Modular Bevel Gear Module for Servo Motor Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Manufacturers of servo motor systems face high storage costs and complexity due to the need to stock both straight-line and angular transmission units, and conventional bevel gear units often require adapters for hollow motor shafts, limiting flexibility and efficiency in producing different types of servo motor systems.

Innovation Solution

A modular system featuring a bevel gear module with plug-in elements that can be coupled to both the motor and gear housings, allowing for direct attachment and enabling flexible production of various servo motor systems without the need for multiple transmission units, using identical interfaces for connection and allowing for angular torque transmission without additional components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manufacturers stock both linear and right-angle gearbox units for all offered gear ratios, then all application requirements can be met, but storage costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to meet different application requirementsVSAvoidstorage costs
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The right-angle drive function is segmented into a separate, independent module (angle gear module) that can be detached and replaced. This allows manufacturers to stock only linear gearbox units and add the angle module only when right-angle transmission is required, significantly reducing inventory storage costs while maintaining the ability to meet diverse application requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The angle gear module is designed with universal interfaces that can be coupled to various motor housings and gearbox housings. This multi-functionality allows a single angle module design to work with multiple gearbox types and ratios, enabling one module to serve multiple purposes and reducing the need for multiple specialized components in stock.

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

2Ease of operation

If conventional right-angle gearbox units with clamp couplings are used, then angular torque transmission is achieved, but compatibility with hollow motor shafts is lost requiring additional adapters

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveangular torque transmission capabilityVSAvoidnumber of components required
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of adapting the motor shaft to fit conventional clamp couplings, the invention inverts the approach by designing the angle gear module's input element to directly receive and couple with hollow motor shafts. This eliminates the need for adapters and simplifies the overall system while maintaining angular torque transmission capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The angle gear module serves as an intermediary component between the hollow motor shaft and the gearbox unit. It provides a compatible interface for hollow shafts at its input and maintains the right-angle transmission function at its output, effectively mediating between the motor and gearbox without requiring additional adapter components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If modular systems with detachable connections are used, then flexibility in production is improved, but connection reliability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility in productionVSAvoidconnection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The angle gear module combines multiple functions into a single integrated component: it provides detachable modular connections for production flexibility while incorporating robust coupling interfaces that ensure connection reliability. The merging of these functions within one module allows flexibility without compromising reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3584468B1Kit for producing servomotor systems
Publication Date: 2020.11.04 HEIDRIVE
  • EP3584468B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3584468B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3584468B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A modular system for manufacturing servomotor systems comprises at least one servomotor, which includes a motor housing and a rotatable motor shaft, and at least one gearbox unit, which includes a gearbox housing that can be coupled to the motor housing and a gearbox connector designed for insertion into or mounting on the motor shaft. A right-angle gearbox module is provided, comprising a first connecting section that can be coupled to the motor housing and a second connecting section that can be coupled to the gearbox housing.An input element of the bevel gear module, located in the area of ​​the first connection section, is a first connecting plug element designed for insertion into or mounting onto the motor shaft. An output element of the bevel gear module, located in the area of ​​the second connection section, is a second connecting plug element into which the gear plug element can be inserted or onto which the gear plug element can be mounted. The first and second connecting plug elements are rotatably coupled to each other about axes of rotation transverse to each other and are effectively driven by each other.