ABOUT THE INVENTOR

A final year post graduation student in Machine Design, Department of
Mechanical Engineering, Mar Baselios College of Engineering and
Technology (MBCET), Nalanchira, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. I am a kind of person who loves his work and life.

Born and brought up in a middle class family near Vizhinjam at Karthika, Thengunattavila, Kattachalkuzhi.P.O, Thiruvananthapuram District, Kerala. Did my high school education in Mannam Memorial Residential Higher Secondary School, Neeramankara, Thiruvananthapuram and higher secondary education in Government Model Boys Higher Secondary School, Thycaud, Thiruvananthapuram. After schooling started professional education in John Cox Memorial CSI Institute of Technology, Kannammoola, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala and completed B-Tech graduation in 2013. Then I joined for M-Tech at Mar Baselios College of Engineering and Technology (MBCET) in 2013. I am very interesting in developing new technical ideas ' related to machine design field.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

During my research on developing a new machine, a problem occurred. The problem is related to the conversion of motion. As part of my research work, I need to convert the reciprocating motion generated in a constrained space to rotary motion. Normally the conversion of reciprocating motion to rotary motion is done using the slider crank mechanism. But this mechanism will not serve the required motion conversion. So the need of an alternate mechanism occurs. •

Then, I think about a new mechanism which is capable of converting the reciprocating motion to rotary motion within a constrained space. The constrained space here mentioned means; the reciprocating body which is reciprocating within between two rigid bodies, so that there is no space available for the connection of a connecting rod and crank. That is, no space for the implementation of the slider crank mechanism. This leads to the invention of this mechanism.

On further development in reciprocating gear mechanism, I find a variety of other applications also. Most of them are not yet possible with the traditional mechanisms. Which includes the quick return mechanism and reciprocating gear box.

TITLE OF INVENTION

Reciprocating gear mechanism is capable of converting reciprocating to rotary motion and vice versa. This is advanced form of rack and pinion mechanism. A peculiar type of gear is used for conversion and this will give more efficiency than the existing slider crank mechanism. It can be applied as an alternative for Whitworth quick return mechanism.

An entirely new method for converting reciprocating motion to rotary motion and vice versa. As compared to the existing system, this type of mechanism is more efficient and compact size. The reciprocating gear mechanism can deliver more power with smooth power transfer. This mechanism can be used as an alternative for Whitworth quick return mechanism. The reciprocating gear mechanism will provide the conversion of reciprocating motion to rotary motion within a constrained space.
Also this mechanism, permits the scope of reciprocating gear box. Reciprocating gear box will give multiple reciprocating speeds. That is, for an input angular velocity to the gear, it will give multiple reciprocating speeds to the rack. For achieving this a peculiar type of rack is used.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The existing rack and pinion mechanism converts rotary motion to linear motion. The gear system proposed here converts rotary motion to reciprocating motion and vice versa. It is an advanced form of rack and pinion mechanism. There are four elements in this mechanism. They are:

A) Stepped Rack
B) Stepped half gear
C) Pinion
D) Casing A) STEPPED RACK

Stepped rack is a L shaped element with two rack slots. It has two toothed surfaces. Upper toothed portion is known as upper rack portion and the other is lower rack portion. Lower rack portion will mesh with the lower portion of the stepped half gear and the another with the pinion, which will mesh with the upper portion of the stepped half gear. The stepped rack is the reciprocating element. Design specifications
Module,

Length of the stepped rack, I
Number of teeth, Z
Addendum of the teeth, a = 1 * m Dedendum of the teeth, d = 1.25 * m Rack tooth pitch, p = n * m

The above figures show the different views of the stepped rack. This stepped rack
has twenty four teeth and module equal to 2mm. ^

B) STEPPED HALF GEAR

Stepped half gear is a peculiar type of gear. It is the main component in the reciprocating gear mechanism. It will look like two half gears which are joined one over the other such that its toothed surfaces will be in opposite directions. The lower portion of the stepped half gear will mesh with the stepped rack and the upper portion of the stepped half gear will mesh with the pinion alternately. The stepped half gear is the rotating element.
Design specifications
Number of teeth, Z

Module, m
Pressure angle, 0
Pitch diameter, Dp = Z * m
Base diameter, Db = Dp* cos0
Outside diameter, D0 = (Z + 2) * m
Root diameter, Dr = {Z — 2.5) * m
Fillet radius, Rf = 0.4 *m
90°
Chordal tooth thickness, tc — Dp * sin(-—)

The above figures show the different views of the stepped half gear. This stepped half gear has 48 teeth and module equal to 2mm.

