Rack and Pinion Power Generator Housing Guide Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional power generating devices using a rack and pinion mechanism require a separate slide guide to prevent slanting, leading to a complex structure with increased components, making them bulky, durable issues, and difficult to miniaturize.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating the power generating unit's case into a guide mechanism and forming a separate input shaft for the motor, using the housing as a weight, and employing a flexible printed circuit board to enhance durability and efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a separate slide guide is added to prevent pinion and rack slanting, then the power generating device can function properly, but the structure becomes complex and the number of components increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of pinion and rack slantingVSAvoidstructure complexity and component count
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide mechanism is merged with the housing structure. The housing includes guide surfaces that directly guide the movement of the power generating unit, eliminating the need for a separate slide guide. This integration reduces component count while maintaining the function of preventing slanting during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If a separate slide guide and regulation means are provided to ensure proper movement, then the power generating device operates reliably, but the overall size increases and miniaturization becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproper movement of pinion and rackVSAvoidoverall device size
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The guide function is combined with the housing structure rather than being a separate component. The housing includes integrated guide surfaces that constrain the power generating unit's movement path, allowing reliable operation without increasing overall device volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Use of energy by moving object

If the shaft receives the added weight of the power generating unit, then the unit can be driven by gravity or inertia, but the shaft and supporting structure require additional strength and protection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower generation using gravity and inertiaVSAvoidshaft and structure strength requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The housing structure is merged with the guide mechanism, creating an integrated structure that supports the power generating unit's weight and guides its movement. This unified structure distributes loads more effectively than a separate shaft and slide guide arrangement.

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 simplified structure reduces component count, improves durability, and allows for smaller size, stable power generation, and high reliability even under high-speed movement by distributing external forces and utilizing inertial forces effectively.

Implementation Method 1

a power generating device that generates induced electromotive force using stress and vibration

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3171488B1Electricity-generating device
Publication Date: 2020.11.18 ADAMANT NAMIKI PRECISION JEWEL CO LTD
  • EP3171488B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3171488B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3171488B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a power generating device which, while having a basic structure of using a rack and a pinion, increases power generating efficiency and has fewer components, has improved durability due to a simplified structure, and can easily be made in smaller sizes. Configuring a guide mechanism using outer walls of a case of a power generating unit as guides and combining the same with rails provided on inner walls of a case of the power generating device distributes unnecessary stress on the power generating unit over the inner walls of the case to obtain effects of achieving an overall small size, reduction in the number of components, and improved durability.