Sliding Support Mechanism with Movable Pinion for Gear Mesh Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional motor-driven sliding support mechanisms, such as those used in recreational vehicles, suffer from issues like binding, degradation, poor gear mesh, and difficulty in manual operation due to misalignment and inadequate coupling, leading to motor failures and safety concerns during unexpected movements or remote locations.
Innovation Solution
The improved sliding support mechanisms ensure proper meshing of pinion teeth and rack grooves, maintain solid motor coupling, and allow easy decoupling and re-coupling of pinions from the motor, enabling manual operation by using a shaft with bearings and a housing configuration that accommodates misalignment and allows for free translation of the rack.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional rack and pinion mechanisms are used in motorized sliding support, then the mechanism can provide motorized operation, but the pinion teeth and rack grooves are prone to binding and degradation due to misalignment under mechanical forces
Solution Approach 1:
The pinion assembly is designed to be movable relative to the rack, allowing the pinion to dynamically adjust its position to maintain proper alignment. The bearing assembly enables the pinion to move laterally and angularly, ensuring continuous contact between pinion teeth and rack grooves even under varying loads and misalignment conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing assembly acts as an intermediary between the motor shaft and the pinion, allowing relative movement and misalignment accommodation. This intermediary component absorbs the misalignment stresses and maintains proper gear meshing without transmitting damaging forces to the motor or rack.
2Reliability
If the motor is solidly coupled to the shaft and components, then the mechanism can provide reliable motorized operation, but the motor and electrical connections are vulnerable to damage during unexpected movements
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing assembly serves as a protective intermediary between the motor and the external mechanical forces. It allows the motor to remain securely mounted while isolating it from the misalignment forces and unexpected movements that occur in the rack and pinion mechanism, thereby protecting the motor and electrical connections from damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing assembly provides beforehand cushioning by accommodating misalignment and movement variations before they can transmit damaging forces to the motor. This preventive design protects the motor from sudden shocks and unexpected movements that could otherwise sever electrical connections or damage the motor itself.
3Extent of automation
If the mechanism uses conventional coupling between motor and pinions, then the mechanism can operate automatically, but it becomes difficult or impossible to operate manually when motor failure occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanism is segmented into distinct functional modules: the motor assembly, the bearing assembly, and the pinion-rack assembly. This segmentation allows the pinion to be independently removed from the motor shaft while maintaining its connection to the rack, enabling manual operation by simply disengaging the pinion from the motor without requiring disassembly of the entire mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable pinion assembly designed for automatic operation also enables manual operation. The same bearing assembly that allows dynamic adjustment during motorized operation also permits easy removal of the pinion from the motor shaft, providing dual functionality for both automated and manual operation modes.
4Reliability
If the pinions are firmly attached to the motor shaft, then the mechanism can provide reliable power transmission, but excessive disassembly and reassembly is required for serviceability
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling between the motor shaft and pinion is segmented into separable components. The pinion is mounted on the shaft through the bearing assembly in a manner that allows easy removal and reattachment. This segmentation maintains reliable power transmission during operation while enabling quick serviceability when needed, eliminating the need for excessive disassembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing assembly provides a dynamic mounting solution that secures the pinion to the shaft during operation for reliable power transmission, but allows for easy removal and reattachment during maintenance. This dynamic coupling approach balances the competing requirements of reliability and serviceability.
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 design enhances reliability and serviceability by reducing motor damage, allowing safe and manual operation of RV slide-outs even in the event of motor failure, and extends the operational lifetime of the mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
a bearing configured to receive the shaft and encircle the shaft at a point between the rotor and the second end of the shaft
Data Source
AI summary
Rack-and-pinion sliding support mechanisms are disclosed. One or more shafts are coupled to pinions configured to engage with one or more racks and configured to be driven by one or more motors. The rack and pinion are configured to provide vertical and horizontal displacement to reduce premature component wear leading to poor gear mesh caused to by forces on the mechanism during use.