Drive device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sensor drive mechanisms are complex and use numerous components, such as gears, to switch rotational forces, making them inefficient for expanding detection or transmission ranges.

Innovation Solution

A drive device with a holding unit mounted to a driving shaft that rotates around an axis with an inclined plane, allowing the base portion to swing along two orthogonal axes, expanding the detection or transmission range without rotating the base portion, thus preventing signal line twisting or breakage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a friction clutch and multiple gears are used to switch rotational force direction in the sensor drive mechanism, then the rotation of the sensor holder can be switched between right-left and up-down directions, but the mechanism becomes complicated with a large number of components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotation direction switching capabilityVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the friction clutch and multiple gear components from the sensor drive mechanism. Instead of using these complex components to switch rotational force direction, the invention uses a simplified holding unit with inclined planes that directly guides the sensor holder along the desired rectangular locus without requiring intermediate switching mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Rather than using a friction clutch to switch the direction of rotational force from a driving shaft, the invention inverts the approach by using inclined planes on the holding unit to convert the rotational motion into the desired rectangular scanning motion. This eliminates the need for complex direction switching mechanisms while achieving the same functional result.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Device complexity

If the base portion is disposed along a plane orthogonal to the driving shaft axis, then the mechanism structure is simple, but the detection range or transmission range is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanism structure simplicityVSAvoiddetection range
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dimensionality change by tilting the base portion at a predetermined angle relative to the plane orthogonal to the driving shaft axis. This angular adjustment adds a dimensional component to the sensor holder's motion path, expanding the detection or transmission range without complicating the overall mechanism structure. The inclined plane on the holding unit facilitates this angular displacement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3940355B1Drive device
Publication Date: 2023.03.08 MITSUBISHI HEAVY IND THERMAL SYST
  • EP3940355B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3940355B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3940355B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a sensor drive device (100) comprising: a sensor substrate (10) having a sensor (11) provided thereupon that detects information obtained from a prescribed detection range; and a holding unit (20) that is attached to a drive shaft (31) driven by a drive unit (30) and holds the sensor substrate (10). The holding unit (20): forms an inclined plane (20a) inclined by a prescribed angle relative to a flat plane intersecting a drive shaft line (AXd) along which the drive shaft (31) is arranged; and rotates the sensor substrate (10) around the drive shaft line (AXd) while holding same on the inclined plane (20a).