Split Gear Wheel With Axial Lock for Backlash Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gear wheels in wheel drives experience backlash due to manufacturing tolerances and vibrations, leading to undesired collisions and noise issues like gear rattling, which existing solutions fail to adequately address.

Innovation Solution

A gear wheel design featuring a first and second wheel portion connected by elastic elements in a torque-locking and damping manner, with an additional axial lock to secure the elastic connecting elements and prevent loosening under vibrations, ensuring stable operation and noise reduction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If elastic connecting elements are used to reduce backlash, then backlash reduction is achieved, but the connecting elements can loosen under vibrations and swinging accelerations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebacklash reductionVSAvoidconnection stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies beforehand cushioning by providing an additional axial lock that prevents the elastic connecting elements from loosening before vibrations and swinging accelerations can cause damage. This protective measure is built into the design to counteract the loosening effect that would otherwise occur during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The additional axial lock acts as an intermediary element that mediates between the elastic connecting elements and the wheel parts. It provides an extra securing mechanism that prevents direct loosening of the connecting elements under vibrational loads.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Force

If elastic connecting elements are firmly connected to wheel parts, then torque-locking is achieved, but the connecting elements can migrate out of fixed connection under vibrations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetorque-lockingVSAvoidconnection retention
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The additional axial lock provides beforehand protection against the migration of elastic connecting elements under vibrations and swinging accelerations, ensuring they remain securely positioned while maintaining their torque-locking function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Reliability

If multiple elastic connecting elements are provided, then backlash reduction effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebacklash reduction effectivenessVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The additional axial lock is integrated into the second wheel part as a single component feature rather than a separate element for each connecting element. This merging approach provides the necessary additional securing function while minimizing the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 design effectively reduces backlash and prevents damage by securing elastic connecting elements, thereby minimizing noise and ensuring the longevity of the wheel drive components.

Implementation Method 1

The gear wheel has at least one elastic connecting element, which connects the first wheel part to the second wheel part in a torque-locking manner

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The at least one elastic connecting element is elastically deformable to allow a limited degree of circumferential movement of the gears relative to one another

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDamping: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP3492780B1Toothed wheel for reducing play
Publication Date: 2022.03.02 MAN TRUCK & BUS SE
  • EP3492780B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3492780B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3492780B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a gear (10) for reducing backlash. The gear (10) has a first gear part (12) and a second gear part (14), which is axially aligned with the first gear part (12) and positioned next to it. The gear (10) has at least one elastic connecting element (20) that torque-locks the first gear part (12) to the second gear part (14). The at least one elastic connecting element (20) is firmly connected to the first gear part (12), in particular by being glued, pressed in, and/or screwed into the first gear part (12). An additional axial retainer (32) is provided for axially securing the at least one elastic connecting element (20). The additional axial retainer (32) serves as a retainer for the at least one elastic connecting element (20) to prevent it from coming loose from its fixed connection with the first gear part (12).