Automatic Door Drive Shaft Integration for Compact Planetary Reducers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automatic door operator drive mechanisms require a large axial space due to the need for a planetary reducer output shaft and coupling, hindering miniaturization design and increasing costs.

Innovation Solution

A drive mechanism with a planetary reducer that omits the output shaft, using a torque output hole at the final-stage planet carrier center, where the drive shaft is non-rotatably connected, simplifying the configuration and reducing axial length by eliminating the coupling, and incorporating angular contact ball bearings for support.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a planetary reducer with output shaft and coupling is used, then torque transmission is reliable, but axial space occupation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetorque transmission reliabilityVSAvoidaxial space
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the planetary reducer and drive shaft into an integrated structure where the drive shaft is directly connected to the final-stage planet carrier without requiring a separate output shaft and coupling. This integration eliminates the need for additional components while maintaining torque transmission reliability, thereby reducing axial space occupation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and eliminates the unnecessary output shaft and coupling components from the traditional planetary reducer system. By removing these redundant elements and directly connecting the drive shaft to the planet carrier, the design achieves miniaturization while preserving the essential torque transmission function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If a planetary reducer with output shaft and coupling is used, then torque transmission is reliable, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetorque transmission reliabilityVSAvoidmechanical structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple components (planetary reducer, output shaft, and coupling) into a single integrated structure where the drive shaft is directly mounted on the final-stage planet carrier. This merging reduces the number of parts and simplifies the mechanical structure while maintaining reliable torque transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent removes the unnecessary output shaft and coupling components from the system. By extracting these redundant elements and establishing a direct connection between the drive shaft and planet carrier, the design reduces device complexity and eliminates assembly/disassembly steps while preserving functional reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If a planetary reducer with output shaft and coupling is used, then torque transmission is reliable, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetorque transmission reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the costly output shaft and coupling components from the traditional planetary reducer system. By removing these unnecessary parts, the design reduces material costs, manufacturing complexity, and assembly costs while maintaining reliable torque transmission through direct connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the planetary reducer and drive shaft into a single integrated component structure. This consolidation reduces the total number of parts that need to be manufactured, inventoried, and assembled, thereby lowering overall manufacturing costs while preserving the reliability of torque transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3947879B1Automatic door operator and drive mechanism thereof
Publication Date: 2024.05.29 ASSA ABLOY ENTRANCE SYST AB
  • EP3947879B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

An automatic door operator and a drive mechanism thereof are disclosed. The drive mechanism of the automatic door includes a planetary reducer driven by an electric motor, and a drive shaft driven by a planetary reducer. The planetary reducer includes a housing and a planetary gear train mounted in the housing. The planetary gear train includes a final-stage planet carrier configured to output torque, and a center of the final-stage planet carrier is provided with a torque output hole. A first end of the drive shaft is detachably inserted in the torque output hole and is non-rotatably connected to the torque output hole, and a second end of the drive shaft extends out of the housing. The drive mechanism of the automatic door operator is advantageous to the miniaturization design of the automatic door operator.