Motion transformation

For motion transformation an apparatus includes a key and a plunger. The key moves along a first axis in a linear key displacement direction and along the first axis in a linear key return direction that is opposite the key displacement direction. The key includes a motivating arm on a distal end. The motivating arm includes a displacement cam surface disposed on a ventral side of the motivating arm and a return cam surface disposed on a dorsal side of the motivating arm. The plunger moves along a second axis. The plunger includes a displacement interface that is motivated by the displacement cam surface in response to the key moving in the key displacement direction to motivate the plunger in a plunger displacement direction. The plunger further includes a return interface.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The subject matter disclosed herein relates to motion transformation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

An apparatus for motion transformation is disclosed. The apparatus includes a key and a plunger. The key moves along a first axis in a linear key displacement direction and along the first axis in a linear key return direction that is opposite the key displacement direction. The key includes a motivating arm on a distal end. The motivating arm includes a displacement cam surface disposed on a ventral side of the motivating arm and a return cam surface disposed on a dorsal side of the motivating arm. The plunger moves along a second axis. The plunger includes a displacement interface that is motivated by the displacement cam surface in response to the key moving in the key displacement direction to motivate the plunger in a plunger displacement direction. The plunger further includes a return interface.

A system for motion transformation is disclosed. The system includes a cabinet, a key, a button, and a plunger. The key moves along a first axis in a linear key displacement direction in the cabinet and along the first axis in a linear key return direction that is opposite the key displacement direction. The key includes a motivating arm on a distal end. The motivating arm includes a displacement cam surface disposed on a ventral side of the motivating arm and a return cam surface disposed on a dorsal side of the motivating arm. The plunger moves along a second axis in the cabinet. The button motivates the key in the key displacement direction. The plunger includes a displacement interface that is motivated by the displacement cam surface in response to the key moving in the key displacement direction to motivate the plunger in a plunger displacement direction. The plunger further includes a return interface.

A method for motion transformation is also disclosed. The method provides a key and a plunger. The key includes a motivating arm on a distal end. The motivating arm includes a displacement cam surface disposed on a ventral side of the motivating arm and a return cam surface disposed on a dorsal side of the motivating arm. The plunger includes a displacement interface that is motivated by the displacement cam surface. The method moves the key along the first axis in the key displacement direction. The method further moves the plunger in the plunger displacement direction in response to the displacement cam surface motivating the displacement interface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment, but mean “one or more but not all embodiments” unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms “including,” “comprising,” “having,” and variations thereof mean “including but not limited to” unless expressly specified otherwise. An enumerated listing of items does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive and/or mutually inclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms “a,” “an,” and “the” also refer to “one or more” unless expressly specified otherwise. The term “and/or” indicates embodiments of one or more of the listed elements, with “A and/or B” indicating embodiments of element A alone, element B alone, or elements A and B taken together.

The schematic flowchart diagrams and/or schematic block diagrams in the Figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations. It should also be noted that, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the Figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. Although various arrow types and line types may be employed in the flowchart and/or block diagrams, they are understood not to limit the scope of the corresponding embodiments. Indeed, some arrows or other connectors may be used to indicate only an exemplary logical flow of the depicted embodiment.

FIG.1is a side view drawing of a motion transformation apparatus100. The apparatus100transforms motion along a first axis111into motion along a second axis109. A manual force may be available from a user along the first axis111. In addition, a powered force may be applied along the first axis111. However, the force may need to be applied along the second axis109. For example, a locking bolt may be disengaged and/or engaged with a force along the second axis109. Unfortunately, the most convenient and/or practical manual motion and/or powered force that can be used to generate a force to disengage and/or engage the locking bolt may be available along the first axis111. The embodiments herein transform the motion from along the first axis111into motion along the second axis109.

In the depicted embodiment, the apparatus100includes a key101and a plunger141. The key101is constrained to move along the first axis111. The key101may be constrained by a channel. The key101may be motivated to move in a key displacement direction113. The key displacement direction113may be linear. In addition, the key may be motivated to move in a key return direction115that is opposite the key displacement direction113. The key return direction115may be linear. The key101may comprise a motivating arm103on a distal end107. The motivating arm103may comprise a displacement cam surface121disposed on a ventral side131of the motivating arm103and a return cam surface123disposed on a dorsal side133of the motivating arm103.

