Parallel Speed Reducer Casing Layout for High Torque Density
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing speed reducing devices face challenges in achieving a compact size while maintaining high torque capacity, as arranging multiple speed reducer units in parallel results in a large device size due to uniform casing thickness and separate components.
Innovation Solution
The design involves arranging speed reducer units in parallel with casings having non-uniform thickness contact portions, where the contact areas are thinner than the rest of the circumference, allowing for adjacent casings to be closely packed, and using common components with the same sizes and shapes to reduce overall size and enhance structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If multiple speed reducer units are arranged in parallel with uniform casing thickness, then torque capacity is increased, but device size becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The casing thickness is made non-uniform, with thinner portions at contact areas between adjacent casings and thicker portions at other areas. This local variation in thickness allows the casings to be closely packed together, reducing the overall device size while maintaining sufficient strength where needed and enabling better torque transmission through the contact areas.
2Volume of moving object
If casing thickness is reduced at contact portions, then device size is reduced, but structural strength may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The casing thickness is optimized locally: thinner at contact portions to reduce size and enable close packing, while maintaining adequate thickness at other portions to ensure structural strength. The contact portions are strategically designed to transmit torque effectively despite reduced thickness.
3Ease of manufacture
If uniform thickness casings are used, then manufacturing is simplified, but device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The casing is designed with locally varied thickness rather than uniform thickness throughout. This allows the device to be more compact while still being manufacturable using standard processes, as the thickness variation is implemented within each casing component itself.
Data Source
AI summary
A speed reducing device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes: a plurality of speed reducer units arranged in parallel; and an output rotating body that rotates by power received from the speed reducer units. Each of the speed reducer units includes a casing and a speed reducing mechanism unit. The casing has a peripheral wall with inner teeth disposed on an inner periphery of the peripheral wall. The speed reducing mechanism unit meshes with the inner teeth to decelerate input rotation. At least two of the speed reducer units are disposed adjacent to each other such that outer surfaces of peripheral walls of casings thereof are in contact with each other. In at least one of two peripheral walls contacting with each other, a thickness of a contact portion is smaller than a thickness of other portions in a circumference of the same peripheral wall.