Gear Train Axial Lock Sliding Surface Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gear trains face increased costs and complexity due to the need for expensive radial-axial sliding-contact bearing units with annular recesses and additional support disks, which are not always desirable in terms of size and manufacturing complexity.
Innovation Solution
A gear train design where the second axial lock serves both as a securement for the gear wheel and a sliding surface for the radial-axial sliding-contact bearing unit, eliminating the need for special bearing unit designs and additional support disks, with a taper interference fit for gear wheel attachment and an annular component that simplifies mounting, reducing the number of parts and enhancing space efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If an annular recess is added to the radial-axial sliding-contact bearing unit to enable it to slide over the groove nut, then the bearing unit can be mounted, but the manufacturing cost increases and the dimensions become larger
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the groove nut with the second axial lock, creating a single integrated component that performs both functions: securing the gear wheel axially and providing a surface for the bearing unit to slide over. This eliminates the need for the bearing unit to have an annular recess, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining mounting capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The groove nut is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as the second axial lock to secure the gear wheel, provides a sliding surface for the bearing unit, and eliminates the need for separate mounting features on the bearing unit itself. This multi-functionality reduces the overall device complexity.
2Reliability
If additional support disks are added to form running surfaces for the bearing unit, then the bearing functionality is achieved, but the number of parts increases and the design becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines the function of the second axial lock and the support disk into a single groove nut component. The groove nut's end face directly provides the running surface for the bearing unit, eliminating the need for a separate support disk and reducing the total number of parts in the assembly.
3Ease of manufacture
If standard groove nuts are used as axial locks, then the axial securing function is achieved, but additional features are needed on the bearing unit increasing manufacturing cost
Solution Approach 1:
The groove nut is designed with multi-functionality: it secures the gear wheel axially through threading on the shaft shoulder, and simultaneously provides a sliding surface for the bearing unit. This eliminates the need for additional features on the bearing unit, reducing manufacturing cost and complexity.
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 design results in a simpler, cost-effective, and space-saving gear train configuration with reduced individual parts, ensuring secure attachment and sliding surface functionality without the need for complex or oversized bearing units.
Implementation Method 1
a gear wheel (5) which is attached to a shaft shoulder (4) defined by a diameter (D1)
Implementation Method 2
a radial-axial sliding-contact bearing unit (11) which mounts the shaft (3) in the housing (2)
Data Source
AI summary
A gear train includes a housing, a shaft arranged in the housing, a gear wheel arranged on a first shaft shoulder, and first and second axial locks arranged on opposite sides of the gear wheel to axially secure the gear wheel. The second axial lock is attached to a second shaft shoulder having a diameter which is smaller than a diameter of the first shaft shoulder. A radial-axial sliding-contact bearing unit mounts the shaft in the housing and is attached to a third shaft shoulder disposed adjacent to the second shaft shoulder and defined by a diameter which is smaller than the diameter of the second shaft shoulder. A component attached to the shaft has a sliding surface for an axial sliding-contact bearing of the radial-axial sliding-contact bearing unit, with the second axial lock defining a running surface for the axial sliding-contact bearing of the radial-axial sliding-contact bearing unit.