Planetary Gearbox Ring Gear Retention With Conical Spring Preload
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manufacturing of planetary gearboxes is complex due to the conventional methods used for securing the ring gear within the housing part, which often require intricate connections and precise alignment, making the process cumbersome and costly.
Innovation Solution
A planetary gearbox design that incorporates a ring gear with an annular groove and a spring element, where the spring element is conically configured to radially expand and secure into both the ring gear and housing part annular grooves, providing a keyed connection and axial preload, thus simplifying assembly and production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional connection systems are used to secure the ring gear in the housing part, then reliable connection is achieved, but the manufacturing process becomes complex and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is segmented into modular components: a ring gear with an integrated annular groove, a housing part with a corresponding receiving opening, and a separate spring element. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently using simple processes, then assembled together to achieve reliable connection without complex manufacturing steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element acts as an intermediary component between the ring gear and housing part. It provides the connecting function through elastic deformation and mechanical interference, enabling reliable securement while keeping the manufacturing processes for all components simple and independent.
2Stability of the object's composition
If precise alignment and intricate connections are used to secure the ring gear, then connection stability is improved, but the assembly process becomes time-consuming and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element is pre-formed with a conical configuration and radial expansion capability before assembly. This preliminary preparation allows the component to automatically achieve proper alignment and engagement when inserted, eliminating the need for complex alignment procedures during assembly and reducing assembly time while maintaining connection stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element features a conical shape with curved surfaces that naturally guide alignment during insertion. The radial expansion capability and curved geometry enable self-aligning engagement with the annular grooves, providing stable connection without requiring precise manual or machine alignment procedures.
3Reliability
If a keyed connection is implemented using a spring element, then secure engagement is achieved, but the spring element must be precisely fitted into both annular grooves
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element's physical parameters are optimized: it has a conical configuration that allows controlled radial expansion, and its wall thickness is designed to provide sufficient elasticity. These parameter changes enable the spring element to accommodate dimensional variations in the annular grooves while maintaining secure engagement, reducing the required manufacturing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element is designed as a thin-walled, elastic component that can deform radially. This flexibility allows it to adapt to slight variations in groove dimensions and achieve proper fit through elastic deformation rather than requiring extremely precise manufacturing tolerances, while still providing secure keyed connection.
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
This design simplifies the assembly process by allowing a keyed connection and axial preload, ensuring secure engagement of the ring gear and housing part, which in turn presses bearings against a step, providing consistent pressure and facilitating easier production with steel sheet components.
Implementation Method 1
the spring element is pressed into the annular groove when the ring gear is inserted into the receiving opening of the housing part and radially expands once it reaches the annular groove of the housing part
Implementation Method 2
the spring element has a conical configuration, the tip of the cone pointing in the insertion direction. Using the relaxed, i.e. radially expanded, spring element, a keyed connection is obtained
Implementation Method 3
the spring element is axially preloaded, so that the ring gear and the housing part are axially pushed apart, in particular such that bearings, which support a planet gear carrier and are accommodated in the housing part, are pressed against a step formed on the housing part and are preloaded
Data Source
AI summary
A planetary gearbox includes a ring gear accommodated in a housing part, the ring gear particularly has on its radially outer surface, in particular its radially outer side, an annular groove, the annular groove, in particular a circumferential annular groove in the circumferential direction, and a spring element is accommodated in the annular groove, which projects at least partially into an annular groove introduced into the housing part.