The motivating arm103may be at an arm angle135in a range of 15 to 60 degrees from the first axis111. The arm angle may be 45 degrees. In one embodiment, the motivating arm103includes an arm end153. The motivating arm103is described in more detail inFIGS.3A-Cand4A-C.

The key101and/or the displacement cam surface121and the return cam surface123may be fabricated of stainless steel. In addition, the key101and/or the displacement cam surface121and the return cam surface123may be nonmagnetic. In one embodiment, the key101and components thereof may be of sufficient strength to motivate force welded contacts. In one embodiment, the key101comprises a button151disposed on a proximal end105. The button151may be connected via a thread. The button151may receive a manual force.

The plunger141may be constrained to move along the second axis109. The plunger141is described in more detail inFIGS.5A-B. The plunger141includes a displacement interface143that is motivated by the displacement cam surface121of the key101moving in the key displacement direction113. The motivation of the displacement interface143by the displacement cam surface121motivates the plunger141in a plunger displacement direction147. Thus, the key101moving in the key displacement direction113motivates the plunger141in the plunger displacement direction147. In the depicted embodiment, the first axis111is orthogonal to the second axis109.

The plunger141may further comprise a return interface145. The return interface145may be motivated by the return cam surface123in response to the key101moving in the key return direction115to move the plunger141in a plunger return direction149that is opposite the plunger displacement direction147.

FIG.2Ais a side view drawing of the motion transformation apparatus100. The key101and the plunger141ofFIG.1are shown. In one embodiment, the first axis111is within 30 degrees of orthogonal110to the second axis109. In the depicted embodiment, the first axis111is offset from orthogonal110to the second axis109by a reference angle155. The reference angle155may be less than 45 degrees. In one embodiment, the reference angle155is no greater than 30 degrees.

FIG.2Bis a front view drawing of a cabinet156. The button151is depicted on the cabinet156with the motion transformation apparatus100within the cabinet156.

FIG.3Ais a side view drawing of the motion transformation apparatus100. In particular, the motivating arm103is shown. In the depicted embodiment, the arm end153comprises a displacement surface157that is within 20 degrees of normal to the second axis109. The arm end153may further include a return surface159that is within 20 degrees of normal to the second axis109.

FIG.3Bis a side view drawing of the motivated motion transformation apparatus100. In the depicted embodiment, the key101is motivated in the key displacement direction113, which motivates the displacement cam surface121against the displacement interface143. The motivation of the displacement interface143by the displacement cam surface121motivates the plunger141in a plunger displacement direction147.

FIG.3Cis a side view drawing of the motivated motion transformation apparatus100. In the depicted embodiment, the key101is motivated in the key return direction115, which motivates the return cam surface123against the return interface145. The motivation of the return interface145by the return cam surface123motivates the plunger141in the plunger return direction149.

FIG.4Ais a side view drawing of the motion transformation apparatus100. In the depicted embodiment, the displacement cam surface121and/or the return cam surface123are a spline and/or in the shape of a spline. The spline may have an exponential curve.

FIG.4Bis a side view drawing of the motion transformation apparatus100ofFIG.4A. The spline may generate constant acceleration in the plunger displacement direction147and/or the plunger return direction149. In one embodiment, the curve is given by Equation 1, where y191and x193are coordinates in a plane that includes the first axis111and the second axis109and k and m are nonzero constants. The depicted embodiment shows positive y191aand positive x193afor the displacement cam surface121and positive y191band positive x193bfor the return cam surface123.
y=(kx)2+mEquation 1

The spline may generate increasing acceleration in the plunger displacement direction147and/or the plunger return direction149. In one embodiment, the curve is given by Equation 2, where y191and x193are coordinates and k and m are nonzero constants.
y=(kx)3+mEquation 2

The spline may generate decreasing acceleration in the plunger displacement direction147and/or the plunger return direction149. In one embodiment, the curve is given by Equation 3, where y191and x193are coordinates and k and m are nonzero constants.
y=(kx)°5+mEquation 3

In one embodiment, the displacement cam surface121and/or the return cam surface123are stepwise functions, wherein intervals along the displacement cam surface121and/or the return cam surface123are pairwise disjoint and where the union of the intervals is the entire displacement cam surface121and/or the return cam surface123.

