Precise position controlled actuating method and system
First Claim
1. A system for actuating a spray pump assembly, the system comprising:
- a motor component for receiving a power input and a control input and producing a rotary drive output therefrom;
a drive transmission component for receiving the rotary drive output and producing a linear drive output therefrom;
a spray pump holder component for removably securing the spray pump assembly;
a force coupler for coupling the linear drive output to the spray pump mechanism, so as to apply a force to the spray pump mechanism;
a force transducer for producing a force signal proportional to the force applied to the spray pump mechanism; and
a system controller for receiving a set of test inputs including (i) the force signal, (ii) one or more feedback signals from the motor component, and (iii) user input corresponding to spray pump test parameters, and providing the control input to the motor component as a predetermined function of the set of test inputs;
wherein the system is operative to actuate the spray pump mechanism according to an actuation profile defined by the set of test inputs.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system for actuating a spray pump assembly comprises a reference platform, a motor, a drive transmission, a spray pump holder, a force coupler, a force transducer, and a system controller. The motor receives a power and control input, and produces a rotary drive output. The drive transmission receives the rotary drive output and produces a linear drive output. The spray pump holder secures the spray pump assembly. The force coupler couples the linear drive output to the spray pump, and applies a force to the spray pump. The force transducer produces a force signal proportional to the force applied to the spray pump. The system controller receives a set of test inputs and provides the control input to the motor as a function of the set of test inputs. The system actuates the spray pump mechanism according to an actuation profile defined by the set of test inputs.
24 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A system for actuating a spray pump assembly, the system comprising:
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a motor component for receiving a power input and a control input and producing a rotary drive output therefrom; a drive transmission component for receiving the rotary drive output and producing a linear drive output therefrom; a spray pump holder component for removably securing the spray pump assembly; a force coupler for coupling the linear drive output to the spray pump mechanism, so as to apply a force to the spray pump mechanism; a force transducer for producing a force signal proportional to the force applied to the spray pump mechanism; and a system controller for receiving a set of test inputs including (i) the force signal, (ii) one or more feedback signals from the motor component, and (iii) user input corresponding to spray pump test parameters, and providing the control input to the motor component as a predetermined function of the set of test inputs; wherein the system is operative to actuate the spray pump mechanism according to an actuation profile defined by the set of test inputs. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method of actuating a spray pump assembly including a reservoir component and a pump/nozzle component, via an actuator system including a rotary motor driving a linear screw rail assembly, thereby applying a force to the spray pump assembly, the method comprising:
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removably securing the spray pump assembly to a spray pump holder component; determining (i) a quiescent position of the spray pump, and (ii) a fully actuated position of the spray pump assembly; generating an actuation profile as a predetermined function of the quiescent position, the fully actuated position, and user input corresponding to spray pump test parameters; and actuating the spray pump according to the actuation profile wherein determining the quiescent position of the spray pump further includes (i) measuring an amount of force applied to the spay pump assembly, (ii) advancing the linear screw rail assembly until the amount of force applied to the spray pump assembly exceeds a first predetermined value and (iii) recording a position of the linear screw rail assembly when the amount of force applied to the spray pump assembly exceeds the first predetermined value. - View Dependent Claims (24)
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Specification