Planetary carrier arrangement of a planetary gear, in particular a planetary gear of a side door drive, as well as a method for the manufacture of such a planetary carrier arrangement

Abstract

A carrier arrangement of a planetary gear, in particular a planetary gear of a side door drive, includes a planetary carrier, preferably in one-piece, with a flange that extends along a rotational axis (APT) and which is provided with a first side and a second side, at least one planetary wheel, which is retained at a distance from the pivoting axis (APT) and is pivot-mounted around a planetary wheel rotational axis (APR), wherein at least one recess is arranged between the first side and the second side, in which the at least one planetary wheel is pivotally mounted and retained by means of at least one planetary wheel axle, wherein the planetary carrier and the planetary wheel are made of plastic and the planetary wheel axle is made from steel or plastic. The disclosure relates, moreover, to a method for the manufacture of such a planetary carrier arrangement.

Claims

1. A planetary carrier arrangement of a planetary gear, in particular a planetary gear of a side door drive, comprising a planetary carrier (12), preferably in one-piece, with a flange (18) that extends along a rotational axis (APT) and which is provided with a first side (20) and a second side (22), at least one planetary wheel (16), which is retained at a distance from the pivoting axis (APT) and is pivot-mounted around a planetary wheel rotational axis (APR), wherein at least one recess (24) is arranged between the first side (20) and the second side (22), in which the at least one planetary wheel (16) is pivotally mounted and retained by means of at least one planetary wheel axle (34), characterized in that the planetary carrier (10) and the planetary wheel (16) are made from plastic and the planetary wheel axle (34) is made from steel.

2. The planetary carrier arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the planetary wheel axle (34) is pressed into the planetary carrier (10) on the first side (20) and is caulked with the planetary carrier (10) on the second side (22), or reverse.

3. A method for the manufacture of a planetary carrier arrangement according to claim 2, comprising the following steps placing the at least one planetary wheel (16) into the recess (24), pressing the planetary wheel axle (34) into the planetary carrier (10) from the first side (20) so that the planetary wheel axle (34) penetrates the planetary wheel (16) and the recess (24) and is accessible from the second side (22), and caulking of the planetary wheel axle (34) from the second side (22).

4. The planetary carrier arrangement of a planetary gear, in particular a planetary gear of a side door drive, comprising a planetary carrier (12), preferably in one piece, with a flange (18) that extends along a rotational axis (APT) and which has a first side (20) and a second side (22), at least one planetary wheel (16), which is retained at a distance from the pivoting axis (APT) and is pivot-mounted around a planetary wheel rotational axis (APR), wherein at least one recess (24) is arranged between the first side (20) and the second side (22), in which the at least one planetary wheel (16) is pivotally mounted and retained by means of at least one planetary wheel axle (34), characterized in that the planetary carrier (10), the planetary wheel (16) and the planetary wheel axle (34) are made from plastic.

5. The planetary carrier arrangement according to claim 4, characterized in that the planetary wheel axle (34) may be pressed on the first side (20) into the planetary carrier (10) and ultrasonically welded to the planetary carrier (10) from the first side (20).

6. The planetary carrier arrangement according to claim 4, characterized in that the planetary wheel axle (34) is provided with at least one locking means (50) with which the planetary wheel axle (34) is retained on the planetary carrier (10).

7. The method for the manufacture of a planetary carrier arrangement (10) according to claim 5, comprising the following steps placing the at least one planetary wheel (16) into the recess (24), pressing the planetary wheel axle (34) from the first side (20) so that the planetary wheel axle (34) penetrates the planetary wheel (16) and the recess (24), and ultrasonic welding of the planetary wheel axle (34) to the planetary carrier (10) from the first side (20).

8. The method for the manufacture of a planetary carrier arrangement according to claim 6, comprising the following steps placing the at least one planetary wheel (16) into the recess (24), pressing the planetary wheel axle (34) from the first side (20) so that the planetary wheel axle (34) penetrates the planetary wheel (16) and the recess (24), and interlocking the planetary wheel axle (34) with the planetary carrier (10).

