Planetary Gear Conveyance Arm Drive for High-Speed Reciprocation

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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 at high speeds in a reciprocating manner, hindering efficient workpiece conveyance in industrial settings.

Innovation Solution

A conveyance device employing a planetary gear system with integrated speed reducers, servomotors, and a large external gear to achieve high speed reduction ratios while minimizing heat generation and moment of inertia, allowing for faster and more precise movement of the conveyance arm.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If an eccentric oscillating speed reducer is used to achieve high position accuracy, then position accuracy is improved, but heat generation increases and limits speed increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition accuracyVSAvoidheat generation

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the eccentric oscillating speed reducer with a planetary gear mechanism. This substitution maintains the oscillation function while fundamentally changing the mechanical structure to reduce heat generation. The planetary gear system distributes load across multiple contact points (sun gear, planetary gears, and internal gear), reducing friction and heat compared to the single-point contact in eccentric oscillating reducers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If the conveyance arm is moved faster to improve production efficiency, then productivity is improved, but heat generation in the speed reducer increases and limits speedup

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction efficiencyVSAvoidheat generation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The planetary gear mechanism replaces the eccentric oscillating speed reducer, enabling higher operating speeds without excessive heat generation. The distributed load bearing and multiple gear contact points allow for sustained high-speed operation, directly supporting improved productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Force

If a multi-stage gear connection is used to increase output torque, then output torque is improved, but the distance from turning shaft to motor center of gravity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoutput torqueVSAvoiddistance from turning shaft to motor center of gravity

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The planetary gear mechanism implements a compact nested structure where planetary gears are arranged around the sun gear, and the internal gear surrounds the planetary gears. This nested arrangement achieves high torque multiplication in a small radial space, keeping the motor center of gravity close to the turning shaft while maintaining high output torque.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

4Speed

If the moment of inertia of turning portion is reduced to increase acceleration, then acceleration is improved, but the speed reduction ratio may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveaccelerationVSAvoidspeed reduction ratio

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The nested planetary gear structure achieves high speed reduction ratio within a compact footprint, minimizing the moment of inertia of the turning portion. The concentric arrangement of sun gear, planetary gears, and internal gear creates a space-efficient design that reduces rotational inertia while maintaining torque multiplication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The planetary gear system utilizes radial arrangement of gears around the sun gear, transitioning from linear gear staging to a radial/dimensional configuration. This dimensional change achieves high speed reduction ratio without increasing the axial length or radial distance from the turning shaft, thereby reducing moment of inertia.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 planetary gear system enables higher speed and acceleration of the conveyance arm, reducing heat generation and backlash, thus enhancing the conveyance efficiency and productivity, especially in industrial applications like press machines.

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

Data Source

PatentUS20240416505A1Conveyance device

Publication Date: 2024.12.19 AIDA ENGINEERING LTD

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.