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Thread: Gear that can interpolate between two input gears

  1. #1

    Gear that can interpolate between two input gears

    Hi,

    I'm looking for a type of gear system that can do the following:

    There are three input gears: A, B and control C

    There is an output gear O.

    If control C is rotated to the left, O has the same rotation as A

    If control C is rotated to the right, O has the same rotation as B

    If control C is something in-between, the output O is a linear interpolation between input A and input B, so it smoothly goes from the one to the other as C goes to the right.

    None of the gears need to be able to make full rotations, just from left to right. So if A is pointed left and B is pointed right, C going from left to right makes the output from left to right. But if A is pointed right and B is pointed left, C going from left to right makes the output go from right to left. And if A and B are equal, rotating C does nothing, the output is equal to both inputs then.

    I thought something like a differential gear or planetary gears might be able to do it, but I can't find anything that works. Ideally it'd be as simple as possible.

    Any ideas? Thanks!

  2. #2
    Technical Fellow Kelly_Bramble's Avatar
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    Feb 2011
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    Bold Springs, GA
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    2,611
    Ratchet actuated gears... Ratchets work in the direction of intended operation.

    See:

    https://www.engineersedge.com/calcul...sign_15333.htm
    Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.

  3. #3
    Technical Fellow jboggs's Avatar
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    Mar 2011
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    Myrtle Beach, SC
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    908
    Study the workings of a differential gear set used on automobiles. Its a pretty amazing innovation. A variation of that arrangement might work for you.

  4. #4
    Principle Engineer
    Join Date
    May 2015
    Posts
    217
    Following up on Kelly's idea, look at overrun clutches and one way clutches.

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