Star-Shaped Connecting Rod in Coaxial Transmission for Compact High Torque

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing coaxial transmissions face challenges in achieving high torque transmission with compact dimensions and reduced complexity, while maintaining homogeneous force application and avoiding increased overall length and manufacturing tolerance deviations.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a coaxial transmission system that utilizes a common, star-shaped connecting rod for each piston set, allowing pistons to be arranged offset-free, thereby reducing the overall length and complexity of the system, while enabling high torque transmission and homogeneous force application.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If an increased number of pistons is provided to make force transmission more homogeneous, then force transmission homogeneity is improved, but the overall length of the coaxial transmission increases and system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveforce transmission homogeneityVSAvoidoverall length

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple connecting rods are merged into a single star-shaped connecting rod that serves all pistons simultaneously. The star-shaped design features multiple arms radiating from a central hub, with each arm connected to a piston and the central hub connected to the crank pin, eliminating the need for separate connecting rods for each piston and reducing overall length.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The star-shaped connecting rod performs multiple functions: it connects multiple pistons to a single crank pin, provides structural support for all pistons, and enables homogeneous force transmission from multiple pistons to the crankshaft through its multi-armed design, replacing what would traditionally require multiple separate connecting rods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Stability of the object's composition

If an increased number of pistons is provided to make force transmission more homogeneous, then force transmission homogeneity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveforce transmission homogeneityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple connecting rods are merged into a single star-shaped connecting rod that serves all pistons simultaneously. The star-shaped design features multiple arms radiating from a central hub, with each arm connected to a piston and the central hub connected to the crank pin, eliminating the need for separate connecting rods for each piston and reducing overall length.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The star-shaped connecting rod performs multiple functions: it connects multiple pistons to a single crank pin, provides structural support for all pistons, and enables homogeneous force transmission from multiple pistons to the crankshaft through its multi-armed design, replacing what would traditionally require multiple separate connecting rods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Length of moving object

If separate connecting rods are used for each piston to maintain compact dimensions, then overall length is reduced, but manufacturing tolerance deviations increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoverall lengthVSAvoidmanufacturing tolerance deviations

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple connecting rods are merged into a single star-shaped connecting rod that serves all pistons simultaneously. The star-shaped design features multiple arms radiating from a central hub, with each arm connected to a piston and the central hub connected to the crank pin, eliminating the need for separate connecting rods for each piston and reducing overall length.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The star-shaped connecting rod provides a uniform and symmetric structure with multiple identical arms radiating from a central hub, ensuring homogeneous force distribution and reducing manufacturing tolerance deviations through its symmetrical design that naturally balances loads across all pistons.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #33Homogeneity

Data Source

PatentUS12209642B2Coaxial transmission having a common, star-shaped connecting rod

Publication Date: 2025.01.28 KRAKEN INNOVATIONS GMBH

AI summary

A coaxial transmission includes a crankshaft rotated about an axis of rotation; at least one crank pin; at least one piston set having a plurality of pistons each having a toothing at a first end facing away from the axis of rotation; a hollow shaft having an inner toothing wherein the pistons are disposed within the hollow shaft; a guide unit wherein the pistons are linearly guided in the guide unit and movable back and forth parallel to a radial direction which is perpendicular to the axis of rotation. The toothings of the first ends of the pistons can be brought into engagement with the inner toothing and disengagement from the inner toothing. A common, star-shaped connecting rod is provided to connect the pistons of each set to the crank pin.