Transfer Tool Drive Linkage for Oil-Free Swing Torque Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drive mechanisms for transfer tools require an oil bath or frequent oil application to prevent abnormal wear and misalignment of gear teeth, and they face challenges in reducing radial loads on the output shaft, leading to increased equipment size and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A drive mechanism using a link mechanism with parallel links to couple the motor's output shaft with the swing axis, eliminating the need for an oil bath and reducing radial loads by distributing the load across multiple bearings, thereby minimizing equipment size and maintenance needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a gear mechanism is used to transmit torque from the motor to the swing axis, then the transmission force is sufficient, but the radial load on the output shaft increases and the equipment size becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional gear meshing mechanism with a link mechanism consisting of connecting rods and joints. This substitution eliminates the need for gear teeth engagement, thereby removing the radial load component that gears inherently generate. The link mechanism transmits torque through axial forces along the connecting rods, which can be directly supported by thrust bearings on the output shaft, avoiding the need for large radial load capacity bearings and reducing overall equipment size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of force transmission direction. Instead of transmitting force through tangential gear meshing (which creates radial loads), the link mechanism transmits force axially along the connecting rods. This parameter change in force transmission direction allows the use of smaller bearings and reduces the radial load capacity requirements, thereby reducing equipment size while maintaining sufficient transmission force.
2Reliability
If an oil bath is used to ensure proper lubrication of gear teeth, then abnormal wear and misalignment are prevented, but the equipment becomes enormous and assembly becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the gear meshing system with a link mechanism consisting of connecting rods and rotary joints. This substitution eliminates the need for complex gear tooth geometry and the oil bath lubrication system entirely. The link mechanism's simple pin-jointed structure requires minimal lubrication at the joint bearings, dramatically simplifying the overall equipment structure while maintaining reliable operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the oil bath lubrication system from the equipment design. By using a link mechanism instead of gears, the complex lubrication infrastructure (oil reservoir, pumps, nozzles, and associated sealing structures) is completely eliminated. Only simple bearing lubrication is needed at the joint points, which can be achieved through basic grease packing or simple oiling points, thereby reducing device complexity.
3Reliability
If oil is periodically applied to gear tooth surfaces, then the oil film is maintained under low load and low speed conditions, but under high load and high speed conditions the oil film breaks down and frequent maintenance is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the gear mechanism with a link mechanism that uses simple rotary joints instead of meshing tooth surfaces. This substitution eliminates the high-contact-stress gear tooth interface where oil films break down under high load and speed. The rotary joints in the link mechanism operate under much lower contact stresses, allowing simple lubrication to maintain effective lubrication films even under high-speed operation, thereby reducing maintenance frequency.
4Volume of moving object
If the swing angle range is limited to ±20 degrees, then the transfer tool remains compact, but the load on the same gear teeth increases continuously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the gear mechanism with a link mechanism where the connecting rods transmit force through axial compression and tension. This substitution eliminates the gear tooth wear problem entirely, as there are no meshing tooth surfaces to wear down. The link mechanism can operate reliably over the full ±20 degree swing range without concentrating load on specific contact points, as each connecting rod distributes the load along its entire length through its structural geometry.
Data Source
AI summary
A drive mechanism of a transfer tool configured to drive a swing axis and tilts the workpiece includes: a motor; a speed reducer including an output shaft arranged in parallel to the swing axis and configured to reduce speed of rotation of the motor; and a link mechanism configured to couple the swing axis with the output shaft, in which the link mechanism includes a first link portion fixed to the output shaft at a middle portion in a length direction thereof; a second link portion fixed to the swing axis at a middle portion in a length direction thereof; a third link portion that couples one end portions of the first link portion and the second link portion with each other in a rotatable manner; and a fourth link portion that couples other end portions of the first link portion and the second link portion with each other in a rotatable manner, in which the first link portion and the second link portion are arranged in parallel to each other, and in which the third link portion and the fourth link portion are arranged in parallel to a line segment linking a central axis of the output shaft with a central axis of the swing axis.