Asymmetric Geared Motor Housing for Compact Dual-Side Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing geared motors are not designed to be compact while maintaining efficient transmission and connection capabilities, leading to inefficiencies in space usage and lubrication requirements.

Innovation Solution

A compact geared motor design featuring an asymmetric housing part with a gear driven by an electric motor, where the housing part is produced via die-casting with oblique channels for demolding, allowing the ring gear to project into the channel and reducing the interior volume, and symmetrical mechanical interfaces for versatile connection on both sides.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the housing part is designed asymmetrically to position tightly around the gear teeth, then the gearbox becomes more compact with reduced internal volume, but the connection capability to both output surfaces is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinternal volume of gearboxVSAvoidconnection capability to output surfaces
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The housing part is designed asymmetrically to position tightly around the gear teeth, allowing for a compact gearbox construction with reduced internal volume. The asymmetry enables the housing wall to be closer to the gear teeth on one side while maintaining proper clearance on the other side.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

Despite the asymmetric housing design, the same device can be connected to both output surfaces because the drilling patterns of the two connection surfaces are symmetrical. This allows the housing part to serve multiple connection functions while maintaining a compact asymmetric structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Volume of moving object

If the housing wall is positioned closer to the gear teeth to reduce internal volume, then the gearbox becomes more compact, but the lubrication requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinternal volume of gearboxVSAvoidlubrication oil volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The housing part is designed asymmetrically such that the housing wall is positioned closer to the gear teeth in specific areas, reducing the overall internal volume of the gearbox while maintaining adequate lubrication space through strategic positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

3Adaptability or versatility

If the drilling pattern and centering means are made symmetrical on both outer surfaces, then the same mechanical interface can be used on both sides, but the housing design becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical interface compatibilityVSAvoidhousing design complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The housing part is designed with symmetrical drilling patterns and centering means on both outer surfaces, allowing the same mechanical interface to be used on both sides. This enables a single device to be connected to either output surface A or B using identical connection elements, simplifying the overall system design despite the asymmetric housing structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3827184B1Geared motor
Publication Date: 2023.01.25 SEW EURODRIVE GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3827184B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3827184B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3827184B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a geared motor, wherein: the gearbox has a first intermediate shaft rotatably mounted in the housing part by means of bearings, and an input shaft, in particular, and an output shaft; the gearbox has two connection surfaces, which are spaced apart from one another and at each of which a device to be driven by the gearbox can be connected to the gearbox; each of the two connection surfaces has a bore pattern; the housing part is asymmetrical in such a way that the plane having a normal direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the first intermediate shaft and containing the axis of rotation of the input shaft is not a plane of symmetry with respect to the entire outer surface of the housing part and is not a plane of symmetry with respect to the housing wall of the housing part but is a plane of symmetry with respect to the two connection surfaces together with the bore patterns thereof.