Tensioning Gear Mechanism with Synchronizer Ring for Spring Drive
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tensioning gear mechanisms for spring-type stored-energy drives in circuit-breakers face challenges in efficiently tensioning and maintaining the stored-energy spring, leading to unnecessary loading and wear on components during the tensioned state.
Innovation Solution
A tensioning gear mechanism featuring a claw coupling with a torsion-resistant first coupling jaw, a synchronizer ring, and a locking mechanism that decouples the intermediate shaft from the freewheel in the tensioned state, reducing force transmission and wear, and utilizing a synchronizer ring to gradually adapt rotational speeds and increase frictional force for reduced loading and wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the claw coupling maintains continuous coupling between the intermediate shaft and freewheel during tensioning, then the tensioning force can be continuously transmitted, but the intermediate shaft and locking mechanism components remain loaded and braced even when not needed, increasing wear and reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The claw coupling is designed to automatically decouple the intermediate shaft from the freewheel when the tensioning operation is complete and the spring is fully tensioned. This preliminary decoupling action removes unnecessary loads from the intermediate shaft and locking mechanism components before they can cause wear or failure, thereby improving reliability without compromising the duration of force transmission during active tensioning.
2Strength
If the synchronizer ring is not used, then the claw coupling structure is simpler, but the sudden engagement of coupling jaws causes impact loading and wear on the coupling components
Solution Approach 1:
The synchronizer ring acts as an intermediary element between the two coupling jaws during engagement. It gradually adapts the rotational speeds of the coupling jaws to each other through controlled friction, preventing sudden impact and reducing wear on the coupling components. This mediator approach strengthens the coupling system by eliminating shock loads while adding only moderate complexity through the inclusion of the synchronizer ring.
3Speed
If the first coupling jaw is fixed in position, then the claw coupling structure is simpler, but it cannot accommodate the rotational speed differences between the intermediate shaft and freewheel during engagement
Solution Approach 1:
The first coupling jaw is designed with dynamic characteristics, allowing it to be displaceable along the longitudinal axis of the intermediate shaft. This displacement capability enables the coupling jaw to accommodate rotational speed differences during engagement by adjusting its position, thereby facilitating smooth coupling without rigid constraints. The dynamic design adds complexity to the coupling jaw structure but is necessary for achieving proper speed adaptation during the coupling process.
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 mechanism effectively tensions the stored-energy spring, reduces loading and wear on components, and ensures reliable locking and decoupling, enhancing the operational efficiency and longevity of the spring-type stored-energy drive.
Implementation Method 1
The synchronizer ring is pressed against the second coupling jaw when the first coupling jaw is moving from the second end position into the first end position
Data Source
AI summary
A charging mechanism charges a stored-energy spring of a stored-energy spring mechanism. The charging mechanism contains a charging gear coupled to the stored-energy spring, an intermediate shaft coupled to the charging gear, an idler gear, a freewheel coupled to the idler gear, a locking mechanism for releasably locking the charging gear in a charged state of the stored-energy spring, and a dog clutch that couples the freewheel to the intermediate shaft to charge the stored-energy spring and uncouples same from the intermediate shaft in the charged state of the stored-energy spring. The dog clutch contains a first clutch block that is non-rotatably coupled to the intermediate shaft, a second clutch block connected to the freewheel, and a synchronizer ring disposed between the clutch blocks and is non-rotatably coupled to the first clutch block, the synchronizer ring is pressed against the second clutch block when the dog clutch is closed.