Stepped Rotary Actuator Using Multi-Cylinder Angular Displacement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rotary actuators producing rotation movements, such as hydraulic motors and rotary devices, face limitations due to complex control requirements, potential leaks, and inefficiencies in generating varied angular displacements.
Innovation Solution
A rotary actuator comprising multiple pressure medium cylinders with two fixed operational positions, connected through rotation transmission elements, allowing for selective control of stepped angular displacements without position sensing, enabling efficient generation of varied rotary movements with high torque and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional rotary actuators with rotating vanes are used to generate rotation movement, then rotation can be produced, but the structure becomes complex and reliability decreases due to potential leaks and wear
Solution Approach 1:
The rotary actuator is divided into multiple independent rotation units (first rotation unit, second rotation unit, etc.), each capable of producing discrete angular displacements. These segmented units are connected through rotation transmission elements to the output shaft, allowing the system to achieve complex rotational movements through combination of simple, reliable individual units without requiring complex internal mechanisms in each unit
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses pressure medium cylinders (pneumatic or hydraulic) to drive the rotation units. The pressure medium is directed to specific cylinders through control means to activate particular rotation units, providing reliable actuation without the mechanical complexity and leak-prone vane structures of traditional rotary actuators
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple rotation units are used to produce varied angular displacements, then versatility improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into multiple independently controllable rotation units, each contributing a specific angular displacement when activated. The control means can selectively activate different combinations of these units to generate a variety of total angular displacements, achieving high versatility through simple additive combination rather than complex control mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
Each rotation unit serves multiple functions: it can be independently activated or deactivated, can produce a specific angular displacement, and can work in combination with other units. The rotation transmission elements universally transmit rotation from any activated unit to the output shaft, creating a multi-functional system where simple components achieve complex capabilities
3Ease of operation
If two-position cylinders without intermediate positions are used, then control simplicity improves and position sensing is eliminated, but the ability to produce continuous rotation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The rotational range is segmented into discrete angular displacements, each produced by a specific rotation unit. By combining multiple such discrete units with different angular displacements, the system achieves a wide effective rotational range while maintaining simple two-position cylinder control without requiring intermediate positions or position sensing
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple rotation units with fixed angular displacements are merged through rotation transmission elements to the common output shaft. This combination allows the system to achieve a wide range of rotational positions by activating different subsets of units, effectively compensating for the limited range of individual two-position cylinders
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 solution allows for simple and efficient production of multiple angular displacements with low leakage and high efficiency, enabling the generation of desired torques and compact designs, while maintaining durability and ease of control.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure medium cylinder (3a, 3b) for producing axial movement
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a rotary actuator, converting actuator and method for producing rotation. The rotary actuator (1) comprises at least two rotation units (2) for producing stepped angular displacements (Rs). The rotation unit comprises a cylinder (3) for producing linear movement (L) and converting means (4) for converting the linear movement to rotation. The stepped rotary movements of the rotation units are transmitted by means of transmission elements (7) to an output shaft (8).