Hypocycloid Reduction Assembly for Controlled Tool Speed

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Solution Overview

Problem

High-speed rotational tools pose risks in medical and other industries due to unnecessary variables during procedures, necessitating a method to reduce rotational velocities effectively.

Innovation Solution

A hypocycloid reduction assembly comprising a drive shaft, disk assembly, and disk receptacle, where the disk assembly engages with the drive shaft to reduce rotational velocity through a mechanism of lobes and protrusions, allowing for controlled speed reduction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If high-speed rotational tools are used, then productivity is improved, but safety and reliability deteriorate due to unnecessary variables and risks during procedures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotational velocityVSAvoidprocedural safety
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The hypocycloid reduction assembly dynamically reduces rotational velocity through the interaction between the eccentric drive shaft and the disk with lobes. As the drive shaft rotates, the eccentricity causes the disk to oscillate and engage/disengage with the protrusions, creating a dynamic speed reduction mechanism that transforms high-speed rotation into controlled lower-speed output while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the rotational velocity parameter through the geometric relationship between the drive shaft eccentricity and the disk lobe configuration. By adjusting the number of lobes and the eccentricity distance, the speed reduction ratio can be modified, allowing the system to transform high-speed input into controlled low-speed output, thereby improving safety while maintaining productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If rotational velocity is reduced through mechanical means, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocedural safetyVSAvoidreduction assembly structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hypocycloid reduction assembly merges multiple functions into a single integrated mechanism. The drive shaft, disk assembly, and housing work together as a unified system where the eccentric drive shaft directly engages the lobe-equipped disk, eliminating the need for separate gear trains or multiple reduction stages. This consolidation achieves speed reduction while keeping the device relatively simple and compact

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution effectively reduces rotational velocities of high-speed tools, enhancing safety by minimizing procedural risks and variables, particularly in medical settings where torque limiting is crucial.

Implementation Method 1

The eccentric segment has a center line running along a second axis that is parallel to and positioned a distance from the first axis

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEccentric rotation: Eccentric

Data Source

PatentEP3507522B1Hypocycloid device
Publication Date: 2022.12.14 ECA MEDICAL INSTR
  • EP3507522B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3507522B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3507522B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

A reduction assembly comprising a drive shaft having an input segment, an eccentric segment, and an output segment, wherein the input segment and the output segment each have a centerline running along a same first axis, and wherein the eccentric segment has a center line running along a second axis, the second axis being parallel to the first axis and positioned a first distance away from the first axis. The assembly further comprising a disk assembly having a disk with a body, a plurality of lobes positioned concentrically on the body, and an opening extending through the body, the opening configured to slidably engage the eccentric segment of the drive shaft. The assembly further comprising a disk receptacle configured to engage with the disk, the receptacle having a floor and a wall with a plurality of protrusions extending from the wall, wherein the number of the plurality of protrusions is equal to one more than the number of the plurality of lobes on the disk. The reduction assembly may be integrated with at least a portion of a torque limiting device.