Angle Impact Tool Planetary Gear Assembly
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing angle impact tools face challenges in efficiently delivering impact loads at non-parallel axes due to complex gear assemblies and limited space, which restricts their ability to fit into smaller spaces without compromising torque.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a planetary gear set coupled to the motor output shaft, a bevel gear set, and a spur gear set that eliminates the need for an idler gear, along with a conical spring to bias the hammer, allowing for efficient rotation and impact delivery at non-parallel axes while reducing the overall tool height.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a complex gear assembly is used to deliver impact loads at non-parallel axes, then the impact delivery capability is improved, but the tool height increases and it cannot fit into smaller spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested gear arrangement where a planetary gear set is integrated within the existing gear assembly structure. The planetary gear set includes planet gears that mesh with a sun gear, allowing the compact transmission of power at non-parallel axes while maintaining a reduced overall tool height. This nesting approach enables multiple gear functions to occupy overlapping spatial volumes rather than sequential linear space.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a traditional linear gear train arrangement to a three-dimensional planetary gear configuration. By utilizing the radial dimension for planet gear placement around the sun gear, the system achieves non-parallel axis power transmission without extending the axial length of the tool. This dimensional reorganization allows the gear assembly to fit within a compact cylindrical envelope.
2Power
If traditional gear assemblies are used, then power transmission is achieved, but the device complexity increases due to additional components like idler gears
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the idler gear component from the traditional three-gear arrangement by directly meshing the drive gear with the output gear in the planetary system. This extraction of the intermediary element simplifies the gear train while maintaining the non-parallel axis power transmission function through the inherent geometry of the planetary gear set, where the sun gear and ring gear provide the necessary axis orientation change.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple gear functions into the planetary gear set structure. The sun gear, planet gears, and ring gear work together as an integrated unit that simultaneously achieves power transmission, speed reduction, and axis orientation change. This merging of functions into a single compact mechanism replaces what would traditionally require multiple separate gear stages and idler gears.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration enables the angle impact tool to deliver effective impact loads at non-parallel axes while minimizing the tool's height, allowing it to fit into smaller spaces without sacrificing torque, thus enhancing its usability and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a conical spring positioned between the hammer and the drive gear, the conical spring biasing the hammer away from the drive gear
Implementation Method 2
a gear assembly configured to be driven by the output shaft of the motor and to drive the impact mechanism, the gear assembly comprising a planetary gear set coupled to the output shaft of the motor
Implementation Method 3
a bevel gear set coupled to the planetary gear set, the bevel gear set configured to be driven by the planetary gear set
Data Source
AI summary
Illustrative embodiments of angle impact tools are disclosed. In at least one illustrative embodiment, an angle impact tool may comprise a motor including an output shaft configured to rotate about a first axis, an impact mechanism configured to drive rotation of an output drive about a second axis that is non-parallel to the first axis, and a gear assembly configured to be driven by the output shaft of the motor and to drive the impact mechanism, the gear assembly comprising a planetary gear set coupled to the output shaft of the motor.