Compact Reduction Gear With Integrated Lubrication For Cycloid Mechanisms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power transmission apparatuses are large in size due to differing power transmitting characteristics of parallel gear mechanisms, making them difficult to render compact and lightweight.
Innovation Solution
A compact, lightweight reduction gear design featuring rolling bearings for outer and inner pins with integrated lubricating members that supply lubricant to cycloid gears, enhancing transmission efficiency and durability by reducing frictional resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional power transmission apparatus uses parallel gear mechanisms with different power transmitting characteristics, then the transmission capacity and noise control are improved, but the device size increases and compactness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The power transmission apparatus is divided into multiple independent planetary gear mechanisms (first and second inscribed meshing planetary gear mechanisms) that operate in parallel. Each mechanism can be independently designed with different gear tooth differences, allowing separate optimization of transmission characteristics while sharing common structural elements like the carrier and housing, thus controlling overall size.
Solution Approach 2:
The parallel planetary gear mechanisms share common structural components including the carrier structure, housing, and support elements. This multi-functional design allows the same structural elements to serve multiple gear mechanisms simultaneously, reducing the overall device volume while maintaining the ability to provide different transmission characteristics through varying gear parameters.
2Productivity
If conventional power transmission apparatus uses parallel gear mechanisms, then transmission efficiency is improved, but the device weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple planetary gear mechanisms are merged into a compact parallel arrangement where they share common structural elements such as the carrier, housing, and mounting structures. This combining approach allows the apparatus to achieve improved transmission efficiency through multiple meshing paths while avoiding the weight penalty of completely separate mechanisms, as the shared structures reduce overall material requirements.
3Reliability
If rolling bearings are used for outer and inner pins, then transmission efficiency and durability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Lubricating members are integrated directly into the bearing structures of the outer and inner pins, creating self-lubricating components. This self-service approach provides continuous lubrication to reduce friction and improve durability while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure, as the lubrication function is built into the existing bearing components rather than requiring separate lubrication systems.
4Productivity
If lubricating members are built in to supply lubricant to rolling bearings and cycloid gears, then transmission efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lubricating members are merged with the existing bearing structures and gear components. The same lubricating members that serve the rolling bearings also provide lubrication to the cycloid gears, creating a multi-functional lubrication system. This combining approach improves transmission efficiency through adequate lubrication while avoiding the complexity of separate lubrication systems for different components.
Solution Approach 2:
The lubricating members are designed to perform multiple functions: they lubricate both the rolling bearings (outer and inner pins) and the cycloid gears simultaneously. This universal lubrication approach allows a single lubrication system to serve multiple critical components, improving overall transmission efficiency while minimizing the addition of separate lubrication mechanisms that would increase device complexity.
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
The design achieves improved durability and transmission efficiency while realizing a compact and lightweight structure suitable for various applications, including tire portions and robots.
Implementation Method 1
outer pins and inner pins located between relatively moving members are formed of rolling bearings
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of lubricating members are built in to come into contact with the outer rings of the rolling bearings, so as to supply a lubricant from the lubricating members to the outer rings
Implementation Method 3
an input shaft having a pair of eccentric portions which are located adjacent each other in an axial direction of the input shaft and which have a phase difference of 180° therebetween in a circumferential direction of the input shaft
Implementation Method 4
a pair of cycloid gears which rotate in contact with outer circumferences of the eccentric portions
Data Source
AI summary
A reduction gear of the present invention is compact and light and can be used for tire portions of an apparatus for travelling, etc. Each of outer and inner pins is formed by a rolling bearing. The reduction gear includes block-shaped lubricating members which supply a lubricant to the outer rings of the outer pins to thereby lubricate them, and a ring-shaped lubricating member which supplies the lubricant to the outer rings of the inner pins to thereby lubricate them. The lubricant can be supplied to a pair of cycloid gears through the outer pins and the inner pins for lubrication. Since the cycloid gears, the outer pins, and the inner pins are lubricated by the lubricating members, the reduction gear can enhance its durability, reduce the friction between components to thereby lower the frictional resistance, and realize a light and compact structure.