Compound Planetary Gear Set for Vehicle Power Transmission

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power transmission apparatuses for vehicles face challenges in achieving more shift stages while maintaining efficiency, as increasing the number of parts leads to deteriorated installability, production cost, weight, and power flow efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A power transmission apparatus utilizing a single compound planetary gear set with four shafts, combined with gear sets and clutches, to achieve multiple shift stages with a simpler structure and reduced weight, enhancing fuel efficiency and installability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the number of parts is increased to achieve more shift stages, then the number of shift stages is increased, but installability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of shift stagesVSAvoidinstallability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines two planetary gear sets into a single compound planetary gear set where rotation elements of the first planetary gear set are integrated with rotation elements of the second planetary gear set. This merging allows multiple shift stages to be achieved through a unified structure rather than separate gear sets, improving installability while maintaining adaptability for multiple shift stages

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The compound planetary gear set is designed so that rotation elements serve multiple functions - the first sun gear, first planet carrier, and second sun gear can each serve as input, output, or fixed elements depending on the desired shift stage. This multi-functionality allows a single structure to achieve multiple shift stages without requiring additional specialized parts for each function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the number of parts is increased to achieve more shift stages, then the number of shift stages is increased, but production cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of shift stagesVSAvoidproduction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By merging two planetary gear sets into one compound structure with shared rotation elements, the patent reduces the total number of parts that need to be manufactured and assembled. This consolidation directly lowers production costs while still achieving multiple shift stages through the integrated design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The compound planetary gear set is segmented into functional modules - the first planetary gear set portion and the second planetary gear set portion - where each module can be manufactured separately and then assembled into the complete structure. This modular segmentation facilitates standardized manufacturing processes and reduces overall production complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If the number of parts is increased to achieve more shift stages, then the number of shift stages is increased, but weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of shift stagesVSAvoidweight

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges two planetary gear sets into a single compound structure where rotation elements are shared between the two sets. This consolidation eliminates duplicate components and reduces the total weight of the transmission apparatus while maintaining the capability for multiple shift stages

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Adaptability or versatility

If the number of parts is increased to achieve more shift stages, then the number of shift stages is increased, but power flow efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of shift stagesVSAvoidpower flow efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

By integrating two planetary gear sets into a single compound structure with shared rotation elements, the patent creates more direct power flow paths. The integrated design reduces the number of intermediate transmission stages and minimizes power loss through fewer engagement points and shorter torque transmission paths

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS20200063841A1Power transmission apparatus for vehicle

Publication Date: 2020.02.27 HYUNDAI MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A power transmission apparatus includes: an input shaft, an output gear; a compound planetary gear set including a first planetary gear set including first, second and third rotation elements, and a second planetary gear set including fourth, fifth and sixth rotation elements; a first shaft fixedly connected with the first rotation element and the fourth rotation element and selectively connected with the input shaft; a second shaft fixedly connected with the fifth rotation element, and selectively connected with the input shaft and a transmission housing; a third shaft fixedly connected with the second rotation element, the sixth rotation element and the output gear; a fourth shaft fixedly connected with the third rotation element; an intermediate shaft; a first gear set transmitting the torque from the input shaft to the intermediate shaft; and a second gear set selectively transmitting the torque from the intermediate shaft to the fourth shaft.