Thread Rolling Distance Adjustment Using Worm-Eccentric Drive

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing thread rolling machines face difficulties in easily and precisely adjusting the thread-rolling distance due to the requirement of applying a large force and the limitations imposed by the small outer diameter of the third regulating unit, which restricts the number of threaded units and affects the strength of the adjustment mechanism.

Innovation Solution

The adjustment device incorporates a worm assemblage with a worm shaft, a regulating unit, and an engagement portion, along with a drive assemblage featuring a first and second drive unit with a linking portion. This configuration allows for a slight and precise adjustment of the thread-rolling distance by rotating the worm shaft and driving the drive assemblage, thereby changing the position of the positioning portion and adjusting the distance between the second die unit and the positioning portion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the third regulating unit is used to adjust the thread-rolling distance, then the adjustment mechanism is compact, but a larger force is required and the adjustment becomes laborious

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment mechanism compactnessVSAvoidadjustment effort
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a worm gear as an intermediary mechanism between the third regulating unit and the second regulating unit. The worm gear acts as a force amplifier and motion transformer, converting the small rotational force from the third regulating unit into sufficient linear force to move the second regulating unit and adjust the thread-rolling distance, thereby resolving the contradiction between compactness and ease of operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the mechanical parameters of the adjustment system by introducing a worm gear with specific gear ratio. This parameter change allows the system to transform rotational motion into linear motion while amplifying the input force, making the adjustment process easier without increasing the overall size of the mechanism

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Volume of moving object

If the threaded units on the third regulating unit are made smaller to fit its limited space, then the outer diameter constraint is satisfied, but the strength of the threaded units becomes insufficient to bear the required force

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethird regulating unit sizeVSAvoidthreaded units strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The worm gear serves as a force amplifier that compensates for the reduced size and strength of the threaded units on the third regulating unit. By introducing this intermediary mechanism, the system can use smaller, space-efficient threaded units while still generating sufficient adjustment force through the mechanical advantage provided by the worm gear

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the direct mechanical connection between the third regulating unit and the adjustment mechanism with a worm gear transmission system. This substitution allows the use of smaller threaded units by introducing a mechanical advantage system that amplifies the input force, resolving the contradiction between size constraints and strength requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Device complexity

If the third regulating unit has a small outer diameter, then the device is compact, but the number of threaded units is restricted affecting adjustment precision

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice compactnessVSAvoidthread-rolling distance adjustment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The worm gear acts as an intermediary that decouples the size constraints of the third regulating unit from the precision requirements of the adjustment mechanism. It allows the system to maintain compact dimensions while achieving precise adjustment through the cumulative effect of multiple worm gear teeth engagements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The worm gear transmission provides periodic action through its tooth-by-tooth engagement mechanism. This periodic interaction between the worm gear teeth and the gear teeth enables precise incremental adjustment of the thread-rolling distance, allowing accurate positioning even with a compact third regulating unit that has limited space for threaded units

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

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 enables easy and precise adjustment of the thread-rolling distance, reducing the effort required for adjustments and ensuring accurate processing of workpieces with different sizes, while also effectively bearing the forces involved during the adjustment process.

Implementation Method 1

The worm shaft and the regulating unit facilitate a slight rotation of the drive assemblage, thereby achieving a slight and precise adjustment in the thread-rolling distance and saving the effort for executing the adjustment

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Implementation Method 2

a rotation of the eccentric wheel 132 is carried out by a rotation of the transmission wheel 131 so that the transmission shaft 133 is driven by the rotation of the eccentric wheel 132 to thereby attain a forward and backward movement

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEccentric mechanism: Eccentric

Data Source

PatentEP4556135A1An adjustment device of a thread rolling machine
Publication Date: 2025.05.21 HSIAO CHUN YU
  • EP4556135A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4556135A1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4556135A1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

An adjustment device (4) is connected to a transmission device (33) of a thread rolling machine (3). The transmission device (33) includes an eccentric wheel (332) and a transmission shaft (333). The adjustment device (4) includes a drive assemblage (42) and a worm assemblage (43) linked with the transmission shaft (333). The worm assemblage (43) includes a worm shaft (431) meshed with the drive assemblage (42) and a regulating unit (433) disposed on the worm shaft (431). The drive assemblage (42) includes a first drive unit (421) disposed on a first shaft end (333A) of the transmission shaft (333) and defining a positioning portion (422) whose center is situated away from a center of the first drive unit (421) to present an eccentric arrangement. Accordingly, the cooperation between the drive assemblage (42) and the worm assemblage (43) allows a thread-rolling distance applied to the thread rolling machine (3) to be easily and precisely adjusted.