Gear Engagement Adjustment Using a Movable Support Block

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional power transmission devices lack mechanisms to adjust gear engagement accuracy after shipping, leading to potential disassembly and reassembly requirements due to variations in gear engagement caused by service environment and wear.

Innovation Solution

A power transmission device with a position adjusting unit and a fixing unit, featuring a screw mechanism and fastening members, allows for adjustment and fixation of gear engagement depth, enabling optimal engagement between gears.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If gears are assembled with high accuracy using positioning pins, then manufacturing precision is improved, but the device cannot adapt to engagement variation after shipping

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegear assembly accuracyVSAvoidengagement adjustment capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The support block is designed to be movable relative to the base member along the gear center distance direction, transforming the static fixed assembly into a dynamic adjustable system. This allows the gear engagement to be adjusted after shipping by moving the support block to change the center distance between gears, resolving the contradiction between initial high-precision assembly and subsequent adaptability needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If no adjustment mechanism is provided, then device complexity is reduced, but engagement accuracy deteriorates after service

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidengagement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the center distance parameter between gears by moving the support block along the gear center distance direction. This parameter change allows adjustment of gear engagement depth and contact pattern, maintaining reliable engagement accuracy after service without requiring complex multi-parameter adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If engagement variation occurs after shipping, then reliability deteriorates, but disassembly and reassembly increase loss of time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveengagement accuracyVSAvoidmaintenance time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The operator can directly move the support block to adjust gear engagement without requiring disassembly of the device. The fastening member allows simple locking of the adjusted position, enabling self-service maintenance that restores reliability quickly without time-consuming disassembly and reassembly operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Ease of operation

If the support block is fixed to the base member, then ease of operation is improved, but adaptability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidposition adjustment capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The device is segmented into a base member and a movable support block that can be independently positioned. The fastening member provides selective coupling between these segments, allowing the support block to be movable during operation for adaptability, and securely fixed when stability is needed, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

Enables easy adjustment and optimal engagement between gears, reducing the need for disassembly and reassembly, and ensuring precise operation by allowing for fine-tuned positioning and fixation of gear components.

Implementation Method 1

the position adjusting unit is constituted by a screw mechanism including an adjustment screw (31) having a screw shaft extending in the direction in which the engagement depth between the second gear and the first gear varies

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScrew mechanism: Screw

Data Source

PatentEP4083469A1Power transmission device and engagement adjusting device for gear mechanism
Publication Date: 2022.11.02 NABTESCO CORP
  • EP4083469A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4083469A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4083469A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A power transmission device (10) according to one aspect of the invention includes a first gear (11), a base member (15), a second gear (20), a support block (25), a position adjusting unit (30), and a fixing unit. The base member (15) rotatably supports the first gear (11). The second gear (20) engages with the first gear (11) so as to be able to transmit power. The support block (25) rotatably supports the second gear (20). The position adjusting unit (30) adjusts relative positions of the support block (25) and the base member (15) in a direction in which an engagement depth between the second gear (20) and the first gear (11) varies. The fixing unit fixes the relative positions of the support block (25) and the base member (15).