REDUCTION GEAR FOR A DRIVE DEVICE OF A WHEEL OF AN AIRCRAFT LANDING GEAR

Description

Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a mechanical speed reducer as well as a device for driving at least one wheel of an aircraft landing gear comprising such a reducer. Technical background

[0002] The technical background includes in particular documents FR-A1-3 022 858, US-A1-2019 / 191575 and US-A1-3,711,043.

[0003] An aircraft has landing gear equipped with wheels for moving the aircraft on the ground on a tarmac. This rolling, also called taxiing, can be achieved by propelling the aircraft using its turbomachinery.

[0004] To limit fuel consumption and environmental impact, it is known to perform this taxiing electrically. Electric taxiing is achieved by driving the wheels of a landing gear with an electric motor.

[0005] The present application proposes an improvement to existing technologies and thus relates to an electric motor device for driving at least one wheel of an aircraft landing gear.

[0006] A solution consisting of using a mechanical reducer to transmit the power of an electric motor to a wheel of a landing gear was proposed by the Applicant in document EP-A1-3 882 136.

[0007] The role of a mechanical reducer is to modify the speed and torque ratio between the input shaft and the output shaft of a mechanical system.

[0008] In the distant field of aircraft turbomachinery, it is known to use a mechanical reducer to ensure power transmission between two rotating mechanical shafts.

[0009] There are many types of reducers, for example differential, planetary, epicyclic, intermediate line, series reduction stages, etc.

[0010] In the state of the art of turbofan engines, the gearboxes are planetary or epicyclic. Such a gearbox comprises a central pinion, called a sun gear, a crown gear and pinions called planet gears, which are meshed between the sun gear and the crown gear. The planet gears are held by a frame called a planet carrier. The sun gear, the crown gear and the planet carrier are planet gears because their axes of revolution coincide with the longitudinal axis of the turbomachine. The planet gears each have a different axis of revolution equally distributed over the same operating diameter around the axis of the planet gears. These axes are parallel to the longitudinal axis of the turbomachine.

[0011] There are several reducer architectures. In other similar applications, there are so-called differential or "compound" architectures. On a planetary gearbox, the planet carrier is fixed and the ring gear is the output shaft of the device that rotates in the opposite direction to the sun gear. On an epicyclic gearbox, the ring gear is fixed and the planet carrier is the output shaft of the device that rotates in the same direction as the sun gear. On a differential gearbox, no element is fixed in rotation. The ring gear rotates in the opposite direction to the sun gear and the planet carrier.

[0012] Gearboxes can be composed of one or more meshing stages. This meshing is ensured in different ways such as by contact, friction or even magnetic fields.

[0013] In this application, the term "stage" or "teeth" means at least one series of meshing teeth with at least one series of complementary teeth. A toothing may be internal or external.

[0014] A satellite can have one or two meshing stages. A single-stage satellite has a toothing that can be straight, helical, or herringbone, and whose teeth are located on the same diameter. This toothing cooperates with both the sun gear and the crown.

[0015] A double-stage satellite consists of two sets of teeth that are located on different diameters. One set of teeth cooperates with the sun gear and a second set of teeth generally cooperates with the crown.

[0016] A double-stage gear reducer has the advantage of having a higher reduction ratio than a single-stage gear reducer of the same size.

[0017] In the context of a device for driving at least one wheel of a landing gear, the use of an electric motor and a reduction gear for driving the wheel generates significant space constraints. The outer diameter of the reduction gear is limited by the dimension of the wheel rim, and the inner diameter of the reduction gear is strongly constrained by the diameter of the wheel hub. In addition, the use of an electric motor generally rotating at high speeds requires the use of a reduction gear offering a large reduction ratio in order to provide an output speed that corresponds to the low rotational speed of the wheel. The epicyclic and planetary gears of current technology do not allow these levels of reduction to be obtained in such a restricted space.

