Patent Application
20060050173
The present invention relates to a rotation system with three degrees of freedom, using at least three guide rails, wherein one of the guide rails and two other guide rails are installed on a base so as to be orthogonal to each other, an indication bar is installed on a rotor, and at least one slider is installed on the indication bar, which detect a direction of the rotor by rotating the guide rails, sliding along the guide rails, and rotate the rotor by rotating the guide rails by actuators.
Many motors with three degrees of freedom like ones using a piezoelectric element (refer to Published Unexamined Japanese Patent Application No. S62-228392, Published Unexamined Japanese Patent Application No. H09-34409, Published Unexamined Japanese Patent Application No. H09-219980, Published Unexamined Japanese Patent Application No. H11-18459 and PCT Publication Number WO 02/15358), ones using a synchronous motor (refer to Tomoaki Yano, Makoto Kaneko, “Basic Consideration of Actuators with Multi Degrees of Freedom Having an Identical Center of Rotation”, Journal of Robotics Society of Japan, Vol. 11, No. 6, pp. 875-882, 1993), ones using a stepping motor (refer to Tomoaki Yano, Takeo Suzuki, Masuo Sonoda, Makoto Kaneko, “An Actuator with Three Degrees of Freedom Having an Identical Center of Rotation (4th Report) Development of a Stepping Motor and its Basic Experiments”, Proceedings of Robotics and Mechatronics, No. E307, pp. 1210-1211, The Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers, 1994), and ones using an electromagnet (refer to Published Unexamined Japanese Patent Application No. S62-221856, Published Unexamined Japanese Patent Application No. H05-64417 and Published Unexamined Japanese Patent Application No. H09-168275) have been developed. In a case of detecting angles of three rotation axes by using three encoders, however, it is necessary for at least one encoder to be rotated together with a motor. Therefore, not only they must make their structure more complex, but also they must make torque of their motor more bigger than a desired amount. Moreover, they can decide a precise position in a case of using some stepping motors. However, even though they do not use the encoders, they have to rotate at least one stepping motor centering around at least one rotation axis. Therefore, as a position detection method for transfer organization with multi degrees of freedom, one using an acceleration detector (refer to Published Unexamined Japanese Patent Application No. H05-64417 and Published Unexamined Japanese Patent Application No. H09-168275), one using an electromagnet (refer to Tomoaki Yano, Makoto Kaneko, “An Actuator with Multi Degrees of Freedom Having an Identical Center of Rotation (6th Report) Position Control of the Multi-Pole Synchronous Motor”, 12th meeting of Robotic Society, No. 1354, pp. 193-194, 1994), and so on have also been developed. However, there are the following problems about these methods: For example, in a case of using an acceleration detector, their accuracy of a position becomes worse as time goes by because of accumulation of errors even though their structure is simple and can detect for all of three degrees of freedom without limit. In addition, in a case of using an electromagnet, weight of a device itself becomes heavy, a part detecting a line of magnetic force is desired, and the line of magnetic force has a bad influence on some electronic parts.
For applications of a motor with multi degrees of freedom, now, we can consider many cases that it has only to rotate freely within a specific range, for example, like a moving camera and a back mirror, besides a case of rotating endlessly around three rotation axes. Here, rotation with three degrees of freedom can be realized by using a spherical surface bearing if it is not necessary to drive like a motor (for example, refer to Published Unexamined Japanese Patent Application No. H07-317758, Published Unexamined Japanese Patent Application No. H09-166135 and Published Unexamined Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-304039). Therefore, it can detect rotation angles up to 180 degrees around two rotation axes, by installing an indication bar on a rotor of the spherical surface bearing, moreover by rotating two orthogonal guide rails by using the indication bar. This method, however, can not only detect an inclination angle of the rotor rotating centering around the indication bar, but also stop rotation of the rotor centering around the indication bar. Suppose then that a new guide rail is installed as it becomes parallel for either one of two guide rails. In this case, if a slider installed on the indication bar moves parallel along to the new guide rail, the guide rail can always keep inclination of the rotor constantly, without almost making an action range of two rotation axes narrow. In addition, for some applications like a moving camera and a back mirror, it is seldom necessary to rotate the rotor 360 degrees, centering around the indication bar. Therefore, if inclination of the rotor can be fine-tuned, a motor with multi degrees of freedom is practical enough. If the slider can slide along one of two guide rails which are parallel even though a gap between these guide rails varies, these guide rails can detect inclination of the rotor up to 180 degrees.
Considering these facts, since a guide rail and two guide rails which are parallel are combined so as to be orthogonal with each other, the number of rotation axes of these guide rails is two, where three encoders are desired to detect each rotation angle of the guide rails. In short, since it is not necessary for these encoders to move according to rotation of a rotor, the rotor comes to be able to detect rotation angles of three rotation axes easily. Of course, the rotor comes to be able to rotate independently around three rotation axes, by rotating these guide rails by actuators.
In the present invention described in claims, a rotation system with three degrees of freedom is developed, where one guide rail and two guide rails which are parallel are combined so as to be orthogonal, moreover some encoders installed on a base detect rotation angles of these guide rails. In addition, in the present invention described in claims, a rotation system with three degrees of freedom, which rotates these guide rails by using actuators installed on a base, is also developed.
The invention described in claim 1 is a rotation system with three degrees of freedom comprising a rotor comprising a part or a whole of a sphere, an indication bar, at least one slider, at least one base, four shafts, six bearings, and three first to third guide rails, wherein said rotor includes said indication bar, said first guide rail is installed on said base by using two said shafts and two said bearings, said second guide rail and said third guide rail are installed on said base by using two remaining said shafts and four remaining said bearings, and at least one said slider is installed on or concatenated with said indication bar, moreover wherein said rotor rotates centering around two said shafts supporting said first guide rail, sliding said indication bar along said first guide rail, said rotor rotates centering around two said shafts supporting said first guide rail, sliding said indication bar along said second guide rail, and said rotor rotates centering around said indication bar, sliding at least one said slider along said third guide rail.
