Outer-Rotor Differential Roller With Built-In Dust Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional traveling rollers have complex structures, low transmission efficiency, high system weight, and poor sealing, leading to dust entry and wear in the differential device due to external motor and transmission systems.

Innovation Solution

A differential traveling roller driven by a built-in outer rotor motor, integrating transmission devices on the rotor and employing a built-in sealing structure with radial labyrinth seals to prevent dust ingress.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If an external motor and transmission system are used to drive the traveling roller, then the driving function is achieved, but the structure becomes complicated and the system weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure complexityVSAvoiddriving function
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the motor and transmission device into a single integrated unit. The motor drives the transmission device, which directly drives the traveling roller, eliminating the need for separate external motor and transmission systems. This integration reduces structural complexity while maintaining the driving function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The transmission device is nested within the traveling roller structure. The transmission device includes a differential mechanism housed inside the traveling roller, allowing the motor to be positioned externally while the transmission components are compactly arranged within the roller assembly, reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Loss of energy

If a traditional transmission system is used, then the driving function is achieved, but the transmission efficiency becomes low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission efficiencyVSAvoiddriving function
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates unnecessary intermediate transmission components by directly coupling the motor output to the differential mechanism. The motor shaft is directly connected to the differential input, removing belt or chain transmission elements that would cause energy loss, thereby improving transmission efficiency while maintaining driving capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If the traveling roller uses a traditional sealing structure, then assembly is simple, but dust enters the differential device causing wear

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing effectVSAvoidsealing structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates sealing rings and sealing structures during the assembly process of the differential mechanism. Sealing rings are pre-installed on the differential case and shafts before final assembly, creating a sealed environment that prevents dust entry. This preliminary sealing action ensures protection without requiring complex additional sealing components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 achieves a compact, efficient structure for traveling and steering while effectively sealing out dust and impurities, enhancing reliability and reducing wear.

Implementation Method 1

employing a built-in sealing structure with radial labyrinth seals to prevent dust ingress

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLabyrinth seal:

Data Source

PatentEP4261068B1Differential traveling roller driven by built-in outer rotor motor
Publication Date: 2025.01.08 GREENMAN MACHINERY
  • EP4261068B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4261068B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP4261068B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a differential traveling roller driven by a built-in outer rotor motor. The traveling roller includes a left roller, a right roller, a support shaft, a driving device and a sealing device, wherein the traveling roller may also include an intermediate roller; the support shaft is provided on an axis of the left and right rollers; inner walls of the left and right rollers are respectively connected to support plates; an outer ring of each of the support plates is provided with a notch for dust to flow out; the driving device includes an outer rotor motor sleeved on the support shaft; transmission devices are provided between two end cap seats of a rotor body of the outer rotor motor and the support plates; pawl members of the transmission devices are fixedly sleeved on the end cap seats, or driving planetary gears of the transmission devices are fixed to the rotor body; ratchet wheel members or driven side gears of the transmission devices are connected to the support plates; the sealing device is provided between the left and right support plates; left and right supporting sealing plates are provided on the support shaft at ends of the left and right rollers, respectively; and an end of the support shaft is provided with a flat position. Through the outer rotor motor design, the present disclosure integrates part of the transmission devices on the rotor body of the outer rotor motor and adopts a built-in sealing structure, thereby achieving the purpose of traveling and steering.