Speed Reducer Case Asymmetry for Wheel Clearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional speed reducers are limited in size by the outer diameter of the wheel they are mounted on, leading to interference with the traveling surface and restricted output, as larger speed reducers require larger wheels to prevent contact and ensure proper operation.
Innovation Solution
A speed reducer design where the case is positioned such that a part is closer to the rotation axis than the outer edge of the wheel, allowing for a larger maximum radius while maintaining a smaller minimum radius, with cut surfaces and reinforcement portions to prevent contact with the traveling surface and enhance rigidity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the speed reducer size is increased to provide larger output, then the output power increases, but the speed reducer contacts with the traveling surface of the wheel and hinders the traveling of the carriage
Solution Approach 1:
The case of the speed reducer extends in the axial direction of the wheel (parallel to the rotation axis) rather than only radially outward. By positioning parts of the case at different axial locations, the design allows the speed reducer to have a larger overall size for increased output power while preventing contact with the traveling surface through strategic positioning of case portions.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the case are positioned at different locations relative to the wheel's outer edge. Specifically, a first portion is positioned closer to the rotation axis than the outer edge, while a second portion is positioned more distant, creating local variations in the case's spatial arrangement to simultaneously achieve large output and avoid contact.
2Power
If the speed reducer size is limited by the wheel outer diameter, then the carriage configuration remains compact, but the output power is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The speed reducer case utilizes the axial dimension of the wheel (parallel to the rotation axis) to accommodate larger components. By extending parts of the case in the axial direction rather than only radially, the design achieves increased output power capability without proportionally increasing the overall volume occupied by the speed reducer.
Solution Approach 2:
The case is designed with asymmetric positioning where different portions are located at different radial distances from the rotation axis. This asymmetric arrangement allows the speed reducer to have an irregular shape that maximizes output capacity while fitting within the constrained space defined by the wheel's outer diameter.
Data Source
AI summary
A speed reducer which decelerates rotation input from a motor and outputs decelerated rotation to a wheel includes: a case fixed to a carriage body; an input portion for receiving the rotation input from the motor; an output portion for outputting the rotation to the wheel; and a speed reducing mechanism at least partially housed in the case and configured to decelerate rotation of the input portion and transmit the decelerated rotation to the output portion. The maximum outer radius of the case from the rotation axis of the output portion is larger than the radius of the wheel, and the minimum outer radius of the case from the rotation axis of the output portion is smaller than the radius of the wheel.