Four Planetary Gear Transmission for Reduced Component Count

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current vehicle transmission arrangements for working machines, such as articulated haulers, require a large number of components and complex gear sets to achieve sufficient gear ratios, leading to increased costs and reduced packaging efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A transmission arrangement using four planetary gear sets with specific connections and locking mechanisms, including clutches and brakes, to achieve nine forward and three reverse gears with reduced component count and improved shiftability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If five planetary gear sets are used to achieve sufficient gear ratios, then the number of available gears increases, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of available gearsVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the functions of five separate planetary gear sets into a unified four-gear set configuration. By strategically connecting sun gears, planet carriers, and ring gears across multiple planetary sets, the invention achieves the same gear ratio range with fewer discrete components, directly reducing device complexity while maintaining gear versatility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Each planetary gear set in the four-set configuration is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously. The interconnected architecture allows each gear set to contribute to multiple gear ratios through selective engagement of clutches and brakes, enabling a single gear set to replace what would traditionally require multiple dedicated sets

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If five planetary gear sets with three clutches and five brakes are used, then sufficient gear ratios are achieved, but the number of components increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegear ratio capabilityVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the component requirements of five planetary gear sets into a consolidated four-set configuration. By sharing common elements such as sun gears, planet carriers, and braking mechanisms across adjacent planetary sets, the total component count is reduced while maintaining the capability to achieve nine forward and three reverse gears

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The clutch and brake mechanisms in this invention are designed with multi-functionality, where a single clutch or brake can control multiple planetary gear sets simultaneously. This universal control approach reduces the total number of clutches and brakes needed compared to traditional configurations where each gear set requires dedicated control elements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a traditional transmission arrangement with multiple planetary gear sets is used, then sufficient gear ratios are achieved, but packaging efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegear ratio rangeVSAvoidpackaging efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The planetary gear sets are arranged in a nested or compact configuration where components of one gear set are positioned adjacent to or interlocked with components of neighboring gear sets. This nesting approach allows multiple planetary sets to occupy a smaller overall volume, improving packaging efficiency while maintaining the full gear ratio range

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

By merging the spatial requirements of five planetary gear sets into a compact four-set layout, the invention reduces the total transmission housing volume needed. The interconnected architecture allows for shared support structures and common mounting points, further condensing the overall package size

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3347619B1A transmission arrangement for a vehicle

Publication Date: 2020.10.28 VOLVO CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT AB

Figure 1~2

AI summary

The present invention relates to a transmission arrangement (100) for a vehicle, the transmission arrangement comprising a first (102), a second (104), a third (106), and a fourth (108) planetary gear set comprising a sun gear, a planet carrier and a ring gear, respectively, wherein said transmission arrangement (100) further comprises a transmission housing (160), an input shaft (136) and an output shaft (112), wherein the ring gear (102R) of the first planetary gear set (102) and the input shaft (136) are operatively connected to each other; the sun gear (102S) of the first planetary gear set (102) and the sun gear (104S) of the second planetary gear set (104) are operatively connected to each other; the planet carrier (104P) of the second planetary gear set (104) and the ring gear (106R) of the third planetary gear set (106) are operatively connected to each other; the planet carrier (106P) of the third planetary gear set (106) is operatively connected to the transmission housing (160); the sun gear (106S) of the third planetary gear set (106) and the sun gear (108S) of the fourth planetary gear set (108) are operatively connected to each other; and the planet carrier (108P) of the fourth planetary gear set (108) and the output shaft (112) are operatively connected to each other.