Regulating flap reduction gear

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing control flap reduction gears for gas or liquid volume flow control in HVAC, fire, or smoke protection systems are complex in structure and require multiple components for assembly and disassembly, with separate parts needed for rotation stops, which complicates the assembly and stability of the gear.

Innovation Solution

A simplified control flap reduction gear design where the connecting elements are integrated with the first bearing plate, eliminating the need for separate rotation stop components, using metal bearing plates that are stamped or laser-cut, with tabs forming rotation stops and being welded to the second bearing plate for stability and assembly, allowing for precise adjustment of the control flap.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate rotation stop components are used, then the gear can achieve reliable rotation stopping, but the device complexity increases and assembly becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotation stop reliabilityVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rotation stop function is merged into the bearing plate by forming tabs as integral parts of the bearing plate structure. This eliminates the need for separate rotation stop components while maintaining the reliability of rotation stopping, directly resolving the technical contradiction between reliability and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Stability of the object's composition

If multiple individual parts are used for assembly, then the gear can achieve stable structure, but the assembly and disassembly processes become more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The tabs are formed integrally with the bearing plate as a single piece, eliminating the need for separate components. This reduces assembly complexity while maintaining structural stability through the integrated design, where the tabs become inherent structural elements of the bearing plate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If tabs are made thinner than the bearing plate, then assembly becomes easier, but the tabs lack stability and cannot form effective rotation stops

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly easeVSAvoidtab stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The tabs are given the same thickness as the bearing plate locally at the critical regions where stability is needed, while maintaining overall design simplicity. This ensures the tabs have sufficient stiffness and stability to form effective rotation stops without requiring additional thickening that would complicate assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 design reduces the number of individual parts, enhances stability, and allows for precise control of the control flap, enabling efficient transmission of high torques and quick operation of the output shaft, with reduced assembly complexity and improved structural integrity.

Implementation Method 1

The free tab ends inserted into the second bearing plate and/or the at least one lateral projection abutting the second bearing plate are materially bonded to the second bearing plate, in particular (laser) welded, in order to permanently fasten the two bearing plates and the gear parts arranged between them to each other.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWelding: Welding

Data Source

PatentEP3705754B1Regulating flap reduction gear
Publication Date: 2021.04.28 GRUNER AG
  • EP3705754B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3705754B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

In a control flap reduction gear (1) for an electrically driven control flap for regulating a gas or liquid volume flow, with two parallel bearing plates (5, 6) between which gear parts (3, 4) are rotatably arranged, and with several spacers which hold the two bearing plates (5, 6) at a distance from each other, according to the invention the several spacers are designed as tabs (7a-7e) of the first bearing plate (5), which are bent 90° out of the plane of the first bearing plate (5) and have at least one lateral projection (8). The tabs (7a-7e) are inserted with their free tab ends (9) into insertion openings (10) of the second bearing plate (6) until they bear against the second bearing plate (6) with their at least one lateral projection (8).