One-Way Gear Transmission with Segmented Teeth for Safety Return
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gear devices for transmitting torque or movement with safety features are costly and complex due to the need for oversized actuators and additional retaining means to counteract return forces, leading to structural bulk and increased wear.
Innovation Solution
A device with a first rotating toothed element and a second rotating toothed element, where the second element is pulled back to a safety position by a spring or elastic means, and the first element has a peripheral arc devoid of teeth, preventing re-engagement and allowing automatic disengagement, thus reducing the size and complexity of the return mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If elastic or spring means are used to return the regulating element to a safety position, then the safety function is achieved, but the actuator must be oversized or additional retaining means are required, increasing device complexity and bulk
Solution Approach 1:
The toothed elements are segmented into operational toothed portions and non-operational smooth portions. This segmentation allows the spring means to act only on the driven element during abnormal conditions without requiring the actuator to overcome continuous spring resistance, thereby reducing actuator size and device complexity while maintaining the safety function
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static engagement state to a dynamic disengagement state. During normal operation, teeth are engaged for torque transmission. During abnormal conditions, the elements rotate beyond the operational range to disengage, allowing the spring to freely return the driven element to the safety position without actuator resistance, thus reducing complexity
2Reliability
If elastic or spring means are used to return the regulating element to a safety position, then the safety function is achieved, but the actuator size must be increased to overcome the constant reverse bias, increasing cost and bulk
Solution Approach 1:
The toothed elements are divided into operational toothed portions and non-operational smooth portions. This allows the spring force to be applied only during abnormal return conditions rather than requiring the actuator to continuously overcome spring resistance, significantly reducing the required actuator size and weight
Solution Approach 2:
The elements are designed to rotate slightly beyond the normal operational range (excessive action) to disengage the teeth. This partial disengagement allows the spring to act freely during the return stroke without requiring the actuator to be oversized, thus reducing actuator weight while maintaining safety functionality
3Reliability
If additional retaining means are provided to prevent abnormal rotation, then the safety function is achieved, but the structural complexity and bulk are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The toothed elements are segmented into operational toothed portions and non-operational smooth portions. This segmentation eliminates the need for additional retaining means such as stops or locks, as the smooth portion naturally prevents further rotation after disengagement, thereby reducing structural bulk while maintaining the safety function
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and eliminates the need for additional retaining means by incorporating the safety function directly into the toothed element geometry. The smooth peripheral portion serves both as a disengagement zone and as a natural stop, removing the need for separate retaining components and reducing overall structural bulk
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
This solution reduces costs and complexity by limiting the size of the return mechanism and preventing unnecessary engagement, ensuring efficient automatic return to a safety position without oversizing the actuator or increasing structural bulk.
Implementation Method 1
the second toothed element has or is operationally combined with a spring or elastic means pulling it in rotation in a direction opposite to the positive direction of rotation
Data Source
AI summary
A device for transmitting movement between a first rotating and driving toothed element and a second rotating and driven toothed element, the transmitting of movement being limited to a range of rotation that is delimited by starting and ending rotational angular positions of ranges of movement for the toothed elements. The second toothed element has a spring element pulling it in rotation in a direction opposite to the positive direction of rotation bringing the second toothed element from its beginning angular position of operational range of movement to its ending angular position of operational range of movement, and the first toothed element has a particular peripheral arc portion that is devoid of teeth, this particular peripheral arc portion extending circumferentially beyond the end or the last tooth of the toothed peripheral arc portion of the first element, seen in the positive direction of rotation of the latter.