Nested Planetary Steering Drive for Compact Industrial Truck Axles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing servo steering units for vehicles have a large space requirement and are subject to unfavorable mechanical loads, leading to increased wear and failure.
Innovation Solution
A steering drive comprising an electric motor with a first and final planetary stage, a steering lever, and a housing that integrates a first sun gear shaft within a bore of the final sun gear, allowing for a compact design and reduced mechanical stress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a column-like structural form with pedestal and housing is used for servo steering units, then the steering unit can provide sufficient mechanical support and stability, but the space requirement increases and mechanical loads become unfavorable
Solution Approach 1:
The first sun gear shaft is nested within the bore of the final sun gear, creating a compact nested arrangement where one component is positioned inside another. This eliminates the need for separate external mounting structures and reduces the overall space requirement while maintaining mechanical support functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The first sun gear shaft and final sun gear are merged into a single integrated structural unit, where the shaft passes through the bore of the gear. This combination reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall structure, reducing space requirements while maintaining strength.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a column-like structural form is used for servo steering units, then the steering unit can maintain structural stability, but mechanical loads become unfavorable leading to increased wear and failure
Solution Approach 1:
By nesting the first sun gear shaft within the final sun gear bore, the design creates a more favorable load path where forces are distributed through the nested components. This reduces concentrated stresses and unfavorable mechanical loads that lead to wear and failure, while maintaining structural stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The nested arrangement changes the spatial dimensioning of the load path, allowing forces to be transmitted through a more efficient three-dimensional configuration. This dimensional optimization reduces mechanical stress concentrations and improves reliability by distributing loads more favorably across the structural components.
3Ease of manufacture
If separate mounting structures are used for the first sun gear shaft and final sun gear, then assembly is simplified, but the overall device complexity and space requirement increase
Solution Approach 1:
The first sun gear shaft and final sun gear are merged into a single integrated component where the shaft passes through the gear's bore. This reduces the total number of separate parts that need to be manufactured and assembled, simplifying the manufacturing process while reducing structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The final sun gear serves multiple functions: it acts as both a gear component and a structural mounting element for the first sun gear shaft. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate mounting structures, reducing device complexity while maintaining ease of assembly.
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 reduces the space requirement and mechanical stress, enhancing durability and efficiency of the steering system.
Implementation Method 1
comprising a first planetary stage with a first sun gear, first planet gears, a first ring gear and a first planet carrier, comprising a final planetary stage with a final sun gear, final planet gears, a final ring gear and a final planet carrier
Implementation Method 2
The steering drive comprises an electric motor with a motor shaft... comprising a first planetary stage with a first sun gear, first planet gears, a first ring gear and a first planet carrier
Data Source
AI summary
A steering drive includes an electric motor with a motor shaft and a steering lever rotatable about a pivot axis. A first planetary stage has a first sun gear, first planet gears, a first ring gear, and a first planet carrier. A final planetary stage has a final sun gear, final planet gears, a final ring gear, and a final planet carrier. A force flow runs from the motor shaft to the first sun gear, and from the first sun gear via the first planet gears to the first planet carrier and to the first ring gear. The force flow runs via the final sun gear and via the final planet gears to the final ring gear, runs from the first ring gear and from the final ring gear to the steering lever, and runs via a first sun gear shaft from the electric motor to the first sun gear.