Input Gear Axial Regulation Using External Washers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional gear devices face challenges in regulating the axial movement of the input gear with a simple structure and in easily replacing the input gear, leading to increased production and maintenance costs due to complex configurations and the need for bearings.

Innovation Solution

A gear device design featuring an outer cylinder, carrier, crank shafts, spur gears, and washers, where the input gear is regulated in the radial direction by engaging with spur gears outside the carrier and in the axial direction by washer means, allowing for easy replacement and adjustment of the reduction gear ratio.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a bearing is used to support the input gear, then the input gear can be reliably supported, but the production cost increases and space inside the carrier is required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinput gear support reliabilityVSAvoidbearing structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the input gear from the carrier interior and positions it outside the carrier. The input gear is supported by the carrier through external structures (carrier body and washer) rather than internal bearing support, eliminating the need for complex bearing arrangements inside the carrier while maintaining reliable support.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the spatial arrangement by moving the input gear from an internal position to an external position relative to the carrier. The support structure extends in the axial direction outside the carrier, utilizing the third dimension (axial direction) to provide support without occupying radial space inside the carrier.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Manufacturing precision

If the input gear is disposed inside the carrier between two external gears to regulate axial movement, then axial position is defined, but the structure becomes complicated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinput gear axial position regulationVSAvoidaxial regulation structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the axial regulation function from the complex internal arrangement and implements it through a simple washer structure attached to the carrier. The washer provides axial positioning of the input gear without requiring the input gear to be trapped between two external gears inside the carrier.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a washer as an intermediary element between the carrier and the input gear. This washer serves as a simple axial stop that regulates the input gear's axial movement, replacing the need for complex internal gear arrangements while maintaining precise axial positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If the input gear is disposed inside the carrier, then axial movement is regulated, but replacement of the input gear requires disassembling the carrier

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinput gear axial position controlVSAvoidinput gear replacement ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the input gear from the carrier interior and positions it outside the carrier. This external positioning allows the input gear to be accessed and replaced without disassembling the carrier, significantly improving maintenance ease while the washer and carrier body continue to provide axial position control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a dynamic maintenance scenario where the input gear can be easily installed and removed by simply attaching or detaching it from the external carrier structures (washer and carrier body), without requiring permanent internal installation that would necessitate carrier disassembly for replacement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2749789B1Gear device
Publication Date: 2020.06.17 NABTESCO CORP
  • EP2749789B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2749789B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2749789B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A gear device 1 includes an outer cylinder 2, a plurality of crank shafts 20, a carrier 4 which rotatably supports the plurality of crank shafts 20 and rotates relative to the outer cylinder 2 in synchronization with the rotation of the crank shafts 20, a plurality of spur gears 18 which are fixed coaxially with the crank shafts 20 at portions extending toward an outer side of the carrier 4 in the crank shafts 20, an input gear 16 which includes a gear part 16a that engages with the plurality of spur gears 18, and transmits rotational drive force to each of the spur gears 18, and washer means comprising washers 41, 42 disposed outside the carrier 4. The input gear 16 is regulated from moving in a radial direction of the input gear 16 by engaging with the plurality of spur gears 18 at a position outside the carrier 4 in an axial direction, and regulated from moving in an axial direction of the input gear 16 by the washers 41, 42 of the washer means.