Concentric Shaft Transmission Sensor Carrier for Precise Positioning
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing actuator transmission systems face challenges in accurately determining the position and location of input and output shafts due to complex wiring and calibration errors, leading to imprecise positioning and control of end-effectors.
Innovation Solution
A transmission system with a carrier-mounted input and output sensors, allowing for concentric shaft alignment and adjustable sensor targets to reduce radial tolerances and errors, along with a passage for routing cables and lines, enhancing positional accuracy and simplifying sensor assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensors are mounted at different locations on the transmission housing, then the input and output shaft positions can be sensed independently, but the wiring and circuitry become complex and mounting precision becomes difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines both the input sensor and output sensor mounts onto a single carrier assembly that is rigidly attached to the transmission housing. This merging of sensor mounting functions into one integrated structure simplifies the overall wiring arrangement and reduces the number of separate mounting locations required, while still allowing both shaft positions to be sensed independently with appropriate precision
2Measurement precision
If encoders are located separately on the transmission, then each shaft can be measured independently, but tolerance accumulation introduces significant error in control circuitry calculations
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating both encoder mounts onto a single carrier assembly that is rigidly attached to the housing, the patent reduces the number of separate manufacturing operations and tolerance accumulation points. The carrier itself becomes the reference frame for both encoders, eliminating the need to maintain precise relative positions between separately mounted encoders on different housing surfaces
3Measurement precision
If sensors are mounted on opposite sides of the transmission, then both input and output shafts can be sensed, but calibration becomes necessary for each specific transmission to achieve precise positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated carrier assembly provides a unified reference frame for both sensors, which are now positioned relative to the same rigid structure rather than opposite sides of the housing. This reduces the number of independent calibration parameters and simplifies the calibration process, as the relative geometry between sensors is fixed by the carrier assembly rather than requiring field adjustment for each transmission unit
4Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are mounted separately in the transmission, then comprehensive shaft position data can be collected, but the sensor assembly construction becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates both the input sensor and output sensor mounts onto a single carrier assembly that is rigidly attached to the transmission housing. This merging of sensor mounting functions into one integrated structure simplifies the overall construction by reducing the number of separate components and assembly steps, while still allowing both shaft positions to be sensed independently with appropriate precision
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier assembly serves as an intermediary structure that provides a rigid mounting platform for both sensors. This intermediary component absorbs the complexity of holding multiple sensors at precise relative positions, while presenting a simple single-unit attachment to the housing, thereby simplifying the overall sensor assembly construction
Data Source
AI summary
A transmission includes a housing having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, a carrier mounted to the housing, an input shaft, an output shaft, a passage that extends from the housings first end to the housings second end to allow a via through the housing, an input sensor, and an output sensor. The carrier has a first side that faces in a first direction, and a second side that faces in a direction other than the first direction. The input sensor is mounted to the carrier and disposed on the first side of the carrier. The output sensor is mounted to the same carrier and disposed on the carrier's second side. The input and output shafts rotate about the same axis.