Planetary Transmission Layout for Compact Crawler Gear
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional transmissions with a crawler gear are large in size and costly due to the need for additional spur gear sets and shifting components, which is not efficient for achieving slow travel speeds in agricultural machines without slipping clutches.
Innovation Solution
A transmission with a shifting group featuring a summation planetary stage that combines forward and reverse power paths to create a crawler gear, eliminating the need for additional components by using clutches or synchronization units to manage torque transmission between the power paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a separate gear stage with transmission ratio of 10 is added to achieve crawler gear, then slow travel speeds can be achieved, but the transmission size and production costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the forward and reverse power paths through a summation planetary stage, combining two existing power paths into one unified transmission path. This eliminates the need for separate crawler gear components by integrating the functions of forward gear, reverse gear, and crawler gear into a single planetary stage structure, thereby reducing transmission size and complexity while maintaining the ability to achieve slow travel speeds
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional spur gear sets and shifting shafts are added to create crawler gear, then crawler functionality is achieved, but production costs rise significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The summation planetary stage is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both a forward gear mechanism and a reverse gear mechanism, and simultaneously enables crawler gear functionality. By making the planetary stage universal and multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for separate dedicated crawler gear components, thereby reducing production costs while maintaining full crawler functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the forward power path and reverse power path through the summation planetary stage, merging multiple gear functions into a single integrated structure. This consolidation eliminates the need for additional spur gear sets and shifting shafts that would otherwise be required for crawler gear, reducing both component count and production cost
3Speed
If conventional separate gear stages are used for crawler gear, then slow speeds are achieved, but the transmission occupies larger space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges forward and reverse power paths through a single summation planetary stage, combining multiple gear functions that would traditionally require separate gear stages into one compact unit. This integration significantly reduces the space occupied by the transmission while maintaining the ability to achieve very slow crawler speeds through the planetary mechanism
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 configuration allows for a compact and cost-effective transmission that can achieve slow travel speeds without additional components, enabling efficient power transmission and reducing production costs while maintaining functionality for normal forward and reverse travel.
Implementation Method 1
Planetary stages consist of a plurality of planetary units which are arranged coaxially to one another and which are rotatable relative to one another. These planetary units may be a sun gear, a planet carrier or a ring gear.
Data Source
AI summary
A transmission includes a first shaft, and a second shaft, and a shifting group arranged between the first and second shafts. The shifting group is configured such that a mechanical power transmitted via the first shaft is transmitted to the second shaft via a first power path or a second power path which is coupled-in or coupled-out. The first power path is designed as a forward gear and the second power path is designed as a reverse gear. The forward gear includes a different transmission ratio in magnitude from the reverse gear. The shifting group includes a summation planetary stage, where the mechanical power of the power paths is transmitted thereby to the second shaft.