Planet Carrier Opening Structure for Easier Gear Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing planet carriers for epicyclic gearboxes face challenges in maintaining structural integrity while allowing easy assembly and loading of gears, particularly when using large-diameter gears and complex mesh arrangements like herringbone gears, as traditional methods either complicate the assembly process or compromise structural integrity.
Innovation Solution
A single-piece planet carrier with strategically located openings in its wall, allowing gears to be inserted through these openings for easy assembly and positioning, while maintaining structural integrity through a solid annular structure, and optionally using a cover plate to secure the opening, ensuring the gears are correctly meshed without compromising the carrier's strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single-piece carrier body with an opening is used to allow gear insertion, then ease of assembly is improved, but structural integrity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The planet carrier is divided into two functional parts: a single-piece carrier body providing structural integrity, and a separate cover plate that closes the opening. This segmentation allows the opening to exist for assembly purposes while the cover plate restores structural continuity when assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover plate is extracted as a separate component from the carrier body, allowing it to be attached only when needed for structural closure. This enables the carrier body to maintain its simple single-piece construction with an opening for easy gear insertion, while the cover plate provides the structural closure.
2Strength
If a cover plate is used to close the opening, then structural integrity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cover plate is merged with the carrier body through attachment (welding, bolting, or other joining methods) to form a complete enclosed structure. This merging provides structural integrity while keeping the individual components simple in design.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover plate serves multiple functions: it closes the opening to restore structural integrity, provides a mounting surface for attachments, and can incorporate features like holes for gear access or fastening mechanisms. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components.
3Ease of operation
If the opening is made large enough for gears to pass through, then ease of assembly is improved, but structural integrity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The opening structure is segmented into the permanent carrier body opening (sized for gear insertion) and the removable cover plate. This allows the opening to be large enough for assembly while the cover plate restores structural continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier body is pre-formed with an opening of appropriate size for gear insertion before final assembly. This preliminary action enables easy gear loading while the subsequent attachment of the cover plate restores structural integrity.
Data Source
AI summary
A planet carrier for an epicyclic gearbox, the planet carrier comprising: a single piece carrier body arranged to support a plurality of gears of the epicyclic gearbox; and an opening in a wall of the carrier body; wherein: in a cross-section of the carrier body in a plane that is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the carrier body and at a longitudinal position along the carrier body that does not comprise the opening, the carrier body is substantially annular; and the opening is arranged such that the gears that the carrier body is arranged to support can be passed entirely through the opening.