Planetary Gear Unit Layout With Overlapping Engagement Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power transmission mechanisms in vehicles face challenges in achieving an efficient layout and enhancing the layout properties of units incorporating multiple planetary gear mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
The unit includes a first and second planetary gear mechanism, engagement elements, and an actuator, with overlapping configurations in the radial and axial directions to reduce axial dimension and improve layout by utilizing space effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If multiple planetary gear mechanisms are arranged in a conventional non-overlapping manner, then each component has sufficient clearance and ease of manufacture is improved, but the axial dimension and overall layout efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies radial overlapping arrangement where engagement elements are positioned to overlap with planetary gear mechanisms when viewed in the radial direction, while planetary gear mechanisms overlap when viewed in the axial direction. This multi-dimensional spatial arrangement reduces the axial dimension by utilizing radial space more effectively, transforming a one-dimensional linear arrangement into a multi-dimensional compact configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement elements are nested within the radial space of the planetary gear mechanisms, and the planetary gear mechanisms are nested in the axial space. This nesting arrangement allows components to occupy shared spatial volumes when viewed from different directions, maximizing space utilization while maintaining functional independence through proper clearance design.
2Length of stationary object
If engagement elements are arranged to overlap planetary gear mechanisms in the radial direction, then axial dimension is reduced and layout efficiency is improved, but the risk of interference between engagement elements increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies that the first engagement element overlaps the second planetary gear mechanism and the second engagement element overlaps the second planetary gear mechanism when viewed in the radial direction, with the actuator positioned between them. This localized overlapping arrangement with precisely defined spatial relationships ensures that interference is prevented while achieving compact axial dimensions. The actuator's positioning between the engagement elements provides additional spatial separation to eliminate interference risks.
Data Source
AI summary
A unit includes a first planetary gear mechanism, a second planetary gear mechanism, a first engagement element connected to the first planetary gear mechanism, a second engagement element connected to the second planetary gear mechanism, and an actuator configured to drive at least one of the first engagement element and the second engagement element. The first engagement element has a portion overlapping the first planetary gear mechanism when viewed in a radial direction. The first engagement element has a portion overlapping the second planetary gear mechanism when viewed in the radial direction. The first planetary gear mechanism has a portion overlapping the second planetary gear mechanism when viewed in an axial direction. The actuator has a portion interposed between the first engagement element and the second engagement element.