Harmonic Drive Spring Integration for Compact Camshaft Adjusters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing harmonic drives lack a compact and easy-to-assemble design with an integrated spring element between the drive and output elements, which limits their efficiency and assembly convenience.
Innovation Solution
A harmonic drive design featuring a pot-shaped output element with an internal toothed housing and a resilient drive element, where a spring element is integrated within an annular chamber, and a securing pot is used for axial securing, enabling a compact and efficient assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a spring element is integrated into the harmonic drive between the drive element and output element, then the device complexity is reduced and assembly is simplified, but the manufacturing precision and assembly ease require careful design of the annular chamber dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element is integrated directly into the harmonic drive structure by positioning it within the annular chamber formed between the drive element and output element. This merging of components eliminates the need for separate mounting structures and reduces overall device complexity while maintaining functional integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element is nested within the annular chamber of the harmonic drive, utilizing the existing spatial arrangement between the drive element and output element. This nesting approach allows the spring to be housed within the existing structure without requiring additional external space or complex mounting mechanisms
2Volume of moving object
If the spring element is arranged in the annular chamber delimited by the sleeve section and cylindrical section, then the harmonic drive achieves a compact design, but the ease of manufacture requires precise dimensional control of the chamber
Solution Approach 1:
The harmonic drive is segmented into distinct functional sections: the sleeve section of the drive element, the cylindrical section of the output element, and the annular chamber space between them. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently with standard tolerances, while the assembled structure naturally forms the precise annular chamber required for spring housing
Solution Approach 2:
The annular chamber serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a bearing surface for the spring element, provides structural support between the drive element and output element, and defines the compact overall volume of the harmonic drive. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate housing structures, simplifying manufacturing
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 achieves a compact and easy-to-assemble harmonic drive with enhanced efficiency and reliability, suitable for applications like electromechanical camshaft adjusters, offering a defined fail-safe position and improved adjustment capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a spring element which is effective between the drive element and the output element
Implementation Method 2
the spring element is a torsion spring
Implementation Method 3
a likewise pot-shaped, resilient drive element which is connected to the output element
Data Source
AI summary
A harmonic drive includes an internally toothed housing element (2), a pot-shaped output element (4) which is mounted in the housing element (2), and a likewise pot-shaped, resilient drive element (19) which is connected to the output element (4) and has an external toothing system (13) which meshes with the internal toothing system (14) of the housing element (2). A spring element (35) is active between the housing element (2) and the output element (4), which spring element (35) is arranged in an annular chamber which is delimited radially to the inside by a sleeve section (24) of the resilient drive element (19), radially to the outside by a cylindrical section (5) of the output element (4), and in the axial direction firstly by an annular disc-shaped surface (23) of the housing element (2) and secondly by a bottom (9) of the output element (4).