Planetary Gear Bearing Layout for Compact Hand-Held Gear Units

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hand-held power tool transmission units are not compact or lightweight enough to provide high user comfort and efficiency, as they are limited by the size of the bearing unit and planet wheel, leading to friction losses and reduced durability.

Innovation Solution

A hand-held power tool transmission unit with a planetary gear stage featuring a roller bearing or needle bearing design, where the bearing unit is integrated with the planetary carrier and planet wheel, allowing for a compact and efficient gear system with a robust and precise transmission mechanism, independent of the planet wheel's diameter, and enabling a high transmission ratio.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If the bearing unit diameter is determined based on the planet wheel diameter in conventional designs, then the structure is simpler to design, but the transmission unit becomes larger and heavier, reducing user comfort

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission unit weightVSAvoidbearing unit design complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the determining parameter for bearing unit diameter from planet wheel diameter to sun gear diameter. This parameter substitution allows the bearing unit to be sized based on the actual load requirements rather than the planet wheel size, resulting in a more compact and lighter transmission unit while maintaining structural integrity and performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of energy

If conventional bearing units are used, then the design is easier to manufacture, but friction losses increase and efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefriction lossesVSAvoidbearing unit manufacturing
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different quality requirements to different parts of the bearing unit. The bearing unit is designed with specific local characteristics including hardened running surfaces, optimized roller arrangements, and precision-machined contact areas. This localized quality enhancement reduces friction losses in critical areas while maintaining manufacturability through standardized bearing components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Volume of moving object

If the bearing unit and planet wheel are designed independently, then manufacturing flexibility is improved, but the transmission unit size increases and compactness is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission unit volumeVSAvoidmanufacturing flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the bearing unit design with the planetary carrier structure. The bearing unit is integrated into the carrier assembly with optimized spatial arrangement, allowing the planet gears to rotate on their axes while the carrier rotates around the sun gear. This integration achieves compact packaging of the transmission unit while maintaining manufacturing flexibility through modular assembly of the planet gears, carrier, and bearing components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 results in a compact, lightweight, and efficient hand-held power tool transmission unit with minimized friction losses, enhanced durability, and improved user comfort, providing a high level of operating convenience and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

the at least one bearing unit is designed as a roller bearing... a particularly low-friction bearing unit and a particularly efficient planetary gear stage can be provided

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRolling contact: Roller

Data Source

PatentEP3180549B1Hand-held machine tool gear unit
Publication Date: 2021.09.08 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP3180549B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3180549B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3180549B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a hand-held machine tool gear unit having at least one planetary gear stage (12a, 14a, 16a), which comprises at least one planetary carrier (18a, 20a, 22a; 18b; 18c; 18d), at least one planet gear (24a-36a; 24b, 26b, 28b; 24c, 26c, 28c; 24d, 26d, 28d) mounted so as to rotate relative to said planetary carrier (18a, 20a, 22a; 18b; 18c; 18d), and at least one bearing unit (38a-46a; 38b, 40b, 42b; 38c; 38d) provided to mount said planet gear (24a-36a; 24b, 26b, 28b; 24c, 26c, 28c; 24d, 26d, 28d) such that it rotates relative to the planetary carrier (18a, 20a, 22a; 18b; 18c; 18d). According to the invention, the planet gear (24a-36a; 24b, 26b, 28b; 24c, 26c, 28c; 24d, 26d, 28d) comprises a bolt (48a-56a; 48b, 50b, 52b; 48c, 48d) which the bearing unit (38a-46a; 38b, 40b, 42b; 38c; 38d) mounts such that it can rotate in said planetary carrier (18a, 20a, 22a; 18b; 18c; 18d).