Segmented Flexible Gearwheel for Compact High-Reduction Transmissions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flexible gearwheel transmissions with ring gears and wave generators face challenges in achieving sufficient elastic deformation, especially with smaller diameters, while maintaining high torsional rigidity and minimizing gear backlash.
Innovation Solution
The flexible gearwheel is designed with spring segments that have a central middle plane dividing them into equal regions, and recesses with a central middle axis, allowing for increased flexibility and torsional rigidity. The configuration includes toothed segments with recesses and waistings, where spring segments engage in the radial direction, enabling deformation only in the radial direction and transmitting forces without tangential deformation, and the wave generator has cams to shape the gearwheel for optimal engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the transmission diameter is reduced, then the transmission becomes more compact, but sufficient elastic deformation of the flexible gearwheel becomes difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible gearwheel is divided into multiple toothed segments connected by spring segments. This segmentation allows the gearwheel to achieve sufficient elastic deformation even in compact transmissions with small diameters, as each segment can deform independently while maintaining overall structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring segments are positioned specifically between the toothed segments to provide localized flexibility where needed, while the toothed segments themselves maintain rigidity for proper gear engagement. This local differentiation of mechanical properties enables compact design without sacrificing deformation capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the flexible gearwheel is made more flexible to achieve sufficient elastic deformation, then torsional rigidity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring segments provide flexibility in the radial direction where deformation is needed for gear engagement, while the toothed segments maintain tangential rigidity for force transmission. This directional differentiation of mechanical properties resolves the contradiction between flexibility and torsional rigidity.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring segments are designed with asymmetric geometry that provides different mechanical properties in different directions: flexible in the radial direction to allow deformation, and rigid in the tangential direction to transmit forces without deformation, thereby achieving both flexibility and torsional rigidity simultaneously.
3Adaptability or versatility
If spring segments are made longer to increase flexibility, then gear backlash increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring segments are designed with asymmetric geometry that provides different mechanical properties in different directions: flexible in the radial direction to allow deformation, and rigid in the tangential direction to transmit forces without deformation, thereby achieving both flexibility and torsional rigidity simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring segments are configured to exhibit elasticity in the radial direction and rigidity in the tangential direction through specific geometric parameters and material properties. This parameter optimization allows the spring segments to be sufficiently long for flexibility while maintaining tangential stiffness to minimize gear backlash.
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 short transmission with high torsional rigidity and sufficient elastic deformation, even with small diameters, while minimizing gear backlash and ensuring smooth operation by allowing the flexible gearwheel to deform radially and maintain strength.
Implementation Method 1
The spring segments are configured such that they exhibit elasticity in the radial direction and are rigid in the tangential direction. Deformation of the flexible gearwheel is then permitted only in the radial direction.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a transmission having a ring gear in which a flexible gearwheel is arranged, where the flexible gearwheel is connected to a wave generator and the wave generator deforms the flexible gearwheel such that it is in engagement in some regions with the ring gear. The flexible gearwheel includes at least two toothed segments which are connected to one another by way of spring segments and at least one of the toothed segments includes a recess in which a pin element is arranged.