Planetary Gear Train

Abstract

A planetary gear train includes a central wheel, a gear and a carrier, geometrically coupled by a closed eccentric connection that locks the gear. The locking is provided by displacement of the carrier in relation to the gear in a circumferential or tangential direction, when the gear's rotation speed is lower than the carrier's rotation speed. When there is more than one locking gear, the carrier's displacement in relation to the gear can be identical or different. The eccentric connection can be designed as an eccentrically disposed projecting section of outer surface of either the gear or the carrier, conjugated with an opening or slot formed in the carrier or gear, or as an eccentric element having eccentrically disposed projecting sections that may be designed as a single rolling body. The gear train provides for locking (blocking) the gear, as well as for transmitting rotational movement thereby extending its use.

Claims

1. A planetary gear train defining a gear axis thereof, said planetary gear train comprising: at least one center wheel rotating about the gear axis; at least one satellite defining a satellite axis thereof, said at least one satellite is capable of freely rotating about the satellite axis; said at least one satellite provides a transmission of rotational movement to said least one center wheel; and a planetary carrier; wherein: said at least one satellite includes a means for locking the at least one satellite, said at least one satellite is conjugated with the planetary carrier by said means for locking the at least one satellite; and said means for locking the at least one satellite provides for displacement of the planetary carrier relatively to the satellite axis.

2. A planetary gear train defining a gear axis thereof, said planetary gear train comprising: at least one center wheel rotating about the gear axis; at least one satellite defining a satellite axis thereof, said at least one satellite is capable of freely rotating about the satellite axis, wherein said at least one satellite provides a transmission of rotational movement to said least one center wheel; a planetary carrier; and a means for locking the at least one satellite, said means for locking the at least one satellite provides for displacement of the planetary carrier relatively to the satellite axis; wherein said at least one satellite is conjugated with the planetary carrier by said means for locking the at least one satellite.

3-37. (canceled)

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0039] The claimed epicyclical gear train is shown in the following Figures.

[0040] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the claimed epicyclical gear train with one satellite and one center wheel, geometrically closed eccentric connection, which is made as protruding part A of outer surface of the carrier, conjugated with a slot eccentrically placed on a satellite while detent torque or the torque when the satellite rotation rate is higher than the carrier rotation rate in FIG. 1.1—A-A sectional view in FIG. 1; in FIG. 1.2. design of the epicyclical gear while the torque of braking is presented, in FIG. 1.3.—a schematic diagram of FIG. 1 in perspective geometry (with details spaced-apart) is shown.

[0041] FIG. 2 is a variation of epicyclical gear which is similar to one in FIG. 1, geometrically closed eccentric connection of which is made as protruding part A of outer surface of a satellite conjugated with a slot eccentrically placed on the carrier (in perspective geometry with details spaced-apart);

[0042] FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram of the claimed epicyclical gear train variation, made by multiple satellites scheme (three satellites) geometrically closed eccentric connection of which is made as protruding part of outer surface—stud on satellite, conjugated with the slot, made on the carrier;

[0043] FIG. 3.1. is A-A sectional view in FIG. 3; in FIG. 3.2. the first torque of displacement is shown, in FIG. 3.3. the torque of braking is shown; FIG. 3.4. is perspective geometry (with details spaced-apart) of FIG. 3;

[0044] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the claimed epicyclical gear train, geometrically closed eccentric connection of which is made as eccentric element, provided with protruding part of outer surface, placed from its opposite sides eccentrically from each other, conjugated with the carrier and the satellite by holes located on the satellite and the carrier;

[0045] FIG. 4.1.—A-A sectional view in FIG. 4; in FIG. 4.2. the first torque of epicyclical gear displacement is shown, in FIG. 4.3. its braking torque is shown; FIG. 4.4. is a kinematic diagram of FIG. 4.

[0046] FIGS. 5-5.2. are a simpler diagram of the claimed epicyclical gear implementation, in which the protruding part of the satellites outer surface in the form of an eccentrically placed stud is made together with the satellite (as a whole), conjugated with the hole on the carrier.

[0047] FIG. 6 is a diagram of the epicyclical gear configuration, in which the protruding part of the carrier's outer surface in the form of eccentrically placed stud is made together with the carrier (as a whole), conjugated with the hole on the satellite.

