Helical Gear Driving Unit Bidirectional Thrust Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional driving units with helical gears face difficulties in stable assembly and positioning of helical gears during both forward and reverse rotations, leading to issues with receiving thrust forces in both directions, which affects the accurate positioning and assembly of the shaft and helical gears.
Innovation Solution
The driving unit incorporates a holding member with specific receiving portions to accommodate and stabilize the first and second helical gears, allowing the shaft to be rotated in both directions without displacement, by using a combination of first and second receiving portions to manage thrust forces effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a holding member with an open accommodating portion is used to facilitate assembly, then ease of manufacture is improved, but the ability to receive thrust forces in both rotational directions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The holding member is segmented into multiple functional regions: an accommodating portion for housing the helical gears, a shaft insertion hole for shaft insertion, a first receiving portion for receiving thrust forces in one direction, and a second receiving portion for receiving thrust forces in the opposite direction. This segmentation allows each region to perform its specific function effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding member employs asymmetric structural design where the first and second receiving portions are positioned differently to correspond with the thrust force directions generated during forward and reverse rotations. The open accommodating portion is strategically positioned to allow assembly while the receiving portions provide symmetric thrust force reception capability in opposite directions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the shaft is rotated in both forward and reverse directions to drive wiping members bidirectionally, then cleaning coverage is improved, but stable positioning of helical gears deteriorates due to unidirectional thrust force reception
Solution Approach 1:
The holding member is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously performs four functions: (1) accommodating the helical gears, (2) supporting the shaft for rotation, (3) receiving thrust forces during forward rotation, and (4) receiving thrust forces during reverse rotation. This multi-functionality enables bidirectional operation while maintaining gear positioning stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The first and second receiving portions act as intermediary structures between the helical gears and the holding member body. These receiving portions mediate the transmission of thrust forces from the rotating shaft and gears to the holding member, ensuring that forces in both rotational directions are properly absorbed without compromising gear positioning.
Data Source
AI summary
A driving unit (1) includes holders (5) rotatably supporting a shaft (2) and rotatably holding first and second helical gears (3, 4). Each holder 5 includes first and second receiving portions (9, 10). The first receiving portions (9) receive forces in a direction to push the first helical gears (3) toward backs of accommodating portions (7) by contacting parts of the first helical gears (3) when the shaft (2) and the first helical gears (3) are rotated in a certain rotational direction. The second receiving portions (10) receive forces in a direction to push the first helical gears (3) from interiors of the accommodating portions (7) to openings (8) by contacting parts of the shaft (2) when the shaft (2) and the first helical gears (3) are rotated in an opposite direction. Thus, the driving unit is assembled easily and the helical gears are held stably in both rotational directions.