9. A planetary carrier arrangement of a planetary gear, in particular a planetary gear of a side door drive, comprising a planetary carrier (12), preferably in one piece, with a flange (18) that extends along a rotational axis (APT) and which has a first side (20) and a second side (22), at least one planetary wheel (16), which is retained at a distance from the pivoting axis (APT) and is pivot-mounted around a planetary wheel rotational axis (APR), wherein at least one recess (24) is arranged between the first side (20) and the second side (22), in which the at least one planetary wheel (16) is pivotally mounted and retained, characterized in that the planetary carrier (10) and the planetary wheel (16) are made from plastic, on the first side (20), at least a first deformation (54) and on the second side (22), at least a second deformation (56) is provided, which protrude into the recess (24), and the planetary wheel (16) is retained by the first deformation (54) and the second deformation (56) in a pivotable manner.

10. The method for the manufacture of a planetary carrier arrangement according to claim 9, comprising the following steps inserting the at least one planetary wheel (16) into the recess (24), developing the first deformation (54) through deformation of the planetary carrier (12) on the first side (20), and developing the second deformation (56) through deformation of the planetary carrier (12) on the second side (22).

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that the planetary carrier (10) shows, on the first side (20), a first material buildup (58) and, on the second side (22), a second material buildup (60), and the step of forming the first deformation (54) is carried out through deforming the planetary carrier (12) in the vicinity of the first material buildup (58), and the step of forming the second deformation (56) is carried out through deforming the planetary carrier (12) in the vicinity of the second material buildup (60).

12. The planetary carrier arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the planetary carrier (10) is provided with pockets (38) on the first side (20) and/or on the second side (22) into which the planetary wheels (16) with corresponding protrusions (40) may be placed.

13. The planetary carrier arrangement according to claim 12, characterized in that the planetary carrier (12) comprises a bund (44) against which the planetary wheel axle (34) or the planetary wheel (16) runs up.

14. A planetary carrier arrangement of a planetary gear, in particular a planetary gear of a side door drive, comprising a planetary carrier (62), preferably in two parts, with a flange-like cage (64) that extends along a rotational axis (APT), and a cover (66) that is attached to the cage (64) and thereby forming a recess (24), at least one planetary wheel (16), which is retained at a distance from the pivoting axis (APT) and is pivot-mounted in the recess (24) around a planetary wheel rotational axis (APR), characterized in that the cage (64), the cover (66) and the planetary wheel (16) are made from plastic and the planetary wheel axle (34) is made from steel.

15. The method for the manufacture of a planetary carrier arrangement according to claim 14, comprising the following steps providing the cage (64) through overmolding of the planetary wheel axle (34), pushing the planetary wheel (16) onto the planetary wheel axle (34), and fastening the cover (66) to the cage (64) or to the planetary wheel axle (34).

16. A planetary carrier arrangement of a planetary gear, in particular a planetary gear of a side door drive, comprising a planetary carrier (62), preferably in two parts, with a flange-like cage (64) that extends along a rotational axis (APT), and a cover (66) fastened to the cage (64) and thereby forming a recess (24), at least one planetary wheel (16), which is retained at a distance from the pivoting axis (APT) by means of a planetary wheel axle (34) and is pivot-mounted in the recess (24) around a planetary wheel rotational axis (APR), characterized in that the cage (64), the cover (66) and the planetary wheel (16) and the planetary wheel axle (34) are made from plastic, and the planetary wheel axle (34) is formed from the cage (64) or from the cover (66).

17. The method for the manufacture of a planetary carrier arrangement according to claim 16, comprising the following steps providing the cage (64) that forms the planetary wheel axle (34), pushing the planetary wheel (16) onto the planetary wheel axle (34), and fastening the cover (66) to the cage (64) or to the planetary wheel axle (34).