The present invention is an enforcement form of a rotation system with three degrees of freedom, said rotor of which rotates with three degrees of freedom. In the present invention, said first guide rail, said second guide rail and said third guide rail are formed in a shape of an arc, centering around said rotor mainly. Said rotor rotates according to rotation of these said guide rails, while these said guide rails rotate according to rotation of this said rotor. Each of these said guide rails may be in a shape of a bar, or may have a slit. In particular, in a case that each of these said guide rails has this said slit, this said guide rail may be cut out from a plate, or may be constructed by combining with at least two wires. Said indication bar is installed on said rotor in a direction passing through a center of this said rotor on an extension line of this said indication bar. Here, this said indication bar may be in a shape of a pipe. Moreover, this said rotor may be hollow. Four said shafts may be fixed to any of said first guide rail, said second guide rail, said third guide rail and at least one said base. Moreover, in a case that these said shafts are fixed to said bases, these said shafts may be installed on these said bases via spacers. Note that two rotation axes connecting to two pairs of said shafts are orthogonal, and pass through a center of this said rotor, respectively. A ball bearing also can be used for said bearing. Since said first guide rail rotates centering around two said shafts, a direction of said indication bar coincides with a direction of this said guide rail. Therefore, said rotor rotates centering around these said shafts according to said direction of this said guide rail. Said second guide rail and said third guide rail rotate centering around the same two said shafts, respectively. However, since two said bearings are installed on each of these said shafts, these said guide rails can rotate independently, respectively. Moreover, here, these guide rails may be in a shape of a nest or may be alternative. In addition, both terminals of said third guide rail are formed as a part in a shape of an arc of this said guide rail and said base become orthogonal. Therefore, in a case that this said guide rail makes a specific angle centering around a rotation axis passing through these said shafts, a gap of this said guide rail and said second guide rail keeps constant in spite of a place. At least one said slider slides along said third guide rail. Therefore, when said gap of these guide rails becomes big, an angle made by a line, which passes through this said slider and said indication bar, and these said guide rails approaches to 90 degrees. Oppositely, when said gap of these guide rails becomes small, an angle made by this said line and these guide rails approaches to 0 degree. By varying said gap of these guide rails, thus, a rotation angle of said rotor centering around an indication bar can be changed. Since said rotor can be rotated with three degrees of freedom without moving all said bases, in the present invention, many problems on a rotation system with three degrees of freedom are solved very well.
The invention described in claim 2 is a rotation system with three degrees of freedom according to claim 1, wherein said indication bar passes through slits, which are opened in at least one of said first guide rail and a second guide rail. Said first guide rail and said second guide rail may be cut out from a plate, respectively, or may be constructed by combining at least two wires. Said first guide rail rotates centering around two said shafts. Therefore, since said indication bar passes through said slit opened in this guide rail, a direction of this said indication bar coincides with a direction of this said guide rail. Said second guide rail rotates centering around two remaining said shafts. Therefore, since this said indication bar passes through said slit opened in this guide rail, a direction of this said indication bar coincides with a direction of this said guide rail. By detecting a direction of these guide rails, thus, a direction of this said indication bar is derived precisely. Since a direction of said indication bar can be decided without spending time and effort too much, in the present invention, many problems on a rotation system with three degrees of freedom are solved very well.
The invention described in claim 3 is a rotation system with three degrees of freedom according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a fourth guide rail is installed on said indication bar, and said slider slides along said fourth guide rail. Said fourth guide rail may be in a shape of a bar, or may have a slit. In particular, in a case that this said guide rail has this said slit, this said guide rail may be cut out from a plate, or may be constructed by combining with at least two wires. Suppose moreover that this said guide rail is in a shape of an umbrella. In this case, this said guide rail can increase the strength. This said guide rail rotates centering around said indication bar. Therefore, since at least one said slider slides along this said guide rail, a rotation direction of this said indication bar coincides with a direction of this said slider viewed from this said indication bar. By detecting a direction of this said indication bar and a direction of these guide rails, thus, a rotation direction of this said indication bar is derived precisely. Since said rotor can be rotated with three degrees of freedom without moving all said bases, in the present invention, many problems on a rotation system with three degrees of freedom are solved very well.
The invention described in claim 4 is a rotation system with three degrees of freedom comprising a rotor comprising a part or a whole of a sphere, an indication bar, at least two sliders, at least one base, four shafts, six bearings, and three first to third guide rails, wherein said rotor comprises said indication bar, said first guide rail is installed on said base by using two said shafts and two said bearings, said second guide rail and said third guide rail are installed on said base by using two remaining said shafts and four remaining said bearings, and at least two said sliders are installed on or concatenated with said indication bar, moreover wherein said rotor rotates centering around two said shafts supporting said first guide rail, sliding said indication bar along said first guide rail, said rotor rotates centering around two said shafts supporting said second guide rail and said third guide rail, sliding at least two said sliders along these guide rails, and said rotor rotates centering around said indication bar, sliding at least two said sliders along said second guide rail and said third guide rail.
