Spur Gear Transmission With Movable Intermediate Gear Axis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing spur gear systems face limitations in achieving different step-up or step-down ratios without significant modifications to the gear housing, as the fixed axial distance between axes of rotation restricts the arrangement of intermediate gears, necessitating extensive adaptation of the transmission housing.

Innovation Solution

A spur gear design featuring a carrier part with a linear guide allowing the third axis of rotation to move perpendicularly to the first and second axes, enabling the adjustment of the intermediate gear's position based on the diameters of the drive and driven gears, thus allowing for various transmission ratios without altering the gear housing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the center distance between the first axis of rotation and the second axis of rotation is fixed for standardization, then manufacturing cost and interchangeability are improved, but the ability to achieve different step-up or step-down ratios is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestandardization of gear housingVSAvoiddifferent transmission ratios
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The support part is designed to enable the third axis of rotation to move dynamically to a required position, allowing the intermediate gear wheel to be repositioned according to different gear diameter combinations. This dynamic adjustment capability resolves the contradiction by maintaining a fixed center distance between the first and second axes while adapting the third axis position to achieve various transmission ratios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the diameters of the intermediate gear and input gear are changed to achieve different ratios, then transmission versatility is improved, but the arrangement of the third axis of rotation must be changed, worsening the gear housing design complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedifferent transmission ratiosVSAvoidgear housing modifications
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support part provides dynamic repositioning capability for the third axis of rotation, allowing it to move to different positions within the gear housing to accommodate various gear diameter combinations. This eliminates the need to redesign the gear housing for different transmission ratios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The gear system is segmented into modular components: the gear housing remains standardized and unchanged, while the support part with the intermediate gear wheel can be independently adjusted or replaced. This segmentation allows versatility in transmission ratios without increasing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If the third axis of rotation is fixed in position, then the gear housing design is simplified, but optimal engagement of the intermediate gear wheel cannot be achieved when gear diameters vary, worsening transmission performance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegear housing designVSAvoidgear engagement quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The support part enables the third axis of rotation to move dynamically to the required position based on the specific gear diameter combination being used. This ensures optimal engagement of the intermediate gear wheel with both the drive gear wheel and driven gear wheel, maintaining reliable transmission performance while using a standardized gear housing design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3705747B1Spur gear transmission
Publication Date: 2022.02.23 CONTINENTAL TEVES AG & CO OHG
  • EP3705747B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1C
  • EP3705747B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3705747B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The present invention relates to spur gear transmissions (251) comprising: - a gear housing (12), - an output gear (14) rotatably mounted in the gear housing (12) about a first axis of rotation (16), - a drive gear (18) rotatably mounted in the gear housing (12) about a second axis of rotation (20), wherein: o the first axis of rotation (16) and the second axis of rotation (20) are parallel to each other and spaced apart from each other by a fixed center distance (A), and - an intermediate gear (22) which is in meshing engagement with the output gear (14) and the drive gear (18) and is rotatably mounted about a third axis of rotation (24) in a support part (26), wherein: o the third axis of rotation (24) is parallel to the first axis of rotation (16) and to the second axis of rotation (20), and the support part (26) can be inserted into a receptacle (37) of the gear housing (12) and is designed in such a way as to: that the third axis of rotation (24) is for compensating for diameter differences of the output gear (14),the drive gear (18) and the intermediate gear (22) is movable perpendicular to the first axis of rotation (16) and/or to the second axis of rotation (20).