Dual-Unit Speed Reducer Layout for High Rigidity in Compact Drives

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing speed reducers in construction machines face challenges in ensuring rigidity and strength without increasing size, leading to potential size and weight increases, which can result in higher power consumption and reduced usability.

Innovation Solution

A speed reducer design incorporating two speed reduction units with aligned rotation axes and a shared motor, allowing for distributed load distribution and reduced complexity, thereby enhancing rigidity and strength while minimizing size.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the rigidity and strength of the speed reducers and cantilevered support portions are increased to handle large impacts and moments, then the desired rigidity and strength are secured, but the size of the speed reducers and cantilevered support portions increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverigidity and strength of speed reducerVSAvoidsize of speed reducer

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The speed reducer is divided into two separate speed reduction units, each handling a portion of the total load. This segmentation allows each unit to be smaller while collectively providing the required strength and rigidity, resolving the contradiction between strength and size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Strength

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverigidity and strength of speed reducerVSAvoidweight of construction machine

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

By dividing the speed reducer into two smaller units that share the load, the total weight is distributed and reduced compared to a single large unit, thus resolving the contradiction between strength and weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Strength

If the size of the speed reducers and cantilevered support portions is increased to ensure desired rigidity and strength, then the strength is improved, but the power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverigidity and strength of speed reducerVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The segmentation into two smaller speed reduction units reduces the overall size and weight, which in turn reduces the power consumption required to operate the construction machine, resolving the contradiction between strength and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Strength

If the size of the speed reducers and cantilevered support portions is increased to ensure desired rigidity and strength, then the strength is improved, but the construction machine becomes less easy to use

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverigidity and strength of speed reducerVSAvoidusability of construction machine

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

By dividing the speed reducer into two smaller units, the overall size of the construction machine is reduced, improving maneuverability and ease of operation while maintaining the required strength and rigidity through load distribution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20250314043A1Speed reducer, drive device, and construction machine

Publication Date: 2025.10.09 NABTESCO CORP

AI summary

A speed reducer of one embodiment includes a first speed reduction unit and a second speed reduction unit. The first speed reduction unit includes a first carrier, a first case that surrounds the first carrier and is held rotatable relatively to the first carrier, and a first reduction gear portion having a first center shaft, which is a first input portion held by the first carrier and to which rotation is inputted from a drive shaft. The second speed reduction unit includes a second carrier, a second case that surrounds the second carrier and is held rotatable relatively to the second carrier, and a second reduction gear portion having a second center shaft, which is a second input portion held by the second carrier and to which rotation is inputted together with the first center shaft from the drive shaft.