Epicyclic Gear Assembly for Compact Multiple Output Drives

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional multi-branch gear designs that do not rotate about a common central axis are costly, heavy, and occupy valuable space, making them inefficient for systems where compactness is crucial.

Innovation Solution

An epicyclic gear mechanism with a primary differential assembly that selectively drives fore and aft secondary differential assemblies, each of which can drive multiple interfaces, all rotating about a common central axis, utilizing sun gears and planet gears to transmit torque and featuring actuators for selective interface activation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional multi-branch gear designs are used, then multiple outputs can be achieved, but the system becomes costly, heavy, and occupies valuable space

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemultiple output capabilityVSAvoidgear mechanism weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple differential assemblies (primary and secondary) into a single integrated epicyclic gear mechanism that rotates about a common central axis. This merging of multiple gear trains into one cohesive structure achieves multiple output capabilities while reducing overall weight and space occupation compared to conventional separate multi-branch gear designs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The common central axis design serves multiple functions: it acts as the rotation axis for the primary differential assembly, the secondary differential assemblies, and all output interfaces. This universal axis enables the single mechanism to provide multiple outputs simultaneously, achieving versatility without requiring separate heavy structures for each output

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional multi-branch gear designs are used, then multiple outputs can be achieved, but the system occupies valuable space

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemultiple output capabilityVSAvoidgear mechanism volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a nested arrangement where secondary differential assemblies are positioned around and integrated with the primary differential assembly, all sharing a common central axis. This nesting configuration allows multiple output interfaces to be arranged in a compact radial pattern, significantly reducing the overall volume occupied by the gear mechanism while maintaining multiple output capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Adaptability or versatility

If conventional multi-branch gear designs are used, then multiple outputs can be achieved, but the system becomes costly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemultiple output capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the gear mechanism into modular differential assemblies (primary and secondary) that can be manufactured separately and then assembled together. This segmentation allows for standardized production of each module, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while enabling the final assembled system to provide multiple output capabilities through the coordinated arrangement of these modular units

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 mechanism achieves a compact, power-dense design that reduces the number of bearings required, enabling efficient multiple output drive systems in constrained spaces while maintaining versatility and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

The primary differential assembly drives the fore secondary differential assembly via a first sun gear, and drives the aft secondary differential assembly via a second sun gear

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGear mechanism: Gear

Implementation Method 2

an epicyclic gear mechanism includes a primary differential assembly to selectively drive a fore secondary differential assembly and an aft secondary differential assembly

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEpicyclic gearing: Epicyclic Gearing

Data Source

PatentUS11137057B2Epicyclic gear mechanism for multiple input/output systems

Publication Date: 2021.10.05 WOODWARD INC

AI summary

Methods and systems for an epicyclic gear mechanism that includes a primary differential assembly to selectively drive the fore secondary differential assembly and the aft secondary differential assembly. The fore secondary differential assembly selectively drives one or more fore interfaces (e.g., output gears), whereas the aft secondary differential assembly selectively drives one or more aft interfaces (e.g., output gears). Each of the primary differential assembly, the fore and aft secondary differential assemblies, and the interfaces rotate about a common central axis. The primary differential assembly drives the fore secondary differential assembly via a first sun gear, and drives the aft secondary differential assembly via a second sun gear, both of which rotate about the common central axis. Further, one or more actuators are to activate or deactivate in order to drive or be driven by a selected interface.