The present invention is an enforcement form of a rotation system with three degrees of freedom, said rotor of which rotates with three degrees of freedom. In the present invention, said first guide rail, said second guide rail and said third guide rail are formed in a shape of an arc, centering around said rotor mainly. Said rotor rotates according to rotation of these said guide rails, while these said guide rails rotate according to rotation of this said rotor. Each of these said guide rails may be in a shape of a bar, or may have a slit. In particular, in a case that each of these said guide rails has this said slit, this said guide rail may be cut out from a plate, or may be constructed by combining with at least two wires. Said indication bar is installed on said rotor in a direction passing through a center of this said rotor on an extension line of this said indication bar. Here, this said indication bar may be in a shape of a pipe. Moreover, this said rotor may be hollow. Four said shafts may be fixed to any of said first guide rail, said second guide rail, said third guide rail and at least one said base. Moreover, in a case that these said shafts are fixed to said bases, these said shafts may be installed on these said bases via spacers. Note that two rotation axes connecting to two pairs of said shafts are orthogonal, and pass through a center of this said rotor, respectively. A ball bearing also can be used for said bearing. Since said first guide rail rotates centering around two said shafts, a direction of said indication bar coincides with a direction of this said guide rail. Therefore, said rotor rotates centering around these said shafts according to said direction of this said guide rail. Said second guide rail and a third guide rail rotate centering around the same two said shafts, respectively. However, since two said bearings are installed on each of these said shafts, these said guide rails can rotate independently, respectively. Moreover, here, these guide rails may be in a shape of a nest or may be alternative. In addition, both terminals of these said guide rails are formed as a part in a shape of an arc of each of these said guide rails and said base become orthogonal. Therefore, in a case that these said guide rails make a specific angle centering around a rotation axis passing through these said shafts, a gap of these said guide rails keeps constant in spite of a place. At least two said sliders are installed on or connected with said indication bar so as to face with each other, and slide along these said guide rails, respectively. Therefore, when said gap of these guide rails becomes big, an angle made by these said sliders and these said guide rails approaches to 90 degrees. Oppositely, when said gap of these guide rails becomes small, an angle made by these said sliders and these guide rails approaches to 0 degree. By varying said gap of these guide rails, thus, a rotation angle of said rotor centering around said indication bar can be changed. In addition, suppose that positions of these said sliders are adjusted as this said indication bar is located at a center of said gap of these said guide rails. In this case, since a direction of this said indication bar coincides with said direction of said center of said gap of these said guide rails, said rotor rotates centering around two said shafts supporting these said guide rails, according to this said direction. Since said rotor can be rotated with three degrees of freedom without moving all said bases, in the present invention, many problems on a rotation system with three degrees of freedom are solved very well.
The invention described in claim 5 is a rotation system with three degrees of freedom according to claim 4, wherein said indication bar passes through a slit, which is opened in said first guide rail. Said first guide rail may be cut out from a plate, or may be constructed by combining at least two wires. Said first guide rail rotates centering around two said shafts. Therefore, since said indication bar passes through said slit opened in this guide rail, a direction of this said indication bar coincides with a direction of this said guide rail. By detecting a direction of this guide rail, thus, a rotation angle of this said indication bar centering around two said shafts supporting this said guide rail is derived precisely. Since a direction of said indication bar can be decided without spending time and effort too much, in the present invention, many problems on a rotation system with three degrees of freedom are solved very well.
The invention described in claim 6 is a rotation system with three degrees of freedom according to claim 4 or 5, wherein a fourth guide rail and a fifth guide rail are installed on said indication bar, and two said sliders slide along these said guide rails, respectively. Said fourth guide rail and said fifth guide rail may be in a shape of a bar, or may have a slit. In particular, in a case that these said guide rails have this said slit, these said guide rails may be cut out from a plate, or may be constructed by combining with at least two wires. Suppose moreover that these said guide rails are in a shape of an umbrella, by combining with each other. In this case, these said guide rails can increase the strength. These said guide rails rotate centering around said indication bar. Therefore, since at least two said sliders slide along these said guide rails, a rotation direction of this said indication bar coincides with a direction of at least one said slider viewed from this said indication bar. By detecting a direction of this said indication bar and a direction of these guide rails, thus, a rotation direction of this said indication bar is derived precisely. Since said rotor can be rotated with three degrees of freedom without moving all said bases, in the present invention, many problems on a rotation system with three degrees of freedom are solved very well.
The invention described in claim 7 is a rotation system with three degrees of freedom comprising a rotor comprising a part or a whole of a sphere, an indication bar, at least two sliders, at least one base, four shafts, six bearings, and four first to third and sixth guide rails, wherein said rotor comprises said indication bar, said first guide rail and said sixth guide rail are installed on said base by using two said shafts and two said bearings, said second guide rail and said third guide rail are installed on said base by using two remaining said shafts and four remaining said bearings, and at least two said sliders are installed on or concatenated with said indication bar, moreover wherein said rotor rotates centering around two said shafts supporting said first guide rail and said sixth guide rail, sliding at least two said sliders along these said guide rails, said rotor rotates centering around two said shafts supporting said second guide rail and said third guide rail, sliding at least two said sliders along these guide rails, and said rotor rotates centering around said indication bar, sliding at least two said sliders along said second guide rail and said third guide rail.