[0018] The invention provides a solution to at least some of these problems, which is simple, effective and economical. Summary of the invention

[0019] The invention relates to a mechanical speed reducer, in particular for a device for driving at least one wheel of an aircraft landing gear, this reducer comprising: a first mobile sun gear rotating around an X axis and comprising external teeth, first satellites distributed around the X axis and meshed with the external teeth of the first sun gear, these first satellites being mobile in rotation around Y axes parallel to the X axis and being carried by a first planet carrier mobile in rotation around the X axis, a fixed crown meshed with the satellites, characterized in that it further comprises: second satellites distributed around the X axis and meshed with a crown and with external teeth of said first planet carrier, these second satellites being mobile in rotation around Z axes parallel to the X axis and being carried by a second planet carrier mobile in rotation around the X axis.

[0020] The invention thus proposes a double epicyclic gear train reducer. A first epicyclic gear train is formed by the first sun gear, the first satellites carried by the first planet carrier and the crown. A second epicyclic gear train is formed by the first planet carrier which forms a second sun gear, the second satellites carried by the second planet carrier, and the crown. It is therefore understood that there is an element in common to the two epicyclic gear trains and which ensures the link between these two trains, it is the first planet carrier for the first train and the second sun gear for the second train. In practice, this can amount to equipping the first planet carrier with an external pinion toothing which is centered on the X axis and which can mesh with the teeth of the second satellites. The crowns of the first and second trains can be common or different.

[0021] The reducer thus comprises the first sun gear which forms the input of the reducer and the second planet carrier which forms the output of the reducer. The crown(s) is / are fixed.

[0022] The satellites are advantageously of the double-stage type and thus include independent teeth for meshing with the sun gear and the crown. The reducer is then in this case of the double epicyclic train and double-stage type.

[0023] The reducer according to the invention has a large reduction ratio compared to the reducers of the prior art, thanks to its double epicyclic gear train.

[0024] The invention is compatible with a multi-stage reducer as mentioned above. It is also compatible with a reducer whose planet carrier is rotatable such as epicyclic or differential reducers. It is also compatible with teeth of any type (straight, helical, chevron, etc.). The invention is furthermore compatible with a planet carrier of the monobloc type or of the cage and cage carrier type. These different types of reducer are well known to those skilled in the art. The solution proposed below is compatible with any type of satellite bearing, whether it is composed of rolling elements, a hydrodynamic bearing, etc.

[0025] According to claim 1, the reducer comprises the following features: the first satellites each comprise a first external toothing meshed with the external toothing of the first sun gear, and a second external toothing meshed with a first internal toothing of a first crown; the first and second toothings of each of the first satellites have different diameters and / or different numbers of teeth; the second satellites each comprise a first external toothing meshed with the external toothing of the first planet carrier; the second satellites each comprise a second external toothing meshed with a second internal toothing of said first crown; the first and second toothings of each of the second satellites have different diameters and / or different numbers of teeth.

[0026] Furthermore, the reducer according to the invention may comprise one or more of the following characteristics, taken in isolation from one another, or in combination with one another: the Y axes are located on a first circumference and the Z axes are located on a second circumference, the first and second circumferences having different diameters; the Y axes are located on a first circumference and the Z axes are located on a second circumference, the first and second circumferences having identical diameters; the number of first satellites is equal to the number of second satellites; the number of first satellites is different from the number of second satellites; the teeth of the first and second satellites are herringbone and the teeth of the crown(s) are helical; the first and second satellites are guided in rotation by bearings which are located at the longitudinal ends of the satellites or radially inside the teeth of these satellites.

[0027] The present invention also relates to a device for driving at least one wheel of an aircraft landing gear, this device comprising: at least one landing gear wheel, this wheel comprising a rim having an axis of rotation, an electric motor comprising a shaft, a mechanical transmission system between the motor shaft and the rim, this mechanical transmission system comprising a mechanical speed reducer as described above. Brief description of the figures

