Multi-Material Reduction Gear for Low Weight and Moment Rigidity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing reduction gears face challenges in reducing weight while maintaining sufficient moment rigidity, particularly when used in applications like cooperative robots where large moment loads are applied, as traditional materials like iron-based metals increase weight and resin materials lack the necessary rigidity.
Innovation Solution
The reduction gear design incorporates a material with a higher Young's modulus and specific gravity for the first member, second member, and main bearing, formed from iron-based materials such as bearing steel, while using resin for the external and internal gears, thereby achieving both weight reduction and enhanced moment rigidity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If iron-based materials are used for all components, then moment rigidity is sufficient, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different materials to different components based on their functional requirements. The first member, second member, and main bearing use iron-based materials for high moment rigidity, while the external gear and internal gear use resin for weight reduction. This localized material selection resolves the contradiction by providing high rigidity only where needed (in the load-bearing support structure) rather than throughout the entire mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite material strategy by combining resin and iron-based materials in a single reduction gear system. The resin components (gears) provide weight reduction and sufficient strength for gear-tooth engagement, while the iron-based components (support structure and bearing) provide the necessary moment rigidity. This multi-material approach allows the system to achieve both low weight and high rigidity simultaneously.
2Weight of moving object
If resin materials are used for all components, then weight is reduced, but moment rigidity becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different materials to different components based on their functional requirements. The first member, second member, and main bearing use iron-based materials for high moment rigidity, while the external gear and internal gear use resin for weight reduction. This localized material selection resolves the contradiction by providing high rigidity only where needed (in the load-bearing support structure) rather than throughout the entire mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite material strategy by combining resin and iron-based materials in a single reduction gear system. The resin components (gears) provide weight reduction and sufficient strength for gear-tooth engagement, while the iron-based components (support structure and bearing) provide the necessary moment rigidity. This multi-material approach allows the system to achieve both low weight and high rigidity simultaneously.
3Strength
If iron-based materials are used for gears, then strength is sufficient, but weight reduction is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite material strategy by combining resin and iron-based materials in a single reduction gear system. The resin components (gears) provide weight reduction and sufficient strength for gear-tooth engagement, while the iron-based components (support structure and bearing) provide the necessary moment rigidity. This multi-material approach allows the system to achieve both low weight and high rigidity simultaneously.
Data Source
AI summary
A reduction gear includes an external gear, an internal gear which meshes with the external gear, a first member which synchronizes with a rotation of the external gear, a second member which synchronizes with a rotation of the internal gear, and a main bearing which is disposed between the first member and the second member, in which one of the first member and the second member is connected to a driven member and the other is fixed to an external member, and the first member, the second member, and the main bearing are formed of a material having a larger Young's modulus and larger specific gravity than those of a material constituting the external gear and the internal gear.