Planetary Transmission Axial Carrier Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing planetary transmissions lack a simple and cost-effective method to securely axially fix the planetary carrier on a shaft, risking unintentional release due to centrifugal forces or other operational factors.
Innovation Solution
A planetary transmission design featuring a circlip secured in a groove on the shaft, combined with an axial bearing comprising rollers and check-disks, ensures the planetary carrier is locked in place by forming a tooth array with the shaft and utilizing a second check-disk with a radially outer lip to prevent radial escape, and an axial needle bearing for additional support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a circlip is used to axially secure the planetary carrier on the shaft, then the axial securing is simple and cost-effective, but the circlip may be unintentionally released due to centrifugal forces or operational factors
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies preliminary action by positioning the axial bearing radially and axially close to the circlip before operation. The bearing's check-disk is specifically arranged at a radial distance that preemptively prevents the circlip from being released by centrifugal forces, eliminating the need for additional complex retaining structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The axial bearing acts as an intermediary element between the circlip and the operational forces. The check-disk of the bearing serves as a mediator that physically blocks the circlip's radial escape path, allowing the simple circlip design to maintain its ease of manufacture while the bearing ensures reliability.
2Reliability
If the second check-disk is arranged at a specific radial distance from the circlip, then the circlip cannot be removed from the groove, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The axial bearing performs multiple functions: it provides axial support for the planetary carrier, guides the rollers for smooth operation, and through its check-disk arrangement, prevents circlip removal. This multi-functionality means that the bearing structure, while necessarily complex for its primary functions, does not require additional separate components for security.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the security function into the existing axial bearing structure. Rather than adding a separate retaining mechanism, the check-disk of the bearing is utilized to also prevent circlip removal, combining two functions into one component and avoiding increased overall device complexity.
3Reliability
If the radial distance between circlip and check-disk is made small, then the circlip is secured against radial escape, but the assembly tolerance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention carefully selects and optimizes the radial distance parameter between the check-disk and circlip. This parameter is made small enough to prevent circlip escape but large enough to accommodate normal assembly tolerances. The specific dimensional relationship is designed to balance security requirements with manufacturability.
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 effectively secures the planetary carrier axially, preventing unintentional release and ensuring reliable torque transmission, while maintaining assembly simplicity and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
The second check-disk is arranged radially opposite and a distance away from the circlip such that in the assembled condition, the circlip cannot be removed from the circlip groove
Implementation Method 2
The planetary carrier has inner teeth which mesh with outer teeth on a shaft of the transmission to form a locking tooth array
Implementation Method 3
the axial bearing is arranged radially and axially close to the circlip and consists of at least one group of rollers guided in a cage
Implementation Method 4
at least the axial bearing, arranged radially and axially close to the circlip, is formed by an axial needle bearing
Data Source
AI summary
A planetary transmission with at least one planetary gearset including planetary gears supported on a planetary gear carrier. The planetary carrier has inner teeth, which engage outer teeth of a shaft to form a lock tooth array. To secure the planetary carrier axially on the shaft, the planetary carrier is placed with one axial end against a stop on the shaft and the opposite axial end is fixed axially with a circlip fit into a circlip groove in the shaft. At least one axially adjacent component is supported against the planetary carrier such that an axial bearing is arranged radially and axially adjacent to the circlip and includes a roller group guided in a cage and a first check-disk. A second check-disk is arranged radially opposite and at a distance from the circlip in such manner that when assembled, the circlip cannot escape from the circlip groove in the shaft.