[0028] Other characteristics and advantages will emerge from the following description of a non-limiting embodiment of the invention with reference to the appended drawings in which: [ Fig. 1 ] there Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a wheel of an aircraft landing gear and a device for driving this wheel, [ Fig.2 ] there Figure 2is a partial axial sectional view of a mechanical reducer, [ Fig. 3 ] there Figure 3 is another partial axial sectional view of a mechanical reducer, [ Fig.4 ] there Figure 4 is a schematic axial sectional view of a reducer according to one embodiment of the invention, [ Fig.5 ] there Figure 5 is a schematic axial sectional view of a device for driving a wheel of an aircraft landing gear, this device comprising the reduction gear of the Figure 4 ; [ Fig.6 ] there Figure 6 is a schematic axial sectional view of a device for driving a wheel of an aircraft landing gear, this device comprising a reducer according to an alternative embodiment of the invention, [ Fig.7a-7b ] THE Figures 7a and 7b are schematic views, respectively in perspective and in transparency on the one hand, and in axial section on the other hand, of another variant embodiment of the reducer according to the invention; [ Fig.8 ] there figure 8 is a schematic axial sectional view of a satellite and guide bearings of this satellite; and [ Fig.9 ] there Figure 9 is a schematic view in axial section of a satellite and of the guide bearings of this satellite. Detailed description of the invention

[0029] There Figure 1 shows a device 10 for driving at least one wheel 12 of an aircraft landing gear 14.

[0030] The wheel 12 comprises a rim 16 which has an axis of rotation X. Conventionally, this rim 16 has a generally tubular or disc shape and carries a tire 18 at its periphery.

[0031] The device 10 comprises an electric motor 20 and a mechanical transmission system 22 between a shaft of the motor 20 and the rim 16 of the wheel 12.

[0032] In the example shown, the motor 20 and the system 22 each have a generally annular shape and are centered on the X axis. They are arranged next to each other and the system 22 is installed between the motor 20 and the rim 16. A part of the system 22, or even also a part of the motor 20, could be housed in the rim 16 to reduce the size of the device 10. The motor 20 and the system 22 can be protected by an external cylindrical cover 26 projecting on one side of the rim 16 or the tire 18.

[0033] The mechanical transmission system 22 comprises a mechanical speed reducer 28, examples of which are illustrated in figures 2 And 3 .

[0034] There Figure 2shows an epicyclic reducer 28. At the input, the reducer 28 is connected to a shaft 30, for example via internal splines 32b. Thus, the shaft 30 drives a planetary pinion called the sun gear 32. Conventionally, the sun gear 32 drives a series of pinions called satellites 34, which are equally distributed over the same diameter around the X axis of rotation of the sun gear 32. This diameter is equal to twice the operating center distance between the sun gear 32 and the satellites 34. The number of satellites 34 is generally defined between three and seven.

[0035] The set of satellites 34 is held by a frame called a planet carrier 36. Each satellite 34 rotates around its own Y axis, and meshes with a crown 38.

[0036] At the output we have: ▪ In this epicyclic configuration, the set of planet gears 34 rotates the planet carrier 36 around the X axis. The ring gear 38 is fixed to a stator via a ring gear carrier 40 and the planet carrier 36 is fixed to another shaft 42. ▪ In another planetary configuration, the set of planet gears 34 is held by a planet carrier 36 which is fixed to a stator. Each planet gear drives the ring gear 38 which is connected to the shaft 42 via a ring gear carrier 40. ▪ In another differential configuration, the set of planet gears 34 is held by a planet carrier 36 which is connected to the shaft 30. Each planet gear 34 drives the ring gear 38 which is attached to the shaft 42 via a ring gear carrier 40.

[0037] Each satellite 34 is mounted to rotate freely using a bearing 44, for example of the rolling bearing or hydrodynamic bearing type. Each bearing 44 is mounted on one of the axes 36b of the planet carrier 36 and all the axes 36b are positioned relative to each other using one or more structural frames 36a of the planet carrier 36. There are a number of axes 36b and bearings 44 equal to the number of satellites 34. For reasons of operation, assembly, manufacturing, control, repair or replacement, the axes 36b and the frame 36a can be separated into several parts.

