Swivel Drive With Elastic Connecting Part

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing swivel drives lack a compact and robust design with integrated control systems, leading to high wear parts and significant manufacturing and error tolerances, which are not effectively minimized.

Innovation Solution

A pivot drive with a drive device, gear, coupling, and drive flange, featuring a coupling flange with a decoupling connecting part made of elastic material to reduce wear and error tolerances, an integrated positioning device, and an electromagnetic brake for secure power transmission, along with a bearing flange for system integration and cable management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If a direct torque transmission from drive device to pivotable tube is used, then power transmission is efficient, but wear on contacting components increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower transmission efficiencyVSAvoidcomponent wear
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a connecting part as an intermediary element between the drive flange and the pivotable tube. This connecting part transmits torque while reducing direct contact and wear between the drive device and the pivotable tube, thereby maintaining power transmission efficiency while improving component reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Power

If rigid connections are used between drive components, then torque transmission is direct, but error tolerances and manufacturing tolerances cannot be compensated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetorque transmissionVSAvoiderror tolerance compensation
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting part is designed with elastic properties, allowing it to deform elastically under torque load. This elasticity enables the connection to accommodate manufacturing tolerances and errors while still transmitting torque effectively, thus resolving the contradiction between direct torque transmission and tolerance compensation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Volume of moving object

If the drive device is integrated within the pivotable tube, then the design is compact, but access for maintenance and control system integration becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrive device footprintVSAvoidmaintenance access
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The drive device is segmented into modular components (drive element, gear, coupling, drive flange, connecting part) that can be assembled and disassembled independently. This segmentation allows the compact integration within the pivotable tube while enabling easier maintenance access by allowing individual components to be replaced without complete disassembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Reliability

If stops are added to limit rotary movement, then security against unauthorized opening is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity against unauthorized openingVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The stop mechanism is merged with the existing coupling flange and drive device structure. The stops are integrated into the flange components rather than being separate elements, thus providing security against unauthorized opening while minimizing the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution provides a compact, robust swivel drive with reduced wear and error tolerance compensation, ensuring secure and efficient power transmission and position control, suitable for security doors and turnstiles.

Implementation Method 1

the connecting part can also be made of an elastic material. An elastic material can in particular be an elastomeric plastic or rubber, which can be used to dampen the torque during power transmission from the drive device via the coupling to the coupling flange

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the drive device has a brake. In another advantageous embodiment, this can be designed in the form of an electromagnetic brake

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic force: Lorentz Force

Data Source

PatentEP4112858B1Swivel drive
Publication Date: 2024.01.03 CAMBAUM GMBH
  • EP4112858B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4112858B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3b
  • EP4112858B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a rotary actuator designed to provide a compact and robust construction with an integrated control system, while simultaneously minimizing the number of wear parts. The rotary actuator according to the invention achieves this objective by arranging the drive unit within the pivotable tube and by providing a coupling flange and a stop flange. The stop flange is operatively connected to the coupling flange, and both the coupling flange and the stop flange each have a stop, thus limiting the rotary motion transmitted by the drive unit to the pivotable tube.