Dual Pinion Ring Gear Architecture for Compact High-Ratio Torque Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gear systems face challenges in achieving high-ratio torque transfer in a compact package while minimizing weight, efficiency losses, and manufacturing complexity.
Innovation Solution
A dual pinion and ring architecture with an eccentric shaft and counterweights, featuring a pinion gear unit with two sets of gear teeth engaging with fixed ring gears, and a bearing assembly to balance the eccentric section, allowing for high-ratio torque transfer with reduced power loss and compact size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a greater number of individual gears are employed to achieve high-ratio torque transfer, then the torque multiplication capability is improved, but the system weight and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a planetary gear arrangement where pinion gears are nested within a ring gear, and multiple pinion gears share a common carrier. This nested configuration allows high-ratio torque transfer through a compact structure with fewer individual gear components, reducing overall system weight while maintaining torque multiplication capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple pinion gears are combined on a single carrier that rotates about the central axis, allowing them to simultaneously engage with the ring gear. This merging of multiple gear functions into a unified planetary arrangement reduces the total number of separate gear components needed, thereby reducing weight and manufacturing complexity.
2Power
If a greater number of gear meshes are used to achieve high-ratio torque transfer, then the torque multiplication capability is improved, but the efficiency decreases due to spin losses
Solution Approach 1:
The planetary gear nested arrangement achieves high-ratio torque transfer through a single stage of meshing between the pinion gears and the ring gear, rather than requiring multiple sequential gear meshes. This reduces the number of meshing interfaces and associated spin losses, improving efficiency while maintaining torque multiplication capability.
3Power
If more individual gears and linkages are assembled to achieve high-ratio torque transfer, then the torque multiplication capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple pinion gears are merged onto a single carrier structure that rotates about the central axis, and all pinion gears simultaneously engage with the ring gear. This merging approach achieves high-ratio torque transfer through a unified mechanism rather than requiring multiple separate gear trains, significantly reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier structure serves multiple functions: it supports multiple pinion gears, provides the mounting structure for the pinions, and itself rotates about the central axis to enable the planetary motion. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying the overall device.
4Power
If traditional gear arrangements are used to achieve high-ratio torque transfer, then the torque multiplication is improved, but the physical size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The planetary gear arrangement nests pinion gears within the ring gear, with all components arranged concentrically around the central axis. This nested configuration achieves high-ratio torque transfer in a compact radial space, significantly reducing the physical size compared to traditional sequential gear arrangements that would require more axial length.
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 dual pinion and ring architecture enables high-ratio torque transfer with low rotational speeds and minimal power loss, achieving efficient power transmission in a compact and lightweight design.
Implementation Method 1
a bearing assembly is disposed between the eccentric section and the pinion gear unit so that the pinion gear unit is rotatable on the eccentric section
Implementation Method 2
at least one counterweight extends from the shaft to balance the eccentric section
Data Source
AI summary
Gear systems include a dual pinion and ring architecture. A gear system includes a housing with a shaft extending in the housing. The shaft includes an eccentric section and is rotatable about an axis. The eccentric section has a center that circles around the axis when the shaft rotates. A pinion gear unit is mounted on the eccentric section and has two sets of gear teeth. A ring gear is fixed to the housing and engages with one set of the gear teeth. Another ring gear engages with the other set of gear teeth and is fixed to a rotatable member. The gear system operates so that rotation of the shaft at a first speed effects rotation of the rotatable member at a second speed through the shaft, the pinion gear unit, and the ring gears.