Planetary Wind Gearbox Layout With Hollow Sun Gear Coupling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional wind power gearboxes are bulky and complex, making them difficult to manufacture, transport, and assemble, and they occupy a large space, which is a challenge for the development of high-power wind energy systems.

Innovation Solution

A compact wind power generation transmission system is designed with a multi-planetary gearset structure, where the first, second, and third-stage planetary gearsets are connected through hollow sun gears and internal/external splines, reducing weight and volume by eliminating the need for additional bearings and simplifying the structure, while maintaining stability through a positioning member that allows the sun gear to float and resist axial forces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If traditional wind power gearbox structure is used with main shaft connected through shrink disk or flange, then torque transmission is achieved, but the structure becomes complicated and bulky

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemachining difficultyVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the main shaft connection function directly into the planetary carrier structure. The planetary carrier integrates both the torque transmission function and the connection interface for the main shaft, eliminating the need for separate shrink disks or flanges. This integration simplifies the overall structure and reduces the number of components while maintaining torque transmission capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The planetary carrier is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as the support structure for planetary gears and as the direct connection interface for the main shaft. This universal design eliminates the need for dedicated connection components, reducing structural complexity and facilitating easier manufacturing and assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Power

If traditional wind power gearbox structure is used, then torque transmission is achieved, but the volume and weight become larger

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower generation efficiencyVSAvoidgearbox volume
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a nested configuration where the planetary gears are arranged within a compact planetary carrier structure that is directly integrated with the main shaft connection. This nesting allows multiple functional elements to occupy overlapping spatial volumes, significantly reducing the overall gearbox volume while maintaining the required power transmission capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention optimizes the spatial arrangement of components by utilizing three-dimensional space more efficiently. The planetary gears are positioned in a radial arrangement around the main shaft, and the connection structure extends axially, creating a compact configuration that reduces volume in all three dimensions while preserving torque transmission efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Force

If traditional wind power gearbox structure is used, then torque transmission is achieved, but transportation and assembly become extremely difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetorque transmissionVSAvoidassembly ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

By merging the torque transmission function and main shaft connection into a single integrated planetary carrier structure, the patent eliminates multiple separate components that would require complex assembly procedures. The integrated design allows for simpler assembly operations and reduces the difficulty of handling and installing the gearbox.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Power

If high-power units are used to replace small-power units, then power generation efficiency is improved, but the volume and weight of gearbox increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower generation efficiencyVSAvoidgearbox weight
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The nested configuration of planetary gears within the integrated planetary carrier allows the gearbox to achieve high power transmission capability in a compact form. This nesting enables multiple gear stages to be arranged in a space-efficient manner, increasing power density while controlling the overall weight of the gearbox.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes composite material structures in the planetary carrier and gear components to achieve high strength-to-weight ratio. By employing advanced materials and composite construction techniques, the gearbox can handle high-power transmission requirements while minimizing the overall weight, enabling the transition to high-power units without proportionally increasing gearbox mass.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP4112972B1Wind power generation transmission system
Publication Date: 2024.01.10 NANJING HIGH SPEED GEAR MFG
  • EP4112972B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4112972B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

Provided is a wind power generation transmission system. A first sun gear (113) is a hollow gear. The first sun gear (113) includes a first end surface (1131) and a second end surface (1132) opposite to the first end surface (1131). A second planetary carrier (121) includes a third connection end (1210). An outer circumferential surface of the third connection end (1210) is provided with external splines. An inner circumferential surface of the first sun gear (113) is provided with internal splines. The third connection end (1210) of the second planetary carrier (121) extends from the second end surface (1132) to the first end surface (1131) and is disposed in the first sun gear (113) so that the external splines of the third connection end (1210) are connected to the internal splines of the first sun gear (113).