Pulley Coupling Device with Adjustable Locking Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
The assembly and disassembly of pulleys or gear wheels in drive systems are laborious and time-consuming, and in the racing field, there is a need to quickly adapt vehicle performance by optimizing gear ratios, requiring faster replacement times for these components.
Innovation Solution
A coupling device and method that uses a splined or threaded connection with a locking mechanism, featuring a ring-shaped locking member with adjustable dimensions and a bayonet-type shape coupling, allowing for easy attachment and detachment of gear wheels to a shaft by varying the radial and circumferential dimensions of the locking member.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional bolted connections are used to assemble pulleys or gear wheels, then the connection is reliable and secure, but the assembly and disassembly process becomes laborious and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device is divided into distinct functional segments: a coupling body with splined connection for secure attachment, and a separate locking mechanism with adjustable locking members. This segmentation allows the secure connection function to be maintained while the locking/unlocking operation can be performed quickly as a single integrated action, reducing overall assembly time while preserving connection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking members are designed with adjustable dimensions that can be dynamically changed during operation. The locking mechanism transitions between locked and unlocked states through dimensional adjustment of the locking members, enabling rapid assembly and disassembly while maintaining secure connection when locked, thus resolving the contradiction between connection reliability and assembly time.
2Reliability
If traditional bolted connections are used to assemble pulleys or gear wheels, then the connection is secure, but the process requires multiple individual steps and skilled operators
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device merges the securing function and the locking function into a single integrated mechanism. The locking members work in conjunction with the splined coupling body to provide both secure connection and easy operation through a single locking/unlocking action, eliminating the need for multiple individual bolt operations and reducing skill requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable dimensional characteristics of the locking members enable the mechanism to adapt between secured and unsecured states dynamically. This dynamic adjustment simplifies the operation to a single action while maintaining secure connection when locked, improving ease of operation without compromising connection security.
3Adaptability or versatility
If crown gears or pulleys are replaced to optimize vehicle performance on track, then the vehicle can be quickly adapted to track conditions, but the replacement process is time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device segments the connection and locking functions, allowing the crown gear or pulley to be quickly detached by simply unlocking the locking members without complex disassembly procedures. This enables rapid replacement of drive components to adapt vehicle performance to different track conditions, significantly reducing replacement time while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable locking members provide dynamic locking and unlocking capability, enabling rapid replacement of crown gears or pulleys. The mechanism transitions quickly between locked (secure connection for performance) and unlocked (rapid replacement for adaptation) states, reducing replacement time while preserving the ability to adapt vehicle performance to different track conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
A coupling device (10) for a gear wheel (12), a pulley or other similar units comprising a support (18) for a gear wheel (16) or an operating portion of the pulley or unit, means for centering and drawing the crown gear (16) or the operating portion on the support and means for holding the crown gear (16) or operating portion against the support (18) along a parallel direction relative to a rotation axis of the gear wheel or pulley or unit, said means comprising a locking member (34) suitable to be fixed to the support (18) for defining an abutment for the crown gear (16) or operating portion.