Asymmetric Speed Reducer Casing for Multi-Surface Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing casings for speed reducers are excessively heavy, which is a concern for weight reduction while maintaining the functionality of using multiple surfaces for installation.

Innovation Solution

The casing design features a smaller dimension in the axial direction of the input-side casing part compared to the output-side casing part, with mounting portions for vertical and horizontal installations near the corners, allowing for both vertical and horizontal installation configurations without increasing weight.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the casing is designed as a rectangular parallelepiped with multiple installation surfaces, then the adaptability for different installation orientations is improved, but the weight of the casing increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation surface versatilityVSAvoidcasing weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The casing is divided into two distinct parts: an input-side casing part and an output-side casing part. Each part has different dimensions in the axial direction of the output shaft, allowing optimized weight distribution while maintaining multiple installation surfaces. The input-side casing part has a smaller axial dimension compared to the output-side casing part, reducing overall weight without compromising installation versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the casing have different structural characteristics. The input-side casing part is designed with a smaller axial dimension compared to the output-side casing part. This local differentiation allows weight reduction in the input-side region while maintaining the necessary structural integrity and installation surface area in the output-side region.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Shape

If the input-side casing part has the same dimension as the output-side casing part in the axial direction, then the structural symmetry is improved, but the weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecasing symmetryVSAvoidcasing weight
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The casing deliberately breaks symmetry by designing the input-side casing part with a smaller axial dimension compared to the output-side casing part. This asymmetric design reduces the overall weight of the casing while maintaining functional symmetry through the provision of multiple installation surfaces in different orientations. The asymmetric dimensioning allows material reduction in the input-side region without compromising the installation versatility provided by the output-side surfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentEP3199836B1casing
Publication Date: 2021.09.01 SUMITOMO HEAVY IND LTD
  • EP3199836B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3199836B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3199836B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A casing is further reduced in weight while maintaining characteristics in which a plurality of surfaces can be used as an installation surface. A casing (10) includes an input-side casingpart (10A) thathousesaninputshaft (14) and an output-side casing part (10B) that houses an output shaft (12). In regard to a dimension in an axial direction of the output shaft, the dimension of the input-side casing part is smaller than the dimension of the output-side casing part. The output-side casing part includes an output-side bottom surface (P3b) that serves as an installation surface when the casing is vertically installed; the output-side bottom surface includes mounting portions (34) for vertical installation near four corners thereof; the input-side casing part includes an input-side back surface (P6a) that serves as an installation surface when the casing is horizontally installed; the output-side casing part includes an output-side back surface (P6b) that serves as an installation surface when the casing is horizontally installed; and mounting portions (50) for horizontal installation are provided near four corners of the output-side back surface (P6b) and on the input-side back surface (P6a).