresponds to a gravity center of a part, which rotationally moves around the first fulcrum, of the subject and the holder in a case where the subject is held. The bending position corresponds to a bending point of the intermediate part. The second gravity center position corresponds to a gravity center of a part, which rotationally moves around the second fulcrum, of the second fulcrum position and balancer.