Planetary Gear Conveyance Arm Layout for High-Speed Turning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conveyance devices using eccentric oscillating speed reducers face limitations in speed and acceleration due to heat generation and increased moment of inertia when trying to move conveyance arms quickly in a limited space, hindering high-speed workpiece conveyance.

Innovation Solution

A conveyance device employing a planetary gear system with integrated speed reducers, a housing, planetary carrier, internal and sun gears, and an output gear that meshes with a large external gear, allowing for high-speed operation while minimizing heat generation and moment of inertia.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the conveyance arm is turned faster to improve production efficiency, then productivity increases, but heat generation in the speed reducer increases causing components to expand and limiting further speedup

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconveyance speedVSAvoidspeed reducer temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the fundamental operating parameters of the speed reducer by switching from an eccentric oscillating mechanism to a planetary gear system. This parameter change allows the speed reducer to operate at higher speeds without excessive heat generation, as the planetary gear mechanism distributes loads across multiple contact points and reduces frictional heating, thereby resolving the contradiction between conveyance speed and temperature rise

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the eccentric oscillating speed reducer mechanism with a planetary gear speed reducer system. This mechanical substitution eliminates the inherent limitations of the eccentric mechanism, allowing for higher acceleration and speed operation without the heat generation problems that plagued the previous system, thus enabling improved productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Force

If gears are connected in a multi-stage layout to increase output torque, then torque increases, but the distance from the turning shaft to the motor center of gravity increases, increasing moment of inertia and limiting acceleration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoutput torqueVSAvoidmoment of inertia
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a nested configuration where the planetary gears are arranged concentrically around the motor shaft. The planetary carrier, planetary gears, and sun gear are nested within each other in a compact arrangement that minimizes the radial distance from the turning shaft to the motor center of gravity. This nesting principle achieves high output torque through gear multiplication while keeping the moment of inertia low, directly resolving the identified contradiction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a linear multi-stage gear arrangement to a two-dimensional planetary gear configuration. By arranging gears in a radial pattern around the motor shaft rather than in a sequential linear layout, the system achieves the same torque multiplication effect while dramatically reducing the moment of inertia, as the mass is distributed closer to the rotation axis

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Manufacturing precision

If an eccentric oscillating speed reducer is used to achieve small backlash and excellent position accuracy, then manufacturing precision improves, but the device cannot achieve high-speed reciprocating motion without excessive heat generation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition accuracyVSAvoidreciprocating speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the eccentric oscillating speed reducer with a planetary gear speed reducer system. This substitution maintains excellent position accuracy through the inherent precision of planetary gear meshing while eliminating the heat generation limitations of the eccentric mechanism, thereby enabling high-speed reciprocating motion and improved productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Enables high-speed and efficient conveyance of workpieces by suppressing heat generation and reducing moment of inertia, allowing for faster acceleration and deceleration of the conveyance arm within a limited space.

Implementation Method 1

the planetary gear meshes with the sun gear and with the internal gear

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGear meshing: Gear

Implementation Method 2

a turning body supported by the fixed base via a bearing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction reduction: Ball Bearing

Implementation Method 3

two or more servomotors configured to rotate the turning body relative to the fixed base

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP4480643A1Conveyance device
Publication Date: 2024.12.25 AIDA ENGINEERING LTD
  • EP4480643A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4480643A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4480643A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A conveyance device includes a fixed base having a large gear, a turning body supported by the fixed base via a bearing, two or more servomotors, a conveyance arm, and two or more speed reducers. The speed reducer includes a housing integrated with the turning body, a planetary carrier rotatably supported inside the housing, an internal gear provided inside the housing, a sun gear connected to an output shaft of the servomotor, a plurality of planetary gears arranged around the sun gear and rotatably supported by the planetary carrier, and an output gear rotating integrally with the planetary carrier. The planetary gear meshes with the sun gear and meshes with the internal gear. The output gear has a smaller diameter than that of the large gear and meshes with the large gear outside the large gear.