The present invention is an enforcement form of a rotation system with three degrees of freedom, said rotor of which rotates with three degrees of freedom. In the present invention, said first guide rail, said second guide rail, said third guide rail and said sixth guide rail are formed in a shape of an arc, centering around said rotor mainly. Said rotor rotates according to rotation of these said guide rails, while these said guide rails rotate according to rotation of this said rotor. Note that said first guide rail and said sixth guide rail are connected, or are made from one material originally. Each of these said guide rails may be in a shape of a bar, or may have a slit. In particular, in a case that each of these said guide rails has this said slit, this said guide rail may be cut out from a plate, or may be constructed by combining with at least two wires. Said indication bar is installed on said rotor in a direction passing through a center of this said rotor on an extension line of this said indication bar. Here, this said indication bar may be in a shape of a pipe. Moreover, this said rotor may be hollow. Four said shafts may be fixed to any of said first guide rail, said second guide rail, a third guide rail and at least one said base. Moreover, in a case that these said shafts are fixed to said bases, these said shafts may be installed on these said bases via spacers. Note that two rotation axes connecting to two pairs of said shafts are orthogonal, and pass through a center of this said rotor, respectively. A ball bearing also can be used for said bearing. Since said first guide rail and said sixth guide rail rotate together centering around two said shafts, a direction of said indication bar coincides with a direction of this said guide rail, by adjusting positions of these guide rails as this said indication bar is located at a center of a gap of these said guide rails. Therefore, said rotor rotates centering around these said shafts according to this said direction. Said second guide rail and a third guide rail rotate centering around the same two said shafts, respectively. However, since two said bearings are installed on each of these said shafts, these said guide rails can rotate independently, respectively. Moreover, here, these guide rails may be in a shape of a nest or may be alternative. In addition, both terminals of these said guide rails are formed as a part in a shape of an arc of each of these said guide rails and said base become orthogonal. Therefore, in a case that these said guide rails make a specific angle centering around a rotation axis passing through these said shafts, a gap of these said guide rails keeps constant in spite of a place. At least two said sliders are installed on or connected with said indication bar so as to face with each other, and slide along these said guide rails, respectively. Therefore, when said gap of these guide rails becomes big, an angle made by these said sliders and these said guide rails approaches to 90 degrees. Oppositely, when said gap of these guide rails becomes small, an angle made by these said sliders and these guide rails approaches to 0 degree. By varying said gap of these guide rails, thus, a rotation angle of said rotor centering around an indication bar can be changed. In addition, suppose that positions of these said sliders are adjusted as this said indication bar is located at a center of said gap of these said guide rails. In this case, since a direction of this said indication bar coincides with said direction of said center of said gap of these said guide rails, said rotor rotates centering around two said shafts supporting these said guide rails, according to this said direction. Since said rotor can be rotated with three degrees of freedom without moving all said bases, in the present invention, many problems on a rotation system with three degrees of freedom are solved very well.
The invention described in claim 8 is a rotation system with three degrees of freedom according to claim 7, wherein at least two said sliders pass through slits, respectively, which are opened in said first guide rail and said sixth guide rail. Said first guide rail and said sixth guide rail may be cut out from a plate, respectively, or may be constructed by combining at least two wires. Note that these said guide rails rotates together centering around two said shafts. These said guide rails rotate centering around these said shafts. Therefore, since at least two said sliders pass through said slits opened in these guide rails, respectively, moreover said indication bar is located at a center of these said sliders, a direction of this said indication bar coincides with a direction of these said guide rails. By detecting a direction of these guide rails, thus, a rotation angle of this said indication bar centering around two said shafts supporting these said guide rails is derived precisely. Since a direction of said indication bar can be decided without spending time and effort too much, in the present invention, many problems on a rotation system with three degrees of freedom are solved very well.
The invention described in claim 9 is a rotation system with three degrees of freedom according to claim 7 or 8, wherein a fourth guide rail and a fifth guide rail are installed on said indication bar, and two said sliders slide along these said guide rails, respectively. Said fourth guide rail and said fifth guide rail may be in a shape of a bar, or may have a slit. In particular, in a case that these said guide rails have this said slit, these said guide rails may be cut out from a plate, or may be constructed by combining with at least two wires. Suppose moreover that these said guide rails are in a shape of an umbrella, by combining with each other. In this case, these said guide rails can increase the strength. These said guide rails rotate centering around said indication bar. Therefore, since at least two said sliders slide along these said guide rails, a rotation direction of this said indication bar coincides with a direction of at least one said slider viewed from this said indication bar. By detecting a direction of this said indication bar and a direction of these guide rails, thus, a rotation direction of this said indication bar is derived precisely. Since said rotor can be rotated with three degrees of freedom without moving all said bases, in the present invention, many problems on a rotation system with three degrees of freedom are solved very well.
The invention described in claim 10 is a rotation system with three degrees of freedom according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein said indication bar is a pipe, and at least one wire passes through said indication bar. In the present invention, said rotor is said sphere or a part of this said sphere, where an internal part of this said sphere may be hollow. An electronic part or a mechanical part is installed on said rotor, and at least one said wire is connected with this said electronic part and this said mechanical part. Note that at least one of these said wires connected with this said electronic part is an electric cable. Therefore, these said wires can be taken out to an external part without twining them round all guide rails. Since all said wires can be taken out from said rotor in spite of a direction of this said rotor, in the present invention, many problems on a rotation system with three degrees of freedom are solved very well.
The invention described in claim 11 is a rotation system with three degrees of freedom according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein all said shafts are installed on at least one said base so as to face with each other every two shafts. Four said shafts may be embedded in said base, may be cut out from at least one said base or may be installed on it via spacers. Note that two rotation axes connecting to two pairs of said shafts are orthogonal, and pass through a center of said rotor, respectively. Each said bearing is installed on or formed at both terminals of said second guide rail and a third guide rail, respectively, moreover is connected to two corresponding said shafts, respectively. Therefore, these said guide rails can rotate independently, respectively. Two said bearings are installed on or formed at both terminals of at least one of said first guide rail, said fourth guide rail and said fifth guide rail, and are connected to two corresponding said bearings, respectively. Since said rotor can be rotated with three degrees of freedom without moving all said bases, in the present invention, many problems on a rotation system with three degrees of freedom are solved very well.
The invention described in claim 12 is a rotation system with three degrees of freedom according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein four said bearings are installed on at least one said base so as to face with each other every two shafts, two said shafts installed on a terminal of said second guide rail and said third guide rail are installed on two said bearings installed on said base, respectively, and two said bearings installed on another terminal of said second guide rail and said third guide rail are installed on said shafts of said third guide rail and said second guide rail, respectively. Four said bearings may be formed from at least one said base or may be installed on it via spacers. Note that two rotation axes connecting two pairs of said shafts connected to these said bearings are orthogonal, and pass through a center of said rotor, respectively. Each said shaft is installed on or formed at said terminal of said second guide rail and a third guide rail, respectively, moreover is connected to two corresponding said bearings, respectively. In addition, said bearings are installed on or formed at either one of both terminals, which does not have said shaft, and corresponding said shafts penetrate. Therefore, these said guide rails can rotate independently, respectively. Two said shafts are installed on or formed at both terminals of at least one of said first guide rail, said fourth guide rail and said fifth guide rail, moreover are connected to two corresponding said bearings, respectively. Since said rotor can be rotated with three degrees of freedom without moving all said bases, in the present invention, many problems on a rotation system with three degrees of freedom are solved very well.
