Modular Precision Gearbox for Centric and Eccentric Motor Input

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing high precision gear boxes face challenges in accommodating both centric and eccentric motor positions, leading to increased complexity, parts, and power loss due to additional gear teeth contacts and bearings.

Innovation Solution

A modular high precision gear box arrangement comprising a first gear box with a double planet structure and a second gear box that can be driven centrically or eccentrically, allowing for a seamless switch between drive types using a combination of a double planet and a single planet structure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the gear box is designed for centric motor positioning, then the structure remains simple with one spur gear stage, but accommodating eccentric motor positioning requires changing the structure or increasing input stage complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotor positioning adaptabilityVSAvoidinput stage complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The input stage is designed with a universal structure that can accommodate both centric and eccentric motor positioning. The carrier can be driven either directly by a centric motor or via an eccentric motor through an additional planet gear, allowing the same basic structure to serve multiple functions without requiring fundamental redesign.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The input stage configuration is made dynamic and adjustable. The system can switch between two operational modes: direct driving when the motor is positioned centrally, and indirect driving through an additional planet gear when the motor is positioned eccentrically. This dynamic adaptability allows the gear box to optimize its structure based on the motor positioning requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the input stage complexity is increased to accommodate eccentric motor positioning, then eccentric drive is enabled, but this results in more parts, more complex gear structure, more power loss, and additional bearings

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrive type flexibilityVSAvoidpower loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The additional planet gear required for eccentric driving is designed as a separable, modular component that can be added or removed based on the driving requirements. This segmentation allows the system to maintain simplicity for centric driving while enabling eccentric driving capability when needed, minimizing the presence of unnecessary parts in each operational mode.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The complex additional planet gear structure is localized only to the input stage where it is strictly needed for eccentric driving. The rest of the gear box maintains its simple, efficient structure optimized for power transmission. This localized approach ensures that the complexity and associated power losses are confined to the minimum necessary area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If additional gear teeth contacts and bearings are added for eccentric driving, then eccentric motor positioning is accommodated, but this increases device complexity and reduces efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotor position accommodationVSAvoidoperational efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The additional planet gear serves multiple functions: it enables eccentric motor positioning, provides an alternative power transmission path, and can be integrated with existing components in the gear box. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by providing versatile operational capabilities from a single structural addition.

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

Data Source

PatentEP4100663B1Modular high precision gear box arrangement
Publication Date: 2026.04.22 AB SKF SKF PATENT DEPARTMENT
  • EP4100663B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4100663B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~4b
  • EP4100663B1 patent drawingFigure 5a~5b

AI summary

Disclosed is a modular high precision gear box arrangement (1) comprising at least a first gear box (2) and a second gear box (4), wherein the first gear box (2) comprises a first rotatable hollow wheel (6), a second fixed hollow wheel (8) and at least one double planet having a first planet stage with at least one first planet (12) and a second planet stage with at least one second planet (14), wherein one first planet (12) of the first planet stage and one second planet (14) of the second planet stage are arranged on a planet shaft (10), wherein the at least one first planet (12) of the first planet stage meshes with the first hollow wheel (6) and the at least one second planet (14) of the second planet stage meshes with the second hollow wheel (8), and wherein the first hollow wheel (6) is coupled with an output (18); and wherein the second gear box (4) comprises a fixed hollow wheel (8) being the second hollow wheel (8) of the first gear box (2) and at least one planet being arranged at the second planet stage of the at least one double planet of the first gear box (2), wherein the at least one planet is in particular the second planet (14) of the at least one double planet of the first gear box (2), and wherein the second gear box (4) further comprises an input (M) for driving the planet shaft (10), wherein the input (M) is arranged centrically or eccentrically to a central rotation axis (X) of the gear box arrangement (1).