Rod Handle Bevel Gear Reduces Fixture Transverse Dimensions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rod handles for fixtures require a minimum transverse dimension to accommodate a cogwheel and operating rods, limiting the slimming of fixture profiles for aesthetic and space reasons without compromising the longitudinal stroke or rotational movement.
Innovation Solution
A rod handle design incorporating a bevel gear transmission system that reduces the nominal diameter of the cogwheel while maintaining the longitudinal stroke and rotational movement capabilities, allowing for smaller transverse dimensions without affecting meshing stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cogwheel and operating rods are used to convert rotational movement to translational movement, then the mechanism provides stable meshing and reliable operation, but the transverse dimensions of the fixing base increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the cogwheel axis from a horizontal orientation (requiring large transverse dimensions) to a vertical orientation aligned with the rod's longitudinal axis. This dimensional change allows the mechanism to achieve the same rotational-to-translational conversion function while significantly reducing the transverse footprint of the fixing base, enabling slim fixture profiles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the orientation parameter of the cogwheel axis from horizontal to vertical, and adjusts the angular stroke requirement from 90-180 degrees to a smaller angular range. This parameter change enables the same functional output (rod translation) with reduced spatial requirements in the transverse direction.
2Reliability
If the cogwheel has a minimum nominal diameter to ensure stable meshing, then meshing stability is maintained, but the transverse dimensions of the fixing base increase
Solution Approach 1:
By rotating the cogwheel axis to a vertical orientation, the patent changes which dimension the cogwheel diameter occupies. The diameter now extends in the longitudinal direction rather than the transverse direction, allowing stable meshing to be achieved without increasing the transverse footprint of the fixing base.
3Ease of manufacture
If the fixing base has larger transverse dimensions to accommodate the cogwheel and rods, then the mechanism fits within the base, but the fixture profiles must have larger dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reorients the entire mechanism so that the cogwheel axis is vertical, allowing the mechanism to be accommodated within the fixing base without requiring large transverse dimensions. This enables the use of slim fixture profiles while still providing space for the cogwheel, operating rods, and other mechanism components.
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
Enables the production of rod handles with reduced transverse dimensions without sacrificing functionality, ensuring stable meshing and maintaining the robustness and reliability of the handle.
Implementation Method 1
a bevel gear transmission system, in which: the driving bevel wheel (31) is rotationally integral with the gripping handle (20) in order to be rotated by the rotational movements of the gripping handle (20) between the first and second angular positions; and the driven bevel wheel (32) is rotationally integral with the cogwheel (10)
Implementation Method 2
a rack-pinion system. A rotational movement of the cogwheel requires the two rods to move in parallel with the fixing base and with one another, in opposite directions
Data Source
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AI summary
Rod handle for fixtures, comprising: - a fixing base (2) that is intended to be rigidly fixed to a fixture and extends in plan in a longitudinal direction (X-X) and in a transverse direction (Y-Y), which is orthogonal to said longitudinal direction (X-X); - a cogwheel (10), which is rotationally connected to the fixing base (2) such that its axis of rotation (Z1-Z1) is orthogonal to said base; - at least one first operating rod (11), a toothed portion (11a) of which meshes with said cogwheel (10) so as to form a rack-pinion system together with said cogwheel, and is movable in a translational manner with respect to said fixing base (2) in parallel with said longitudinal direction (X-X) following rotational movements of the cogwheel (10), said first operating rod (11) being intended to be connected to a fixture closing system in order to operate it by means of its translational movements; and - a gripping handle (20), which is rotationally movable with respect to said fixing base (2) between a first and a second angular position and is kinematically connected to said cogwheel (10) to drag said wheel in rotation as it passes between said two angular positions. Said cogwheel (10) and said first operating rod (11) have overall transverse plan dimensions not exceeding the transverse extension of the fixing base (2). Said gripping handle (20) is kinematically connected to said cogwheel (10) by a bevel gear transmission system (31, 32), wherein: - the driving bevel wheel (31) of said bevel gear is integrally fixed to said gripping handle (20) for conjoint rotation in order to be rotated by the rotational movements of said gripping handle between said first and second angular positions; and - the driven bevel wheel (32) of said bevel gear is integrally fixed to said cogwheel (10) for conjoint rotation. The driving bevel wheel (31) and the associated gripping handle (20) are rotationally supported by a containment structure (40) that is fixed to said fixing base (2). Said bevel gear transmission system (31, 32) has a transmission ratio lower than 1.