Cup-Shaped Planet Carrier Brake Assembly for Wheel Hub
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wheel-hub epicyclic reduction gear systems with integrated parking brakes face issues such as 'clattering' due to meshing plays during forward and backward movement, and the assembly process is laborious, requiring high accuracy and potentially leading to component damage and increased production costs.
Innovation Solution
A supporting assembly with an epicyclic reduction gear system and integrated service brake featuring a cup-shaped planet gear carrier, separate external and internal disc holders, and a braking assembly with integral brake discs, allowing for simplified assembly by eliminating the need for precise angular alignment of brake discs and reducing the complexity of the assembly process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If locking devices act directly between the wheel and fixed element to eliminate meshing plays, then the vehicle clattering is eliminated, but the assembly complexity increases due to additional components and alignment requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the locking device with the existing brake assembly components, integrating the wheel locking function into the brake disc and brake caliper structure. This merging approach eliminates the need for separate locking components while still achieving direct wheel locking to eliminate clattering.
Solution Approach 2:
The brake disc is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both a service brake component and a locking device component. The brake caliper similarly serves both braking and locking functions, eliminating the need for dedicated locking components and simplifying the overall structure.
2Reliability
If brake discs are pre-positioned on the planet gear carrier with precise angular alignment, then the braking function is achieved, but the assembly time increases and production costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
The brake discs are pre-mounted on the brake caliper assembly before final installation onto the planet gear carrier. This preliminary assembly allows for quality control and positioning to be performed on a more accessible sub-assembly, reducing the complexity and time of final installation while maintaining precise alignment requirements for braking function.
Solution Approach 2:
The brake caliper acts as an intermediary component that holds the brake discs during assembly and installation. This intermediary structure simplifies the assembly process by providing a stable mounting platform for the brake discs, allowing them to be positioned and secured more easily before final installation onto the rotating planet gear carrier.
3Device complexity
If the planet gear carrier hub diameter is reduced to accommodate brake discs, then the brake assembly fits, but the reduction gear unit effectiveness is penalized
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of reducing the planet gear carrier hub diameter in the radial direction, the patent utilizes the axial dimension to accommodate the brake assembly. The brake discs are positioned axially on the planet gear carrier, allowing the radial dimensions of the planet gear carrier to be optimized for gear effectiveness while still providing space for the brake components in the axial direction.
Data Source
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AI summary
A supporting assembly (1) of a wheel with an epicyclic reduction gear system and integrated parking brake, with simplified assembly, the supporting assembly (1) comprising an epicyclic reduction gear unit (2) with at least one reduction stage provided with a driving sun gear (3) associated with a fixed ring gear (5) by interposition of at least one planet gear (6) which is supported by a driven planet gear carrier (7) and is substantially cup-shaped, so as to define a bottom wall (8) associated with at least one supporting pivot (9) of the at least one planet gear (6) and a cylindrical side wall (10) which can be coupled to the hub (104) of a wheel, the ring gear (5) being supported in a fixed manner within the planet gear carrier (7), the assembly (1) comprising, furthermore, a braking assembly (13) provided with a plurality of brake discs (14) which are integral in rotation with the planet gear carrier (7) and a plurality of fixed complementary brake discs (15) interposed between the discs (14), a separate external disc holder (16) which supports the discs (14), being accommodated within the planet gear carrier (7) and being rotationally integral therewith.