Planetary Gear Housing Flow Path for Gear Chamber Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing units face challenges in improving heat exchange efficiency, particularly in cooling gear chambers effectively.
Innovation Solution
A unit design incorporating a housing with a flow path that overlaps a stepped pinion gear, utilizing a coolant different from the oil in the gear chamber to enhance heat exchange efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a conventional housing design is used without overlapping flow path and gear components, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the heat exchange efficiency is insufficient and gear chamber cooling is inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensional optimization by positioning the flow path to overlap with the large pinion in the radial direction when viewed axially. This spatial arrangement increases the heat exchange surface area between the coolant flow path and the gear components without adding axial height or radial width to the housing, thereby improving cooling efficiency while maintaining a compact structure.
2Productivity
If the flow path is positioned to overlap the large pinion in the radial direction, then heat exchange efficiency is improved, but the housing design becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The housing structure is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides structural support for the planetary gear mechanism, contains the lubricating oil, and incorporates the cooling flow path as an integrated thermal management system. The flow path overlaps with both the large pinion for direct cooling and the small pinion for secondary cooling, enabling the housing to simultaneously perform mechanical and thermal functions without requiring separate cooling components.
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 design allows for improved cooling of gear chambers at lower temperatures, enhancing overall heat exchange efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the flow path has a portion that overlaps the large pinion when viewed in a radial direction
Implementation Method 2
a housing configured to accommodate a planetary gear mechanism, wherein the housing includes a flow path through which a coolant flows
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
To provide a unit having improved heat exchange efficiency. A unit (1) includes a housing (HS) configured to accommodate a planetary gear mechanism (4), wherein the housing (HS) includes a flow path (CP1) through which a coolant flows, the planetary gear mechanism (4) includes a stepped pinion gear (43), the stepped pinion gear (43) includes a small pinion (432) and a large pinion (431), and the flow path (CP1) has a portion that overlaps the large pinion (431) when viewed in a radial direction.