Planetary Gearbox Thrust Washer for Rotational Fixation and Lubrication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing planetary gearboxes face challenges in efficiently providing rotational fixation and lubrication of thrust washers while minimizing space and manufacturing complexity.
Innovation Solution
The thrust washer is designed with wing formations extending tangentially without angles, adapted to the planet carrier's shape, featuring raised and recessed portions for lubrication and a central opening with deformations for lubricant exchange, allowing form-fitting attachment and stable rotational fixation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the thrust washer is provided with tab-like material formations for rotational fixation, then the thrust washer is prevented from rotating and frictional wear is avoided, but the manufacturing complexity and space requirement increase
Solution Approach 1:
The thrust washer is segmented into a disc-shaped base element and a crown-shaped element that can be pressed together, allowing the fixation function to be achieved through the interaction of these segments rather than through complex tab formations on a single piece
Solution Approach 2:
The crown-shaped element is nested within the disc-shaped base element, with the crown pressed into the base element to create the fixation structure. This nesting approach reduces overall complexity compared to extending tabs from the main body
2Reliability
If the thrust washer is provided with tab-like material formations for rotational fixation, then the thrust washer is prevented from rotating, but the space requirement and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The crown-shaped element is nested within the disc-shaped base element, creating a compact structure that achieves rotational fixation without requiring additional radial or axial space that would be needed for tab-like extensions
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of extending fixation elements radially outward as tabs, the invention uses axial pressing of the crown-shaped element into the disc-shaped base element, transferring the fixation mechanism to the axial dimension and reducing radial space requirements
3Reliability
If the thrust washer is designed with form-fitting attachment to the planet carrier, then rotational stability is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The form-fitting attachment is achieved through the interface between the disc-shaped base element and the crown-shaped element, where the crown is pressed into the base. This segmentation allows the fixation function to be achieved through the interaction of two simpler components rather than requiring high precision in a single complex component
Solution Approach 2:
The crown-shaped element acts as an intermediary between the thrust washer and the planet carrier, providing the form-fitting attachment function through its geometric shape that engages with the planet carrier's recess, thereby reducing the precision requirements for the main thrust washer body
Data Source
AI summary
A planetary gearbox includes a planet carrier having stop faces, planet journals, planet bearings, planet gears and thrust washers. Each of the planetary gears is arranged on one of the planet journals by one of the planet bearings. Each thrust washer is arranged between the planet carrier and one of the planetary gears. Each thrust washer includes a first washer side and a second washer side facing away from the first washer side, a lower circumferential circular segment, and a wing formation arranged to rest on one of the stop faces. Each washer side includes recessed portions and raised portions, each arranged adjacent to one of the recessed portions. The recessed portions are arranged to supply a lubricant to one of the planet bearings. The wing formation extends from the lower circumferential circular segment outwardly in a tangential direction.