Reversible Spacer Layout for Adjustable Cycloidal Reducer Rollers

Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional spacers require multiple thicknesses to adjust roller spacing, leading to increased assembly time and manufacturing costs due to the need for various molds.

Innovation Solution

A spacer design that utilizes the distance difference between roller accommodating grooves and a reference plane to adjust roller spacing by flipping 90 degrees, reducing assembly complexity and eliminating the need for multiple mold variations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple spacers with different thicknesses are prepared to adjust roller spacing, then the spacing adjustment capability is improved, but the assembly time increases and manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveroller spacing adjustment capabilityVSAvoidassembly time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The spacer is designed with two different groove patterns on its two surfaces, allowing a single spacer to serve multiple functions. By flipping the spacer to use different surfaces, different roller spacing configurations are achieved without needing multiple spacers of different thicknesses, thus reducing assembly time while maintaining spacing adjustment capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of adjusting spacing by selecting from multiple spacers of different thicknesses (traditional approach), the invention inverts the approach by using a single spacer with multiple groove patterns on different surfaces. The spacer is flipped to different orientations to achieve different spacing configurations, reversing the conventional method of adjustment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple spacers with different thicknesses are prepared to adjust roller spacing, then the spacing adjustment capability is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveroller spacing adjustment capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The spacer is designed with two different groove patterns on its two surfaces, allowing a single spacer to serve multiple functions. By flipping the spacer to use different surfaces, different roller spacing configurations are achieved without needing multiple spacers of different thicknesses, thus reducing assembly time while maintaining spacing adjustment capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of adjusting spacing by selecting from multiple spacers of different thicknesses (traditional approach), the invention inverts the approach by using a single spacer with multiple groove patterns on different surfaces. The spacer is flipped to different orientations to achieve different spacing configurations, reversing the conventional method of adjustment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple spacers with different thicknesses are prepared to adjust roller spacing, then the spacing adjustment capability is improved, but the assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveroller spacing adjustment capabilityVSAvoidassembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The spacer is designed with two different groove patterns on its two surfaces, allowing a single spacer to serve multiple functions. By flipping the spacer to use different surfaces, different roller spacing configurations are achieved without needing multiple spacers of different thicknesses, thus reducing assembly time while maintaining spacing adjustment capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of adjusting spacing by selecting from multiple spacers of different thicknesses (traditional approach), the invention inverts the approach by using a single spacer with multiple groove patterns on different surfaces. The spacer is flipped to different orientations to achieve different spacing configurations, reversing the conventional method of adjustment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS11460094B1Spacer and cycloidal reducer with the spacer

Publication Date: 2022.10.04 HIWIN TECH CORP

AI summary

A spacer includes a first surface and a second surface. The first surface and the second surface respectively have two opposite first roller accommodating grooves and two opposite second roller accommodating grooves. The first and second roller accommodating grooves of the first surface correspond to the second and first roller accommodating grooves of the second surface. The spacer defines a reference plane, which is perpendicular to a horizontal direction and passes through a center point of the maximum thickness of the spacer. The horizontal distance from the reference plane to the center of each first roller accommodating groove is different from the horizontal distance from the reference plane to the center of each second roller accommodating groove. By flipping the spacer of the present invention, the spacing of two adjacent rollers can be adjusted. In addition, the present invention further provides a cycloidal reducer with the aforementioned spacer.