Nested Ring Gear Drive Module with Alignment Pins
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drive modules with multiple planetary stages and nested ring gears face challenges in efficiently aligning central axes and distributing torque between output members, leading to potential misalignment and reduced torque distribution efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The drive module incorporates a dual planetary gear set with nested ring gears, where one ring gear has a bearing hub that engages a bushing bore in the other, aligning their central axes and ensuring proper rotation and torque distribution through a differential assembly and shafts, allowing for efficient torque vectoring between output members.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If nested ring gears are used in multiple planetary stages, then torque distribution efficiency is improved, but central axis alignment becomes difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
A dedicated alignment mechanism consisting of alignment pins and alignment bores is introduced as an intermediary element between the nested ring gears. The alignment pins extend from the first ring gear into corresponding alignment bores in the second ring gear, ensuring precise central axis alignment without requiring high manufacturing precision on the gear teeth themselves.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment pins and bores are designed to establish central axis alignment before the planetary gears engage in torque transmission. This preliminary alignment action ensures that the nested ring gears are properly positioned relative to each other before operational loads are applied, preventing misalignment during torque distribution.
2Volume of moving object
If nested ring gears are used to reduce size, then device compactness is improved, but alignment stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment pins serve as intermediary elements that actively maintain alignment stability between the nested ring gears. These pins prevent relative rotational movement between the first and second ring gears, ensuring that the compact nested configuration remains stable during operation despite the reduced size.
3Ease of manufacture
If frictional engagement is used for alignment, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but alignment precision may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment mechanism uses simple frictional engagement between alignment pins and bores, which are basic cylindrical components easy to manufacture. The frictional force between these intermediary elements is sufficient to maintain alignment under normal operating conditions, achieving adequate precision without complex alignment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment pins and bores are designed to self-align through frictional engagement during the assembly process. The friction between the pin surface and bore surface automatically maintains central axis alignment without requiring additional adjustment mechanisms or high-precision machining, allowing the components to self-establish proper alignment.
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
This configuration enhances the alignment of central axes and improves torque distribution efficiency, enabling effective torque vectoring between output members, thereby enhancing the drive module's performance in transmitting power to wheels.
Implementation Method 1
The bearing hub frictionally engages an inside surface of the bushing bore when the bearing hub is received into the bushing bore to thereby align a central axis of the first ring gear to a central axis of the second ring gear.
Data Source
AI summary
A drive module with a planetary transmission that includes a transmission housing, a first ring gear and a second ring gear. The first ring gear is rotatably mounted in the transmission housing, the second ring gear is non-rotatably mounted in the transmission housing, and the first ring gear is supported on the second ring gear to thereby align a central axis of the first ring gear to a central axis of the second ring gear.