Power-Split Gearbox With Planetary Reversing for Tracked Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle transmissions, particularly for tracked vehicles, are complex, inefficient, and limited in maximum speed, often requiring superimposed steering gears and clutches, with reverse travel having poor efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A simplified transmission arrangement using a power split transmission with duplicate power split transmissions, each with a planetary reversing gear and adjustable hydraulic units, allowing for compact design and higher speeds up to 100 km/h without reactive power generation, utilizing bevel gears and planetary reversing gearboxes to reverse direction of rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a conventional transmission arrangement with clutches and differentials is used, then the vehicle can operate over a wide speed range, but the device complexity increases and reverse travel efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of clutches and differentials into a single planetary gear arrangement. The planetary gears simultaneously perform power splitting, direction reversal, and differential functions, eliminating the need for separate clutch elements and differential mechanisms while maintaining wide speed range capability
Solution Approach 2:
The planetary gear arrangement serves multiple functions: it acts as a power splitter, a reversing mechanism, and a differential gear all in one component. This multi-functionality reduces the overall number of components needed in the transmission system while maintaining operational versatility across different speed ranges and travel directions
2Ease of operation
If clutches are used to switch between forward and reverse travel, then direction control is achieved, but the device complexity increases and installation space is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the direction control function with the planetary gear arrangement itself. By selectively engaging different planetary gear paths, the system achieves forward and reverse travel control without requiring separate clutch elements, thereby simplifying the mechanism and reducing installation space
Solution Approach 2:
The planetary gear arrangement acts as an intermediary mechanism that mediates between the input shaft and output shaft to achieve direction reversal. Instead of using clutches to directly reverse rotation, the planetary gears provide a mechanical intermediary that naturally handles direction changes through their gear geometry
3Loss of energy
If a planetary reversing gear is used to reverse direction, then the reverse travel efficiency improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the planetary reversing gear functionality directly into the existing planetary gear arrangement used for power splitting. This merging eliminates the need for a separate reversing gear mechanism, maintaining high reverse travel efficiency while avoiding additional complexity from standalone reversing components
Solution Approach 2:
The planetary gear arrangement simultaneously provides power splitting and reversing functions. The same planetary gears that divide power between different outputs also inherently provide the reversing capability through their meshing geometry, eliminating the need for dedicated reversing components
4Reliability
If duplicate power split transmissions are used for tracked vehicles, then the reliability and speed capability improve, but the manufacturing cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the transmission system into two identical, independent power split transmission units, each capable of driving one track. This segmentation allows for modular manufacturing where each unit can be produced and tested independently, then assembled into the final vehicle, actually simplifying the manufacturing process despite the duplicated functionality
Solution Approach 2:
Each power split transmission unit is designed as a universal module that can independently handle all transmission functions including power splitting, direction control, and speed variation. This universality allows both units to be manufactured using identical processes and components, reducing overall manufacturing complexity through standardization
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 provides a simple, compact, and efficient transmission system that achieves higher speeds and reduces complexity by eliminating the need for clutches and differentials, enabling efficient forward and reverse travel with identical components and flexible control.
Implementation Method 1
a planetary gear arrangement with at least two sun gears, a first ring gear and a planetary web, on which double planet gears are arranged, which mesh with the sun gears and with the first ring gear
Implementation Method 2
utilizing bevel gears and planetary reversing gearboxes to reverse direction of rotation
Implementation Method 3
an infinitely variable second branch which is at least partially connectable to the first, mechanical branch via the planetary gear arrangement and comprises at least two adjustable hydraulic units
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to double provided power split transmission with a drive shaft, with a first branch comprising a planetary gear arrangement with two sun gears, a first ring gear and a planetary web, on which double planetary gears are arranged, which mesh with the sun gears and with the first ring gear, one of the sun gears being coupled to the drive shaft, with an adjustable second branch, which can be partially connected to the first branch via the planetary gear arrangement and has at least two hydraulic units which can be energetically coupled to one another and can be operated in each case in both directions as a motor or pump, and with an output shaft which can be coupled to the drive shaft via the first branch and the second branch, the planetary gear arrangement being provided with a planetary reversing gear is assigned.