Triangular-Opening Sprocket Structure for Strength-to-Weight Balance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sprockets face a challenge in balancing strength and weight reduction, as existing designs with circular openings do not effectively achieve high strength and lightweight requirements.
Innovation Solution
A sprocket design featuring mounting holes at equal intervals with triangular openings, where first openings have two corners facing the holes and one corner towards the periphery, and second openings have one corner facing the hole and two corners towards the periphery, with specific inclination angles and crossbar configurations to optimize strength and weight distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If circular openings are formed in the sprocket for weight reduction, then the weight is reduced, but the strength is impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The sprocket body is segmented by providing multiple openings (first openings and second openings) instead of a single large opening. This segmentation allows weight reduction while maintaining structural integrity through the distributed arrangement of opening patterns across the sprocket body.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses asymmetric triangular-shaped openings with specific corner arrangements rather than symmetric circular openings. The first openings have two corners facing mounting holes and one corner toward the outer periphery, while second openings have one corner facing mounting holes and two corners toward the outer periphery, creating an asymmetric pattern that optimizes both weight reduction and strength distribution.
2Weight of moving object
If more material is removed to reduce weight further, then weight reduction is achieved, but stress concentration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The openings are designed with curved side edges rather than sharp straight lines, creating a more gradual stress distribution. The triangular shapes have rounded corners and curved boundaries that reduce stress concentration points compared to angular or circular openings, allowing greater material removal without compromising structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The opening patterns are strategically positioned with specific corner orientations relative to mounting holes and the outer periphery. This local arrangement optimizes stress distribution in critical areas while maximizing weight reduction in less critical areas, creating a non-uniform but optimized material distribution.
3Weight of moving object
If the opening shape is optimized for weight reduction, then weight is reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex triangular opening patterns are segmented into first openings and second openings with standardized corner arrangements. This segmentation allows the use of modular manufacturing approaches such as stamping or punching dies that can efficiently produce the repeated triangular patterns, reducing the impact of geometric complexity on manufacturing difficulty.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a strong and lightweight sprocket. A sprocket according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: attachment holes 20 formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction; a plurality of sprocket teeth 30 provided to the outer periphery; first openings 40 formed into substantially triangular shapes of which two corners each face an attachment hole 20 and the remaining corner is positioned toward the outer periphery; and second openings 50 that are formed into substantially triangular shapes of which one corner faces an attachment hole 20 and the remaining two corners are positioned toward the outer periphery, and that, with the first openings 40, demarcate first crossbars 70 with which driving force and load reaction force align and second crossbars 80 with which driving force and load reaction force conflict.