Planetary Gearset Collecting Tray Latch for Secure Lubrication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lubricant devices for planetary gearsets require complex assembly and additional components like threads and fixing pins, which can lead to increased costs and potential loosening due to expansion and force absorption.
Innovation Solution
A lubricant device with an annular collecting tray and an intermediate element featuring radial projections that latch into corresponding fixing contours on the planetary bolts, providing secure attachment without the need for threads or fixing pins.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If threads and fixing pins are used to attach the collecting tray to the planetary bolts, then the attachment is secure, but the assembly complexity and cost increase, and potential loosening occurs due to expansion and force absorption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes threads and fixing pins from the attachment system, retaining only the essential latching function. The collecting tray is attached to planetary bolts through simple radial projections that engage with corresponding contours, eliminating unnecessary components while maintaining secure attachment under centrifugal forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The radial projections on the collecting tray automatically engage with the fixing contours on the planetary bolts during assembly through a self-latching mechanism. The design allows the components to secure themselves without requiring additional fixing elements or complex assembly procedures, reducing both complexity and potential failure points.
2Reliability
If threads and fixing pins are used to attach the collecting tray, then attachment security is achieved, but additional components increase costs and assembly time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates threads and fixing pins, keeping only the essential latching function. The collecting tray attaches to planetary bolts via simple radial projections engaging with fixing contours, removing unnecessary components that would increase assembly time and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The radial projections automatically engage with fixing contours during assembly through a self-latching mechanism, allowing components to secure themselves without requiring additional fixing elements or complex assembly procedures, thereby reducing assembly time.
3Reliability
If threads are used to fix the collecting tray, then attachment is achieved, but threads may loosen due to expansion and force absorption under high centrifugal forces and temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes threads from the attachment system, retaining only the essential latching function. The collecting tray is attached to planetary bolts through simple radial projections that engage with corresponding contours, eliminating components susceptible to loosening while maintaining secure attachment under centrifugal forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The design uses simple, non-threaded radial projections that are inherently resistant to loosening. These simple latching features eliminate the vulnerability of threads to expansion and force absorption, providing stable attachment without the complexity and potential failure modes of threaded connections.
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
The solution ensures secure attachment of the collecting tray and planetary bolts against rotation and loss, even under high centrifugal forces and temperatures, while eliminating the need for additional components, thus reducing assembly costs and complexity.
Implementation Method 1
even under high centrifugal forces and temperatures
Data Source
AI summary
A lubricant device is configured for supplying lubricant to a planetary carrier of a planetary gearset. A planetary bolt passes through and extends beyond an opening in the planetary carrier to form an axially projecting end area. A collecting tray is configured for guiding lubricant to flow along the collecting tray to the planetary bolt during use. The collecting tray has an annular intermediate element fixed to the collecting tray when assembled, and which faces axially toward the planetary carrier. The intermediate element has first and second radial projections that are spaced axially. At its projecting end area, the planetary bolt has corresponding spaced first and second fixing contours, enabling the first radial projection to be latched into the first fixing contour and the second radial projection to be latched into the second fixing contour to form an axially secure arrangement of the collecting tray and the planetary bolt.