Double-Gear Transmission Layout for Crawling Speed Reduction

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing agricultural machine transmissions require a large gear spread and numerous gears, which is costly and complex, especially for crawling gear transmissions that are underutilized by most users, limiting the versatility and efficiency of the transmission system.

Innovation Solution

A transmission assembly with a double gear mechanism that provides an additional, arbitrarily definable transmission ratio, allowing for a crawling-like reduction in speed without the need for a complete crawling gear transmission, thereby expanding the range of uses and reducing manufacturing costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If a complete crawling gear transmission is incorporated to provide high speed reduction, then the transmission can achieve extremely slow driving capability, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespeed reduction capabilityVSAvoidtransmission system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential function of a crawling gear transmission (high speed reduction) and implements it through a simplified double gear mechanism rather than a complete crawling gear transmission system. This selective extraction of the core function reduces complexity while maintaining the needed capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The double gear mechanism serves multiple functions: it provides the crawling gear effect for high speed reduction, maintains reversibility for bidirectional operation, and integrates with the existing transmission system. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated crawling gear components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Speed

If a complete crawling gear transmission is incorporated to provide high speed reduction, then the transmission can achieve extremely slow driving capability, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespeed reduction capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential function of a crawling gear transmission (high speed reduction) and implements it through a simplified double gear mechanism rather than a complete crawling gear transmission system. This selective extraction of the core function reduces complexity while maintaining the needed capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The double gear mechanism provides a cost-effective alternative to expensive crawling gear transmissions. By using simpler, more readily available gear components rather than specialized crawling gear elements, the manufacturing cost is reduced while achieving the same functional outcome.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Adaptability or versatility

If numerous gears are used to accommodate broad task spectrum, then the transmission can handle both field work and transport runs, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetask spectrum coverageVSAvoidnumber of gears

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The double gear mechanism serves multiple functions: it provides the crawling gear effect for high speed reduction, maintains reversibility for bidirectional operation, and integrates with the existing transmission system. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated crawling gear components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The transmission system uses selectively engageable gear connections that can be dynamically activated or deactivated based on operational requirements. This dynamic engagement allows the same physical gears to serve different functions across various operating conditions, reducing the need for permanently installed gear sets for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 double gear transmission assembly enhances the versatility and efficiency of agricultural machine transmissions by providing a cost-effective solution for speed reduction, meeting user requirements without the complexity and expense of traditional crawling gear systems, while maintaining functionality.

Implementation Method 1

an additional torque transmission path, in particular a crawling-like reduction of an input speed, can be implemented via a double gear

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGear mechanism: Gear

Data Source

PatentUS11125309B2Transmission arrangement, overall transmission and mobile agricultural machine

Publication Date: 2021.09.21 ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG

AI summary

A transmission assembly including a torque input shaft and a torque output shaft and input idler gears, input fixed gears and shift elements, each of which is associated with an input idler gear, are arranged on the torque input shaft, and output idler gears, output fixed gears and shift elements, each of which are associated with an output idler gear, are arranged on the torque output shaft, with the result that a plurality of different torque transmission paths from the torque input shaft to the torque output shaft may be implemented. The transmission arrangement has an additional torque transmission path that may be implemented. The additional torque transmission path runs from the torque input shaft through a double gear to the torque output shaft. The transmission assembly can be included in a corresponding overall transmission which can be installed in an agricultural machine.