[0038] For the same reasons cited above, the toothing 34a of a satellite 34 can be separated into several helices or teeth each having a median plane P, P'. In the example shown, each satellite 34 comprises two series of chevron teeth cooperating with a crown 38 separated into two half-crowns: ▪ An upstream ring 38a consisting of a rim 38aa and a half-fixing flange 38ab. On the rim 38aa is the front propeller meshed with a propeller of the toothing 34a of each satellite 34. The propeller of the toothing 34a also meshes with that of the sun 32. ▪ A downstream ring 38b consisting of a rim 38ba and a half-fixing flange 38bb. On the rim 38ba is the rear propeller meshed with a propeller of the toothing 34a of each satellite 34. The propeller of the toothing 34a also meshes with that of the sun 32.

[0039] If the helix widths vary between the sun gear 32, the satellites 34 and the crown 38 because of the tooth overlaps, they are all centered on a median plane P for the upstream teeth and on another median plane P' for the downstream teeth.

[0040] There Figure 2thus illustrates the case of a single-stage gear reducer, that is to say that the same toothing 34a of each satellite 34 cooperates with both the sun gear 32 and the crown 38. Even if the toothing 34a comprises two series of teeth, these teeth have the same average diameter and form a single toothing called a chevron.

[0041] The fixing half-flange 38ab of the upstream ring 38a and the fixing half-flange 38bb of the downstream ring 38b form the fixing flange 38c of the crown. The crown 38 is fixed to the crown carrier 40 by assembling the fixing flange 38c of the crown 38 and a fixing flange 40a of the crown carrier 40 using a bolted assembly for example.

[0042] There Figure 3 shows another example of a reducer architecture, called a double meshing stage, in which each satellite 34 comprises two separate teeth 34a1, 34a2 configured to cooperate respectively with the crown 38 and the sun gear 32.

[0043] In this Figure 3 , the elements already described in the above are designated by the same references.

[0044] The toothing 34a1 meshing with the crown 38 has an average diameter denoted D2 and is located in a median plane P. The toothing 34a2 meshing with the sun 32 has an average diameter denoted D1 and is located in another median plane P'. The median planes P, P' are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the axis X. The diameter D2 is less than the diameter D1. Finally, each toothing 34a1, 34a2 here comprises a single helix.

[0045] There Figure 4 shows a first embodiment of a mechanical speed reducer 28 according to the invention which has the particularity of having a double epicyclic gear train.

[0046] The 28 reducer includes a first sun gear 32 rotatable about an axis X and comprising external teeth 32a, first satellites 34 distributed about the axis X and meshed with the external teeth 32a of the first sun gear 32, these first satellites 34 being rotatable about axes Y parallel to the axis X and being carried by a first planet carrier 36 rotatable about the axis X, and a fixed crown 38 meshed with the satellites 34.

[0047] The reducer 28 further comprises: second satellites 46 distributed around the X axis and meshed with a crown 38 and with external teeth 36a of the first planet carrier 36, these second satellites 46 being movable in rotation around axes Z parallel to the X axis and being carried by a second planet carrier 48 movable in rotation around the X axis.

[0048] In the example shown, the solar 32 comprises a shaft 32c which can be that of the motor 20 or which can be connected to the shaft of the motor 20, and a pinion comprising at its external periphery the external toothing 32a.

[0049] The reducer 28 is here of the double-stage type, that is to say that the first and second satellites 34, 46 are each here of the double-stage type and comprise two independent toothings 34a, 34b, 46a, 46b.

[0050] The first satellites 34 comprise a first toothing 34a meshed with the toothing 32a of the sun gear 32, and a second toothing 34b meshed with a first toothing 52 of the crown 38. The first toothing 34a here has a diameter and / or a number of teeth greater than that of the second toothing 34b. The toothing 34a is located on the side of the shaft 32c and therefore of the electric motor 20, and the toothing 34b is therefore located on the opposite side, i.e. on the side of the wheel 12.

[0051] The first planet carrier 36 comprises or carries physical axes 36b for supporting or even guiding the first satellites 34. The first planet carrier 36 further comprises a shaft 36c or a portion of shaft connected to a pinion comprising at its external periphery the external toothing 36a.

