TW201918012A - A driving assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

A driving assembly has a linear driving mechanism, an output member, and a resilient member. The linear driving mechanism has a stepping motor, a thread rod assembly, and a linearly moveable member. The stepping motor is combined with the linearly moveable member and is connected with the threaded rod assembly to drive the linear moveable member to linearly and reciprocatively move along a power input axis. The output member is disposed on a side of the linearly moveable member and has a capability of linearly moving along a power output axis that is co-axially with the power input axis. The resilient member is connected between the linearly moveable member and the output member to provide dual directional force and a resilient force along the power input axis. With such an arrangement, the driving assembly can provide a driving effect in dual directions and has a high torque density ratio. The input and the output are co-axial with each other, the structure of the driving assembly can be simplified and the loss of the torque transmission can be reduced. The driving assembly has the functions of energy-storing and buffering and can be applied in an interactive robot filed.

Description

Linear series elastic actuator

The present invention relates to an actuator, and more particularly to a linear series elastic actuator suitable for use in the technical fields of humanoid robots, rehabilitation mechanisms, and the like.

Existing industrial robots use a motor module as a driver. However, because the movement of the industrial robot emphasizes speed and rigidity, a relatively large actuator is used. However, the demand for movement speed and rigidity of rehabilitation robots, humanoid robots or prosthetic robots is not as high as that of industrial robots, but focuses on mobility and human-machine affinity. Therefore, drivers for rehabilitation robots, humanoid robots, or prosthetic robots need to have different thinking. Instead of using lightweight motor modules as the main design considerations, a high torque-to-density ratio motor is required.

However, it is known that the motor modules used in rehabilitation robots still follow the design thinking of industrial robots. They are mainly DC brush motors or DC brushless motors, and their torque density ratio is not good. It is difficult for rehabilitation robots and humanoid robots. Or a prosthetic robot provides a suitable drive. Secondly, the motor module in the existing drive transmits the power provided by the motor input shaft to the screw output shaft by using a pulley set or a gear set, so that the input and the output are not coaxial, thereby increasing the loss of the torque transmission of the motor.

The object of the present invention is to provide a linear series elastic actuator, which solves the problem that the torque density ratio of the DC brushless or brushless motor used in the existing rehabilitation robot and the like is not good, and it is difficult to meet the light weight requirement of the rehabilitation robot, and the input and output are not Coaxial causes problems such as loss of torque transmission of the motor.

In order to achieve the foregoing, the linear series elastic actuator proposed by the present invention comprises: a linear drive mechanism comprising a stepping motor, a screw assembly and a linear moving component, the screw assembly connecting the stepping motor, a linear moving component is disposed on one side of the stepping motor and connected to the screw assembly, the linear moving component can be driven by the screw assembly to linearly reciprocate along a power input axis; a power output component is disposed in the linear motion An axial side of the component and capable of linearly reciprocating along a power output axial direction, the power output axial direction being coaxial with the power input axial direction; and an elastic component coupled to the linear moving component and the power The output member is provided with an elastic force in the same axial direction as the power input shaft.

In the linear series elastic actuator as described above, the displacement sensor is provided on one side of the elastic member, and the amount of deformation of the elastic member can be sensed to convert the output force.

By the invention of the linear series elastic actuator, the linear series elastic actuator of the present invention has at least the following features compared with the prior linear actuator: 1. Both cis, reverse drive and high torque density ratio Function: The present invention uses a stepping motor as a power source in its linear drive mechanism, and the stepping motor has the functions of forward and reverse drive, high torque to density ratio, low price and high reliability, and has good advantages. . 2. With precise force control function: the invention utilizes the rigidity of the elastic member connected between the linear moving component and the power output component, so that the stepping motor can easily and accurately control the output force within the deformation amount of the elastic component. . 3, input and output coaxial, the structure is simplified and can reduce the loss of transmission torque: the present invention also utilizes the linear motion component of the linear drive mechanism that can be driven by the screw to linearly reciprocate along a power input axial direction, and the power output component can Reciprocating linearly along a power output axial direction, the power output axial direction is coaxial with the power input axial direction, and the elastic component connected between the linear moving component and the power output component can transmit power bidirectionally and provide The elastic force in the same axial direction as the power input shaft, so that the input power, the output power and the elastic force are all in the same axial direction, so that the overall structure of the linear series elastic actuator is arranged tightly. The number of parts is small and the structure is simplified, and the stepping motor can directly drive the screw, and input power to the power output part through the coaxial linear moving parts and elastic parts, so that the power output part produces linear motion, so it can be effective Reduce the loss of the torque transmitted by the stepper motor. 4. Advantages of small size and light weight: As described above, the present invention utilizes a mechanism of input and output coaxiality, so that the overall structure of the linear series elastic actuator is tightly arranged, and the size is small, and at the same time, Due to the small number of components, the structure is simplified and the weight is reduced. 5. Fields that can be universally applied to robots that need to interact with people or the environment: the present invention utilizes the integral mechanism of its linear series elastic actuators, in which an elastic member is coaxially coupled between the linear moving member and the power output member. The transmission of force and the ability to provide the same axial axial force as the power input, so that it has the ability of energy storage and impact protection, especially for robots that need to interact with people or the environment, such as mobility and human-machine affinity, such as complex In the technical field of a health robot, a humanoid robot or a prosthetic robot, the linear series elastic actuator of the present invention can provide an excellent driving foundation and ensure the safety of cooperation.

