Sintered Toothed Gear Unit for Compact High-Torque Transmission

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing transmissions face challenges in achieving a compact design while transmitting high torque efficiently, with a focus on the construction and manufacturing of toothed parts that require machining and are not cost-effective.

Innovation Solution

A transmission with a rotatably mounted toothed part made of sintered metal powder, featuring a single-piece design with bearing receptacles and face toothing, where the toothing is formed during sintering, and a gearing arrangement supported on both sides, with chamfered edges and a conical surface structure to facilitate demolding and reduce notch effects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If traditional machining methods are used to manufacture toothed parts, then manufacturing precision can be achieved, but production cost increases and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetoothed part precisionVSAvoidproduction efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the manufacturing parameter from mechanical machining to sintering process. By controlling sintering temperature, pressure, and time parameters, precise toothed parts are produced directly from metal powder without traditional machining, achieving both high precision and improved productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The toothed geometry is pre-formed during the sintering process itself rather than requiring subsequent machining operations. The metal powder is shaped with precise tooth profiles before sintering, eliminating post-processing steps and improving production efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If traditional machining methods are used to manufacture toothed parts, then manufacturing precision can be achieved, but production cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetoothed part precisionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from machining parameters to sintering parameters (temperature, pressure, atmosphere control). This parameter change enables direct formation of precise toothed parts with reduced material waste and lower manufacturing costs compared to traditional machining

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses metal powder as a disposable starting material that is directly transformed into the final product through sintering. This eliminates expensive tooling, fixtures, and machining tools required in traditional manufacturing, reducing overall production cost

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Device complexity

If the toothed part is designed as a single piece with bearing receptacles, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure complexityVSAvoidmanufacturing difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the toothed part and bearing receptacles into a single integrated component manufactured in one sintering process. This merging reduces assembly complexity and the number of parts while the sintering process makes manufacturing the complex integrated structure feasible and cost-effective

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Productivity

If the toothing is formed during sintering without machining, then productivity increases and cost decreases, but manufacturing precision may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction efficiencyVSAvoidtoothed part precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes sintering parameters (temperature gradient, pressure, atmosphere, time) to achieve precise tooth profiles directly during sintering. By carefully controlling these parameters, the same process that improves productivity also ensures manufacturing precision without requiring subsequent machining

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 enables a compact, high-torque transmission with reduced machining needs, cost-effective production, and improved load-bearing capacity, while ensuring reliable assembly and sealing, thus enhancing the transmission's efficiency and durability.

Implementation Method 1

the toothed part including the toothing is made of sintered metal powder

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSintering: Sintering

Data Source

PatentEP3953613B1Gear unit comprising a rotatably mounted toothed part, and process for manufacturing a gear unit comprising a toothed part
Publication Date: 2025.09.10 SEW EURODRIVE GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3953613B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3953613B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3953613B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed are a gear unit comprising a rotatably mounted toothed part and a process for manufacturing a gear unit comprising a toothed part, the toothed part having bearing seats and teeth; the toothed part, in particular including the teeth, is made of sintered metal powder, in particular the toothed part being formed integrally, especially in one piece.