Cycloid Speed Reducer Lubrication and Compact Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional power transmission apparatuses are large in size and difficult to make compact and lightweight due to differences in power transmitting characteristics between parallel gear mechanisms, and the cycloid speed reducer has a complex structure and high cost due to multiple lubricant supply members and rolling bearings.

Innovation Solution

A compact, lightweight cycloid speed reducer design where outer pins form a sliding bearing within a housing, using a single outer pin lubricating ring and a separator lubricating ring to distribute lubricant to inner pins and cycloid gears, reducing friction and component count, and incorporating a cross roller bearing for enhanced support.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple lubricant supply members are provided for outer pins, then lubrication performance is improved, but the number of components increases resulting in complex structure and high cost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelubrication performanceVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple separate lubricant supply members for outer pins are merged into a single lubricant supply member that supplies lubricant to all outer pins, reducing the number of components while maintaining lubrication performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

A single lubricant supply member is designed to perform the lubrication function for multiple outer pins simultaneously, making it a multi-functional component that replaces several individual lubricant supply members

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Speed

If rolling bearings are used for outer pins, then rotation performance is enhanced, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotation performanceVSAvoidcost

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Simple pins with shorter service life are used instead of expensive rolling bearings, reducing cost while maintaining adequate rotation performance through proper lubrication and design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

Complex rolling bearing mechanical systems are replaced with simpler pin structures that achieve rotation through direct contact and lubrication, eliminating the need for expensive bearing components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Power

If conventional power transmission apparatus uses parallel gear mechanisms with different tooth differences, then power transmitting characteristics are optimized, but size increases making it difficult to make compact

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower transmitting characteristicsVSAvoidsize

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple parallel gear mechanisms are merged into a single cycloid gear mechanism that achieves the same power transmission functionality, reducing overall size while maintaining power transmitting characteristics

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The gear mechanism is transitioned from a parallel multi-stage configuration to a compact cycloid configuration that achieves speed reduction in a single stage, utilizing different geometric principles to reduce dimensional footprint

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 transmission efficiency, reduced size, and weight, while maintaining durability and reducing frictional resistance, allowing for a compact and cost-effective unit.

Implementation Method 1

a single outer pin lubricating ring is used for lubricating the outer pins so as to reduce the number of components

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLubrication: Lubrication

Implementation Method 2

the outer ring of a cross roller bearing is connected to an end of the housing, and a boss plate serving as an output shaft of the reduction gear portion is fixed to the inner ring of the cross roller bearing which is rotatably supported by the outer ring via rollers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLubrication: Lubrication

Implementation Method 3

each of outer and inner pins is composed of a rolling bearing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRolling: Roller

Implementation Method 4

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRolling: Roller

Data Source

PatentUS10883572B2Cycloid speed reducer

Publication Date: 2021.01.05 NIPPON THOMPSON

AI summary

A cycloid speed reducer has a housing for accommodating a piece of equipment. Outer pins in meshing engagement with cycloid gears of a reduction gear portion are incorporated into the housing as a sliding bearing. A lubrication ring for lubricating the outer pins is slidably incorporated into the housing. The outer pins are lubricated by the outer pin lubricating ring. Inner pins are lubricated by a lubricating ring. The pair of cycloid gears are lubricated via the outer pins and the inner pins. As a result, friction between components is reduced, whereby frictional resistance decreases and durability is enhanced. In addition, the cycloid speed reducer can be manufactured as a small, compact unit.