Variable-Ratio Barrier Actuator for Uniform Spring Torque
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motorized drives for movable barriers, such as doors and gates, experience uneven torque requirements during opening and closing, leading to inefficient motor usage and potential safety issues due to abrupt or weak movement in emergency scenarios, necessitating the development of a system that provides more uniform resistant torque.
Innovation Solution
A motorized drive system featuring a main reduction unit with a gear having a variable transmission ratio, combined with an auxiliary elastic energy motor, allowing both motors to operate the toothed profiles for uniform torque distribution, utilizing a helical spring for energy storage and release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a spring is used as an auxiliary motor to store elastic energy, then the emergency closing or opening movement can be achieved, but the resistant torque becomes strongly variable depending on the degree of compression, causing abrupt and dangerous initial movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a variable transmission ratio gear system that dynamically adjusts the torque transmission based on the movement phase. The transmission ratio varies continuously during the door movement, being higher at the beginning to reduce the strong spring torque, and lower at the end to amplify the weak spring torque, thereby making the resistant torque more uniform throughout the operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the transmission ratio parameter throughout the movement cycle. By using a non-circular gear or a variable geometry transmission mechanism, the transmission ratio is modified as a function of the door position, allowing the system to adapt the torque characteristics to match the requirements of each phase of movement
2Reliability
If a high elastic energy is stored in the spring for emergency operation, then the emergency movement capability is improved, but the torque that the main motor must apply to compress the spring increases, requiring greater motor size and power
Solution Approach 1:
The variable transmission ratio system allows the main motor to operate at more favorable torque-speed points during spring compression. By optimizing the transmission ratio during the compression phase, the motor experiences a more uniform and reduced torque requirement, enabling the use of lower-rated motors while still achieving the necessary spring compression for emergency operation
3Device complexity
If conventional gear systems with constant transmission ratio are used, then the structure is simple, but the resistant torque varies significantly during acceleration and deceleration phases, requiring higher rated power motors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a variable transmission ratio gear system that adjusts the transmission ratio during operation. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize torque delivery at different phases of movement, reducing peak torque requirements and enabling the use of lower-rated motors while maintaining operational performance
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 configuration results in a more uniform resistant torque applied during opening and closing, enabling the use of lower-rated motors and reduced gear ratios, improving efficiency and safety by ensuring consistent movement and reducing the size and power requirements of the motorized drive.
Implementation Method 1
an auxiliary elastic energy motor (7') driven by a spring (19)
Data Source
AI summary
The motorized drive according to the application is particularly suitable for auxiliary or emergency drives and is configured to open or close a wing of a barrier such as a door. The motorized drive includes a motor and a reduction unit through which the motor can open or close the wing, an auxiliary motor including a helical spring which is able to absorb mechanical energy during the opening of the wing and release it during the closing of the same, a reduction unit connecting the auxiliary motor to the wing. A first and a second toothed profile realize a gear with a variable transmission ratio. The first and/or the second toothed profile form at least one toothing having a pitch profile which is substantially non-circular or not formed by a simple arc of a circle or a straight line.