C) PINION

Pinion is simply a gear and which is smaller than the stepped half gear. For uniform forward and backward stroke, the pitch diameter of the pinion will be half that of the stepped half gear. It is used as a connecting element. The pinion will mesh with the
upper portion of the stepped half gear alternately. Always it is in constant mesh with the upper portion of the stepped rack.

Design specifications
Number of teeth, Z
Module, m
Pressure angle, 0
Pitch diameter, Dp = Z *m
Base diameter, Db - Dp * cos0
Outside diameter, D0 = (Z + 2) * m
Root diameter, Dr = (Z — 2.5) * m
Fillet radius, Rf = 0.4 * m
90°
Chordal tooth thickness, tc = Dp * sin(—-)
The following figures show the different views of the pinion. This pinion has 24 teeth and module equal to 2mm.

D) CASING

Casing is the fixed part in the mechanism. All the above mentioned moving components are connected with the casing. There is no specific dimensions for the casing. According to the need, the design of the casing can been done.
The casing shown in the above figure is the basic model which is designed for showing the working of this mechanism only.

WORKING

The reciprocating motion of the stepped rack will give a continuous rotary motion to the stepped half gear. There are two strokes to give one complete rotation. They are forward stroke and backward stroke.

During forward stroke, the lower portion of the stepped half gear will mesh with the lower rack portion and give half rotation. There is no mesh with the upper portion of the stepped half gear with the pinion during this stroke.

During backward stroke, the upper portion of the stepped half gear will mesh with the pinion, which is in constant mesh with the upper portion of the stepped rack and give the remaining half rotation in the same direction. There is no mesh with the lower portion of the stepped half gear with the lower portion of the stepped rack during this stoke.
In both strokes, the stepped half gear will rotate in same direction, thus a continuous rotary motion is obtained. Reciprocating gear mechanism can be used as an alternative for the Whitworth quick return mechanism. This is done by increasing or decreasing the diameter of the pinion and by making necessary changes in the stepped rack. Also this mechanism permits the scope of reciprocating gear box. This is achieved by modifying the stepped rack into a peculiar form and by using pinions with different diameters.

Reciprocating gear box will give multiple reciprocating speeds. That is, for an input angular velocity to the stepped half gear, it will give multiple speeds to the specially designed stepped rack.

The above figure shows the complete assembly of all the elements in the Reciprocating Gear Mechanism.

CLAIMS

I claim that my invention

1. Is capable of converting reciprocating motion to rotary motion within a constrained space.

2. Will produce more reciprocating force by using more stepped half gears and pinions.

3. Can be applied as an alternate for Whitworth quick return mechanism.

4. Permits the making of a reciprocating gear box.

5. Has no chances of slipping of components.

6. Will replace the traditional mechanism used in the internal combustion engines.

7. Will provide high efficiency.

8. Permits more power delivery.

9. Is easy to develop as a quick return mechanism.

10. Has compact size.

11. Requires no balanced weight.

12. Has less wear.

13. Has very less chances of failure.

14. Will applicable for converting reciprocating motion even in the millimeter range.

15. Provide the conversion of very high speeds of motion.

16. It is very stable.

17. Can operates with less noise.

18. Will be designed for achieving any return time when it is used as a quick return mechanism.

19. Will provide smooth power transfer.

20. Will provide a long working life.

21. It is economic and cost effective.

22. It is easy to implement in machines.

23. Will replace the traditional mechanism used in the shaper machine.

24. Shape of the components will not deformed for a long working cycle.

25. Provides the changing of different rack speeds by making special changes in this design.

26. Replacement of components is easily possible.