Rotary Tool Drive Head With Centrifugal Flyweight Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food processing appliances face challenges in securely locking removable rotary tools to the rotational drive head, requiring improvements in reliability, durability, stability, and silence, especially when handling diverse food types and shapes.
Innovation Solution
The use of flyweights arranged externally around the hubs to create centrifugal force, which locks the driven and driving hubs together during rotation, allowing for high torque transmission while enabling easy uncoupling for cleaning by occupying a different position when stationary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking mechanism is used to secure the rotary tool to the drive head, then reliability and stability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flyweights that dynamically change position based on rotational speed. At low speeds, the flyweights are retracted allowing easy tool removal. At high speeds, centrifugal force automatically extends the flyweights to engage with the driven hub, providing secure locking. This dynamic behavior eliminates the need for separate locking mechanisms while ensuring reliable connection during operation.
2Strength
If a secure locking mechanism is implemented, then durability and stability under stress are improved, but ease of operation for tool removal deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The locking strength is dynamically adjusted based on operational conditions. During high-speed operation, centrifugal force maintains strong engagement between flyweights and hub. During low-speed or stationary conditions, the flyweights automatically retract, allowing effortless tool removal without requiring force or complex unlocking procedures.
3Power
If flyweights are positioned to lock hubs together during rotation, then torque transmission is improved, but noise and vibration increase
Solution Approach 1:
The flyweights feature a specific geometric configuration with a locking face that contacts a corresponding surface on the driven hub. This localized contact geometry is designed to distribute forces evenly and minimize impact loads, thereby reducing vibration and noise while maintaining effective torque transmission during high-speed operation.
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
This solution provides a reliable, durable, and silent locking mechanism that effectively transmits torque even under stress and uneven food distribution, ensuring efficient processing and easy tool maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
under the effect of the centrifugal force resulting from the rotation of the drive head by the motor shaft, several weights are moved so that a part of each of them approaches the central axis until it interferes, typically in support, with the outer face of the driven hub so as to lock the driven and driving hubs together
Data Source
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AI summary
This device comprises a motor shaft, which is rotatable on itself around a central axis (X-X) and which is integral with a head (42) for driving the tool (2) in rotation around the axis, the tool being attached to the drive head in a removable manner. The drive head includes a drive hub (24) which is adapted to engage a driven hub (6) of the tool to transmit rotary motion therebetween. The drive head is provided with flyweights (36) for locking the tool on the drive head, which flyweights are movable under the effect of a centrifugal force resulting from the rotation of the drive head. driven by the motor shaft, between a rest position, in which the weights do not interfere with the driven hub, and a position of use, in which a part (48) of each of the weights is brought closer to the axis central and cooperates mechanically with the driven hub to maintain it in engagement with the driving hub.