Pinion cage for supporting at least one planet wheel in a spiral gear planetary gear train for an adjustment device for adjusting two structural components which can be adjusted relative to one another, spiral gear planetary gear train with such a pinion cage and engine transmission unit with such a spiral gear planetary gear train

Abstract

A pinion cage for supporting at least one spiral gear planet wheel in a spiral gear planetary gear train for an adjustment device for adjusting two structural components which can be adjusted relative to one another, wherein the spiral gear planet wheel comprises a planet wheel axle which comprises a first axial section extending over the spiral gear planet wheel and comprises a second axial section extending over the spiral gear planet wheel, and the pinion cage comprises a tubular base body which defines a pinion cage axis, at least one perforation arranged in the base body and penetrating through it, a first support section starting from the perforation, a second support section starting from the perforation, wherein the first and the second support sections are constructed for rotatably receiving the first and the second axial sections and are arranged in such a manner that the planet wheel axle runs in a twisted manner to the pinion cage axis if the axial sections are received in the support sections, and the pinion cage comprises a first fixing means connected to the base body for fixing the first axial section in the base body and a spiral gear planetary gear train with such a pinion cage and to an engine transmission unit with such a spiral gear planetary gear train.

Claims

1. A pinion cage for supporting at least one spiral gear planet wheel in a spiral gear planetary gear train for an adjustment device for adjusting two structural components which can be adjusted relative to one another, the spiral gear planet wheel, with a planet wheel axle, the planet wheel axel having a first axial section extending over the spiral gear planet wheel and a second axial section extending over the spiral gear planet wheel, the pinion cage comprising: a tubular base body which defines a pinion cage axis, a perforation arranged in the tubular base body and penetrating through the tubular base body, a first support section starting from the perforation, a second support section starting from the perforation, wherein the first and the second support sections are constructed for rotatably receiving the first and the second axial sections and are arranged in such a manner that the planet wheel axle runs in a twisted manner to the pinion cage axis if the axial sections are received in the support sections, and a first projection connected to the base body for fixing the first axial section in the base body.

2. The pinion cage according to claim 1, further comprising a second projection connected to the base body that fixes the second axial section in the base body.

3. The pinion cage according to claim 1, wherein the base body comprises an outer surface and the first support section and/or the second support section are constructed as a groove-shaped recess starting from the outer surface.

4. The pinion cage according to claim 3, wherein the groove-shaped recess comprises a boundary surface for defining the axial mobility of the planet wheel.

5. The pinion cage according to claim 3, wherein the first projection and/or the second projection at least partially cover the groove-shaped recess.

6. The pinion cage according to claim 5, wherein the first projection, the second projection, or both, form a limiting surface for defining the axial mobility of the planet wheel.

7. The pinion cage according to one of claim 5, wherein the base body comprises a recess in which the projection at least partially engages.

8. The pinion cage according to claim 1, wherein the base body comprises a front surface and a first support section.

9. The pinion cage according to claim 1, wherein the base body comprises a front surface and the second support surface is formed by a bore starting from the first front surface.

10. The pinion cage according to claim 9, wherein the front surface has a retracted section from which the bore starts, and the first projection engages into the retracted section.

11. The pinion cage according to one of claim 8, wherein the first axial section forms a contact surface and the first projection forms a counter-surface contact which run corresponding to one another at least in sections.

12. The pinion cage according to claim 1, wherein the base body and the first projection have an engagement contour for the positive connection of the first projection to the base body.

13. The pinion cage according to claim 1, wherein the pinion cage comprises plastic and is injection-molded.

14. A spiral gear-planetary gear train for an adjustment device for adjusting two structural components which can be adjusted relative to one another, comprising: a pinion cage comprising: a tubular base body which defines a pinion cage axis, a perforation arranged in the tubular base body and penetrating through the tubular base body, a first support section starting from the perforation, a second support section starting from the perforation, wherein the first and the second support sections are constructed for rotatably receiving the first and the second axial sections and are arranged in such a manner that the planet wheel axle runs in a twisted manner to the pinion cage axis if the axial sections are received in the support sections, and a first projection connected to the base body for fixing the first axial section in the base body, a spiral gear planet wheel which is supported in the pinion cage in such a manner that it can rotate about a planet wheel axle and comprises a planet wheel toothing, wherein the planet wheel axle runs twisted relative to the pinion cage axis, a spiral gear shaft which is supported in such a manner that it can rotate about the pinion cage axis, and comprises a spiral gear toothing which is engaged with the planet wheel toothing, and an inner spiral gear with an inner toothing which engages with the planet wheel toothing.

