Segmented Rack Corner-Turning Mechanism for Jam-Free Transmission

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing rack corner steering mechanisms in transmission devices suffer from poor stability, jamming, and low transmission efficiency due to significant friction and instability in arc tracks.

Innovation Solution

A rack corner steering mechanism is designed with a main body featuring a connecting part, a first connecting groove, and a plunger with a second connecting groove, pivotally connected through a connecting column, allowing for flexible steering and smooth operation, with features like inclined surfaces and needle rollers to reduce friction and enhance torque transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If an arc track is arranged at the corner to achieve steering the rack, then the rack can be steered, but the transmission mechanism has poor stability, tends to jam, and has significant friction between the rack and the arc track

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverack steering capabilityVSAvoidtransmission stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The rack is divided into multiple rack units that can be independently connected and disconnected. Each rack unit can be pivotally connected to adjacent rack units through connecting columns, allowing the rack to be segmented into manageable sections that can navigate corners without requiring a continuous arc track, thereby improving stability and reducing jamming.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting columns are designed to be pivotal rather than fixed, allowing the rack units to dynamically adjust their relative positions and orientations. This dynamic connection enables the rack to flexibly navigate corners while maintaining stable transmission, eliminating the need for a fixed arc track that causes friction and jamming.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If an arc track is arranged at the corner to achieve steering the rack, then the rack can be steered, but there is significant friction between the rack and the arc track and low transmission efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverack steering capabilityVSAvoidtransmission efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The pivotal connecting columns enable dynamic adjustment of rack unit orientations, allowing the rack to steer through corners without sliding along a friction-prone arc track. This dynamic mechanism converts the steering motion into a series of discrete pivotal movements, significantly reducing friction and improving transmission efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the sliding mechanical contact of the arc track with a pivotal rotation mechanism. Instead of the rack sliding along a curved path with high friction, the rack units pivot at discrete points (connecting columns), substituting a high-friction sliding mechanism with a lower-friction rotational mechanism, thereby improving transmission efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 mechanism achieves stable, continuous motion with low noise, high bearing capacity, and a compact structure, improving transmission efficiency and reliability.

Implementation Method 1

the connecting part of the rack unit adjacent to the plunger extends in the second connecting groove and is pivotally connected through a connecting column, the connecting part of each of the other rack unit successively extend in the first connecting groove of the front rack unit and is pivotally connected through the connecting column

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRotation:

Implementation Method 2

the rear wall of each main body is provided with a first inclined surface at the position connected with the second tooth surface; in the first connecting groove, an inner wall opposite to a insertion direction of the connecting part is provided with a second inclined surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction reduction: Friction

Implementation Method 3

the bottom of the pipe orifice portion is provided with needle rollers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRolling: Roller

Data Source

PatentEP3366949B1Transmission device and corner-turning mechanism for rack thereof
Publication Date: 2023.06.07 SHENZHEN ZHAOWEI MACHINERY&ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3366949B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3366949B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3366949B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A transmission device and a rack corner steering mechanism, the rack corner steering mechanism comprises an input gear (10) and a rack steering assembly (20), the rack steering assembly (20) comprises a plunger (21) and a plurality of rack units (22), the plunger (21) is a straight bar and is moved along a straight trajectory, and the plunger (21) adjacent to the rack unit (22) is obliquely connected to an end of the plunger (21), each of the other rack units (22) is successively connected to the end of the front rack unit (22), when each rack unit (22) is engaged with the input gear (10), the rack unit (22) is rotated and is in line with the plunger (21). The rack unit (22) can be rotated to ensure the flexible steering of the steering mechanism, the reciprocating motion of the input gear (10) is converted into the reciprocating motion of the plunger (21), which has the advantages of smooth operation, good continuity, low noise, high bearing capacity, reliable, compact structure, and small volume.