Bevel Gear System Standardized Spider Assembly
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bevel gear systems require redesign and retooling of multiple components to accommodate different gear ratios, leading to increased costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A method that allows for the assembly of bevel gear systems with different gear ratios by selecting and engaging side gears with varying numbers of teeth, while keeping the spider and other components in a constant configuration, enabling the use of standardized components across various gear ratios.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple components are redesigned and retooled to accommodate different gear ratios, then the gear ratio adaptability is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spider is designed with a universal configuration that can accommodate multiple different gear ratios through the selection of different side gear members from standardized sets. The spider's pin arrangement and structural geometry remain constant while supporting various gear combinations, allowing one spider design to serve multiple gear ratio configurations without redesign or retooling.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of changing the physical configuration of the spider, the invention changes the parameter of gear ratio by selecting different numbers of teeth on side gear members from standardized sets. This allows gear ratio variation while maintaining constant spider geometry, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and manufacturing complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple components are redesigned and retooled to accommodate different gear ratios, then the gear ratio adaptability is improved, but the production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single spider design serves multiple gear ratio configurations, eliminating the need for multiple specialized tooling setups. This universal approach reduces production costs by avoiding repeated redesign and retooling expenses while maintaining the ability to produce different gear ratios.
Solution Approach 2:
Gear ratio variations are achieved by changing the number of teeth parameter on side gear members rather than redesigning the spider. This approach reduces manufacturing costs by using standardized spider configurations that can be produced once and used for multiple gear ratio applications.
3Ease of manufacture
If standardized spider and pinion gear configurations are used for different gear ratios, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the gear ratio variation capability must be achieved through side gear selection
Solution Approach 1:
The gear system is segmented into standardized components (spider, pinion gears) and variable components (side gear members with different tooth counts). This segmentation allows the standardized portions to be manufactured once and reused, while the variable side gear members are selected based on desired gear ratios, simplifying the overall manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
Sets of side gear members with different tooth counts are prepared in advance as standardized components. During assembly, the appropriate side gear members are selected from these pre-prepared sets to achieve the desired gear ratio, eliminating the need for complex on-the-fly adjustments or custom manufacturing.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
A method of making a bevel gear system. The method may include selecting a member of the first set of side gears and a member of the second set of side gears corresponding to a desired gear ratio. The selected first side gear may have a different number of teeth than a selected second side gear.