18. A planetary carrier arrangement of a planetary gear, in particular a planetary gear of a side door drive, comprising a planetary carrier (12), preferably in two parts, with a flange-like cage (64) that extends along a rotational axis (APT), and a cover (66) fastened to the cage (64) and thereby forming a recess (24), at least one planetary wheel (16), which is retained at a distance from the pivoting axis (APT) by means of a planetary wheel axle (34) and is pivot-mounted in the recess (24) around a planetary wheel rotational axis (APR), characterized in that the cage (64), the cover (66) and the planetary wheel (16) and the planetary wheel axle (34) are made from plastic, and the planetary wheel axle (34) is provided with a first planetary wheel axle section (68) formed by the cage (64), and a second planetary wheel axle section (70) formed by the cover (66), which may be joined to each other.

19. The planetary carrier arrangement according to claim 18, characterized in that the cage (64) consists of a first plastic material and the cover (66) consists of a second plastic material.

20. The method for the manufacture of a planetary carrier arrangement according to claim 18, comprising the following steps providing the cage (64) that forms the first planetary wheel axle section (68), providing the cover (66) that forms the second planetary wheel axle section (70), joining of the first planetary wheel axle section (68) and the second planetary wheel axle section (70) to each other, pushing the planetary wheels (16) onto the first planetary wheel axle section (68) or onto the second planetary wheel axle section (70), and fastening the cover (66) to the cage (64) or to the planetary wheel axles.

21. The method according to claim 15, in which the cover (66), the cage (64) and/or the planetary wheel axles are provided with locking means (50) with which the cover (66) is fastened to the planetary wheel axles or to the cage (64) through interlocking.

22. The method according to claim 17, in which the cover (66) is fastened to the planetary wheel axles or the cage (64) by means of ultrasonic welding.

Description

[0100] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described below in greater detail with reference to the attached drawings. Shown are in:

[0101] FIG. 1 a perspective representation of a planetary carrier arrangement with a planetary carrier,

[0102] FIG. 2A a first exemplary embodiment of a planetary carrier arrangement according to the invention by way of a cross-section approximately defined in FIG. 1,

[0103] FIG. 2B a partial side view along the rotational axis onto the planetary carrier, seen from the direction of the recess,

[0104] FIG. 2C an isolated side view of a planetary wheel,

[0105] FIG. 3 a second exemplary embodiment of a planetary carrier arrangement according to the invention,

[0106] FIG. 4 a third exemplary embodiment of a planetary carrier arrangement according to the invention,

[0107] FIG. 5A a fourth exemplary embodiment of a planetary carrier arrangement according to the invention,

[0108] FIG. 5B an isolated representation of section X marked in FIG. 5A without planetary wheel,

[0109] FIG. 6 a fifth exemplary embodiment of a planetary carrier arrangement according to the invention,

[0110] FIG. 7 a sixth exemplary embodiment of a planetary carrier arrangement according to the invention,

[0111] FIG. 8 a seventh exemplary embodiment of a planetary carrier arrangement according to the invention, and

[0112] FIG. 9 an eighth exemplary embodiment of a planetary carrier arrangement according to the invention, each by way of the sectional plane approximately defined in FIG. 1.

[0113] Eight different exemplary embodiments of a planetary carrier arrangement 10 according to the invention will be described in greater detail with reference to the FIGS. 1 to 9.

[0114] The same, or functionally the same parts, are given the same reference numerals in the different exemplary embodiments.

[0115] FIG. 1 serves to describe the basic design of the planetary carrier arrangement 10, and as such it is not directly associated with any of the exemplary embodiments, even if it is similar to the third exemplary embodiment of the planetary carrier arrangement 10.sub.3 shown in FIG. 4.

[0116] The planetary carrier arrangement 10.sub.1 shown in FIG. 1 comprises a planetary carrier 12, a drive shaft 14 and four planetary wheels 16. The planetary carrier 12 comprises a flange 18, which partially surrounds the drive shaft 14 along a rotational axis APT.

