Linear Actuator Gearbox

[anton1678]

I was looking at TheItalianBrick's post about the modular gearbox, and I tried to make it.

This is too big for that topic, so I made this my own topic.

I failed, so I tried my own way.

It uses a linear actuator to make a really thin, long gearbox, though I could make it normal with just one tiny gear.

It allows smooth movement back and forth, for each of the 4 functions. I wouldn't recommend this in a short vehicle, because it widens and shortens, best used in like a crane or something.

It uses 1 motor for drive, 1 for change, and has 4 functions.

You could use just one of these gearboxes to power 2 more, and those to power 4 more, then 8 more, then etc.

You'd need a lot of torque, but it could work, eventually to 64, 128, 256 even, functions for just 2 motors, if you have enough bricks.

I could build about 2 more, so 8 functions for me.

[Sariel]

Have you tested it under torque? I have a feeling these parts will let go, the one on left in particular:

Edited June 25, 2014 by Sariel

[anton1678]

Have you tested it under torque? I have a feeling these parts will let go, the one on left in particular:

Actually, the main part that slipped was the drive motor, but i've fixed that

[TheItalianBrick]

sorry but looks like a fail as mine has 1 motor for drive, 1 motor for change and it get's 8 function...your only 4!!!

ok sorry I did explain it in a wrong way! what I meant is that for each channel you have 4 functions, where I have 8 functions for each channel.

Obviolsy if we speak about number at their power you could do the same with mine. So somehow no limitations on these things, a part from the torque unfortunately! :angry:

Edited June 25, 2014 by TheItalianBrick

[anton1678]

sorry but looks like a fail as mine has 1 motor for drive, 1 motor for change and it get's 8 function...your only 4!!!

ok sorry I did explain it in a wrong way! what I meant is that for each channel you have 4 functions, where I have 8 functions for each channel.

Obviolsy if we speak about number at their power you could do the same with mine. So somehow no limitations on these things, a part from the torque unfortunately! :angry:

Why are you so angry?

I didn't do anything against you, or try to make you seem bad.

I only mentioned you!

Why call mine a fail, if I didn't call yours anything bad!

[TheItalianBrick]

Why are you so angry?

I didn't do anything against you, or try to make you seem bad.

I only mentioned you!

Why call mine a fail, if I didn't call yours anything bad!

OMG no way dude!! never meant to get angry at you!!! i did use the world "fail" I admit it's not an appropriate one!! Really sorry and apoligize for the missunderstanding!!! :tongue: :tongue: I actually never get angry, specially here in this case there is no reason for getting angry!! Sorry again!

[anton1678]

OMG no way dude!! never meant to get angry at you!!! i did use the world "fail" I admit it's not an appropriate one!! Really sorry and apoligize for the missunderstanding!!! :tongue: :tongue: I actually never get angry, specially here in this case there is no reason for getting angry!! Sorry again!

Just don't make the same mistake on your other posts

[TheItalianBrick]

Just don't make the same mistake on your other posts

Promise I won't.

[anton1678]

Oh and some upgrades on my gearbox.

[Zerobricks]

Oh and some upgrades on my gearbox.

It would proboably be more compact if you also reute the gears sideways not just up. Still a good idea I must say

[zweihander]

Can't you just remove the axle with 4 clutch gears, and shift all the outputs lower? Something like this:

The blue clutch gear is the input and the colored axle extensions are the output. Sorry I couldn't work on the actuator mechanism, I'm at work :), But I think you get the idea.

[jesse66058]

I like the concept but it's just so big with so many gears. Why not improve this?

[Bzroom]

This is a very cool design.

Take note of erelender's drawing, see how all the axles go through each beam? The main point is that on both sides there is a beam that collect all the axles that will be under torque. This will keep them from separating and grinding. This is referred to as "double shear bearing." If you replace the part of your model mentioned, with the grey #2 connector and black "axle/bush," with a longer beam, you will be able to support much higher torque.

Double sheer is very important if you dont want stuff to fall apart. Also generally in construction, sheer force is the most preferable, rather than bending force. The closer you can keep the beams to the gears, the more efficiently the grinding force will be fought by the beams.

