Elastomeric Decoupling Ring for Planetary Gear Noise Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Planetary gear units suffer from acoustic disadvantages due to vibrations caused by the meshing of planetary gears with the ring gear and sun gear, leading to airborne noise, which current solutions like NVH covers inadequately address by preventing vibration perception rather than vibration itself, and also hinder heat radiation, increasing energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A decoupling ring with an annular elastomeric base body and uniformly spaced elastomeric formations is arranged on the circumferential side of a ring gear, interrupting vibration transfer paths between components, reducing unwanted vibrations and eliminating the need for NVH covers, thereby simplifying and enhancing the cooling of gearboxes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If NVH covers are used to reduce airborne noise, then noise perception is reduced, but thermal insulation occurs and cooling capacity is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
An elastomeric decoupling ring is introduced as an intermediary element between the ring gear and gearbox housing. This decoupling ring absorbs vibrations and interrupts vibration transfer paths, reducing airborne noise generation at the source rather than insulating against it. The elastomeric material provides vibration damping while allowing heat to pass through, eliminating the thermal insulation problem of NVH covers.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful vibration transmission path is extracted and isolated from the main system by introducing the decoupling ring. By removing the direct rigid connection between ring gear and housing, the vibration energy is separated and dissipated in the elastomeric material, preventing its transmission to the housing and subsequent conversion to airborne noise.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If additional damping material surrounding the gear housing is used, then airborne noise perception is reduced, but installation space requirements increase and costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
The decoupling ring combines multiple functions into a single integrated component: it provides vibration damping, interrupts vibration transfer paths, and allows thermal passage. This merged solution replaces the separate NVH cover and cooling system requirements, reducing overall device complexity and installation space while achieving the same noise reduction effect.
3Weight of moving object
If aluminum gear housing is used, then weight is reduced, but damping capability is very low and vibrations are amplified
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a composite approach by combining the aluminum gear housing with an elastomeric decoupling ring. The aluminum provides lightweight structural properties while the elastomeric material provides vibration damping. This composite solution maintains the weight advantage of aluminum housing while compensating for its low damping capability through the elastomeric decoupling element.
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 decoupling ring effectively reduces airborne noise by decoupling components in multiple spatial directions, preventing structure-borne sound transmission and allowing for easier design and cooling of planetary gear units with improved NVH behavior and reduced energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
Due to the elasticity of the elastomer in combination with the material damping of the elastomer, the unwanted vibrations can be reduced on the one hand and their transfer to the other component or further components can be prevented on the other hand.
Implementation Method 2
an annular elastomeric base body and elastomeric formations which are uniformly spaced apart from one another, project radially from the base body
Data Source
AI summary
A decoupling ring suitable for a planetary gear is disclosed. A decoupling ring includes an annular elastomeric base body and elastomeric formations. In embodiments, the elastomeric formations are uniformly spaced apart from one another, project in the radial direction from the base body, and run parallel to a central longitudinal axis passing centrally through the decoupling ring. With embodiments of the decoupling ring it is possible for the decoupling ring to be arranged on the circumferential side of a ring gear of a planetary gear.