Extruder Transmission Gear Layout for Radial Load Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing transmission gear systems for multi-screw extruders and kneaders face challenges in miniaturization due to increased bearing capacity and thrust loads, which complicate the system configuration and hinder the reduction of rotational play, leading to increased size and complexity.

Innovation Solution

A transmission gear system that includes a load distribution shaft opposite to the driving shaft, which distributes radial loads via a load distribution gear, allowing for reduced bearing capacity and increased shaft diameter without complicating the system configuration, thereby enhancing torque and power transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If the tooth widths of the driving gear and driven gear are enlarged to increase transmission capacity, then the transmission load capacity is improved, but the distance between bearing parts increases and the load on bearing parts increases complexly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission load capacityVSAvoidbearing arrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a load distribution shaft arranged radially opposite to the driving shaft, creating a new spatial dimension for load transmission. This allows radial loads to be distributed through a different geometric path, reducing the complexity of bearing arrangements on the driven shaft while maintaining transmission capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the load transmission path by introducing an intermediate load distribution shaft. Instead of transmitting all radial loads directly through the driven shaft's bearing parts, the load is divided and transmitted through separate paths: one through the driven shaft's bearing parts and another through the load distribution shaft's bearing parts, simplifying the overall bearing arrangement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Strength

If bearing capacity is increased to handle higher loads, then the load-bearing capability is improved, but the system configuration becomes complicated and miniaturization is hindered

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebearing capacityVSAvoidsystem configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the bearing capacity requirement between two separate shafts: the driven shaft and the load distribution shaft. Each shaft has its own bearing parts that share the total load, allowing each bearing set to be smaller and simpler while collectively handling the same total load as a single high-capacity bearing system would require.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

By arranging the load distribution shaft radially opposite to the driving shaft and using radial load transmission through gears, the patent creates an additional spatial dimension for load support. This distributes the bearing capacity requirement across different spatial locations, simplifying the configuration compared to increasing bearing capacity on a single shaft.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Strength

If the driven shaft diameter is increased to handle thrust loads, then the thrust load capacity is improved, but the system size increases and miniaturization is impeded

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethrust load capacityVSAvoidshaft diameter
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the thrust load handling function by introducing a load distribution shaft with its own bearing parts. The thrust load is distributed between the driven shaft and the load distribution shaft, allowing each shaft to have a smaller diameter while collectively handling the same total thrust load as a single larger shaft would require.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Strength

If the number of gear meshing stages is increased to distribute radial load, then the load distribution is improved, but the system length increases and rotational play increases due to cumulative backlash

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveradial load distributionVSAvoidsystem length
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of distributing radial load through multiple axial gear meshing stages that increase system length, the patent uses a radial arrangement with the load distribution shaft positioned opposite to the driving shaft. This creates a direct radial load transmission path that distributes load without requiring additional axial length, avoiding cumulative backlash issues.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

This configuration effectively distributes loads without increasing system complexity, allowing for increased shaft diameter and torque, while maintaining compactness and reducing rotational play, thus enhancing the performance and miniaturization potential of multi-screw extruder or kneader systems.

Implementation Method 1

A driving gear 104 is formed on the driving shaft 102, while a driven gear 105 engaged with the driving gear 104 is formed on the driven shaft 103, whereupon the rotational driving force of the driving shaft 102 is transmitted via the driving gear 104 and the driven gear 105

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGear: Gear

Implementation Method 2

The driving shaft 102 is rotatably supported by bearing parts 106 arranged in the vicinity before and after the driving gear 104, while the driven shaft 103 is rotatably supported by bearing parts 107 arranged in the vicinity before and after the driven gear 105

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 3

The driven gear 103 is rotatably supported by a thrust bearing 117 at a right-hand end of Fig. 10

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3284576B1Transmission gear device to be used in multi-screw extruder or kneader
Publication Date: 2021.11.03 SAWA CORP
  • EP3284576B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3284576B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3284576B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

It is possible to provide a transmission gear system of a multi-screw extruder or kneader, distributedly receiving loads applied on driven shafts without complicating the device configuration. The transmission gear system of a multi-screw extruder or kneader having a plurality of screw shafts, includes a driving shaft to which a driving gear is fixed, rotationally driven by a driving device; a driven shaft to which a driven gear engaged with the driving gear is fixed, the driven shaft being coupled to the screw shaft so as to allow the screw shaft to be rotationally driven; and a load distribution shaft disposed in a region opposite to the driving shaft with respect to the driven shaft. A radial load generated on the driven shaft is transmitted via the driven gear and the load distribution gear to the load distribution shaft to distribute the load.