Planet Carrier With H-Shaped Rivets For Variable Axial Spacing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing planet carrier designs lack flexibility and cost-effectiveness in producing variants with varying load capacities, as they require multiple parts and complex assembly methods, which limits their scalability and production efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A planet carrier design featuring two axially offset carrier shells connected via riveting devices with integrated, one-piece rivets and web sections, allowing for adjustable axial distances and easy assembly, enabling the use of the same carrier shells for different planetary wheel widths by varying the length of the riveting devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate parts and complex assembly methods are used to produce planet carriers with varying load capacities, then adaptability to different load capacities is improved, but device complexity and production cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different load capacitiesVSAvoidcomplexity of assembly methods

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The planet carrier is divided into two axially offset carrier shells that can be connected via riveting devices with integrated rivets and web sections. This segmentation allows the same carrier shells to be used for different planetary wheel widths by varying the length of the riveting devices, enabling adaptability to different load capacities while maintaining simple assembly procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The carrier shells are designed as universal components that can be used across multiple variants. By keeping the carrier shells identical and only varying the riveting device lengths, the same shell design serves multiple functions for different load capacities and planetary wheel widths, reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate parts are used to create variants with different planetary wheel widths, then adaptability to different configurations is improved, but manufacturing cost and part complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different planetary wheel widthsVSAvoidmanufacturing cost and part complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of creating different carrier shell variants, the invention changes only one parameter - the length of the riveting devices - to accommodate different planetary wheel widths. This single parameter change enables multiple configurations while keeping the main carrier shell design identical, significantly reducing manufacturing complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

Conventionally, different carrier shell designs would be created for different configurations. This invention inverts the approach by keeping the carrier shells identical and using variable-length riveting devices to achieve configuration diversity, thereby simplifying manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Stability of the object's composition

If complex assembly methods with multiple parts are used, then structural stability can be maintained, but assembly efficiency and productivity decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidassembly efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The riveting devices integrate multiple functions into single components: the web sections provide spacing and structural connection, while the integrated rivets provide locking. This merging reduces the number of separate parts and assembly steps while maintaining structural stability through the combined action of the web section and rivet connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The riveting devices with integrated rivets and web sections are designed to self-align and self-secure during assembly. The web section provides inherent spacing between carrier shells, and the rivets automatically provide locking when installed, reducing the need for additional alignment or securing operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS20240240711A1Planet carrier, planetary drive for a vehicle having the planet carrier and set comprising a plurality of planet carriers

Publication Date: 2024.07.18 SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO KG

AI summary

A planet carrier includes a central axis, a pair of carrier shells, planet wheels and riveting devices. Each carrier shell has planetary wheel sections and connecting sections. The connecting sections are arranged as forming sections recessed relative to the planetary gear sections. Each of the planetary wheels is disposed in a planetary wheel section and the riveting devices connect the carrier shells at the connecting sections. Each riveting device is oriented in a circumferential direction around the central axis, is formed in one piece from one material, and has an H-shape. The H-shape is formed from a web section arranged as a spacer between the carrier shells and a rivet section with a pair of single rivets. Each single rivet has a rivet head disposed on one of the carrier shells to fix the one of the carrier shells on the web section.