The invention described in claim 13 is a rotation system with three degrees of freedom according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein four said bearings are installed on at least one said base so as to face with each other every two shafts, two said shafts installed on both terminals of said second guide rail are installed on two said bearings installed on said base, respectively, and two said bearings installed on both terminal of said third guide rail are installed on said shafts of said second guide rail, respectively. Four said bearings may be formed from at least one said base or may be installed on it via spacers. Note that two rotation axes connecting two pairs of said shafts connected to these said bearings are orthogonal, and pass through a center of said rotor, respectively. Each said shaft is installed on or formed at both said terminals of said second guide rail, respectively, moreover is connected to two corresponding said bearings, respectively. In addition, said bearings are installed on or formed at both said terminals of said third guide rail, respectively, and corresponding said shafts penetrate. Therefore, these said guide rails can rotate independently, respectively. Two said shafts are installed on or formed at both terminals of at least one of said first guide rail, said fourth guide rail and said fifth guide rail, moreover are connected to two corresponding said bearings, respectively. Since said rotor can be rotated with three degrees of freedom without moving all said bases, in the present invention, many problems on a rotation system with three degrees of freedom are solved very well.
The invention described in claim 14 is a rotation system with three degrees of freedom according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein at least one encoder detects a direction of said rotor, by detecting at least one rotation angle of said guide rails, said shafts and said bearings. By detecting at least one said rotation angle of said guide rails, said shafts and said bearings, said encoder can detect said rotation angle of a corresponding said guide rail. Here, said encoder may be fixed directly to at least one said base, or may be connected to these said bases via spacers and a case. Even in a case of using three said encoders, since a direction of said rotor can be detected without moving these said encoders, in the present invention, many problems on a rotation system with three degrees of freedom are solved very well.
The invention described in claim 15 is a rotation system with three degrees of freedom according to claim 14, wherein at least one encoder detects said direction of said rotor, by concatenating it to at least one of said guide rails, said shafts and said bearings via plurality of gears. A Bevel gear, a Spur gear, a cylindrical gear and a Worm gear can be used for plurality of said gears. Said rotation angle of said guide rail can be detected finely by combining these said gears. Note that a center of at least one of these said gears is installed so as to overlap said shaft corresponding to this said guide rail. Even in a case of using three said encoders, since a direction of said rotor can be detected finely without moving these said encoders, in the present invention, many problems on a rotation system with three degrees of freedom are solved very well.
The invention described in claim 16 is a rotation system with three degrees of freedom according to claim 14 or 15, wherein each of at least one said encoder comprises an actuator. Suppose that one said encoder and one said actuator share the same rotor element. In this case, this said actuator can change said rotation angle of said guide rail, according to said rotation angle of this said guide rail detected by this said encoder. Even in a case of using three said encoders and three said actuators, since a direction of said rotor can be detected finely without moving these said encoders and these said actuators, in the present invention, many problems on a rotation system with three degrees of freedom are solved very well.
The invention described in claim 17 is a rotation system with three degrees of freedom according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein at least one actuator rotates said rotor, by rotating at least one of said guide rails, said shafts and said bearings. By rotating at least one of said guide rails, said shafts and said bearings centering around said shafts, said actuator can rotate a corresponding said guide rail. Here, said actuator may be fixed directly to at least one said base, or may be connected to these said bases via spacers and a case. Even in a case of using three said actuators, since said rotor can be rotated with three degrees of freedom without moving these said actuators, in the present invention, many problems on a rotation system with three degrees of freedom are solved very well.
The invention described in claim 18 is a rotation system with three degrees of freedom according to claim 17, wherein at least one actuator rotates said rotor, by concatenating it to at least one of said guide rails, said shafts and said bearings via plurality of gears. A Bevel gear, a Spur gear, a cylindrical gear and a Worm gear can be used for plurality of said gears. Said actuator can rotate said guide rail by small torque and finely, by combining these said gears. Note that a center of at least one of these said gears is installed so as to overlap said shaft corresponding to this said guide rail. Even in a case of using three said actuators, since a direction of said rotor can be rotated finely without moving these said actuators, in the present invention, many problems on a rotation system with three degrees of freedom are solved very well.
The invention described in claim 19 is a rotation system with three degrees of freedom according to claim 14, 15 or 16, wherein a computer system calculates a rotation angle of said rotor, by connecting at least one said encoder to said computer system. Said computer system inputs an electric signal corresponding to at least one rotation angle of said guide rails, said shafts and said bearings, where said electric signal is outputted from at least one said encoder. Therefore, even though said electric signal of said encoder is not in proportion to said rotation angle of said rotor, said computer system can calculate this said rotation angle from this said electric signal, by using equations and tables. Since a gap between said electric signal of said encoder, which is generated according to a position of said indication bar, and said rotation angle of said rotor can be corrected, in the present invention, many problems on a rotation system with three degrees of freedom are solved very well.
The invention described in claim 20 is a rotation system with three degrees of freedom according to claim 16, 17 or 18, wherein a computer system rotates said rotor, by connecting at least one said actuator to said computer system. At least one said actuator inputs an electric signal outputted by said computer system. Therefore, even though said electric signal of said computer system is not in proportion to said rotation angle of said rotor, said computer system can calculate this said rotation angle by using equations and tables. Since a gap between said electric signal of said computer system, which is generated according to a position of said indication bar, and said rotation angle of said rotor can be corrected, in the present invention, many problems on a rotation system with three degrees of freedom are solved very well.