15. An engine transmission arrangement, in particular for an adjustment device for adjusting two structural components which can be adjusted relative to one another, comprising: an electromotor, and a spiral gear planetary gear train comprising: a pinion cage comprising: a tubular base body which defines a pinion cage axis, a perforation arranged in the tubular base body and penetrating through the tubular base body, a first support section starting from the perforation, a second support section starting from the perforation, wherein the first and the second support sections are constructed for rotatably receiving the first and the second axial sections and are arranged in such a manner that the planet wheel axle runs in a twisted manner to the pinion cage axis if the axial sections are received in the support sections, and a first projection connected to the base body for fixing the first axial section in the base body, a spiral gear planet wheel which is supported in the pinion cage in such a manner that it can rotate about a planet wheel axle and comprises a planet wheel toothing, wherein the planet wheel axle runs twisted relative to the pinion cage axis, a spiral gear shaft which is supported in such a manner that it can rotate about the pinion cage axis, and comprises a spiral gear toothing which is engaged with the planet wheel toothing, and an inner spiral gear with an inner toothing which engages with the planet wheel toothing, wherein the electromotor comprises a motor shaft which is connected in a rotation-proof manner to the spiral gear shaft.

16. The engine transmission arrangement according to claim 15, wherein the inner spiral gear is connected in a rotation-proof manner to the electromotor.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Exemplary embodiments of the present application are explained in detail in the following with reference made to the attached drawings. In the drawings,

(2) FIGS. 1a-1c show a first exemplary embodiment of a pinion cage according to the present disclosure in different mounting states,

(3) FIGS. 2a-2c show a second exemplary embodiment of a pinion cage according to the present disclosure in different mounting states,

(4) FIGS. 3a-3c show a third exemplary embodiment of a pinion cage according to the present disclosure in different mounting states,

(5) FIGS. 4a-4c show the third exemplary embodiment of a pinion cage according to the present disclosure in different mounting states, and

(6) FIG. 5 shows a view in partial section of an engine transmission arrangement with one of the pinion cages shown in the FIGS. 1 to 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(7) FIGS. 1a to 1c show a first exemplary embodiment of a pinion cage 10.sub.1 in different mounting states with each from a top view. FIG. 1a shows a largely dismounted state, FIG. 1b shows the pinion cage 10.sub.1 partially mounted and FIG. 1c shows the pinion cage 10.sub.1 completely mounted.

(8) The pinion cage 10.sub.1 comprises a tubular base body 12 which surrounds an inner space 13 and forms a front surface 14 and an outer surface 16. The base body 12 defines a pinion cage axis AP. The front surface 14 forms a total of three sections 18 which are set back and from each of which a bore 20 which are designed in the first exemplary embodiment as blind hole bores 22 extend into the base body 12. The blind hole bores 22 run twisted relative to the pinion cage axis AP. Furthermore, the pinion cage 10.sub.1 comprises a total of three perforations 24 which are arranged in the base body 12 and which penetrate through the base body 12 starting from the outer surface 16. The bores 20 are designed in such a manner that they each form a first support section 33 starting from perforation 24 and a second support section 35 starting from perforation 24 (cf. FIGS. 3a and 4a). The two support sections 33, 35 serve to support a spiral gear planet wheel 26. The spiral gear planet wheel 26 has a planet wheel axle 28 with a longitudinal axis L, wherein the planet wheel axle 28 comprises a first axial section 29 projecting over the spiral gear planet wheel 26 and a second axial section 31 projecting over the spiral gear planet wheel 26 (FIG. 3a). The planet wheel axle 28 can be run through a through bore 30 of the spiral gear planet wheel 26. Moreover, the spiral gear planet wheel 26 comprises a planet wheel toothing 37 with a bulging B and a profile covering .

