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 and structure-borne noise issues, particularly in gearboxes with fixed ring gears.
Innovation Solution
A decoupling ring for planetary gears is proposed, comprising an annular elastomeric base body with elastomeric formations that project radially and are arranged on the circumferential side of the ring gear, effectively interrupting the vibration transfer path between the ring gear and the gearbox housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If additional damping material (NVH cover) is used to reduce airborne noise, then acoustic comfort is improved, but thermal insulation increases and cooling capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
An elastomeric decoupling ring is introduced as an intermediary element between the ring gear and the gearbox housing. This decoupling ring absorbs vibrations and reduces airborne noise generation at the source, eliminating the need for NVH covers that would block heat radiation. The elastomeric material provides vibration damping while maintaining thermal conductivity for effective cooling.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If NVH cover is installed to reduce noise perception, then acoustic comfort is improved, but installation space and additional costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The noise reduction function is extracted from the housing structure and integrated directly into the decoupling ring that is already part of the planetary gear assembly. By incorporating vibration damping material into the decoupling ring itself, the noise control function is built into the existing component, eliminating the need for separate NVH covers and reducing installation space requirements.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If elastomeric decoupling ring is used to reduce vibrations, then NVH behavior is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The decoupling ring and vibration damping functions are merged into a single integrated component. The elastomeric material is incorporated into the decoupling ring structure, combining the mechanical decoupling function with vibration absorption in one part. This integration simplifies manufacturing compared to using separate decoupling and damping components, and eliminates the need for additional NVH covers.
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 significantly reduces unwanted vibrations and their transfer to other components, improving NVH behavior and eliminating the need for additional NVH covers, which simplifies cooling and reduces 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.