Stepping Motor Skipping Motion via N-Fold Symmetry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electric motors lack versatility in motion patterns, particularly in achieving a skipping-like motion with maximum nutation relative to the stator, which limits their application in diverse environments and applications.
Innovation Solution
A versatile electric stepper motor design featuring a rotor that nutates as it rotates, utilizing a configuration of electromagnets with N-fold rotational symmetry, where sequential magnetization and demagnetization of electromagnets create a skipping motion through distinct motor states, allowing the rotor to contact different stator surfaces, thereby achieving a skipping-like motion with controlled skip angles and ratios.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional electric motor designs are used, then the motor structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the motor lacks versatility in motion patterns and cannot achieve skipping-like motion with maximum nutation
Solution Approach 1:
The motor is divided into N distinct electromagnets arranged with N-fold rotational symmetry, each capable of independent activation. This segmentation allows the motor to achieve multiple discrete motor states and various motion patterns including skipping motion, while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure that builds on conventional motor design principles.
Solution Approach 2:
The motor design enables a single device to perform multiple functions by activating different combinations of electromagnets. The same motor structure can produce continuous rotation, skipping motion, nutation, and various intermediate states, making it universally applicable to diverse motion requirements without requiring multiple specialized motors.
2Manufacturing precision
If sequential magnetization and demagnetization of electromagnets is implemented to create skipping motion, then the motor achieves controlled skip angles and ratios, but the control sequence complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The motor employs periodic activation sequences of electromagnets to produce skipping motion. By systematically cycling through predetermined ON-OFF patterns of the N electromagnets, the motor achieves precise skip angles and ratios. This periodic control approach simplifies the control logic compared to arbitrary sequences while maintaining high precision in motion control.
Solution Approach 2:
The motor achieves precise skip angle control by varying parameters such as the number of electromagnets N, the activation sequence timing, and the magnetic field strength. By changing these parameters, the same basic motor structure can produce different skip angles and motion characteristics, reducing the need for complex mechanical adjustments.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the motor operates at multiple skipping ratios and tilt angles, then the motor versatility is enhanced, but the device complexity and number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The motor achieves multiple operating modes including variable skipping ratios and tilt angles through dynamic control of the electromagnet activation sequences. By dynamically adjusting which electromagnets are activated and their timing, the motor can change its effective skipping ratio and nutation angle without mechanical reconfiguration, maintaining a fixed component structure while achieving operational versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The motor achieves versatility in skipping ratios and tilt angles by changing operational parameters such as activation sequence timing, duty cycle, and magnetic field intensity rather than by adding components. The same N electromagnets can produce different skipping ratios by varying the activation patterns, and different tilt angles by adjusting the relative timing and strength of opposing electromagnet pairs.
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 motor achieves a skipping motion with controlled skip angles and ratios, enabling efficient operation in various applications by providing a low reluctance magnetic field path and allowing for adjustable skipping ratios and tilt angles, enhancing its versatility and performance.
Implementation Method 1
each electromagnet of a skipping motor has two contact surfaces and in skipping from a first motor state to a second motor state first one and then the other of the two contact surfaces contact the rotor
Implementation Method 2
contact between the rotor and stator provides a relatively low reluctance magnetic field path for a magnetic field generated by magnetization of at least two magnetized electromagnets of the N electromagnets
Implementation Method 3
At each motor state the rotor is attracted by magnetic fields of the electromagnets so that at least one contact surface of a magnetized stator electromagnet contacts a corresponding contact surface of the rotor and magnetizes the magnetizable region of the rotor associated with the rotor contact surface
Data Source
AI summary
A stepper motor comprising: a stator and a rotor; a plurality of N greater than two electromagnets mounted to the stator or to the rotor, each of the electromagnets comprising a core having at least one contact surface, wherein the at least one contact surface of any of the cores is rotatable about a same first axis of rotation with a same first radius of rotation into substantial congruence with at least a portion of the at least one contact surface of any other of the electromagnet cores; and a coupling of the rotor to the stator configured to enable rotation of the rotor and contact of the stator and rotor along at least one contact surface during operation of the motor.