Sheave-Sprocket Alignment Tool for Single-Tech Tension Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Misalignment between sheave/sprocket pairs connected by belts or chains leads to premature failure, uneven wear, high operating temperatures, and drive instability, requiring adjustment to maintain proper alignment and tension.
Innovation Solution
A sheave or sprocket tension adjustment and alignment tool (STAT) is designed to be attached to a motor mounting base, featuring adjustable protrusions and screws to securely fit into elongated apertures, allowing for precise adjustment of motor feet to align and tension sheave/sprocket pairs, using a long level or straight edge to detect misalignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If motor position is manually adjusted by sliding feet along elongated apertures, then alignment and tension can be corrected, but the process requires multiple technicians and is time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a alignment tool with adjustable protrusions that acts as an intermediary between the motor feet and the elongated apertures. This tool enables a single technician to precisely position and secure the motor feet along the apertures, eliminating the need for multiple technicians to manually slide and hold the feet in place, thus reducing adjustment time while maintaining alignment precision
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment tool incorporates self-clamping mechanisms with adjustable protrusions that automatically secure the motor feet once positioned. The tool allows a single operator to independently complete the alignment task without requiring assistance from multiple technicians, enabling the system to serve itself through automated positioning and securing features
2Stability of the object's composition
If motor feet are securely fixed to mounting base, then motor stability is maintained, but alignment adjustment becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamically adjustable protrusions on the alignment tool that can be moved along the elongated apertures to different positions. These protrusions can be adjusted during the alignment process and then secured to provide stable fixation. This dynamic adjustability allows the system to transition from an adjustable state during alignment to a stable fixed state after alignment, resolving the contradiction between ease of adjustment and motor stability
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment tool performs preliminary positioning actions by guiding the motor feet to the correct positions along the elongated apertures before final securing. The adjustable protrusions预先 (in advance) establish the proper alignment configuration, after which the motor feet can be securely fixed. This preliminary action enables both easy adjustment during positioning and stable fixation after alignment is achieved
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 a single user to easily and accurately adjust the alignment and tension of sheave/sprocket pairs, reducing the need for multiple technicians and minimizing the risk of premature failure and instability.
Implementation Method 1
The adjusting unit is configured to be wedged between the motor foot and the end of the elongated aperture
Implementation Method 2
The adjusting unit applies a force onto the motor foot to push the motor foot to move along the elongated aperture
Data Source
AI summary
A sheave/sprocket tension adjustment and alignment tool (STAT) for adjusting alignment between a sheave/sprocket of a motor and a sheave/sprocket of an application machine includes a plate, a securing unit, and an adjusting unit. The plate has a first side and a second side, each of which is an opposite side of a plane of the plate. The securing unit is coupled to the first side of the plate and is configured to protrude in a first direction from the first side of the plate. The adjusting unit is coupled to a second side of the plate. The adjusting unit includes an adjustable protrusion that is configured to adjustably protrude in a second direction, which is substantially parallel to the plane of the plate.