[0117] As is apparent from FIG. 2A, the planetary carrier 12 is formed rotationally symmetrical around the rotational axis APT, and the flange 18 is provided with a first side 20 and a second side 22. A recess 24 is disposed between the first side 20 and the second side 22. The first side 20 forms a first wall 26 in flange 18 and the second side 22 forms a second wall 28 in flange 18, which delimit the recess 24 laterally along the rotational axis APT.

[0118] Four recesses 24 are formed or machined into the planetary carrier 12, each of which is accessible, circumferentially symmetrical, from an outer shell surface 30 and which extend between the first wall 26 and the second wall 28.

[0119] Moreover, the first side 20, or the first wall 26 respectively, and the second side 22 or second wall 28 are provided with four openings 32 that are evenly distributed over the circumference, wherein said openings 32 connect the respective first side 20 and the second side 22 with the recess 24. The openings 32 are arranged around the circumference, centered to the respective recess 24.

[0120] One of the planetary wheels 16 is inserted into each recess 24 respectively, wherein said planetary wheel 16 protrudes in part beyond the shell surface 30 of the flange 18, and is rotatably retained by means of a planetary wheel axle 34 in the recess 24 around a planetary wheel rotational axis APR. The planetary wheels 16 are adapted with respect to the planetary wheel rotational axis APR to the size of the recess 24. Each of the planetary wheels 16 is provided with a through bore 36 along the planetary wheel rotational axis APR (see FIG. 2C), through each of which a planetary wheel axle 34 is pushed and rotatably supports the planetary wheel 16. Accordingly, one opening 32, one planetary wheel axle 34 and one planetary wheel 16 each are coaxially aligned to a planetary wheel rotational axis APR, wherein the planetary wheel rotational axis APR is disposed parallel to and at a distance from the rotational axis APR. In this instance the recesses are sized in such a way that the planetary carriers 12 [sic] are freely rotatable in the recess 24 around the respective planetary wheel axle 34.

[0121] In the first exemplary embodiment of the planetary carrier arrangement 10.sub.1, shown in FIG. 2A, the planetary carrier 12 and the planetary wheel 16 are made from plastic and the planetary wheel axle 34 is made from steel. The assembly steps are now described with reference to FIGS. 2B and 2C. FIG. 2B depicts a view seen from the recess 24 to the first wall 26 of the planetary carrier 12, wherein the second wall 28 may be designed in exactly the same way. It is apparent that a pocket 38 in form of a depression is disposed in the first wall 26, which extends from the outer shell surface 30 radially inwards to the rotational axis APT to the extent that they enclose the openings 32. FIG. 2C clearly shows that the planetary wheel 16 has at its front sides each a protrusion 40, the diameter of which corresponds to the width of the pocket 38. At the closed inner end, the pocket 38 is provided with a semicircular section 42, the diameter of which also corresponds to the diameter of the protrusion. The semicircular section 42 is disposed concentrically to the opening 32 and therefore also to the planetary wheel rotational axis APR. For assembly purposes the planetary wheel 16 is inserted from outside radially into the recess 24 and the pocket 38 until the protrusion 40 comes to rest against the semicircular section 42. The planetary wheel 16 is the arranged concentrically to the opening 32 of the planetary carrier 12 so that the planetary wheel axle 34 can be inserted into the opening 32 of the planetary carrier 12 and through the through bore 36 of the planetary wheel 16. In the first exemplary embodiment, the planetary wheel axle 34 is pressed from the first side 20 into the planetary carrier 12 in such a way that the planetary wheel axle 34 has fully penetrated the planetary wheel 16 and the opening 32 and is accessible from the second side 22. The planetary wheel axle 34 is then caulked from the second side 22. Depending on the tooling arrangement, the planetary carrier 12 is rotated after being pressed in and prior to caulking. The planetary wheel 16 is now pivot-mounted in planetary carrier 12. Pressing in from the second side 22 and caulking from the first side 20 is also possible.

