Planet Carrier Flex-Pin Structure for Helical Load Balancing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Helical-toothed planetary stages face challenges in load balancing due to unwanted deformations caused by tilting moments from axially directed forces, while using flex pins leads to increased noise emissions in straight-toothed gears.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a planet carrier arrangement with a stiffening element and an annular support ring, where the bushing and stiffening element are connected, allowing for load balancing without increasing noise emissions by counteracting tilting moments and maintaining resilience in the circumferential direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If flex pins are used in helical-toothed planetary stages, then load balancing is improved, but unwanted deformations occur due to tilting moments from axially directed forces
Solution Approach 1:
The bushing is designed with non-uniform wall thickness, creating a thicker region that specifically resists tilting moments while maintaining flexibility in other areas for load balancing. This local variation in geometry allows the component to handle different types of loads differently - the thicker section counteracts axial tilting forces while the overall structure remains compliant for radial load distribution
Solution Approach 2:
The planet carrier employs a composite structure combining the journal, bushing with variable wall thickness, and stiffening element. This composite design integrates components with different mechanical properties - the journal provides structural support, the bushing with varying thickness provides controlled flexibility and tilting resistance, and together they achieve both load balancing and deformation stability
2Object-generated harmful factors
If straight-toothed gears are used instead of helical teeth, then noise emissions are reduced, but load balancing capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the bushing (non-uniform wall thickness) to enable helical gear operation with load balancing capability. By modifying the bushing's physical parameters, the system can utilize the superior load distribution of helical teeth while compensating for the tilting moment issue through the asymmetric thickness distribution
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 solution enables effective load balancing in planetary stages using helical teeth while maintaining low noise emissions, similar to flex pins, through the use of a stiffening element that supports forces and prevents unwanted deformations.
Implementation Method 1
The deformability of the journal results in load balancing in the planetary stage. Should the journal deform, this is compensated by tilting the bushing.
Implementation Method 2
The stiffening element is fixed in the bushing and in the support ring... The stiffening element supports forces and prevents unwanted deformations
Data Source
AI summary
An arrangement includes a planet carrier. The planet carrier includes a web, a journal and a bushing. A first end of the journal is fixed in the web, at least a part of the journal projects into the bushing, and a second end of the journal is fixed in the bushing. The planet carrier further includes a stiffening element, an annular support ring, and a cap placed onto a first axial end of the bushing. An axis of symmetry of the annular support ring coincides with a center axis or axis of rotation of the planet carrier. The stiffening element is fixed in the bushing and in the support ring. The bushing and the stiffening element are connected to each other as two pieces. The stiffening element is joined to the cap.