Transversal-Acceleration Actuator With Asymmetric Mass Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices activated by centrifugal force are sensitive to design variations and angular velocity, leading to imbalance and unwanted activation, particularly at low rotational speeds where centrifugal force is weaker than gravitational force.
Innovation Solution
An actuator activated by transversal acceleration from rotational acceleration, featuring nonuniform mass distribution about its pivot point, with coupling mechanisms that engage upon exceeding a threshold acceleration, allowing for controlled activation and deactivation, and incorporating features like friction brakes and electronic interfaces for versatile applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If devices are actuated by centrifugal force, then they activate when rotation exceeds a certain angular velocity, but they are sensitive to design variations and angular velocity, leading to imbalance and unwanted activation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the activation parameter from angular velocity (centrifugal force) to angular acceleration (transversal acceleration). This is achieved by designing bodies with nonuniform mass distribution about the pivot point, causing them to rotate in response to angular acceleration rather than centrifugal force. This parameter change eliminates sensitivity to angular velocity and design variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetric mass distribution in the actuator bodies about their pivot points. This asymmetry creates a moment that responds specifically to angular acceleration, allowing the bodies to rotate and activate the actuator only when angular acceleration exceeds a threshold, while remaining insensitive to uniform rotational speed and design tolerances.
2Speed
If centrifugal force is used for activation, then activation occurs at higher rotational speeds, but activation is unwanted at low rotational speeds where centrifugal force is weaker than gravitational force
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the activation parameter from angular velocity to angular acceleration. Since angular acceleration can be significant even at low rotational speeds (when the object is speeding up), this allows the actuator to activate across a broader speed range, including low speeds, whereas centrifugal force-based actuators require high rotational speeds to generate sufficient force.
3Measurement precision
If the actuator uses nonuniform mass distribution for acceleration activation, then precise activation control is achieved, but the design becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses asymmetric mass distribution in the actuator bodies to create a moment that responds to angular acceleration. This asymmetric design, while more complex than symmetric alternatives, provides precise activation control because the moment generated is directly proportional to the angular acceleration and the asymmetric mass distribution, enabling threshold-based activation.
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 actuator provides a design that is less sensitive to vibrations and external forces, enabling precise activation and deactivation, reducing unwanted activations, and allowing for efficient braking or clutching functions across various rotational speeds.
Implementation Method 1
an actuator primarily activated by transversal acceleration arising from rotational acceleration of a rotatable object
Implementation Method 2
The rotation will give rise to a centrifugal force that is dependent on the angular velocity of the rotating body
Implementation Method 3
the body pivot point and/or the body is arranged such that a mass distribution of the body is nonuniform about the body pivot point
Implementation Method 4
at least one coupling arrangement arranged to operatively couple at least two of said at least two bodies
Data Source
Figure 1~2c
Figure 3~4b
Figure 5~6d
AI summary
An actuator (100) primarily activated by transversal acceleration arising from rotational acceleration of a rotatable object is presented. The object is rotatable in a plane of rotation (P) about an object pivot point (12) in the plane of rotation (P). The actuator (100) comprises at least two bodies (110) adapted to be rotatably, in or parallel to the plane of rotation (P), coupled to the object at a body pivot point (120) of each body (110). The body pivot point (120) and/or the body (110) is arranged such that a mass distribution of the body (110) is nonuniform about the body pivot point (120). The actuator (100) further comprises at least one coupling arrangement (130) arranged to operatively couple at least two of said at least two bodies (110). Due to said nonuniform mass distribution about the body pivot point (120), the actuator (100) is configured to transition to an activated state, in response to rotational acceleration of the object, by said at least two bodies (110) rotating about their respective body pivot points (120) in a direction opposite to a direction of said rotational acceleration of the object.