(9) The first axial section 29 can be rotatably received in the first support section 33 and the second axial section 31 can be rotatably received in the second support section 35.

(10) In addition, the pinion cage 10.sub.1 comprises a first fixing means 32 which can be fastened on the base body 12. The first axial section 29 forms a first contact surface 34.sub.1 and the second axial section 31 forms a second contact surface 34.sub.2 which runs vertically to the longitudinal axis L of the planet wheel axle 28. The first fixing means 32 forms a counter-contact surface 36 which runs corresponding to the contact surface 34.sub.1 in the mounted state. The counter-contact surface 36 is arranged on the projection 38 of the first fixing means 32.

(11) The pinion cage 10.sub.1 is mounted in the following manner: At first the spiral gear planet gears 26 are introduced into the perforations 24 and aligned in such a manner that the through bores 30 are aligned with the blind hole bores 22 (see FIG. 1a). Then, the planet wheel axles 28 are introduced into the blind hole bores 22 until the second contact surface 34.sub.2 makes contact with the bottom of the blind hole bores 22. During the introduction the planet wheel axles 28 are run through the through bores 30 of the spiral gear planet wheels 26. This state is shown in FIG. 1b. The first fixing means 32 is now connected to the pinion cage 10.sub.1, during which the projections 38 of the first fixing means 32 are introduced into the set-back sections 18 of the front surface 14 of the pinion cage 10.sub.1 as a result of which the first fixing means 32 is positioned in a rotation-proof manner opposite the base body 12. The first fixing means 32 is adhered or welded to the base body 12 or in some other suitable manner to the base body 12. The support sections 33, 35 are constructed so that the planet wheel axles 28 of the spiral gear planet wheels 26 run in a twisted manner relative to the spiral gear axis AP. After the first fixing means 32 has been fastened to the base body 12, the mounting of the pinion cage 10.sub.1 is finished.

(12) As is in particular evident from the FIGS. 1b and 1c, the first contact surface 34.sub.1 and the counter-contact surface 36 run parallel to one another when the first fixing means 32 is fastened to the base body 12. As a result, the spiral gear planet wheel 26 is axially supported. In the mounted state the first axial section 29 can make contact with the first contact surface 34.sub.1 on the counter-contact surface 36 of the first fixing means 32, while the second contact surface 34.sub.2 can rest on the bottom of the blind hole bore 22. In order to prevent a clamping of the spiral gear planet wheel 26, for example, as a consequence of an expansion caused by an elevation of temperature, a certain play is provided. Accordingly, a slight mobility of the planet wheels is possible along the longitudinal axis L of the planet wheel axes 28.

(13) FIGS. 2a to 2c show a second exemplary embodiment of the pinion cage 10.sub.2 in different mounting states. The pinion cage 10.sub.2 according to the second exemplary embodiment is largely similar to the one according to the first exemplary embodiment, wherein the base body 12 and the first fixing means 32 comprises a first engagement contour 40. The first engagement contour 40 comprise an undercut 42 which is arranged on the base body 12, aligned along the pinion cage axis AP and into which a flexible nose 44 of the first fixing means 32 and belonging to the first engagement contour 40 engages during the introduction of the projection 38 of the first fixing means 32 into the set-back section 18 of the front surface 14. As is apparent in particular from the enlarged section A of FIG. 2c, the first fixing means 32 is positively fastened to the base body 12. In the second exemplary embodiment of the pinion cage 10.sub.2 the first fixing means 32 does not have to be adhered or welded to the base body 12 but rather it is sufficient to press the first fixing means 32 with the base body 12, as result of which the connection between the base body 12 and the first fixing means 32 can be made available in a distinctly simpler manner.

(14) FIGS. 3a to 3c show a third exemplary embodiment of the pinion cage 10.sub.3, wherein in FIG. 3a the pinion cage 10.sub.3 is only partially mounted, whereas the pinion cage 10.sub.3 in the FIGS. 3b and 3c is mounted in the finished state. FIGS. 3a and 3b show a top view, whereas FIG. 3c shows a front view. FIGS. 4a to 4c also show the pinion cage 10.sub.3 according to the third exemplary embodiment using perspective views in different mounting states.

