Planetary Carrier Thrust Ring for Offset-Compensated Lubrication
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing planetary transmissions face challenges in reliably supplying lubricant under high torque conditions while maintaining cost-efficiency and ease of maintenance, particularly in planetary carriers where axial offsets and increased tolerances are common.
Innovation Solution
A planetary carrier arrangement featuring an axially elastically movable thrust ring with lubricant pockets and spring elements for compensating axial offsets, ensuring continuous lubricant supply and minimizing losses, along with a sealing ring for radial offset compensation, allowing for cost-effective production and reliable operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed lubricant dispensing system is used, then the structure is simple, but it cannot compensate for axial offsets of the planetary carrier under high torque conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The thrust ring is designed to be axially movable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position to compensate for axial offsets of the planetary carrier. This dynamic adjustment ensures continuous contact between the thrust ring and planetary carrier, maintaining reliable lubricant supply under varying torque conditions without requiring complex active control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The thrust ring utilizes the axial forces generated during planetary carrier operation to automatically adjust its own position. The spring element provides a restoring force that works in conjunction with the operational loads to maintain optimal contact, enabling the system to self-regulate and compensate for offsets without external intervention or complex control mechanisms.
2Reliability
If tight tolerances are applied to the planetary carrier and lubricant dispensing unit, then lubricant supply reliability improves, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the axial position parameter of the thrust ring dynamically rather than requiring tight control of all components. By allowing the thrust ring to move axially within a certain range, the system can accommodate larger manufacturing tolerances in other components while maintaining reliable lubricant supply, thereby reducing overall manufacturing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The axially movable thrust ring converts static tolerance requirements into dynamic adjustment capability. Instead of requiring all components to be manufactured with tight tolerances, the thrust ring's ability to move axially compensates for tolerance variations, enabling cost-effective production while maintaining lubricant supply reliability.
3Power
If multiple planetary gears are used to increase rated power, then the load distribution improves, but the requirement for reliable lubricant supply increases
Solution Approach 1:
The axially movable thrust ring adapts to the varying axial loads generated by multiple planetary gears operating under high torque conditions. As the load distribution among planetary gears changes, the thrust ring automatically adjusts its axial position to maintain optimal contact and ensure continuous lubricant supply to all planetary gears, supporting higher power outputs reliably.
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 provides a reliable and cost-efficient lubricant supply system that compensates for axial and radial offsets, ensuring minimal lubricant loss and extended service life, enabling the use of multiple planetary gears with improved load distribution and reduced manufacturing complexity.
Implementation Method 1
an axially elastically movable thrust ring for compensation of an axial offset of the planetary carrier
Implementation Method 2
the thrust ring being prestressed by a spring element in the axial direction
Data Source
AI summary
A planetary carrier arrangement Includes a planetary carrier, and a lubricant dispensing unit designed to dispense lubricant into the planetary carrier. The lubricant dispensing unit includes an axially elastically movable thrust ring designed to compensate an axial offset of the planetary carrier. The thrust ring has a side in facing relationship to the planetary carrier, with the side designed to include a lubricant pocket thereon.