Abstract
In this study, a novel vertical linear actuator with gravity compensation for a long stroke was developed. The actuator was designed to generate a constant upward force of 20 N, without an external current over its working stroke of more than ± 2 mm; the magnitude of the upward force is equivalent to the downward payload. As a result, it supports the payload without an external energy supply and is free from Joule heating and thermal expansion caused by the current. Gravity compensation also minimizes the nominal force and volume of the actuator because it excludes the supporting force, which consumes more than half of the force required by a vertical actuator. The developed actuator consists of two permanent magnets, one ferromagnet armature, and coil windings. The two permanent magnets attract the armature, the structure of which is designed to maintain a constant vertical component of the sum of the two attraction forces. The detailed shape of the armature was determined based on magnetic reluctance analysis and parameter analysis using finite element analysis. The effects of the shape and size of the armature on the magnitude, range, and constancy of the upward force were analyzed. Based on these factors, the final design was determined, and a prototype was manufactured. Experiments that measured the constant upward force and force constant were conducted, and the results were compared with the simulation results.
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Acknowledgements
This work was supported by a National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korean government (Ministry of Science and ICT) (No. NRF-2020R1A2C1007312).
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Shin, B., Ham, T., Gwak, D. et al. Development of a vertical linear actuator with gravity compensation for long stroke. Microsyst Technol 28, 2297–2303 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00542-022-05298-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00542-022-05298-5