Stacked X-Y Table Actuator with Segregated Drive Chambers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional X-Y table actuators face challenges in miniaturization and thrust due to the rectangular shape of the intermediate plate, which limits drive means arrangement and processing complexity, and heat dissipation issues with coil members.
Innovation Solution
The X-Y table actuator features a stationary plate and movable plate formed into channel-shapes with an intermediate plate of the same size, allowing for separate housing chambers for X and Y-direction drive means, eliminating the need for recessed processing and enabling larger stroke ranges without increasing overall size, and using linear motors with magnet and coil members for enhanced thrust.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If both drive means are mounted on the intermediate plate, then the structure is compact, but each drive means must be miniaturized which reduces the thrust that can be applied
Solution Approach 1:
The drive means are segregated onto different plates: the first drive means is mounted on the stationary plate while the second drive means is mounted on the movable plate. This segmentation allows each drive means to be fully sized without constraint, maximizing thrust output while maintaining compactness through the stacked plate configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive means are nested within the stacked plate structure. The first drive means is housed in the housing chamber formed by the stationary plate and intermediate plate, while the second drive means is housed in the housing chamber formed by the intermediate plate and movable plate, creating a compact nested arrangement.
2Ease of manufacture
If the intermediate plate is made smaller than the stationary and movable plates, then the drive means can be arranged, but the array length of magnet members becomes shorter limiting stroke range
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator is segmented into three plates of equal size that stack together. This segmentation allows the magnet members to be arranged across the full area of the stationary and movable plates rather than being constrained by a smaller intermediate plate, maximizing the array length and stroke range.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing chambers are formed in the third dimension through plate stacking rather than by reducing the two-dimensional area of the intermediate plate. This allows the magnet members to be arranged over the full plate area, maintaining maximum stroke range while providing space for drive means.
3Ease of operation
If the intermediate plate is formed into a rectangular shape, then it can be loosely fitted to accommodation grooves, but recessed processing is required to form housing chambers increasing manufacturing complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator is segmented into multiple plates that are assembled together. The housing chambers are formed by the combination of these segmented plates rather than by recessed processing of a single plate, eliminating complex manufacturing steps while maintaining the rectangular shape and loose fitting capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The functions of forming housing chambers and maintaining rectangular plate shapes are combined through the stacked plate configuration. The housing chambers are created by the spatial arrangement and combination of multiple plates, allowing each plate to maintain its simple rectangular shape without recessed processing.
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
This design achieves significant miniaturization, easy manufacturing, and enhanced thrust with reduced interference between drive means, while allowing for larger movement ranges and improved heat management through efficient coil member placement.
Implementation Method 1
using linear motors with magnet and coil members for enhanced thrust
Data Source
AI summary
An X-Y table actuator is constituted by stacking a stationary plate, an intermediate plate, and a movable plate. Between the stationary plate and the intermediate plate, arranged is an X-direction drive means for driving the intermediate plate in an X-direction with respect to the stationary plate. Between the intermediate plate and the movable plate, on the other hand, there is provided a Y-direction drive means for moving the movable plate forward and backward in a Y-direction with respect to the intermediate plate. By stacking the stationary plate and the movable plate, which are formed into a substantially channel-shape, and the intermediate plate, which is formed into a substantially flat-shape on each other, a housing chamber for the X-direction drive means is formed between the stationary plate and the intermediate plate, and a housing chamber for the Y-direction drive means is formed between the intermediate plate and the movable plate.