The invention described in claim 21 is an artificial eye comprising a rotation system with three degrees of freedom according to claim 20, wherein a camera taking a picture in a direction opposite to said indication bar is embedded in said rotor. Said camera is embedded in said rotor as a lens of this said camera faces to a direction opposite to said indication bar, moreover said optical axis of this said lens passes through this said indication bar. In addition, an electric cable of this said camera is taken out to an external part, passing through said indication bar which is in a shape of a pipe. Therefore, this said camera can take a picture widely by indicating from an external part. Since a direction of said optical axis of said camera can be controlled by said computer system, in the present invention, many problems on an artificial eye are solved very well.
The invention described in claim 22 is an artificial eye according to claim 21, wherein an image rotates by that said computer system memorizes said image taken by said camera, and outputs each pixel of said image, exchanging an order of said pixels. Said computer system can rotate said image up to about 90 degrees, centering around an optical axis of said camera, by using a rotation system with three degrees of freedom. Moreover, this said computer system can rotate this said image within 360 degrees every 90 degrees, without performing affine transform, by changing an order of each pixel of this said image. Therefore, this said computer system can rotate this said image about 360 degrees, without using a special image processing system. Since said image taken by said camera can be rotated with any angle without using this special said image processing system, in the present invention, many problems on an artificial eye are solved very well.
Some enforcement forms of a rotation system with three degrees of freedom using a first guide rail 11, a second guide rail 12 and a third guide rail 13 in the present invention are shown below. With reference to the drawings, then, it is explained about the enforcement forms.
As shown in
First, a rotor 1 and a first guide rail 11 rotating centering around rotation axis 6 are shown in
As is clear from
However, in a case that the rotor 1 rotates along a longitudinal direction of the slit 21, the first guide rail 11 does not rotate because the indication bar 3 only slides in the slit 21. Therefore, the rotor 1 can rotate until the indication bar 3 reaches at a terminal of the slit 21. Moreover, in a case that the rotor 1 rotates centering around the indication bar 3, the first guide rail 11 does not rotate because the indication bar 3 does not add force to the first guide rail 11. Therefore, the rotor 1 can rotate infinitely centering around the indication bar 3.
By the way, although a base 2 is arranged just at a center of a rotor 1 in
However, the rotor 1 hops within the base 2 at this rate. As shown in
Now, it has been described above about a rotation system with three degrees of freedom using a first guide rail 11. However, this system can detect only a rotation angle centering around one rotation axis 6 of three rotation axes 6 of a rotor 1. Note that
First, as shown in
Now, as shown in
Consider here a case that a second guide rail 12 and a third guide rail 13 rotate independently. In this case, a gap of these guide rails becomes wide or narrow. When a gap of these guide rails becomes wide in terms of rigidity of a slider 22, an indication bar 3 rotates toward a direction that an angle θ, which the slider 22 and these guide rails make (refer to
Now, in a case that a second guide rail 12 and a third guide rail 13 rotate independently, a problem that a gap of these guide rails varies happens according to a position of an indication bar 3 even though the difference of rotation angles of these guide rails is constant. If such a change can be corrected by using a computer system and so on, there are no serious problems. Otherwise, a certain compensation means is desired. In order to make a slit 21 of these guide rails parallel to a base 2, therefore, a third guide rail 13 bent like a shape of a character, bracket is used, as shown in
It has been described above about a case that a slider 22 bent toward the outside, as shown in
As shown in
It has been described above about a case that four shafts 4 were embedded in a base 2 or a case that they were cut out from the base 2. However, at least one of the shafts 4 may be installed on or formed as either one terminal of a first guide rail 11, a second guide rail 12 and a third guide rail 13. In this case, at least one bearing 5 is installed on a position of at least one shaft 4 to be installed on the base 2. Suppose here that a ball bearing is used for a bearing 5 installed on the base 2. In this case, it becomes difficult for some of these guide rails, which the shafts 4 were installed on, to separate from a base 2, moreover assembly of a rotation system with three degrees of freedom becomes easily. In particular, an enforcement form of a rotation system with three degree of freedom for an invention described in claim 12 shows effect when a second guide rail 12 and a third guide rail 13 are alternative. On the other hand, an enforcement form of a rotation system with three degrees of freedom for an invention described in claim 13 shows effect when a second guide rail 12 and a third guide rail 13 are in a shape of a nest.
Now, although an enforcement form of a rotation system with three degrees of freedom for an invention described in claim 1 can rotate a rotor 1 in spite of the small number of parts, there is a problem that a form of a slider 22 is complex. In order for the rotation system with three degrees of freedom to rotate the rotor 1 stably, therefore, a slider 22 processed with fine accuracy is desired. As a result, the rotation system with three degrees of freedom becomes expensive. It is explained here about a rotation system with three degrees of freedom which does not use the slider 22 whose shape is complex.
First, as shown in
As shown in
By the way, the slits 21 overlap doubly at a place of the slider 22. Therefore, in a case that at least one of these guide rails rotates centering around shafts 4, respectively, load is charged for only a part of the slider 22. The guide rails, thus, are possible to bend. As shown in
Now, it has been described above about a case that a slit 21 was opened in all guide rails. In this case, all sliders 22 slide in slits 21 of these guide rails. However, the sliders 22 can slide along the guide rails even though the slits 21 do not exist. It is explained here about a case that at least one of the guide rails is in a shape of a bar.
For example, as shown in
As is clear from
Besides this, an enforcement form of a rotation system with three degrees of freedom for an invention described in claim 1 can also slide a pipe slider 25 installed on any place of an indication bar 3 via a concatenation shaft 24 or a bearing along a first guide rail 11 which is in a shape of a bar. Note that the pipe slider 25 bends along the first guide rail 11.
