Torque Transmission Safety Device with Disposable Coupling Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing safety devices for torque transmission systems, such as those used in air nozzles and motor-driven mechanisms, are complex and prone to damage from mechanical overload, risking injury and gear component destruction due to their intricate structures and inability to handle high loads effectively.
Innovation Solution
A simplified safety device with radially or axially acting coupling elements that disengage when a specific torque is exceeded, allowing continued rotation until the motor control reaches the maximum deflection angle, and then resets, featuring a spring-loaded latching element and braking surfaces to manage torque reduction and re-engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If torque-dependent clutches with complex structures are used to prevent excessive torque, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases and manufacturing cost rises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a simple, inexpensive safety device with a disposable coupling element that can be easily replaced. Instead of using complex torque-dependent clutches, the invention uses a basic coupling element with a coupling element retention element that can be quickly swapped out after overload, eliminating the need for sophisticated safety mechanisms while maintaining protection against excessive torque.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential safety function from complex torque-dependent clutches by isolating the core coupling and retention elements. The safety device focuses only on the critical components needed to prevent excessive torque transmission, removing unnecessary structural complexity while preserving the protective function.
2Strength
If torque-dependent clutches are designed for full torsional loads, then load capacity is improved, but the device size increases and cannot be made arbitrarily small
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the torque transmission system into distinct functional elements: a coupling element, a coupling element retention element, and a coupling element guide element. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for both strength and size, enabling the overall device to handle full torsional loads while maintaining a compact form factor that can be made arbitrarily small.
3Ease of manufacture
If plastic parts are used in torque transmission systems, then manufacturing ease is improved, but the parts cannot withstand high loads and may be destroyed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter by using metal or other high-strength materials for the coupling element and retention element, while still utilizing plastic components where appropriate. This parameter change allows the critical load-bearing parts to withstand high loads while maintaining ease of manufacture through standardized metal components and simple assembly processes.
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
Prevents gear component damage and potential injury by disengaging the coupling element upon torque overload, allowing safe continued operation and automatic re-engagement, thus enhancing safety and reliability in torque transmission systems.
Implementation Method 1
The drive element is subject to an elastic force, which engages in the other element of the clutch in a controlled manner via a spring
Implementation Method 2
a friction brake is provided, which acts radially and which inhibits the relative movements between the two clutch elements
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6
Figure 7~9
AI summary
The safety device has one sided or double sided brake surfaces (6), which are arranged in a running manner at one of the elements (1) on a coupling ring (4) based on a halting recess by a certain angle. A coupling element slides along onto a brake surface at an element after the release by spring force, at which the recess (5) is placed. An annular recess is incorporated in another element, in which the coupling ring is inserted with the brake surface, and the coupling or halting element projects in the annular recess and is provided in the halting recess.