[0048] FIGS. 7-7.3 and 8 are variations of epicyclical gear configuration, in which protruding part of geometrically closed eccentric connection is made in the form of several rolling elements.

[0049] FIG. 9-9.2. are a variation of protruding part of the satellite outer surface in the form of segment and conjugation with it.

[0050] FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 are examples of different rotational gears: friction gear (FIG. 10); pin-gear drive (FIG. 11).

[0051] FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 show an example implementation of the epicyclical gear differential.

[0052] FIG. 14-14.4 present a multilink epicyclical gear, in which the satellites from one planetary gear set are conjugated with the satellites of another planetary gear set by geometrically closed eccentric connection in the form of rotation elements, in these drawings, the direct conjugation of satellites is shown.

[0053] FIG. 15-15.4 present a multilink epicyclical gear, in which the satellites from one planetary gear set are conjugated with the center wheel of the other planetary gear set by geometrically closed eccentric connection made in the form of rotation elements.

[0054] FIG. 16-16.4 present a multilink epicyclical gear, in which the satellites of different planetary gear sets are conjugated with a carrier by geometrically enclosed eccentric connections, made in the form of rotation elements.

VARIATIONS OF INVENTION'S IMPLEMENTATIONS

[0055] The epicyclical gear train, presented in FIG. 1, has one center wheel 1, one satellite 3, and the carrier 4. The center wheel 1 and the carrier 4 are placed on geometrical gear axis O1. Center wheel 1 makes with satellite 3 a rotation gear (in this case, toothed one). Satellite 3 rotates freely on its geometrical axis O2 and is conjugated with the carrier 4 by geometrically closed eccentric connection, which is in this case made as protruding part A of the carrier 4 outer surface, conjugated with the slot 5 eccentrically placed on the satellite 3 (ref. FIG. 1-1.3).

[0056] This conjugation of the satellite 3 and the carrier 4 makes a kinematic pair. The protruding part A of the carrier 4 outer surface is made in such a way that allows the displacement of the rotation axis 02 of the satellite 3 relative to the carrier 4. The rotation axis O2 of the satellite 3 is located at a permanent distance R from the gear axis O1. The protruding part A of the carrier 4 outer surface and eccentrically placed slot 5 made on the satellite 3 provides the possibility of epicyclical gear braking. In this case, the planetary gear braking is carried out by braking of the satellite 3, which is conjugated with the carrier 4 in this conjugation. The braking of the satellite 3 with the braking of the epicyclical gear is provided by the rotation axis 02 displacement of the satellite 3 relatively to the carrier 4 in the circumferential or tangential directions.

[0057] The conjugation between the satellite 3 and the carrier 4 by geometrically closed eccentric connection, made in the form of the protruding part A of the carrier 4 outer surface, and an eccentric located on the satellite 3 of the slot 5 has at least one, located on the carrier 4, basic geometrical axis O4, also located at a permanent distance R from the geometric gear axis O1. When the rotational rate of the satellite 3 is higher than the rotation rate of the carrier 4 constructively epicyclical gear seeks to combine the satellite 3 rotation axis O2 with at least one basic geometrical axis O4, located on the carrier 4, said basic geometrical axis O4 becomes additional rotation axis for the satellite 3. The protruding part A of the carrier 4 outer surface put in the slot 5, located on the satellite 3, with the possibility of its rotation or rotation relatively to the geometrical axis O3. Axis O3 is placed with eccentricity “e” relatively to the satellite 3 rotation axis O2. The magnitude of the eccentricity “e” influences the technical characteristics of the epicyclical gear. Axis O3 permits the displacement of the satellite 3 rotation axis O2 relatively to the carrier 4, which is carried out in the circumferential or tangential directions.

[0058] Actually torque gear is going through axis O3. The location of the axes O2, O3 and basic geometrical axis O4 located on the carrier 4 in the epicyclical gear is designed in such a way that while coincidence (alignment) of basic geometrical axis O4 with the satellite 3 rotation axis O2, the satellite 3 begins to rotate freely on the basic geometric rotation axis O4. The displacement of the satellite 3 rotation axis O2 relatively to the basic geometric axis O4 makes the satellite 3 brake, which leads to the epicyclical gear braking.

[0059] Satellite 3 resists to a radial displacement by the center wheel 1, or by the claimed eccentric connection, specifically, in this case, by the protruding part A of the outer surface of carrier 4 or by other known means.

