Mixer drivetrain with planetary gear alignment features
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mixer drivetrains are large and difficult to assemble, increasing production time and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A single stage planetary gear set with stepped planet gears, a sun gear, and ring gears formed from powdered metal, which provides a compact and easier assembly design by meshing the gears at specific tooth sections, reducing noise and improving alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a two stage or double planetary gear set is used, then the mechanical advantage and torque multiplication are improved, but the device size and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two separate planetary gear stages into a single integrated stage by using stepped planet gears that have different tooth sections meshing with two different ring gears. This merging eliminates the need for two separate planetary gear sets while maintaining the torque multiplication benefits, thereby reducing assembly complexity and device size.
Solution Approach 2:
The planet gears are segmented into multiple tooth sections along their axial length, with each section having a different number of teeth. This segmentation allows different sections to mesh with different ring gears simultaneously, enabling a single stage to perform the function of multiple stages while simplifying the overall structure.
2Power
If a two stage or double planetary gear set is used, then the torque multiplication is improved, but the production time increases due to difficult assembly
Solution Approach 1:
By merging two planetary gear stages into one integrated stage with stepped planet gears, the patent reduces the number of assembly operations required. The single stage design can be assembled as one unit rather than two separate stages, directly reducing production time while maintaining the necessary torque multiplication.
Solution Approach 2:
The stepped planet gears are pre-configured with specific tooth sections at predetermined positions along their axial length. This preliminary configuration of the gear geometry allows for simplified assembly where components fit together in a predetermined manner, reducing the time and skill required during the actual assembly process.
3Power
If conventional planetary gear sets are used, then the mechanical advantage is achieved, but the noise level increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different sections of the planet gears are given different local qualities through varying tooth configurations. Each tooth section has a specific number of teeth optimized for meshing with its corresponding ring gear, creating more uniform tooth engagement and reducing noise while maintaining mechanical advantage.
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 solution results in a more compact and quickly assembled drivetrain that reduces noise and improves the mechanical advantage between the motor and mixer shaft, enhancing the efficiency and ease of production.
Implementation Method 1
a radial surface of the first ring gear faces and contacts the machined radial surface of the housing of the motor
Data Source
AI summary
A drivetrain for coupling a motor to a mixer shaft within a mixer includes a sun gear connectable to a rotor of the motor. The drivetrain also includes a plurality of stepped planetary gears. Each of the stepped planetary gears includes a first tooth section and a second tooth section. A first ring gear is mounted such that the first ring gear is fixed. The first ring gear and the sun gear are meshed with the stepped planetary gears at the first tooth section. A second ring gear is meshed with the stepped planetary gears at the second tooth section. The sun gear, the stepped planetary gears, the first ring gear, and the second ring gear collectively form a single stage planetary gear set of the drivetrain.