[0052] The second satellites 46 comprise a first toothing 46a meshed with the toothing 36a of the first planet carrier 36 forming a second sun gear, and a second toothing 46b meshed with a second toothing 54 of the crown 38. The first toothing 46a here has a diameter and / or a number of teeth greater than that of the second toothing 46b. The toothing 46a is located on the side of the wheel 12, and the toothing 46b is therefore located on the opposite side, i.e. on the side of the motor 20.

[0053] In the example shown, the internal teeth 52, 54 are carried by the same crown 38. Alternatively, they could be carried by different crowns. The crown 38 is fixed and is therefore intended to be fixed to a stator of the device 10.

[0054] The second planet carrier 48 comprises or carries physical axes 48b for supporting or even guiding the second satellites 46. The second planet carrier 48 further comprises a shaft 46c or a portion of a shaft which is intended to be connected to the rim 16 of the wheel 12.

[0055] As seen in the Figure 4 , the shafts 32c, 36c, 46c are centered and guided in rotation around the X axis by bearings 50.

[0056] The Y and Z axes are here located respectively on circumferences C1, C2 of the same diameter D3, D4. Alternatively, the diameters D3, D4 of these circumferences C1, C2 could be different.

[0057] The teeth 34a, 34b, 32a are of any type and for example herringbone. The teeth 46a, 46b, 36a are of any type and preferably herringbone. The teeth 52, 54 are preferably helical.

[0058] There Figure 5 shows a device 10 for driving a wheel 12 of an aircraft landing gear, comprising the reducer 28 of the Figure 4 .

[0059] The motor 20 of the device 10 comprises a rotor 20a and a stator 20b. The rotor 20a here has an annular shape and is connected to the shaft 32c. The stator 20b has an annular shape and extends around the rotor 20a and also on a side of the rotor 20a opposite the reduction gear 28.

[0060] The shaft 46c is connected to the rim 16 of the wheel 12. This connection can be made by a clutch system 16' which is capable of adopting two positions: a first position in which the output shaft of the reducer 28, and in particular the shaft 56c, is coupled to the rim 16 or to the shaft of the rim, and a second position in which this output shaft is uncoupled from the rim 16 which is then in freewheel mode.

[0061] The stator 20b of the motor 20 comprises a rod 20c which is centered on the axis X and which extends along the axis X, successively passing through the reducer 28 and the rim 16.

[0062] There Figure 6 shows an alternative embodiment of a device 10 for driving a wheel 12 of an aircraft landing gear according to the invention.

[0063] The foregoing description made in relation to the figures 4 And 5 apply to reducer 28 of the Figure 6 .

[0064] We note at the Figure 6 that the teeth 32a and 34a are located in the same plane P1 perpendicular to the X axis. The teeth 34b and 52 are located in the same plane P2 perpendicular to the X axis.

[0065] The teeth 46a and 36b are located in the same plane P3 perpendicular to the X axis. The teeth 46b and 54 are located in the same plane P4 perpendicular to the X axis.

[0066] The crown 38 is arranged between the planes P1 and P3. The crown 38 has an external diameter D5 which defines the external diameter of the reducer 28 and which is preferably less than the external diameter D6 of the rim 16 so as to be able to axially house a part of the reducer 28 in the rim 16.

[0067] THE Figures 7a and 7b show another variant embodiment of a device 10 for driving a wheel 12 of an aircraft landing gear according to the invention.

[0068] The foregoing description made in relation to the figures 4 to 6applies to reducer 28 of the Figures 7a and 7b .

[0069] We note that the number of first satellites 34, which is eight here, is greater than the number of second satellites 46, which is five here.

[0070] There figure 8 shows an example of guiding the satellites 34, 46 of the reducer 28. The satellites 34, 46 are guided by rolling bearings 45 which are here more particularly roller bearings. The guide bearings 45 of each satellite 34, 46 are two in number and are mounted around the longitudinal ends of this satellite, between these ends and the planet carrier 36, 48. Each of the bearings 45 comprises an internal ring 45a carried by the satellite 34, 46 or integrated into the latter, and an external ring 45b carried by the planet carrier 34, 48. The rollers 45c are mounted between the rings 45a, 45b.