[0122] It is apparent from FIG. 2C that the planetary carrier arrangement 10.sub.1 comprises a bund 44, which in this instance is designed as a thrust washer 46. Said thrust washer 46 is pushed onto protrusion 40 of the planetary wheel 16. The planetary wheel 16 runs up against the bund 44 of planetary carrier 12. The material of bund 44 is sized such that there is minimal friction and thus a small amount of wear at the contact point between the planetary wheel 16 and the planetary carrier 12.

[0123] The second exemplary embodiment of the planetary carrier arrangement 10.sub.2, shown in FIG. 3, is only slightly different in design compared to the planetary carrier arrangement 10.sub.1 of the first exemplary embodiment. In this instance not only the planetary carrier 12 and the planetary wheel 16 are made from plastic but also the planetary wheel axle 34. This makes it possible to pursue a somewhat different assembly process. As with the planetary wheel axle 34 made from steel, the planetary wheel axle 34 made from plastic is pressed from the first side 20 into the planetary carrier 12 until the planetary wheel axle 34 is flush with the first side 20, as shown in FIG. 3. The planetary wheel axle 34 is then ultrasonically welded from the first side 20 to the planetary carrier 12 62 [sic], producing a welding seam 48. Pressing in and welding can also be carried out from the second side 20 [sic] 22 (not shown).

[0124] In the third exemplary embodiment of the planetary carrier arrangement 10.sub.3, shown in FIG. 4, the planetary carrier 12, the planetary wheel 16 and the planetary wheel axle 34 are also made from plastic. The planetary wheel axle 34 is provided in this exemplary embodiment with locking means 50, which are designed as elastic projections 52 that are disposed at both ends. During the passage through the openings 32 and the through bores 36, the projections 52 are moved inwards, and particularly once they have passed through the openings 32 they will return into their initial position. The planetary wheel axle 34 is thus fastened in the planetary carrier 12 without requiring any further measures.

[0125] A fourth exemplary embodiment of the planetary carrier arrangement 10.sub.4 is shown in FIG. 5A. In this exemplary embodiment the planetary carrier 12, which is made from plastic, forms a first deformation 54 on the first wall 26 and a second deformation 56 on the second wall 28, both of which protrude into the recess 24. The planetary wheel 16 is pivot-mounted around both deformations 54, 56, so that, in this exemplary embodiment the deformations 54, 56 assume the function of the planetary wheel axle 34. For assembly purposes the planetary wheel 16 is inserted, as in the above-described exemplary embodiments, with a radially inwards-directed movement towards the rotational axis APT of the planetary carrier 12, into the recess 24 until the planetary wheel 16 has reached the desired position. Using a suitable tool, the planetary carrier 12 is then pressed from the first side 20 and from the second side 22 in the direction of the recess 24 into the through bore 36 of the planetary wheel 16, which produces the two deformations 54, 56.

[0126] FIG. 5B depicts the section marked X in FIG. 5A of the planetary carrier 12 prior to the pressing action. It is apparent that the planetary carrier 12 is provided with a first material buildup 58 on the first side 20 and a second material buildup 60 on the second side 22. The pressing action takes place in the section of the first and the second material buildup 58, 60, which provides a sufficient amount of material for the first and the second deformation 54, 56.

[0127] A fifth exemplary embodiment of the planetary carrier arrangement 10.sub.5 according to the invention is shown in FIG. 6. In contrast to the previously described exemplary embodiments, the planetary carrier arrangement 10.sub.5 in this exemplary embodiment is provided with a two-part planetary carrier 62 with a flange-like cage 64 and a cover 66, which may be fastened to the cage 64. In the fifth exemplary embodiment, the planetary wheel axle 34 is made from steel, whereas the planetary wheel 16, the cage 64 and the cover 66 are made from plastic. The cage 64 is produced through overmolding the planetary wheel axle 34 with plastic. This causes the planetary wheel axle 34 to be solidly anchored inside cage 64. The planetary wheel 16 is then pushed onto the planetary wheel axle 34 and the cover 66 is joined to the cage 64 or to the planetary wheel axle 34. To this end the cover 66 may be provided with the already mentioned locking means 50, which engage with the axle of the planetary wheel 16 or with the cage 64 (not shown).