Now, it has been described above about a case that a slider 22 or at least one pipe slider 25 is installed on a indication bar 3, or it is concatenated to the indication bar 3. However, in such a case, the indication bar 3 is unstable because a force is added to the indication bar 3 from one direction. It is explained here about a method that forces are added evenly to the indication bar 3 from two opposite directions.
First, as shown in
Now, as shown in
Consider here a case that a second guide rail 12 and a third guide rail 13 rotate independently. In this case, a gap of these guide rails becomes wide or narrow. When a gap of these guide rails becomes wide by rigidity of two sliders 22, an indication bar 3 rotates toward a direction that an angle θ, which the sliders 22 and these guide rails make (refer to
Now, in a case that a second guide rail 12 and a third guide rail 13 rotate independently, a problem that a gap of these guide rails varies happens according to a position of an indication bar 3 even though the difference of rotation angles of these guide rails is constant. If such a change can be corrected by using a computer system and so on, there are no serious problems. Otherwise, a certain compensation means is desired. In order to make a slit 21 of these guide rails parallel to a base 2, therefore, a second guide rail 12 and a third guide rail 13 bent like a shape of a character, bracket are used, as shown in
It has been described above about a case that two sliders 22 bent toward the outside, as shown in
As shown in
In addition, in
It has been described above about a case that four shafts 4 were embedded in a base 2 or a case that they were cut out from the base 2. However, at least one of the shafts 4 may be installed on or formed as either one terminal of a first guide rail 11, a second guide rail 12 and a third guide rail 13. In this case, at least one bearing 5 is installed on a position of at least one shaft 4 to be installed on the base 2. Suppose here that a ball bearing is used for a bearing 5 installed on the base 2. In this case, it becomes difficult for some of these guide rails, which the shafts 4 were installed on, to separate from a base 2, moreover assembly of a rotation system with three degrees of freedom becomes easily. In particular, an enforcement form of a rotation system with three degree of freedom for an invention described in claim 12 shows effect when a second guide rail 12 and a third guide rail 13 are alternative. On the other hand, an enforcement form of a rotation system with three degrees of freedom for an invention described in claim 13 shows effect when a second guide rail 12 and a third guide rail 13 are in a shape of a nest.
Now, although an enforcement form of a rotation system with three degrees of freedom for an invention described in claim 4 can rotate a rotor 1 in spite of the small number of parts, there is three following problem: First, a form of two sliders 22 is complex. Second, since an area at which the sliders 22 contacts with a second guide rail 12 and a third guide rail 13 is narrow, the sliders 22 slip easily. Third, since an indication bar 3 staggers in a slit 21 of a first guide rail 11, the rotor 1 can not be stabilized. In order for the rotation system with three degrees of freedom to rotate the rotor 1 stably, therefore, two sliders 22 processed with fine accuracy are desired. As a result, the rotation system with three degrees of freedom becomes expensive. It is explained here about a rotation system with three degrees of freedom which does not use the sliders 22 whose shape is complex.
First, as shown in
As shown in
By the way, the slits 21 overlap triply at a place of each slider 22. Therefore, in a case that at least one of these guide rails rotates centering around shafts 4, respectively, load is charged for only a part of the sliders 22. The guide rails, thus, are possible to bend. It is explained here about a method of controlling distortion of these guide rails.
First, as shown in
Next, as shown in
Besides this, as shown in
Now, it has been described above about a case that slits 21 are opened in all guide rails. In this case, all sliders 22 slide in slits 21 of these guide rails. However, the sliders 22 can slide along the guide rails even though the slits 21 do not exist. It is explained here about a case that at least one of the guide rails is in a shape of a bar.
For example, as shown in
As shown in
By the way, what happens when a fourth guide rail 14 and a fifth guide rail 15 are in a shape of a bar. For example, in a case that first to sixth guide rails are in a shape of a bar, as shown in
For brief explanation, here, it has been described about a rotation system with three degrees of freedom as shown in
Besides this, as is clear from
Now, it has been described above about a relation between a slider 22 and the first to sixth guide rails. It is explained here about a detecting method of a rotation angle of a rotor 1 and a driving method of the rotor 1, by using a rotation system with three degrees of freedom, as shown in
As shown in
By the way, as shown in
As shown in
Finally, in a rotation system with three degrees of freedom, the difference of rotation angles of two encoders 31 connecting with a second guide rail 12 and a third guide rail 13, respectively, must be calculated in order to derive a rotation angle of a rotor 1. In addition, in a case that two sliders 22 slide in slits 21 of these guide rails, a rotation angle must be corrected according to a position of an indication bar 3. Therefore, an enforcement form of a rotation system with three degrees of freedom for an invention described in claim 19 carries out these calculations by using a computer system. Moreover, in a case of rotating the rotor 1 by using at least one actuator, too, a rotation angle of each actuator has to be controlled finely. Therefore, an enforcement form of a rotation system with three degrees of freedom for an invention described in claim 20 controls these actuators by using a computer system. By using a computer system like this, a user of the present invention can use a rotation system with three degrees of freedom easily.
It has been above about a case that three encoders 31 and three actuators are used. However, in a case that a fourth guide rail 14 and a fifth guide rail 15 rotate independently, respectively, two encoders 31 and two actuators are installed on these guide rails, two shafts 4 supporting these guide rails and two bearings 5 installed on the shafts 4. Suppose here that these guide rails are installed on the shafts 4 as the guide rails are alternative. In this case, installation of the encoders 31 and the actuators becomes easily.
Now, it has been described above about a rotation system with three degrees of freedom. It is explained here about applications of the rotation system with three degrees of freedom.
As shown in
Now, it has been described above about a case that a rotation system with three degrees of freedom rotates a rotor 1 up to about 90 degrees, centering around an indication bar 3. However, with this, a camera 41 embedded in the rotor 1 also can rotate only up to about 90 degrees, centering around an optical axis 43 of the camera 41. It is explained here about a method rotating an image taken by the camera 41 with any angle.