The present invention can further provide a displacement sensor disposed on one side of the elastic member, and the displacement sensor senses the deformation amount of the elastic member to convert the output force, so that the linear series elastic actuator can utilize low cost. Displacement sensors produce more accurate forward and reverse force control characteristics, while achieving high torque density and accurate force control.

As shown in Figures 1 and 4, several preferred embodiments of the linear series elastic actuator of the present invention are disclosed. As can be seen from the drawings, the linear series elastic actuators A and B contain A linear drive mechanism 1A, 1B, a power output member 2A, 2B and an elastic member 3A, 3B.

As shown in FIG. 1 , FIG. 2 , FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 , the linear drive mechanism 1A, 1B includes a stepping motor 10A, 10B, a screw assembly 12A, 12B and a linear moving part 13A, 13B, the screw assembly 12A, 12B is connected to the stepping motors 10A, 10B. The linear moving parts 13A, 13B are provided on one side of the stepping motors 10A, 10B and connected to the screw assemblies 12A, 12B, and the linear moving parts 13A, 13B can be screwed by the screw assembly 12A. 12B drives and reciprocates linearly along a power input axis.

As shown in FIG. 1 , FIG. 2 , FIG. 3 , and FIG. 4 , the power output members 2A and 2B are disposed on one axial side of the linear motion members 13A and 13B and can linearly reciprocate along a power output axial direction. The power output axial direction is the same axial direction as the power input axial direction.

As shown in FIG. 1 , FIG. 2 , FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 , the elastic members 3A and 3B are connected to the two-way transmission force between the linear motion members 13A and 13B and the power output members 2A and 2B, and can provide the same. The power input axially has the same axial force.

As shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, in the first preferred embodiment of the linear series elastic actuator A of the present invention, the stepping motor 10A includes a drive shaft, and the power output member 2A is disposed on the linear motion member 13A. Between the stepping motor 10A and the stepping motor 10A, the power output member 2A has a through hole 21A. The screw assembly 12A includes a screw 121A and a screw sleeve. The screw sleeve is disposed in the moving member 13A, and the screw 121A passes the power. The through hole 21A of the output member 2A is coaxially connected to the drive shaft of the stepping motor 10A by a coupling 123A. The end of the screw 121A facing away from the stepping motor 10A is pivotally disposed in a screw support base 18A. A support frame 17A is disposed on the outer side of the coupling 123A. The support frame 17A has a stepping motor 10A. The support frame 17A has a bearing seat 171A. The screw 121A is pivoted to the support frame at one end of the stepping motor 10A. In the bearing housing 171A of 17A, the screw 121A is screwed to a threaded sleeve provided in the linear moving member 13A.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the linear series elastic actuator A further includes at least one slide rail 16A, which is disclosed in the drawings as having two slide rails 16A parallel to the screw 121A. The moving part 13A and the power output part 2A are respectively disposed on the slide rail 16A and can linearly move along the slide rail 16A. The linear series elastic actuator A can be disposed on a substrate 15A by using the stepping motor 10A. The support frame 17 is assembled on the substrate 15A, and the slide rail 16A and the distal bearing housing 14A are fixed on the substrate 15A.

In the first preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, the elastic member 3A includes a spring 30A. The spring 30A is sleeved on the outer side of the screw 121A, and the two ends of the spring 30A are respectively connected to the linear motion. The component 13A and the power output component 2A.

In the first preferred embodiment of the linear series elastic actuator A shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, the linear series elastic actuator A further includes a displacement sensor 5A, and the displacement sensor 5A is disposed on One side of the elastic member 3A can sense the amount of deformation of the elastic member 3A connected between the linear moving member 13A and the power output member 2A to convert the output force, thereby accurately controlling the linear series elastic actuator The output power of A.

