Yoke Shaft Stage Driver with Pivot Locking Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stage drivers for precision instruments lack simplicity, reliability, and high controllability in achieving precise and rapid linear motion, particularly in supporting microscopes and other optical instruments.
Innovation Solution
A stage driver featuring a yoke affixed to a movable stage with spring-biased pivot members that allow sliding and locking along a shaft, enabling both coarse and fine positioning through controlled sliding and screw thread adjustments, ensuring precise and rapid motion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If rack and pinion devices or gears are used to regulate motion, then positioning precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of motion regulation from complex rack and pinion or gear mechanisms, retaining only the critical elements needed for positioning. The yoke-shaft-pivot member assembly provides the necessary positioning function with significantly reduced complexity compared to traditional gear systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivot members serve as intermediaries between the yoke and shaft, providing a simple yet effective mechanism for locking and unlocking the yoke position. This intermediary element enables precise positioning without requiring complex gear trains or rack-and-pinion assemblies.
2Speed
If friction wheel and friction track systems are used, then rapid displacement capability is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to wear and lateral forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the friction-based contact mechanism entirely, extracting only the essential function of motion transmission. The yoke slides along the shaft without frictional contact, eliminating wear issues while maintaining the ability for rapid displacement through direct mechanical coupling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the friction-based mechanical system with a sliding mechanism that eliminates lateral forces and wear. The pivot members engage with the shaft through controlled contact only when locking is required, otherwise the yoke slides freely along the shaft without friction.
3Measurement precision
If brake shoes and clamping elements are used for positioning, then positioning precision is improved, but device complexity and lateral forces on shafts increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the positioning function from complex brake shoe and clamping element assemblies, retaining only the essential locking capability. The pivot members provide positioning through simple engagement with the shaft, eliminating the need for separate brake shoes and clamping elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the positioning and locking functions into a single integrated mechanism. The pivot members simultaneously provide both the positioning function and the locking function, eliminating the need for separate brake shoes and clamping elements that would increase device complexity.
4Measurement precision
If coarse and fine positioning mechanisms are added, then positioning precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the yoke-shaft-pivot member assembly multi-functional, serving both as a coarse positioning mechanism through free sliding and as a fine positioning mechanism through controlled engagement of pivot members. This universal mechanism eliminates the need for separate coarse and fine adjustment systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic characteristics to the positioning mechanism, where the pivot members can transition between engaged and disengaged states. This dynamic capability allows the same mechanism to provide both coarse positioning (when disengaged) and fine positioning (when engaged), reducing overall device complexity.
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 solution provides a simple, reliable, and highly controllable mechanism for precise linear motion, suitable for microscopes and other precision instruments, offering both coarse and fine positioning capabilities with minimal lateral shift and high precision.
Implementation Method 1
spring biased pivot members affixed to the yoke that in one position allow sliding of the yoke along the shaft and in another position lock the yoke against the shaft
Implementation Method 2
the shaft has screw threads at one end so that when the yoke is locked in place on the shaft, the yoke and shaft can be advanced slowly and in small amounts by turning the screw threads
Data Source
AI summary
A manually operated driver for precision support stages having coarse and optional fine position control. A yoke connected to a movable stage slides along a shaft parallel to the direction of motion of the stage. The yoke has opposing pivot members that can, in one position, contact the shaft to self-lock the position of the yoke on the shaft and, in another position, remain clear of the shaft thereby allowing the yoke to slide freely on the shaft for coarse position control. The shaft has threads at one end that turn into a support block. Turning of the shaft with a knob and with the yoke locked to the shaft, slowly changes the position of the yoke and the connected stage for fine position adjustment of the stage. A pair of such drivers in orthogonal orientation on parallel x-y movable stages will provide two dimensional motion of stages.