Bracket Angle Adjustment via Wedge Inversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bracket angle adjustment mechanisms face challenges in increasing the thickness of components, incurring higher production costs due to complex shapes and spline connections, which affect the strength and operational efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A bracket angle adjustment mechanism featuring an external-tooth gear and an internal-tooth gear with a larger number of internal teeth, paired with wedge members and a spring member, where the wedged-state release member is rotatably fitted into the external-tooth gear, allowing for enhanced strength and reduced production costs by simplifying the design and eliminating spline connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the thickness of the small-diameter shank and tubular portion is increased to enhance strength, then the structural strength is improved, but the device complexity and production cost increase due to layout constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional design by moving the wedged-state release member from the small-diameter shank side to the external-tooth gear side. This inversion allows the release member to be rotatably fitted into the large-diameter hole of the external-tooth gear, enabling increased thickness of the small-diameter shank for strength without layout constraints, while simplifying the overall structure by eliminating the need for a thick tubular portion and spline connections
2Reliability
If spline connections are implemented between the control shaft and tubular portion, then the operational reliability is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and production cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex spline connection structure from the design. By relocating the wedged-state release member to the external-tooth gear side and fitting it rotatably into the large-diameter hole, the invention removes the need for spline connections between the control shaft and tubular portion, thereby simplifying manufacturing while maintaining operational reliability through the alternative engagement mechanism
3Strength
If the tubular portion and small-diameter shank are made thicker, then the strength is enhanced, but the production cost increases due to complex shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the inversion principle by repositioning the wedged-state release member to engage with the external-tooth gear's large-diameter hole rather than the small-diameter shank. This allows the small-diameter shank to be made thicker for strength without creating complex tubular portions, as the release mechanism now utilizes the larger, simpler geometry of the external-tooth gear, reducing manufacturing complexity and production cost
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
The mechanism achieves improved strength and lower production costs by simplifying the design, reducing the thickness of components, and enhancing operational efficiency while maintaining effective angle adjustment capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a spring member (18) which applies a biasing force to each of the wedge members (16A, 16B) in a wedging direction
Implementation Method 2
a pair of wedge members (16A, 16B) which are fitted in an eccentric space (10)
Data Source
AI summary
A bracket angle adjustment mechanism has two wedge members (16A, 16B) fit in an eccentric space between a large-diameter hole (14c) of an external-tooth gear (14) and a small-diameter shank (15c) of an internal-tooth gear (15), and a wedged-state release member (19) is held by the external-tooth gear (14) so that an outer peripheral surface of the wedged-state release member (19) is fit rotatably into the large-diameter hole (14c). The wedged-state release member (19) has a clearance groove (19a) for avoiding interference with the wedge members (16A, 16B), a wedged-state release portion (19e), and a noncircular mounting hole (19d) non-rotatably fit with a attaching portion of a control shaft (20) penetrating through the small-diameter shank (15c) in a non-fitting manner. The bracket angle adjustment mechanism achieves enhanced strength and lower production cost, based on the improved mounting position of the wedged-state release member.