Barrel Cam Speed Reducer Layout for Compact Torque Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional speed reducers face challenges in achieving compactness while maintaining torque transmission capacity, as the attachment position of the drive unit needs to be shifted to the upper or lower end to accommodate the barrel cam and cam followers, leading to reduced compactness and increased motor protrusion.
Innovation Solution
The speed reducer design includes a first barrel cam and cam followers that are shifted diagonally, allowing the motor to be positioned closer to the center, maintaining torque transmission capacity while reducing the motor's upward protrusion by shifting the engagement center position, thus enabling a more compact design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the barrel cam and cam followers are engaged at the upper end portion or lower end portion to increase torque transmission capacity, then the torque transmission capacity is improved, but the drive unit attachment position must be shifted to the upper or lower end, worsening the compactness of the speed reducer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent shifts the engagement position of the barrel cam and cam followers from the conventional upper/lower end positions to an intermediate position in the up-down direction, while simultaneously shifting the engagement center position in the front-rear direction. This two-dimensional repositioning allows the drive unit to be attached closer to the center, improving compactness while maintaining torque transmission capacity through optimized engagement geometry.
2Volume of moving object
If the drive unit attachment position is set closer to the center to improve compactness, then the compactness is improved, but the distance between shafts decreases, worsening the torque transmission capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the engagement parameters by shifting both the up-down position and front-rear position of the barrel cam and cam followers. This allows optimization of the engagement geometry to maintain effective torque transmission even with reduced shaft distance, thereby achieving compactness without sacrificing torque capacity.
3Volume of moving object
If the barrel cam center position is shifted in the up-down direction and engagement center position is shifted in the front-rear direction, then the motor can be positioned closer to the center improving compactness, but the engagement geometry becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric positioning of the barrel cam and cam followers, shifting the barrel cam center in the up-down direction and the engagement center in the front-rear direction. This asymmetric arrangement optimizes the engagement geometry to achieve compact motor positioning while maintaining effective torque transmission through carefully designed asymmetric contact patterns.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design allows for a compact speed reducer with maintained torque transmission capacity by shifting the first barrel cam and cam followers in both the up-down and front-rear directions, allowing the motor to be positioned inwardly without compromising the reduction ratio or increasing motor protrusion.
Implementation Method 1
a first barrel cam 14 that is connected to the input shaft 12 and that rotates as the input shaft 12 rotates; a first output table 20 that includes a plurality of first cam followers 20a that engage with the first barrel cam 14
Implementation Method 2
a second cam 24 that is connected to the intermediate shaft 22, and that rotates as the intermediate shaft 22 rotates; a second output table 30 that includes a plurality of second cam followers 30a that engage with the second cam 24
Data Source
AI summary
A speed reducer including: an input shaft; a first barrel cam; a first output table; an intermediate shaft; a second cam; and a second output table, in the first output table, the plurality of first cam followers being provided concentrically around a rotation center position of the intermediate shaft, concerning a certain first cam follower among the plurality of first cam followers, when a center position of the certain first cam follower when the certain first cam follower has been moved to a farthest end on one side in the up-down direction is defined as a reference position, a center position of the first barrel cam being shifted to another side in the up-down direction with respect to the reference position, an engagement center position in the front-rear direction between an engagement start position and an engagement end position being shifted either of forward and rearward with respect to the reference position.