Nested Bevel Gear Shaft Coupling for Compact Speed Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shaft coupling systems, such as planetary and spur gear systems, are inefficient in minimizing the number of parts and envelope size for transmitting rotation between input and output shafts at different angular speeds.
Innovation Solution
A shaft coupling arrangement utilizing a plurality of nested bevel gears and a single layshaft to engage input and output shafts for rotation in the same angular direction at different speeds, minimizing the number of components and envelope size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If traditional planetary or spur gear systems are used to transmit rotation between input and output shafts at different angular speeds, then the transmission function is achieved, but the number of parts and envelope size are not minimized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nesting by placing multiple bevel gears (first bevel gear, second bevel gear, third bevel gear) in a nested configuration where the second bevel gear is positioned inside the first bevel gear, and the third bevel gear is positioned inside the second bevel gear. This nested arrangement allows multiple gear stages to be compacted into a smaller envelope volume while maintaining the speed reduction function, directly reducing both the number of parts and envelope size compared to traditional planetary or spur gear systems
2Volume of stationary object
If traditional planetary or spur gear systems are used to transmit rotation between input and output shafts, then the transmission function is achieved, but the envelope size is not minimized
Solution Approach 1:
The nested bevel gear configuration compactly arranges multiple gear stages within a minimal envelope volume. The first bevel gear on the input shaft, second bevel gear on the intermediate shaft, and third bevel gear on the output shaft are positioned in a nested manner that minimizes the overall volume occupied by the transmission system, achieving compactness without excessive structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes three-dimensional spatial arrangement by positioning gear elements at different angular orientations and radial positions. The bevel gears are arranged in a nested configuration that exploits the third dimension (radial depth) to pack multiple gear stages into a compact envelope, effectively transitioning from a two-dimensional planar layout to a three-dimensional nested structure that minimizes volume
3Speed
If multiple separate shafts and gear sets are used to achieve different angular speeds, then speed variation is achieved, but the number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple gear stages into a single integrated bevel gear arrangement. The first bevel gear (24) on the input shaft (12), second bevel gear (26) on the intermediate shaft (30), and third bevel gear (28) on the output shaft (18) work together as a unified nested system, reducing the number of separate components compared to traditional multi-stage transmissions while achieving the required speed variation
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 effectively transmits power from an input shaft to an output shaft at different speeds with a reduced number of components and minimized envelope size, outperforming traditional systems in efficiency and compactness.
Implementation Method 1
a gearing arrangement operable to engage the input and output shafts together for rotation in the same angular direction at different angular speeds. In one embodiment of the invention, the gearing arrangement includes a plurality of nested bevel gears
Data Source
AI summary
A shaft coupling arrangement and a corresponding method for coupling shafts are disclosed herein. The shaft coupling arrangement includes an input shaft operable to rotate about a first axis. The shaft coupling arrangement also includes an output shaft operable to rotate about a second axis. The shaft coupling arrangement also includes a gearing arrangement operable to engage the input and output shafts together for rotation in the same angular direction at different angular speeds. In one embodiment of the invention, the gearing arrangement includes a plurality of nested bevel gears. In another embodiment of the invention, the gearing arrangement can include a single layshaft.