FIG.4Cis a side view drawing of the motion transformation apparatus100. In the depicted embodiment, the motivating arm103further comprises a secondary displacement cam surface121bdisposed on the ventral side131that motivates the displacement interface143to motivate the plunger141in the plunger displacement direction147in response to the key101moving in the key displacement direction113a secondary distance163. Thus, the key101moving a primary distance161causes the displacement cam surface121to motivate the plunger141and the key101moving the secondary distance163causes the secondary displacement cam surface121bto further motivate the plunger141and the plunger displacement direction147.

In the depicted embodiment, the motivating arm103further comprises a secondary return cam surface123bdisposed on the dorsal side133that motivates the return interface145in response to the key101moving the second distance163in the key return direction115to move the plunger141in the plunger return direction149.

FIG.5Ais a back view drawing of the plunger141. In the depicted embodiment, the plunger141includes at least one rod146. Rod(s)146may motivate one or more other components. In addition, rod(s)146may be disposed within a channel that constrains the motion of the plunger141.

At least one interface support144connects the displacement interface143and the return interface145. In the depicted embodiment, two interface supports144are disposed on either side of the displacement interface143and the return interface145. The displacement interface143and the return interface145are shown disposed on an inner surface of an orifice171formed by the interface supports144. The orifice171may narrow to retain a poka-yoke as will be shown hereafter.

FIG.5Bis a back view drawing of a plunger141. In the depicted embodiment, one interface support144connects the displacement interface143and the return interface145.

FIG.6Ais a side view perspective drawing of a motion transformation system102. The key101and the plunger144are shown. In the depicted embodiment, the motivating arm103includes a displacement cam extension136. The displacement cam extension136may increase the primary distance161. In addition, the displacement cam extension136may allow the spline of the displacement cam surface121to be configured to increase and/or decrease acceleration over the primary distance161.

FIG.6Bis a perspective drawing of the motion transformation system102. The arm end153with the orifice171is shown.

FIG.6Cis a back view drawing of the key101. The poka-yoke148is depicted on the motivating arm103. The poka-yoke148may pass through the wide portion of the orifice171and not pass through the narrow portion of the orifice171. As a result, the key101cannot be inserted upside down.

FIG.6Dis a back view drawing of the motion transformation system102. The arm end153is shown extending through the orifice171.

FIG.7is a perspective drawing of a key101. In the depicted embodiment, the secondary displacement cam surface121band the secondary return cam surface123bare shown.

FIG.8is a schematic flow chart diagram of a motion transformation method500. The method500transforms motion along the first axis111to motion along the second axis109. The method500may be performed by the motion transformation system102and/or the motion transformation apparatus100.

The method500starts, and in one embodiment, the method provides501the key101and the plunger141. The method500further moves503the key101along the first axis111in the key displacement direction113. In response, the displacement cam surface121motivates the displacement interface143to move505the plunger141in the plunger displacement direction147.

The method500further moves507the key101along the first axis111in the key return direction115. In response the return cam surface123motivates the return interface145to move509the plunger141in the plunger return direction149and the method500ends.

Motion along the first axis111may be needed to apply a force and/or motivation along the second axis109. Such motion transformation is often needed for safety controls, where a manual force along the first axis111must be applied along the second axis109. The embodiments provide a key101that moves along the first axis111in the key displacement direction113. The key101includes a motivating arm with the displacement cam surface121. As the key101moves in the key displacement direction113, the displacement cam surface121motivates the displacement interface143to motivate the plunger141in the plunger displacement direction147along the second axis109. As a result, the motion applied to the key101is efficiently and effectively transferred via the plunger141along the second axis109.