Planetary Mixer-Blender Gearbox With Direct Carrier Drive
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mixer-mixer gearboxes occupy large axial space due to the motor shaft, obstructing material introduction and making cleaning difficult, and lack modularity in transmission ratios due to the integration of the motor and gearbox in the upper support column.
Innovation Solution
The gearbox design eliminates the motor shaft by driving the planet carrier directly, allowing the planet pinion to rotate, reducing axial bulk and enabling easier access for cleaning, and incorporates a second motor to adjust transmission ratios, with the sun and satellite gears encapsulated within the planet carrier to prevent interference with material introduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the motor shaft is integrated into the planetary pinion to drive the mixing tool, then the gearbox can transmit power effectively, but the axial bulk increases and obstructs material introduction
Solution Approach 1:
The motor shaft is extracted from the planetary pinion and relocated to drive the planet carrier instead. This separation removes the obstructive motor shaft from the material introduction zone while preserving power transmission through the planetary gear mechanism. The planet carrier is driven by the motor shaft, which then transmits power to the planetary pinion and subsequently to the mixing tool.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive mechanism is repositioned from a vertical arrangement (motor shaft extending upward from the planetary pinion) to a horizontal arrangement (motor shaft driving the planet carrier from the side). This dimensional change moves the motor shaft out of the axial path, eliminating the obstruction to material introduction while maintaining power transmission functionality.
2Power
If the motor shaft is positioned in the upper horizontal part of the support, then the planetary gear can be driven, but cleaning access to the gearbox becomes extremely difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The motor shaft is extracted from its position within the upper horizontal part of the support and relocated to drive the planet carrier from an accessible position. This extraction creates clearance around the gearbox components, particularly the planetary pinion and mixing tool, enabling easy access for cleaning and maintenance operations.
3Power
If the gearbox occupies large axial space, then the planetary gear system can function, but the material introduction zone is blocked and jamming occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The motor shaft is extracted from the axial space occupation and relocated to drive the planet carrier horizontally. This removal of the motor shaft from the axial path eliminates the obstruction to material introduction, allowing material to be introduced from above without jamming in the annular passage zone.
Solution Approach 2:
The gearbox components are segmented and repositioned to create clear zones: the motor shaft drives the planet carrier from the side, the planetary pinion rotates within its own clearance zone, and the mixing tool operates in the tank without axial obstruction. This segmentation of functional zones eliminates interference with material introduction.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a second motor is added to increase transmission ratio modularity, then speed range increases, but the axial bulk and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The motor shaft is designed to perform multiple functions: it drives the planet carrier, which in turn drives the planetary pinion, and can alternatively or additionally drive the sun gear directly. This multi-functionality provides transmission ratio modularity without requiring a second separate motor, thereby avoiding increased axial bulk while maintaining adaptability.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present invention relates to a gearbox for a mixer-blender including a planet wheel (5), a planet carrier (7) comprising a body defining an enclosure, at least one planet gear (6) provided with external teeth and pivotably mounted on the planet carrier (7), said planet gear (6) meshing with the planet wheel (5), and characterised in that the body of the planet carrier (7) is shaped so as to engage with a driving member such that said driving member rotates the planet carrier (7).