With a new, fully 3D-printed model, YouTuber Robert Murray-Smith shows how linear back-and-forth motion can be efficiently converted into rectified rotary motion. Without any ratchets or clutches. The model, whose 3D model data is freely available on the Thingiverse platform, is based solely on gears and a sliding tooth segment.
The mechanical rectifier picks up a translational movement – generated by a wave or wind movement, for example – and converts it into a one-sided rotary movement. In contrast to conventional designs that work with ratchets, the system presented uses a gear set consisting of four gears. Depending on the direction of movement of the drive rack, a different path is activated in the gear set so that the output axis always rotates in the same direction.
The model was designed modularly and constructed in Tinkercad. Only simple FDM-printed plastic parts with a tooth module of 2 are used for the structure. In practice, the efficiency can be increased by using smaller tooth modules, which also reduces the power loss when switching the tooth meshes.
Despite its simple design, the system has demonstrated a high level of functional reliability in test set-ups. A special feature: The mechanism works without return springs or electronic control. This also makes it interesting for stand-alone systems where simple maintenance and robustness are required.
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