Modular Speed Reducer for Driving Device Layout Adaptation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The design of driving devices for working machines, such as lawn mowers and snow blowers, often requires a custom combination of motor units and speed reducers for each model, leading to inefficiencies in design and component management due to the lack of commonality among different models.

Innovation Solution

A component set for a driving device that includes a motor unit and a speed reducer, where the speed reducer is separably attached to the motor unit using bolt fastening, and features a clutch mechanism, transmission gears, and multiple gear cases that allow for different arrangements of the output shaft relative to the input shaft, enabling adaptable layouts and shared use of components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If exclusive design is performed for each model including a speed reducer to be combined with a motor, then the driving device can be optimized for each specific model, but it is disadvantageous in design efficiency and components management

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemodel-specific optimizationVSAvoiddesign efficiency and components management
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal speed reducer assembly that can be combined with different motor units across multiple models. The speed reducer is designed with a standardized interface and structure that allows it to function with various motor types and sizes, enabling one speed reducer design to serve multiple model applications rather than requiring exclusive design for each model

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

Solution Approach 2:

The driving device is segmented into separate functional modules: motor units and speed reducers are designed as independent, separable components. This segmentation allows the speed reducer to be developed and managed as a standalone module that can be paired with different motor units, improving design efficiency and components management while maintaining model-specific optimization capabilities

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If a standardized speed reducer assembly is used across multiple models, then component commonality and design efficiency are improved, but the ability to optimize for specific model requirements may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedesign efficiency and components managementVSAvoidmodel-specific optimization
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The speed reducer assembly is designed with universal characteristics through standardized interfaces, modular components, and flexible mounting options that enable it to adapt to different motor units and model requirements. This universality allows the same speed reducer design to be efficiently produced and managed while still serving multiple model applications with different performance needs

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

3Shape

If the speed reducer is integrally formed with the motor unit, then structural compactness is achieved, but component commonality and versatility across different models are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural compactnessVSAvoidcomponent commonality
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The driving device is divided into separate motor unit and speed reducer components that can be independently designed, manufactured, and managed. This segmentation enables different speed reducers to be paired with different motor units across multiple models, improving component commonality and versatility while maintaining the ability to achieve compact integrated structures when needed through separate assembly

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3505793B1Component set for a driving device and assembly method
Publication Date: 2023.03.08 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP3505793B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3505793B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3505793B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A driving device includes a motor unit including a motor, and a speed reducer attached to the motor unit. The speed reducer includes a plurality of gears combined to decelerate an output of the motor, and a gear case configured to support the plurality of gears and attached to the motor unit. The gear case is selected from a plurality of types of gear cases. The plurality of types of gear cases are different from one another in an arrangement of the plurality of gears and a position of an output shaft relative to an input shaft.