Planetary Gear Door Cover for Low-Rotation Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional doors require significant effort and space to open or close, as they need to rotate at least 90 degrees or traverse large distances, making them inefficient and space-consuming, especially when used in small areas or as container lids.
Innovation Solution
A door system utilizing a sun gear and planetary gears allows for the cover components to separate and reassemble within a single plane, enabling access to an interior space with minimal rotation, reducing the effort and space required for opening and closing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional hinged door is used, then the door can be opened and closed, but it requires rotation of at least 90 degrees which takes more effort and time
Solution Approach 1:
The door is divided into multiple individual cover components (e.g., six triangular segments) that can move independently. Each segment is attached to a planetary gear, allowing them to separate and relocate individually rather than rotating as a single unit, significantly reducing the opening/closing time and effort.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover components move from a rotational motion (conventional hinged door) to a translational motion along radial paths. The planetary gear mechanism converts the rotational input into radial movement of the cover segments, changing the dimension of motion from angular to linear displacement, thereby reducing the traversal distance and time.
2Ease of operation
If a conventional hinged door is used, then the door can be opened and closed, but it takes up valuable space around the door
Solution Approach 1:
The cover components nest within the housing when opened. The planetary gear mechanism allows the cover segments to retract into the housing body, similar to nested dolls, eliminating the need for external hinge space and reducing the overall footprint of the door system.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of rotating outward in a circular arc that requires peripheral space, the cover components move radially inward along the axis of the housing. This dimensional change in motion path allows the door mechanism to be contained within the housing volume, minimizing the external space required.
3Device complexity
If a single piece door is used, then the structure is simple, but it requires more effort and time to open or close
Solution Approach 1:
The door is segmented into multiple cover components that can move independently. Each segment is attached to a planetary gear, allowing them to separate and relocate individually rather than rotating as a single unit, significantly reducing the opening/closing time and effort.
Solution Approach 2:
The planetary gear mechanism serves as an intermediary between the user's rotational input and the cover components' radial movement. This intermediary mechanism translates a small rotational motion into efficient radial separation of the cover segments, reducing the direct effort required compared to moving a single heavy door piece.
4Reliability
If a container with screw type lid or hinged lid is used, then the container can be sealed, but it requires increased effort on the user's part to open or close
Solution Approach 1:
The lid is divided into multiple cover components that can move independently. When closed, these segments come together to form a complete sealing surface. The segmentation allows the lid to be opened with minimal effort as each segment moves independently rather than requiring the user to overcome the torque of a single large hinged lid or screw threads.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover components move radially along the axis of the container rather than rotating on a hinge or threading with a screw. This linear radial motion requires significantly less effort from the user compared to the rotational torque required for hinged lids or the threading action of screw lids, while still maintaining effective sealing when closed.
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 door can be opened or closed with as little as 15 degrees of rotation, significantly reducing the effort needed and minimizing space usage, while allowing for easy access to the interior space without the need for hinges.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of planetary gears evenly distributed about the central axis of the ring, each of the planetary gears including a rotational axis and rotationally coupled to the ring and the sun gear
Data Source
AI summary
A door for allowing access to an interior space of a housing, one end of the housing is sealed with a cover having a plurality of cover components, the door comprising: a sun gear comprising a rotational axis, the sun gear is attached to the housing; a ring having a central axis coaxially disposed with the rotational axis of the sun gear; and a plurality of planetary gears evenly distributed about the central axis of the ring, each the planetary gear comprising a rotational axis and rotationally coupled to the ring and the sun gear, wherein the rotational axis of each the planetary gear is disposed parallel to the central axis of the ring, wherein each of the cover components is configured to be attached to one of the plurality of planetary gears and when the ring is rotated with respect to the housing, the plurality of cover components separate.