Regarding space saving:

This is a very cool stand alone model. When you look at potential applications for this transmission, and you know which directions you really need the outputs to go, it will be possible to change directions in much smaller space, and maybe even send coaxial drive shafts to a given location.

[zweihander]

Well, I like this idea and i've been toying with it for the past hour or so. I built a more compact version and here it is::

Isometric view:

Top View:

Side View:

The problem with this is the engaging of the gears when moving the input.. We can make the system wider, use beveled gear for the input gear and add a bevel gear between the input and each output, but it may still be problematic.

Also, this setup reguires the input motor to move, which would not be very stable in terms of stress. To rectify this, we can fix the input motor and use the red 8t sliding gear, but I'm not sure what its counterpart has to be. Shifting would also be problematic in this case.

I'll share the ldd file as soon as i can.

[anton1678]

Well, I like this idea and i've been toying with it for the past hour or so. I built a more compact version and here it is::

Isometric view:

Top View:

Side View:

The problem with this is the engaging of the gears when moving the input.. We can make the system wider, use beveled gear for the input gear and add a bevel gear between the input and each output, but it may still be problematic.

Also, this setup reguires the input motor to move, which would not be very stable in terms of stress. To rectify this, we can fix the input motor and use the red 8t sliding gear, but I'm not sure what its counterpart has to be. Shifting would also be problematic in this case.

I'll share the ldd file as soon as i can.

No need to share it, I can already see that won't work as well as expected.

I can tell you don't have any actual actuators, because you forgot that they spin unless held still

It would be hard to make an 8t gear work, because it is so small, and will slip around through your mechanism

Just to tell you, once the linear actuators can't extend/contract any more, the just make a loud noise and start vibrating like crazy, so you have to make it strong enough to withstand that.

Great ideas though, I will work on it in real life now, send a video perhaps

Sariel said he used a 'small linear actuator' in his Hummer for the gearbox, so this idea isn't as new as it seems

[zweihander]

No need to share it, I can already see that won't work as well as expected.

I can tell you don't have any actual actuators, because you forgot that they spin unless held still

I have actuators, and I know how they work. The model was to show the idea to give a more compact output setup, not provide a fully working, structurally complete example.

[anton1678]

I have actuators, and I know how they work. The model was to show the idea to give a more compact output setup, not provide a fully working, structurally complete example.

Based on the suggestions everyone has given, I have created a more compact fully-working gearbox, photos and video coming soon

[anton1678]

Here it is, the new more compact gearbox, IN REAL LIFE

Thanks for the ideas, erelender, though I am not quite ready to use more than one actuator yet, it is now more of a gearbox than a gearline.

Brzoom here is the double shear, not reinforced yet, but working all the same

[Bzroom]

There's a piece for that :)

http://i61.tinypic.com/2d0n9ci.jpg

[anton1678]

There's a piece for that :)

http://i61.tinypic.com/2d0n9ci.jpg

This one?

I forgot all about that one!

Another update will be sent soon

[aminnich]

Hey guys, I just wanted to add that this gearbox is huge just to change gears. You would still need to change the gear ratios. I guess this would work on a huge technic model that has a lot of space. You need to figure out a way to compact this idea. You could run the actuator along the outside of the vehicle, but then you will still have lots of gears used on the inside. Good idea, but I see too many flaws.

[anton1678]

Hey guys, I just wanted to add that this gearbox is huge just to change gears. You would still need to change the gear ratios. I guess this would work on a huge technic model that has a lot of space. You need to figure out a way to compact this idea. You could run the actuator along the outside of the vehicle, but then you will still have lots of gears used on the inside. Good idea, but I see too many flaws.

Big gearbox for big models and more functions

For like a robotic arm, you can have a lot of space for that, or a truck

I broke my gearbox up it sucks anyway.

Please don't reply, end thread

[aminnich]

I liked the idea of using an actuator but, I would like to see it used for a transmission. Even though that is not how it works at all. What was the major flaw with the gearbox??