As shown in FIG. 4 to FIG. 6, in the second preferred embodiment of the linear series elastic actuator B of the present invention, the stepping motor 10B includes an axially penetrating rotor 11B, and the linear moving member 13 is provided. In the power output component 2B, the screw assembly 12B includes a screw 121B and a screw sleeve 122B screwed on the screw 121B. The screw 121B is coaxially connected to the rotor 11B, and passes the power along the power input shaft. The output member 2B, the end of the screw 121B is pivotally connected to the linear moving member 13B, the elastic member 3B includes a spring 30B, the spring 30B is sleeved outside the screw assembly 12B, and the two ends of the spring 30B are respectively connected to the linear moving member 13B and the power output unit 2B.

In the second preferred embodiment of the linear series elastic actuator B shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the stepping motor 10B includes an axially penetrating rotor 11B, and the power output member 2B includes an active space 22B, and a first side plate 23B and a second side plate 24B are disposed on one of the axially opposite sides of the movable space 22B. The first side plate 23B defines a through hole 21B communicating with the movable space 22B. The linear moving member 13B is linearly movable. The screw assembly 12B is disposed in the movable space 22B of the power output component 2B. The screw assembly 12B includes a screw 121B and a screw sleeve 122B. The screw sleeve 122B is fixed to one axial end of the rotor 11B, and the screw 121B can linearly move. The screw 11B is screwed into the screw sleeve 122B, and the screw 121B is also pivotally connected to the linear motion member 13B through the through hole 21B of the first side plate 23B and extends into the movable space 22B. The elastic member 3B includes A spring 30B is sleeved on the outside of the screw assembly 12A, and the two ends of the spring 30B are respectively connected to the linear moving part 13B and the first side plate 23B of the power output part 2B.

In the second preferred embodiment of the linear series elastic actuator shown in FIG. 4 to FIG. 6, the linear series elastic actuator further includes a displacement sensor 5B, and the displacement sensor 5B is disposed on the elasticity. One side of the member 3B is capable of sensing the amount of deformation of the elastic member 3B and converting the output force.

The linear series elastic actuator of the present invention is suitable for use in a field of a rehabilitation robot, a humanoid robot, a prosthetic robot, or other robots that need to be in contact with a person or an environment, and uses the linear series elastic actuator of the present invention as a power supply driver. And connecting the aforementioned movable parts of the robot with a power output component.

Taking the first preferred embodiment of the linear series elastic actuator shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 as an example, in the linear series elastic actuator of the present invention, the linear driving mechanism 1A uses the stepping motor 10A as a power source. The intake motor 10A is provided with a forward and reverse bidirectional driving function, and the stepping motor 10A can supply torque to drive the screw assembly 12A and drive the linear moving members 13A, 13B to linearly move, thereby driving the power output member 2A connected to the load via the elastic member 3A in the same axial direction. The linear motion allows the robot to produce motion. In the foregoing, the rigidity of the elastic member 3A connected between the linear moving members 13A, 13B and the power output member 2A is small, so that the stepping motor 10A can easily and accurately control the output force within the amount of deformation of the elastic member 3A.

The present invention can further provide a displacement sensor 5A disposed on one side of the elastic member 3A, and the displacement sensor 5A senses the deformation amount of the elastic member 3A to convert the output force, so that the linear series elastic actuator can The use of the low-cost displacement sensor 5A produces more accurate forward and reverse force control characteristics, achieving high torque density and accurate power control.

In summary, the linear drive mechanism in the linear series elastic actuator of the present invention uses a stepping motor as a power source, and the stepping motor has a forward and reverse bidirectional driving function, and has a high torque density ratio, and is inexpensive and reliable. High degree of characteristics, and the use of the elastic member connected between the linear moving member and the power output member is less rigid, so that the stepping motor can easily and accurately control the output force within the deformation amount of the elastic member, so that the linearity of the present invention Series elastic actuators have good advantages.

Furthermore, the linear series elastic actuator of the present invention has a compact arrangement of the input and output coaxial shafts, and the overall structure of the linear series elastic actuator is tightly arranged, and the number of components is small, and the structure is simplified, and the overall size is small and light. The characteristics of quantification. The stepping motor can also directly drive the screw, and input power to the power output component through the coaxial linear moving component and the elastic component, thereby causing the power output component to generate linear motion, thereby effectively reducing the loss of the transmission torque of the stepping motor. Moreover, the present invention utilizes its linear series elastic actuator to also coaxially connect the linear moving member and the power output member to the two-way transmission force by the elastic member, so as to have the energy storage and impact protection capability, especially for the mobility and the human machine. The linear series elastic actuator of the present invention can provide an excellent driving foundation and ensure the safety of cooperation, such as affinity, such as a robot that needs to interact with a person or an environment, such as a rehabilitation robot, a humanoid robot, or a prosthetic robot.