[0060] The epicyclical gear works as follows. As torque is applied to the carrier 4 in any direction (see Fig. No. 1) the carrier 4 starts to rotate relatively to the gear axis O1. The protruding part of the carrier 4 outer surface A is shifted (rotated) to the eccentric slot 5 in the satellite 3, and at least one basic geometrical axis O4, located on the carrier 4, is displaced relatively to the satellite 3 rotation axis O2, which in fact loses the possibility of free rotation as with its body satellite 3 begins to bump into the carrier 4 body. The satellite 3 braking happens (FIG. 1.2).

[0061] The epicyclical gear begins to rotate as a whole system. This happens while satellite 3 rotation rate is lower than the carrier 4 rotation rate. Provided that when the satellite 3 rotation rate becomes higher than the carrier rotation rate for any reason, the satellite 3 (while turning) combines its rotation axis O2 with at least one basic geometrical axis O4, which is located on the carrier 4, satellite 3 gains the ability to rotate freely. Epicyclical gear begins to transmit the rotation like a regular epicyclical gear.

[0062] Design and the operating principle of all the claimed epicyclical gear variations presented in the Figures do not extend beyond the scope, design and operation of the device variation described above and shown in FIG. 1-1.3, but have some peculiar features.

[0063] So on the claimed epicyclical gear variation shown in FIG. 2, geometrically closed eccentric connection is made in the form of protruding part A of the satellite 3 outer surface, which is conjugated with the slot 5 eccentrically located on the carrier 4 in perspective geometry with details spaced-apart.

[0064] And the schematic diagram of the claimed multiple-satellite epicyclical gear variation, shown in FIG. 3, presents a retaining torque, or when the rotational rate of carrier 4 is lower than the rotation rate of satellite 3, a displacement is absent (angle φ=0).

[0065] The epicyclical gear works like a regular planetary device. FIG. 3.2. (interposition) shows the beginning of the carrier's 4 displacement relatively to the satellite's 3 rotation axis. The braking torque in FIG. 3.3 clearly shows how the eccentric connection in the form of protruding part on the outer surface (stud A on the satellite 3) brakes it.

[0066] Number 2 in FIGS. 3-8 and 10, 12-16.4 indicates the second center wheel. FIGS. 5-5.2 present an eccentric connection, made in the form of protruding part A on the satellite's 3 outer surface, which appears as stud 6.

[0067] FIGS. 4 and 10 show the eccentric connection made in the form of an eccentric element 7, equipped with a protruding part of the outer surfaces A and A.1, located on its opposite sides eccentrically to each other, conjugated with the carrier 4 and the satellite 3 by holes (slots) 5 and 5.1 (holes/slots) on the carrier 4 (in FIG. 10 they aren't shown) located on the satellite 3 and the carrier 4, and number 8 indicates a bearing.

[0068] In the FIGS. 7-8, the eccentric element is in the form of rolling balls 9 (rolling/rotation elements); FIGS. 9-9.2 and 11 present the eccentric element in the form of segment 10.

[0069] The cross section of geometrically closed eccentric connection, which is made in the form of the protruding part of the outer surface, which is a stud 6 on the satellite (FIG. 3-3.3), or the carrier (FIG. 6), or the protruding parts of the eccentric element 7 (FIG. 4-4.4), may have different configurations: round, oval, wavy configuration, a triangle or any other polygon, etc.

[0070] Design of the epicyclical shown in FIG. 14-14.4 can be supplemented by spacers, e.g. in the form of separators or other mechanisms (not shown), which ensure the alignment of satellites.

[0071] In the epicyclical gear with conjugation of at least one center wheel 1, with at least one satellite 3, any known rotational gear, toothed, belt, pin-gear (FIG. 11), cycloid, chain, friction (FIG. 10), hinged lever gear, and others can be used.

[0072] The claimed invention is not limited by these configurations. The constituent elements may be replaced by known means, preserving the identity of the invention (FIGS. 12, 13, 16-15.4, 16-16.4). Moreover, various modifications presented in the implementation variations, can be appropriately connected by methods, known to a person skilled in the art of invention.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0073] The invention can be used in transmissions of different vehicles in the industry. The device, according to the present invention, can be manufactured and assembled at factories having necessary metal-processing equipment, as well as factories, which assemble devices from components and have necessary equipment to assemble them and qualified specialists in the field of assembly.