Radial Load Bearing Ratchet Proof of Concept

thingiverse

This is a first attempt at modifying RustedRobot's ratchet design so that it can carry significant radial loads, e.g. from the weight hanging off the power drum of a clock. The current design relies on the ratchet arms to carry the load, but they have to remain thin and springy as well... So far in the clock, this has required a complicated and thick part which must use spokes that reach over the inner wheel to reach the shaft. Hopefully with this refinement, the ratchet can carry large radial loads, be contained in a single gear's thickness and perhaps even be printed in place. Instructions This is a derivative of RustedRobot's fine ratchet library, and it is only a proof of concept. The code is very dirty and changing any parameter will likely break it at this point! Could someone print one in ABS, and see if this works as a ratchet? I'm not sure I made the arms thin enough to bend out of the way properly.