Planetary Gear Resilient Support Axial Gap Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing active front wheel steering apparatus experiences difficulties in precise steering control due to backlash caused by gear tooth abrasion, leading to noise and an unpleasant steering feel, especially as gear tooth abrasion progresses.
Innovation Solution
A planetary gear apparatus is designed with a resilient support member between input and output planetary gears to axially support them, maintaining a predetermined gap and preventing loose feel by compensating for axial movements, thereby reducing the impact of gear tooth abrasion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a rigid support structure is used to maintain gap between planetary gears, then manufacturing precision is improved, but adaptability to gear tooth abrasion deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The support member changes its physical state from rigid to flexible, allowing it to deform elastically in response to gear tooth abrasion while maintaining the gap between planetary gears. This parameter change enables the structure to adapt to wear without compromising manufacturing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The support member is designed with composite characteristics combining rigid support functionality with flexible deformation capability. This composite approach allows the same component to provide both precise gap maintenance and adaptation to gear tooth abrasion.
2Adaptability or versatility
If resilient support member is used to compensate for gear separation, then adaptability to gear tooth abrasion is improved, but loose feel occurs due to axial movement
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient support member is designed with controlled flexibility parameters that allow it to deform within a specific range to compensate for gear separation, while the step portion limits the maximum deformation to prevent excessive axial movement that would cause loose steering feel.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure is segmented into two functional parts: the resilient support member that compensates for gear separation through elastic deformation, and the step portion that limits the deformation range. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function optimally.
3Ease of operation
If step part is added to connecting shaft to limit gap reduction, then loose feel is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The step portion is integrated directly into the connecting shaft as an integral feature rather than a separate component. This merging approach prevents loose steering feel while minimizing device complexity by avoiding additional parts, fasteners, or assembly steps.
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 solution effectively mitigates the loose feel and noise issues by maintaining a consistent gap between planetary gears, enhancing steering precision and reducing the adverse effects of gear tooth abrasion.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient support member provided between at least one pair of input and output planetary gears, to resiliently support the input and output planetary gears in axially opposite directions, thereby compensating for a separation between the sun gears and the planetary gears
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a planetary gear apparatus. According to embodiments of the present invention, a distance between input and output planetary gears that are coupled to a connecting shaft provided with a resilient support member can be prevented from being reduced by more than a predetermined distance, thereby preventing loose feel caused by an axial movement of the planetary gears by a distance which the resilient support member is extended or compressed.