Transaxle Idea!

[d_sprink]

http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w191/c0rv377/captransaxle.png?t=1249849839

http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w191/c0rv377/captransaxle2.png?t=1249849194

I don't know if any of you guys are familiar with yoyo's, bu a transaxle is an axle that goes between the yoyo string and the axle, reducing friction. I decided to apply this idea (sort of) to the Rubik's cube. The two pictures I posted links to on the top show a normal center piece, and one idea for how a brass washer could work as a transaxle. Essentially the top visible portion of the center piece would be separated from the cylindrical part by a brass washer, and still held together with the screw that goes to the core. The main difference between the first picture and the second is that in the second, the center post never touches the pieces, but is totally enclosed by the square 'cap'.

I got the idea for this when my rubik's cube's center piece broke along a line between the post and the square top. I noticed the center's face turns much more smoothly and quickly since the break (the screw holds the two pieces together), and I was wondering if I could do something like it to the cube to make the whole thing work better.

I know what happens when I shoot ideas into this crowd: they usually get shot down. But please look at this, think about it, and tell me what you think. And if anyone is interested in trying to build this, or thinks I should go for it, please let me know. I think this is a great idea that will improve the turning of the sides of the cube.

Thank you for your time.

 

[4Chan]

Hm, i think you should post this on twistypuzzles... oh wait...

But no seriously, this may have potential, and someone on twistypuzzles could test it out mayhaps.

 

[d_sprink]

Hm, i think you should post this on twistypuzzles... oh wait...

But no seriously, this may have potential, and someone on twistypuzzles could test it out mayhaps.

I tried making an account there a month ago, and they never got around to activating my account. I guess I come across as an ad-spamming bot =P

 

[daniel0731ex]

i like hubstacks

 

[Cride5]

Hm, i think you should post this on twistypuzzles... oh wait...

But no seriously, this may have potential, and someone on twistypuzzles could test it out mayhaps.

I tried making an account there a month ago, and they never got around to activating my account. I guess I come across as an ad-spamming bot =P

Same here I'm starting to wonder if they have some kind of grudge against speedsolve.com'ers

 

[Mastersonian]

Hm, i think you should post this on twistypuzzles... oh wait...

But no seriously, this may have potential, and someone on twistypuzzles could test it out mayhaps.

I tried making an account there a month ago, and they never got around to activating my account. I guess I come across as an ad-spamming bot =P

Same here I'm starting to wonder if they have some kind of grudge against speedsolve.com'ers

No, apparently you have to be invited.

 

[d_sprink]

Well, I had a theory that on this forum, no thread could go a single page and stay on topic. Guess I'm right. I hate it when I'm right.

 

[mr.onehanded]

Sounds too complicated and expensive (for cubes). DIY's seem fine as they are, why redesign them?

 

[4Chan]

Sounds too complicated and expensive (for cubes). DIY's seem fine as they are, why redesign them?

Eastsheens and rubik's 5x5s were fine too, why redesign the 5x5?

(inb4 innovation and progress.)

 

[TomZ]

I think a yoyo transaxle is basically a bushing.

What you are basically doing here, is inserting a bearing to make the center spin more smoothly. What this bearing overcomes is the friction between the spring/washer and the centerpiece. Your approach of disconnecting the centerpiece from the shaft is overcomplicated. All you would need is a PTFE or similar material washer (or two) between the spring and the center stem.

This would require a much less complicated assembly and anybody can do this for a few bucks.

I'm not sure how much difference it would make though. The area where friction is applied is fairly small and it has a long arm that moves it so mechanical advantage reduces the force caused by the friction.