Pinion Relief Pattern Prevents Slipping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing torque transmission assemblies between a crankshaft and pinions/pulleys require complex processing and generate unnecessary part diversity, with directional considerations complicating assembly and risking slipping due to partial or total linear superposition of patterns.
Innovation Solution
Designing pinions with laterally delimited surfaces featuring a relief pattern that remains identical on each face, ensuring no intersection points when superimposed with their specular image, regardless of angular position, to enhance friction and simplify assembly by reducing part variety and processing complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If laser structuring is applied to crankshaft and pulleys to create raised relief patterns, then friction and mechanical strength are improved, but manufacturing complexity and part diversity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the same relief pattern to all bearing surfaces (crankshaft, pinions, pulley), creating homogeneous friction surfaces that simplify manufacturing. Instead of differentiating patterns across components, the invention uses a unified pattern design that can be consistently applied through laser structuring, reducing part diversity while maintaining improved friction and mechanical strength.
2Power
If different relief patterns are used on different faces of gears, then torque transmission is optimized, but part diversity and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The relief pattern is designed with asymmetric characteristics that prevent linear superposition when components are assembled. The pattern includes elements that, when overlaid, create only point intersections rather than linear overlaps, ensuring optimal friction conditions regardless of assembly orientation. This asymmetric design allows the same pattern to be used on all faces without requiring differentiation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a universal relief pattern that serves all bearing surfaces in the assembly (crankshaft, multiple pinions, pulley). This single pattern design fulfills the torque transmission function across all interfaces without requiring component-specific variations, thereby reducing part diversity while maintaining effective power transmission.
3Power
If machining is performed on multiple sides of pulleys to create friction surfaces, then torque transmission is improved, but manufacturing operations and part variety increase
Solution Approach 1:
By applying the same relief pattern to all bearing surfaces, the invention eliminates the need for differentiated machining operations on different pulley sides. The homogeneous pattern design allows consistent manufacturing processes to be applied across all components, reducing the number of unique machining operations required and improving manufacturing productivity.
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 ensures secure torque transmission without relative rotation, reduces part diversity, and simplifies manufacturing by maintaining consistent contact surfaces, thereby preventing slipping and improving mechanical strength and assembly ease.
Implementation Method 1
The present invention relates to the holding without relative movement of two machine elements by friction for the transmission of torque
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
The invention relates to a pinion (2, 3) for transmitting movement about an axis of rotation (Z), laterally defined by two faces, characterised in that each of the two faces comprises a bearing surface (2a, 2b, 3a, 3b), said bearing surfaces (2a, 2b, 3a, 3b) comprising the same raised motif, the raised motif being such that the superposition of said motif and the specular image thereof only gives one point of intersection or more, irrespective of the angular position of superposition of the specular image in relation to the motif.