Wave Generator Axial Constraint via Flange Plates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wave generators with roller bearings in strain wave gearing lack a mechanism to constrain the movement of components in the axial direction due to thrust forces, necessitating additional components for control.
Innovation Solution
A wave generator design that includes a flexible externally toothed gear elliptically meshed with a rigid internally toothed gear, featuring flange plates and a retainer that constrain roller and retainer movements in the axial direction using protruding edge portions, eliminating the need for external components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a roller bearing is used in the wave generator without additional constraining components, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates due to uncontrolled axial movement of bearing components
Solution Approach 1:
The flange plates are integrated with the plug structure, merging the constraining function into the existing wave generator body. This eliminates the need for separate external constraining components while maintaining reliability by preventing axial movement of the roller bearing components through the protruding edge portions of the flange plates.
2Reliability
If additional components are added to constrain axial movement of roller bearing components, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flange plates are integrated with the plug structure, merging the constraining function into the existing wave generator body. This eliminates the need for separate external constraining components while maintaining reliability by preventing axial movement of the roller bearing components through the protruding edge portions of the flange plates.
3Ease of operation
If the roller bearing components are allowed to move freely in the axial direction, then the ease of operation is improved, but the manufacturing precision deteriorates due to uncontrolled component positions
Solution Approach 1:
The flange plates with protruding edge portions are pre-configured on the plug to automatically constrain the axial positions of the roller bearing components during assembly. This preliminary positioning structure ensures precise component placement without requiring complex adjustment procedures, maintaining both ease of assembly and manufacturing precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A strain wave gearing has a wave generator provided with a plug and a roller bearing. The roller bearing is provided with flange plates fixed to both sides of the plug, and outer circumferential edge portions of the flange plates protrude outwardly from a plug outer circumferential surface so as to locate on both sides, in an axial line direction, of the raceway of rollers. The movements of the rollers in the axial line direction are constrained by the outer circumferential edge portions. The movement of retainer in the axial line direction is constrained by engaging with the rollers. The movement of each component part of the roller bearing in the axial line direction can be constrained without using additional components.