1A, 1B‧‧‧ linear drive mechanism

10A, 10B‧‧‧ stepper motor

11B‧‧‧Rotor

12A, 12B‧‧‧ screw components

121A, 121B‧‧‧ screw

122B‧‧‧Sleeve

123A‧‧‧Coupling

13A, 13B‧‧‧ linear moving parts

14A‧‧‧Real bearing housing

15A‧‧‧Substrate

16A‧‧‧rails

17A‧‧‧Support frame

18A‧‧‧ screw support

2A, 2B‧‧‧ power output components

21A‧‧‧through hole

21B‧‧‧through hole

22B‧‧‧Event space

23B‧‧‧First side panel

24B‧‧‧ second side panel

3A, 3B‧‧‧Flexible parts

30A, 30B‧‧ spring

5A, 5B‧‧‧ Displacement Sensor

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of a linear series elastic actuator of the present invention. 2 is a perspective view showing another viewing angle of the first preferred embodiment of the linear series elastic actuator shown in FIG. 1. 3 is a top plan view showing a first preferred embodiment of the linear series elastic actuator shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Figure 4 is a perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of the linear series elastic actuator of the present invention. Figure 5 is a perspective view showing another viewing angle of the second preferred embodiment of the linear series elastic actuator shown in Figure 4. Figure 6 is a top plan view showing a second preferred embodiment of the linear series elastic actuator shown in Figures 4 and 5.

Claims (6)

A linear series elastic actuator comprising: a linear drive mechanism comprising a stepping motor, a screw assembly and a linear moving component, the screw assembly being coupled to the stepping motor, the linear moving component being disposed on the stepping motor Connected to the screw assembly on one side, the linear moving member can be driven by the screw assembly to linearly reciprocate along a power input axis; a power output member is disposed on one axial side of the linear moving member, and can Reciprocating linearly along a power output axial direction, the power output axial direction is coaxial with the power input shaft; and an elastic member coupled between the linear moving component and the power output component, and capable of providing The power input is axially elastic with the same axial direction. The linear series elastic actuator of claim 1, wherein the stepping motor comprises a rotor, the power output component is disposed between the linear motion component and the stepping motor, and the power output component has a through hole therein. The screw assembly includes a screw and a screw sleeve screwed on the screw, the screw is coaxially connected to the rotor, and axially passes through the through hole of the power output component along the power input, and the screw sleeve is assembled on the In the linear motion component, the elastic component includes a spring sleeved on the outer side of the screw, and the two ends of the spring are respectively connected to the linear motion component and the power output component. The linear series elastic actuator of claim 2, wherein the linear series elastic actuator further comprises at least one slide rail, the slide rail is parallel to the screw, and the linear motion component and the power output component are respectively disposed On the slide rail, one end of the screw facing away from the stepping motor is pivoted in a distal bearing housing. The linear series elastic actuator of claim 2, wherein the linear series elastic actuator further comprises at least one slide rail, the slide rail is parallel to the screw, and the linear motion component and the power output component are respectively disposed On the slide rail, one end of the screw facing away from the stepping motor is pivotally disposed in a screw support seat, the screw is coaxially connected to the drive shaft by a coupling, and a support frame is arranged outside the coupling. The frame has a bearing seat, and one end of the screw facing the stepping motor is pivoted in a bearing seat of the support frame. The linear series elastic actuator of claim 1, wherein the stepping motor comprises an axially penetrating rotor, the power output component comprises an active space, and one of the axially opposite sides of the movable space a side plate and a second side plate, wherein the first side plate defines a through hole communicating with the movable space, the screw assembly comprises a screw and a screw sleeve fixed to an axial end of the rotor, the screw system The screw can be linearly moved through the rotor and the screw sleeve. The screw passes through the through hole of the first side plate and protrudes into the movable space. The linear moving component can be linearly moved in the movable space and The screw is assembled, and the elastic component comprises a spring sleeved on the outside of the screw assembly, and the two ends of the spring are respectively connected to the linear moving component and the first side plate of the power output component. The linear series elastic actuator of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the linear series elastic actuator further comprises a displacement sensor, the displacement sensor being disposed on one of the elastic members On the side, the amount of deformation of the elastic member can be sensed to convert the output force.