[0071] We note in the figure 8that the teeth 34a, 46a of the satellites 34, 46 are located between the bearings 45. This assembly makes it possible to best balance the moments applied to the satellites 34 by the gears.

[0072] Alternatively and as shown in the Figure 9 , the satellites 34, 46 are guided by needle bearings 47. These bearings 47 are two in number and are mounted radially inside the satellites 34, 46. Each of the bearings 47 is aligned radially with one of the teeth 34a, 46a of the satellite 34, 46. This assembly makes it possible to reduce the axial size.

[0073] Each of the bearings 47 may have an axial length or dimension L1, L2 measured along the Y or Z axis, which represents at least 80% of the axial length or dimension L3, L4 of the corresponding toothing 34a, 46a.

[0074] In yet another variant not shown, the guide bearings of the satellites 34, 46 are plain bearings or hydrodynamic bearings.

[0075] The reducer 28 as described in the above allows a large reduction ratio compared to the reducers of the prior art, and has a small footprint, these two parameters being important for the use of this reducer in a device for driving at least one wheel of an aircraft landing gear.

Claims

1. A mechanical speed reducer (28) for a device (10) for driving at least one wheel (12) of an aircraft landing gear (14), this reducer comprising: - a first sun gear (32) movable in rotation about an axis X and comprising an external toothing (32a), - first planet gears (34) distributed around the axis X and meshed with the external toothing (32a) of the first sun gear (32), these first planet gears (34) being movable in rotation around axes Y parallel to the axis X and being carried by a first planet carrier (36) movable in rotation around the axis X, - a stationary ring gear (38) meshed with the planet gears (34), - second planet gears (46) distributed around the axis X and meshed with the ring gear (38) and with an external toothing (36a) of said first planet carrier (36), these second planet gears (46) being movable in rotation around axes Z parallel to the axis X and being carried by a second planet carrier (48) movable in rotation around the axis X, wherein: - the first planet gears (34) each comprise a first external toothing (34a) meshed with the external toothing (32a) of the first sun gear (32), and the second planet gears (46) each comprise a first external toothing (46a) meshed with the external toothing (36a) of the first planet carrier (36), characterized in that the first planet gears (34) further comprise a second external toothing (34b) meshed with a first internal toothing (52) of the ring gear (38), the first and second toothings (34a, 34b) of each of the first planet gears (34) having different diameters and / or different numbers of teeth, and in that the second planet gears (46) further comprise a second external toothing (46a) meshed with a second internal toothing (54) of said ring gear (38), the first and second toothings (46a, 46b) of each of the second planet gears (34, 46) having different diameters and / or different numbers of teeth.

2. The reducer (28) according to claim 1, wherein the axes Y are located on a first circumference (C1) and the axes Z are located on a second circumference (C2), the first and second circumferences (C1, C2) having different diameters (D1, D2).

3. The reducer (28) according to claim 1, wherein the axes Y are located on a first circumference (C1) and the axes Z are located on a second circumference (C2), the first and second circumferences (C1, C2) having identical diameters (D1, D2).

4. The reducer (28) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the number of first planet gears (34) is equal to the number of second planet gears (46).

5. The reducer (28) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the number of first planet gears (34) is different from the number of second planet gears (46).

6. The reducer (28) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the toothings (34a, 34b, 46a, 46b) of the first and second planet gears (34, 46) are herringbone-shaped and the toothings (52, 54) of the ring gear (38) are helical.

7. The reducer (28) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second planet gears (34, 46) are guided in rotation by bearings (45, 47) which are located at the longitudinal ends of the planet gears (34, 46) or radially inside the toothings (34a, 34b, 46a, 46b) of these planet gears.

8. A device (10) for driving at least one wheel (12) of an aircraft landing gear, this device comprising: - at least one landing gear wheel (12), this wheel (12) comprising a rim (16) having an axis of rotation (X), - an electric motor (20) comprising a shaft, - a mechanical transmission system (22) between the shaft of the motor (20) and the rim (16), this mechanical transmission system (22) comprising a mechanical speed reducer (28) according to one of the preceding claims.