[0128] A sixth exemplary embodiment of the planetary carrier arrangement 10.sub.6 according to the invention is shown in FIG. 7, in which the cage 64 is also made from plastic, forming the planetary wheel axle 34 at the same time. To that extent there is no separate planetary wheel axle 34 present. The planetary wheel 16 is pushed onto the planetary wheel axle 34 and then the cover 66 is fastened through ultrasonic welding to the planetary wheel axle 34, creating a weld seam 48. Alternatively, it is possible to fasten the cover 66 directly to the cage 64 (not shown).

[0129] In the seventh exemplary embodiment of the planetary carrier arrangement 10.sub.7 according to the invention, shown in FIG. 8, the planetary wheel axle 34 is also formed by the cage 64, which is provided at its free end with the already described locking means 50. First, the planetary wheel 16 and then the cover 66 are pushed onto the planetary wheel axle 34 for assembly. When pushing the cover onto the planetary wheel axle 34, the cover 66 locks together with the planetary wheel axle 34. There are no further steps necessary to fasten the cover to the cage 64.

[0130] An eighth exemplary embodiment of the planetary carrier arrangement 10.sub.8 according to the invention is shown in FIG. 9. The cage 64, the planetary wheel 16 and the cover 66 in this exemplary embodiment are also made from plastic. The planetary wheel axle 34 in this exemplary embodiment is provided with a first planetary wheel axel section 68, formed by cage 64, and a second planetary wheel axle section 70 formed by cover 66.

[0131] The internal diameter of the tube-like second planetary wheel axle section 70 corresponds approximately to the outer diameter of the first planetary wheel axel section 68, so that both planetary wheel axle sections 68, 70 can be joined to each other. In the joined state the second planetary wheel axle section 70 encloses the first planetary wheel axel section 68, although the reverse case is also possible.

[0132] The cage 64 is made from a first plastic material and the cover 66 is made from a second plastic material, both of which are chosen so that they can be ultrasonically welded together, which creates the weld seam 48 shown in FIG. 9 and fastens the cover 66 to cage 64. Fastening of the cover 66 through locking means 50 (not shown in FIG. 9) is also possible. The first plastic material is mainly chosen so as to provide the planetary carrier 62 with the desired rigidity and tensile strength, whilst the second plastic material is chosen such that it has gliding characteristics that match the planetary wheel 16. The first plastic material may, for example, be fiber-reinforced. As a result, the planetary carrier arrangement 10.sub.8 according to the eighth exemplary embodiment exhibits on the one hand great strength and on the other hand good gliding characteristics.

[0133] List of Reference Numerals

[0134] 10 Planetary carrier arrangement

[0135] 10.sub.1 to 10.sub.8 Planetary carrier arrangement

[0136] 12 One-piece planetary carrier

[0137] 14 Drive shaft

[0138] 16 Planetary wheel

[0139] 18 Flange

[0140] 20 First side

[0141] 22 Second side

[0142] 24 Recess

[0143] 26 First wall

[0144] 28 Second wall

[0145] 30 Shell surface

[0146] 32 Opening

[0147] 34 Planetary wheel axle

[0148] 36 Through bore

[0149] 38 Pocket

[0150] 40 Protrusion

[0151] 42 Semicircular section

[0152] 44 Bund

[0153] 46 Thrust washer

[0154] 48 Weld seam

[0155] 50 Locking means

[0156] 52 Projection

[0157] 54 First deformation

[0158] 56 Second deformation

[0159] 58 First material buildup

[0160] 60 Second material buildup

[0161] 62 Two-part planetary carrier

[0162] 64 Cage

[0163] 66 Cover

[0164] 68 First planetary wheel axle section

[0165] 70 Second planetary wheel axle section

[0166] APT Rotational axis

[0167] APR Planetary wheel rotational axis