Receiving Disk Mating Structure for Stable Segmented Pulley Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing segmented pulley transmissions face challenges in functioning effectively at high speeds or under significant loads due to issues like ratcheting, slippage, and tensioning, which affect their reliability and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A novel receiving disk for segmented pulley transmissions is introduced, featuring a generally circular body with mating features and securing features. The mating features engage complimentary features on pulley segments, while the securing features bias these complimentary features to maintain alignment and reduce relative movement, thereby enhancing the transmission's performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If segmented pulley transmissions are used to enable ratio changes under load, then transmission versatility is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to ratcheting, slippage, and tensioning problems
Solution Approach 1:
The pulley is divided into multiple independently movable segments that can be positioned along the pulley circumference. Each segment can be individually actuated to engage or disengage from the drive member, allowing ratio changes without clutch engagement while maintaining continuous drive contact
Solution Approach 2:
The pulley segments are designed to be dynamically repositionable along the pulley circumference during operation. The segments can move between engaged and disengaged positions relative to the drive member, enabling continuous variable ratio transmission while maintaining belt contact
2Power
If segmented pulley transmissions operate at high speeds or under significant loads, then power transmission capability is improved, but mechanical stability deteriorates due to ratcheting and slippage
Solution Approach 1:
The segments are pre-positioned and spring-biased to maintain continuous contact with the drive member before load application. This preliminary engagement ensures that the belt is always supported by at least one pulley segment, preventing ratcheting and slippage under varying loads and speeds
3Adaptability or versatility
If pulley segments are individually actuatable to change ratios, then transmission versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple pulley segments are combined into unified stacks that move together as a single unit. This merging reduces the number of independent actuators needed, as one actuator can control the position of multiple segments simultaneously, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining ratio change capability
Data Source
AI summary
A receiving disk for a segmented pulley transmission is provided. The receiving disk comprises: a generally circular body having a pulley facing side and a rear side, opposite the pulley facing side; at least one mating feature located at the pulley facing side of the body, the mating feature being configured to engage a complimentary mating feature, which is secured to a pulley segment of the segmented pulley transmission, when the pulley segment is in an engaged region; and at least one securing feature located in proximity to the mating feature and configured to secure the complimentary mating feature, when the complimentary mating feature is engaged with the mating feature. A segmented pulley transmission comprising the receiving disk is further provided.