Rotation Maintaining Device Using Rotary Weights

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rotation retaining mechanisms fail to maintain rotation for an extended period due to increased friction between slide weights and guides, leading to a rapid decrease in rotational angle rate.

Innovation Solution

A rotation maintaining device with a rotatable output shaft, a rotary plate member, and pivotally supported rotary weight members that rotate in one direction, utilizing a guide member with a partially arc-shaped surface to create a difference in rotational moments, minimizing friction through the absence of linear sliding components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If slide weights are used in a rotation retaining mechanism, then rotational energy can be retained, but friction between slide weights and guides causes rapid decrease in rotational angle rate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotational energy lossVSAvoidrotation maintenance time

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional slide weight mechanism with a rotary weight member system that rotates around pivoted axes. This substitution eliminates linear sliding friction by using rotational motion instead, where the rotary weight members engage with the guide member's arc-shaped surface through rolling or pivoting action rather than sliding, thereby reducing friction and extending rotation maintenance time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The guide member is designed with an arc-shaped peripheral side surface that matches the curvature of the rotary weight members. This curved geometry allows the rotary weight members to follow the arc path smoothly, converting linear guidance into rotational guidance and eliminating sliding friction between the weights and guide surfaces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Force

If decentering of rotational orbits is used to create rotational moment difference, then rotation can be maintained, but friction increases causing fast decrease in angle rate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotational moment differenceVSAvoidfriction

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs asymmetric positioning of the guide member's arc-shaped surface relative to the rotation axis, creating different rotational moments during the rising and falling phases of the rotary weight members. The arc surface is positioned to provide engagement only during specific portions of the rotation cycle, generating an asymmetric force distribution that produces net rotational moment while minimizing friction through selective engagement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

3Device complexity

If linear sliding components are used in the rotation mechanism, then structural simplicity is achieved, but friction loss increases reducing rotation duration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical structure simplicityVSAvoidrotation maintenance time

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from static linear sliding components to dynamic rotary components that pivot and rotate. The rotary weight members dynamically engage with the arc-shaped guide surface only when needed, rather than maintaining continuous sliding contact. This dynamic engagement reduces friction loss while maintaining structural simplicity through the use of basic rotational joints and curved surfaces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 device effectively maintains rotation for an extended time by maximizing the difference in rotational moments and minimizing friction loss, allowing for efficient energy utilization without significant rotational decay.

Implementation Method 1

a weight section fixed to the circular plate section to bias a position of the center of gravity of the rotary weight member from the axis of the circular plate section

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravitational force: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

the rotational moment for lowering the rotary weight members from the upper side to the lower side becomes larger than the rotational moment for rising the same from the lower side to the upper side

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRotational moment: Torque

Implementation Method 3

The output shaft keeps its rotation by inertial rotational power of the rotary plate member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInertial rotational power: Inertia

Implementation Method 4

capable of maintaining its rotation over a long time

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAngular momentum conservation: Angular Momentum Conservation

Data Source

PatentUS9236779B2Rotation maintaining device

Publication Date: 2016.01.12 SIMPLE TOKYO

AI summary

A rotatable output shaft, a rotatable rotary plate member coupled with the output shaft, rotary weight members supported by the rotary plate member, a guide member fixed in motionless condition having a partially arc shape at a side where the rotary weight members rise, and rotation engagement members pivotally supported by the rotary place member are provided. Each of the rotary weight members includes a circular plate section, and a weight section fixed to the circular plate section to bias a position of the center of gravity of each rotary weight member from the axis of the circular plate section. Each of the rotary weight members is adapted to rotate in one direction when an outer circumference side surface of the circular plate section is driven by the outer circumference side surface of each rotation engagement member.