First, an image taken by a camera 41 embedded in a rotor 1 is once memorized by a computer system. Note that each pixel of the image is memorized by turns in a memory of the computer system. Here, any kind of image processing like gamma correction is also carried out for these pixels. Next, the computer system outputs these pixels by turns as the image rotates every 90 degrees. Note that the computer system has only to read these pixels in a specific order from either of four corners of the image because these pixels are memorized by turns in the memory. In short, the computer system does not have to perform affine transform. Therefore, the computer system can rotate the image every 90 degrees, only by reading and writing these pixels for the memory. Suppose then that the computer system rotates a camera 41 up to about 90 degrees by using a rotation system with three degrees of freedom. As a result, an image taken by the camera 41 can be rotated within almost 360 degrees. In this method, power consumption does not vary even though the image is rotated at any angle. Therefore, this is suitable for equipments like a cell phone, in which low power consumption is desired.
While the invention has been shown by example, it should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications equivalents, and alternative falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
As suggested by claim 1 to claim 13, three rotation angles of a rotor 1 can be specified in spite of rotating the rotor 1 with three degrees of freedom. Oppositely, by rotating first to sixth guide rails suitably, an indication bar 3 can be moved so as to turn to a specific direction and to coincide with a specific rotation angle centering around the indication bar 3. Therefore, the rotor 1 also can be rotated in a suitable direction. In the present invention, these guide rails are connected with a base 2 via shafts 4 and bearings 5, respectively. That is, a base 2 itself does not have to rotate in order to rotate a rotor 1 in a specific direction, like a traditional moving system with three degrees of freedom. Therefore, a manufacturer of the present invention can make a rotation system with three degrees of freedom, by using a little number of parts, by a simple and small structure and cheaply.
As suggested by claim 10, all wires can be taken out to an external part, by passing the wires through an indication bar 3. Moreover, the wires may be electric cables 44. By installing a camera 41 on a rotor 1, then, a designer of a moving camera 41 can design a moving camera and an artificial eye easily, without twining all wires round all guide rails. In addition, in a case that a manufacturer of a joy stick installed a linear encoder on a rotor 1 vertically, a user of the joy stick also can control zoom of a moving camera, only by sliding the linear encoder forward and backward.
As suggested by claim 14, claim 15 and claim 19, three rotation angles of a rotor 1 can be detected by combining output results of three encoder 31. Therefore, in a case that a user of the present invention rotated the rotor 1 like a trackball, the present invention can detect rotation angles of the rotor 1. In addition, in a case that a user of the present invention rotated an indication bar 3 like a joy stick, the present invention can also detect rotation angles of the indication bar 3. Moreover, even in a case of rotating the rotor 1 by using a traditional actuator with multi degrees of freedom, the present invention can detect rotation angles of the rotor 1. Therefore, by carrying the present invention in a small information terminal like a cell phone, a designer of the terminal can realize cheaply a small and light user interface controlling a moving camera. In addition, by embedding a camera 41 in the rotor 1, a user of the present invention can use the present invention for a moving camera and an artificial eye. Here, by forming an indication bar 3 as a pipe, signal lines of the camera 41 can be taken out from the rotor 1 easily. Therefore, the present invention is very effective for a moving camera and an artificial eye.
As suggested by claim 16, claim 19 and claim 20, three rotation angles of a rotor 1 can be detected by combining output results of three encoder 31, moreover a rotor 1 can be rotated according to these rotation angles. Therefore, by installing supports on the rotor 1 and a base 2, respectively, a user of the present invention can use the present invention for a joint of a robot. In addition, by embedding a camera 41 on the rotor 1, a user of the present invention can use the present invention for a moving camera and an artificial eye. Here, by forming an indication bar 3 as a pipe, signal lines of the camera 41 can be taken out from the rotor 1 easily. Therefore, the present invention is very effective for the moving camera and the artificial eye. Moreover, in a case that a joy stick was made by using the present invention, suppose that a user of the joy stick controls the moving camera from a remote place, while a direction of the moving camera is reflected to the joy stick. In this case, the user can realize bidirectional interface, by which he can experience a direction of the moving camera.
As suggested by claim 17, claim 18 and claim 20, a rotor 1 can be rotated according to rotation angles of three actuators, by rotating them independently, respectively. Therefore, a user of the present invention can use the present invention for a platform. In addition, by installing a source of light on the rotor 1, a user of the present invention can use the present invention for a search light. Moreover, by installing a mirror on the rotor 1, a user of the present invention can use the present invention for an electric back mirror and an electric side mirror. Besides this, by using a stepping motor for an actuator, moreover by embedding a camera 41 in the rotor 1, a user of the present invention can use the present invention for a moving camera and an artificial eye. Here, by forming an indication bar 3 as a pipe, signal lines of the camera 41 can be taken out from the rotor 1 easily. Therefore, the present invention is very effective for the moving camera and the artificial eye.
As suggested by claim 21, by embedding a camera 41 in a rotor 1, an artificial eye can control a direction of an optical axis 43 of the camera 41 with three degrees of freedom without increasing a volume of the rotor 1, by using a computer system. Therefore, a designer of a cell phone can carry the artificial eye in the cell phone with which a miniaturization is called for.
As suggested by claim 22, an artificial eye can rotate an image taken by a camera 41 with any angle without using a special image processing like affine transform and so on. That is, even though a size of the image became big, the artificial eye does not have to consume too much power, in order to rotate the image with any angle. Therefore, a designer of a cell phone can carry the artificial eye in the cell phone with which a low power consumption is called for.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002-216381 | Jul 2002 | JP | national |
| 2002-224487 | Aug 2002 | JP | national |
| 2002-252960 | Aug 2002 | JP | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/JP03/09058 | 7/16/2003 | WO | 1/25/2005 |
