Flat Strain Wave Gearing Axial Restriction Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
In flat strain wave gearing, the use of restraining parts or restricting members on both sides of the externally toothed gear increases device cost and size, impairs lubricant flow, and leads to increased wear due to insufficient lubrication.
Innovation Solution
A mechanism featuring a first and second rigid gear, a cylindrical flexible gear, a wave generator, and radially flexible rings engaging with grooves on the gears to restrict movement without external members, minimizing adverse effects on lubrication and wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If restraining parts or restricting members are arranged on both sides of the externally toothed gear to restrict movement in the axial direction, then the movement of the flexible gear is restricted, but the cost and size of the device increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention places the flexible ring inside the grooves formed on the internally toothed gear and externally toothed gear, nesting the restraining function within the existing gear structure. This eliminates the need for separate external restraining parts, thereby restricting flexible gear movement while avoiding increased device size and cost
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible ring serves multiple functions: it restricts axial movement of the flexible gear, maintains meshing engagement between gears, and allows radial flexibility for strain wave transmission. By making one component perform multiple functions, the invention avoids adding separate restraining members that would increase device complexity
2Stability of the object's composition
If restraining parts or restricting members are arranged on both device-center-axis-direction sides of the externally toothed gear, then movement in the axial direction is restricted, but the flow of lubricant across the meshing portion is impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible ring is nested within grooves that are open to the gear surfaces, allowing lubricant to flow freely across the meshing portion. The ring does not block lubricant pathways because it is contained within the groove structures rather than extending externally, thus maintaining both movement restriction and lubrication effectiveness
3Stability of the object's composition
If restraining parts or restricting members are arranged on both sides of the externally toothed gear, then movement is restricted, but the amount of wear on the meshing portion increases due to insufficient lubrication
Solution Approach 1:
By nesting the flexible ring within grooves rather than using external restraining parts, the invention maintains unobstructed lubricant flow to the meshing portion. This ensures adequate lubrication and prevents increased wear that would result from lubricant blockage by external restraining members
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 restricts the flexible gear's movement while maintaining lubricant flow and reducing wear, thereby minimizing the adverse effects associated with traditional restraining members.
Implementation Method 1
a wave generator for causing the flexible gear to flex into a non-circular shape and partially mesh with the first and second rigid gears
Implementation Method 2
a radially flexible first ring arranged between the first and second grooves, the first ring being capable of engaging with the groove inner-peripheral surfaces of each of the first and second grooves
Data Source
AI summary
A flat strain wave gearing (1) has a mechanism for preventing a flexible externally toothed gear (4) from moving in the direction of the device center axis (1a) with respect to a rigid internally toothed gears (2, 3). The mechanism has an inner-peripheral groove (11) formed on inner teeth (3a) of the internally toothed gear (3), an outer-peripheral groove (12) formed on outer teeth (4a) of the externally toothed gear (4), and a flexible ring (13) mounted between the inner-peripheral groove (11) and the outer-peripheral groove (12). The ring (13) is engageable with groove inner-peripheral surfaces (11a, 11b, 12a, 12b), from the direction of the device center axis (1a), at meshing positions of the both gears (2, 4).