Transaxle Brake Stack Retention for Stable Disc Positioning
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional transaxles with hydraulic systems face challenges in preventing brake discs and fixing plates from coming off the motor shaft, leading to potential mechanical failures and inefficiencies in the braking mechanism.
Innovation Solution
A transaxle design featuring a braking unit with brake discs and fixing plates that are alternately stacked and secured by a brake operating member, which presses the brake discs against a contact surface, and a stopper mechanism to prevent them from dislodging, ensuring stable operation and efficient braking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If brake discs and fixing plates are stacked alternately on the motor shaft, then the braking mechanism can be compact and efficient, but the components may come off the motor shaft during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing a retaining structure (retaining ring or retaining plate) that is pre-installed on the motor shaft before the brake discs and fixing plates are stacked. This retaining structure prevents the components from coming off during operation, addressing the reliability issue while maintaining the compact stacked design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the motor shaft or its associated component multi-functional by integrating both the rotational function (driving the brake discs) and the retention function (preventing components from coming off) into a single structure. The retaining ring or plate serves dual purposes: securing the stacked components and maintaining their positional stability during operation.
2Reliability
If a mechanism is added to prevent brake discs and fixing plates from coming off, then component retention is improved, but the number of parts increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the retention function with existing components in the braking mechanism. The retaining ring or plate is integrated into the motor shaft assembly or the brake disc assembly, combining the retention function with the rotational support function. This reduces the number of separate parts while improving component retention reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional component that simultaneously performs retention and structural support duties. The retaining structure is designed to work as part of the overall braking mechanism assembly, serving multiple purposes including preventing component dislodgment, maintaining axial positioning, and supporting the stacked brake discs and fixing plates during operation.
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 effectively prevents brake disc and fixing plate dislodgment, enhancing the reliability and efficiency of the braking mechanism while reducing the risk of mechanical failures.
Implementation Method 1
a brake operating member that presses the brake discs against the brake contact surface of the fixing plate and the motor supporting member
Data Source
AI summary
A transaxle with a brake of the present invention includes the braking device comprising a plurality of brake discs, fixing plates, and a brake operating member, wherein the brake discs have an inner gear tooth portion that can be fitted to an outer gear tooth portion of an output gear of the motor shaft so as not to rotate relative to the outer gear tooth portion and is slidably fixed in the axial direction of the motor shaft, wherein the fixing plates are fixed to the transaxle casing so as not to rotate relative to each other and are slidably fixed in the axial direction of the motor shaft, and wherein the brake operating member provides a predetermined gap between the fixing plates and the brake discs when the brake discs are not pressed.