Tool Tensioning Assembly for Flexible Transmission Wear
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural tools with flexible transmission members, such as belts, experience wear and slippage due to inadequate tensioning, leading to reduced torque transmission efficiency and shortened tool life, as traditional tensioning methods like idle wheels contribute to additional wear and require manual operation.
Innovation Solution
A tensioning assembly with an elastic body, like a helical compression spring, automatically maintains tension between drive shafts without additional contact surfaces, and an end-of-stroke assembly adjusts the minimum distance between shafts to compensate for wear and resistive forces, ensuring continuous proper tension and preventing slippage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional tensioning assembly with an idle wheel is used to maintain tension on the flexible transmission member, then the tension is maintained, but additional contact surfaces are introduced that accelerate wear of the flexible transmission member
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the idle wheel from the tensioning assembly, extracting the harmful contact surface that caused accelerated wear. The tensioning is achieved through the skew-mounted drive pulley itself, which applies tension to the flexible transmission member via its angled mounting without requiring additional contact surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive pulley is given a dual function: it both transmits power and maintains tension on the flexible transmission member. By mounting the drive pulley at an angle (skew mounting), it simultaneously performs the tensioning function that previously required a separate idle wheel, reducing the number of components and contact surfaces.
2Ease of manufacture
If manual adjustment of the flexible transmission member tension is implemented, then initial tension can be set, but the tension cannot be automatically maintained as wear and stretching occur over time
Solution Approach 1:
The tensioning assembly is designed to automatically maintain tension on the flexible transmission member without requiring manual intervention. The skew-mounted drive pulley continuously applies tension through its angled configuration, automatically compensating for wear and stretching of the flexible transmission member over time.
3Power
If the flexible transmission member is kept under high tension to prevent slippage, then torque transmission is improved, but the increased stress accelerates wear and reduces the life of the transmission member
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the mounting angle parameter of the drive pulley (skew mounting) to optimize the tension applied to the flexible transmission member. This angular parameter adjustment allows sufficient tension to prevent slippage and maintain torque transmission while avoiding excessive tension that would accelerate wear.
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 effectively extends the life of flexible transmission components by maintaining optimal tension without manual intervention, preventing slippage and ensuring consistent tool performance across varying conditions and wear levels.
Implementation Method 1
a tensioning assembly which comprises an elastic body interposed between the first section and the second section, configured to push the second section in a direction away from the first section along the sliding axis
Implementation Method 2
a cam rotatably associated with the first section with respect to a rotation axis transverse to the sliding axis and which contacts the abutment surface, so that a rotation of the cam with respect to its rotation axis in a predetermined direction of rotation causes a thrust on the abutment surface
Implementation Method 3
The transmission of torque between the first and second shafts takes place by means of a flexible transmission member at least partially wound around the first pulley and the second pulley
Data Source
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AI summary
A tool (20) is described comprising: a first section (65) and a second section (70) slidingly associated with the first section (65) with respect to a sliding axis (S), a working member (U) and a rotational drive assembly of the working member. Said rotational drive assembly of the working member is provided with: a first drive shaft (115) rotatably associated with the first section (65) with respect to a first rotation axis (R1), a second drive shaft (130) rotatably associated with the second section (70) with respect to a second rotation axis (R2) and with which the working member is rotationally associated, a first pulley (125) integral in rotation with the first drive shaft (115) and a second pulley (140) integral in rotation with the second drive shaft (130), and a flexible transmission member (145) at least partially wound around the first pulley (125) and the second pulley (140) for the transmission of a rotary motion between the two pulleys. The tool then comprises a tensioning assembly of the flexible transmission member (145), said tensioning assembly being configured to push the second section (70) away from the first section (65) along the sliding axis (S).