Staggered Roller Gear Layout for High-Torque Low-Wear Meshing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aircraft wheel rotation drive systems require frequent maintenance due to bearing wear, and the use of additional components like ball joint finger couplings increase complexity and mass, limiting the load-bearing capacity and efficiency of the gear meshing.
Innovation Solution
A gear element design featuring alternately mounted first and second rollers with rotation guides arranged in a staggered manner, utilizing identical ball bearings for radial support, allowing for increased roller count and reduced maintenance needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If self-lubricated bushings are used to guide roller rotation, then slippage prevention is achieved, but bearing wear occurs requiring frequent replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the wear-prone self-lubricated bushings with ball bearings that have significantly longer service life. While ball bearings are not immortal, they represent a much more durable solution that reduces maintenance frequency and operational downtime compared to the original bushing design.
2Force
If the row of teeth and row of rollers are doubled to increase load capacity, then torque withstand capability is improved, but device complexity and mass increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the load-bearing parameter by introducing ball bearings with high radial load capacity. This allows the gear element to withstand high drive torques without necessarily doubling the row of rollers, thereby maintaining a simpler structure while achieving the required force capacity.
3Force
If ball bearings are used to support roller rotation, then radial load capacity is increased, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ball bearing acts as an intermediary element between the roller and the gear element support. This intermediary component absorbs and manages the radial loads, protecting the roller-support interface from excessive stress while distributing loads more evenly across the bearing contact points.
4Power
If finger-joint type coupling device is added to transfer torque, then torque transmission is improved, but additional mass and complexity are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the torque transfer function directly into the gear element structure itself, eliminating the need for a separate finger-joint type coupling device. The ball-bearing-supported rollers are integrated into the support structure, creating a unified component that both transfers torque and supports the rollers.
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 supports significant driving torques with reduced maintenance costs and complexity, enhancing the gear element's lifespan and efficiency by using ball bearings that admit high radial loads and minimizing the need for doubling the row of rollers.
Implementation Method 1
the means for guiding the rotation of the first rollers and/or the means for guiding the rotation of the second rollers comprise at least one ball bearing
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a gear element (1) comprising a support (3) on which first rollers (10a) and second rollers (10b), which are intended for engaging with the teeth of a neighbouring gear element (2), are alternately mounted. Each roller (10a, 10b) is mounted for rotation about its longitudinal axis (X') via rotary guide means (20) cooperating with end portions of the rollers (10a, 10b). According to the invention, the rotary guide means (20) of the first rollers (10a) and the rotary guide means (20) of the second rollers (10b) are staggered in the vicinity of an outer periphery of the support (3).