Stepper Motor Positioning Without Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing X-ray readout devices require multiple position sensors for precise positioning of mechanical processors, increasing complexity and production costs.
Innovation Solution
A method using a stepper motor to implement a specific number of steps and record motor load, allowing for precise position determination without additional sensors by deducing position from the number of steps and motor load, and adjusting motor parameters to prevent step losses and ensure accurate positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple position sensors are used for precise positioning of mechanical processors, then positioning precision is improved, but device complexity and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the position sensing function from separate position sensors and integrates it into the stepper motor's control system. By using the stepper motor's built-in step counting capability and motor load information, the system determines processor position without requiring additional position sensors, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining positioning precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The stepper motor is made multi-functional by using it not only for driving mechanical processors but also for position sensing. The control unit utilizes the stepper motor's step information and motor load data to determine the position of mechanical processors, making the stepper motor serve dual purposes and eliminating the need for separate position sensors.
2Measurement precision
If multiple position sensors are used for precise positioning of mechanical processors, then positioning precision is improved, but production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the position sensing function from separate position sensors and integrates it into the stepper motor's control system. By using the stepper motor's built-in step counting capability and motor load information, the system determines processor position without requiring additional position sensors, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining positioning precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive position sensors with the stepper motor's inherent control capabilities. By utilizing the stepper motor's step counting and motor load information, the system achieves position determination using existing, cost-effective components rather than adding expensive sensing equipment.
3Productivity
If the stepper motor runs at high speed to increase productivity, then processing speed is improved, but step losses occur reducing positioning accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring motor load information from the stepper motor. The control unit uses this feedback to detect step losses and correct positioning errors. When motor load indicates step losses have occurred, the system compensates by adjusting the calculated position, thereby maintaining positioning accuracy even when operating at high speeds for improved productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and to a corresponding apparatus for processing information carriers, in particular for reading out storage phosphor plates (2) for storing X-ray information, an information carrier (2) and/or a container (1) in which the information carrier (2) is located being processed, in particular being moved and/or fixed, by at least one mechanical processor (13), the processor (7) being driven by at least one stepper motor (10), and information from the information carrier (2) being read out and/or written in the information carrier. In order to simplify the processing of information carriers (2) with at the same time high precision when determining the position of the processor (13) and reduced production costs, provision is made such that a motor load is recorded which is a measure for the load of the stepper motor (10) while the processor is being driven, and information about the position of the processor (13) is deduced from the number of steps, which corresponds to the number of steps of the stepper motor (10) while the processor (13) is being driven, taking into account the motor load recorded.