Split Pinion Bushing Connection Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pinions formed by two joinable parts face issues with friction force absorption, assembly errors, and sanitary concerns due to the use of screws and nuts, which lead to dimensional deformations, clogged holes, and potential damage during installation or removal.
Innovation Solution
A pinion design featuring semi-circular portions connected via bushings instead of screws and nuts, eliminating the need for nut holes and enhancing friction force absorption, assembly precision, and ease of disassembly, with bushings providing greater resistance to deformation and preventing damage during removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If screws and nuts are used to fix the two halves of the pinion, then the connection can be maintained, but the friction forces cannot be absorbed and dimensional deformations occur under stress
Solution Approach 1:
The pinion is divided into two semi-circular portions that can be assembled separately on the shaft and then joined together. This segmentation allows the pinion to be mounted without removing the shaft while maintaining structural integrity through the joining surfaces and connection means.
Solution Approach 2:
Connection means (screws, nuts, and sealing elements) are introduced as intermediary components to join the two portions of the pinion. These intermediaries transmit and distribute the friction forces across the joining surfaces, preventing dimensional deformations while maintaining the connection strength.
2Reliability
If two holes for nuts and two holes for screws are provided, then the connection can be secured, but dirt may clog the holes and degrade the tooth profile
Solution Approach 1:
The joining surfaces are designed with asymmetric features including non-circular cross-sections or specific geometric profiles that prevent incorrect assembly. This asymmetry ensures that the two portions can only be joined in the correct orientation, eliminating assembly errors while maintaining connection security.
Solution Approach 2:
The nut holes are eliminated from the design. Instead of providing separate holes for nuts and screws, the connection means are integrated into the shaft or the pinion structure, reducing the number of openings from four to two. This extraction of unnecessary holes prevents dirt clogging and maintains tooth profile integrity.
3Ease of operation
If the two portions are made symmetrical for easier assembly, then assembly is simplified, but assembly errors may occur due to incorrect orientation
Solution Approach 1:
The joining surfaces are designed with asymmetric features including non-circular cross-sections or specific geometric profiles that prevent incorrect assembly. This asymmetry ensures that the two portions can only be joined in the correct orientation, eliminating assembly errors while maintaining connection security.
4Manufacturing precision
If pins are used to ensure correct alignment of the two halves, then alignment precision is improved, but the working environment becomes less safe due to hammer insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The joining surfaces are designed with asymmetric features including non-circular cross-sections or specific geometric profiles that prevent incorrect assembly. This asymmetry ensures that the two portions can only be joined in the correct orientation, eliminating assembly errors while maintaining connection security.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
Pinion formed by two joinable parts mountable on a shaft comprising: a substantially semi-circular first portion of said pinion; a substantially semi-circular second portion of said pinion; said first portion has a first joining surface and a first portion of a hole concentric with said pinion; said second portion has a second joining surface and a second portion of a hole concentric with said pinion; said first joining surface is adapted to be joined to said second joining surface by means of connection means; characterized in that said connection means comprise a first bushing and a second bushing; said first bushing is fixed onto said first portion and protrudes from said first joining surface; said second bushing is fixed onto said first or second portion and protrudes from said first or second joining surface.