(15) The basic construction of the pinion cage 10.sub.3 according to the third exemplary embodiment corresponds to the first and the second exemplary embodiments so that the following description is limited substantially to the differences of the third exemplary embodiment from the other exemplary embodiments. The first support section 33 and the second support section 35 are formed by groove-shaped recesses 46 which emanate from the outer surface 16, as is apparent especially from the FIGS. 4a and 4b. The recesses 46 run in a twisted manner relative to the pinion cage axis AP. The recesses 46 comprise a first boundary surface 48.sub.1 and a second boundary surface 48.sub.2. The boundary surfaces 48 are especially apparent from the FIG. 4a.

(16) In addition, the base body 12 comprises a number of recesses 50 which emanate from the outer surface 16. Furthermore, the pinion cage 10.sub.3 comprises, adjacent to the first fixing means 32, a second fixing means 52 which is designed with the same construction as the first fixing means 32. In particular, the second fixing means 52 also has a catch contour 40 and forms the nose 44, which can be brought into a second undercut 42 of the base body 12.

(17) In order to mount the pinion cage 10.sub.1, at first the planet wheel axle 28 is guided through the through bore 30 of the spiral gear planet wheel 26. Alternatively, the planet wheel axle 28 can be an integral component of the spiral gear planet wheel 26, so that the spiral gear planet wheel 26 is constructed in one part. Since in this exemplary embodiment the storage sections 33, 35 are radially open to the outside, the spiral gear planet wheel 26 can be introduced together with the planet wheel axle 28 into the perforation 24 and into the support sections 33, 35, so that the first axial section 29 makes contact in the first support section 33 and the second axial section 31 makes contact in the second support section 33. The boundary surfaces 48.sub.1, 48.sub.2 can make contact here with the contact surfaces 34, as result of which the axial mobility of the spiral gear planet wheels 26 in the pinion cage 10.sub.3 is limited.

(18) Subsequently, the first fixing means 32 and the second fixing means 52 are connected to the base body 12, wherein the projections 38 of the fixing means 32, 52 engage in the recesses 50 of the base body 12, as a result of which the fixing means 32, 52 are positioned in a rotation-proof manner opposite the base body 12. The axial fastening of the fixing means 32, 52 takes place via the engagement contours 40. As is especially apparent from the FIGS. 3b and 4c, the projections 38 form limiting surfaces 54 which extend almost up to the spiral gear planet wheel 26 and on which the spiral gear planet wheel 26 can rest. The limiting surfaces 54 also serve to limit the axial mobility of the spiral gear planet wheels 26 in the pinion cage 10.sub.3. After the first fixing means 32 and the second fixing means 52 have been fastened to the base body 12, the pinion cage 10.sub.3 is completely mounted.

(19) FIG. 5 shows an engine transmission arrangement 56 using a view in partial section which comprises a spiral gear planetary gear train 58 with one of the pinion cages 10 shown in the FIGS. 1 to 4. In addition, the spiral gear planetary gear train 58 comprises a spiral gear shaft 59 which comprises a spiral gear toothing 60 which is engaged with the planet wheel toothing 37. Furthermore, the spiral gear planetary gear train 58 comprises an inner spiral gear 62 with an inner toothing 64 which engages in the planet wheel toothing 37. The spiral gear shaft 59 is supported axially and radially by a ball bearing 66, wherein the ball bearing 66 is arranged in a bearing receptacle 68.

(20) Furthermore, the engine transmission arrangement 56 comprises an electromotor 70 with a motor shaft 72 which projects out of the electromotor 70. The motor shaft 72 engages in a rotation-proof manner into the spiral gear shaft 59. The bearing receptacle 68 is fastened in a rotation-proof manner to the electromotor 70. In addition, the inner spiral gear 62 is connected in a rotation-proof manner to the bearing receptacle 68. As a result of the fact that the inner spiral gear 62 is fastened in a rotation-proof manner to the bearing receptacle 68 and indirectly in a rotation-proof manner to the electromotor 70, the rotation of the motor shaft 72 is converted into a rotation of the pinion cage 10. The pinion cage 10 comprises a cam 74 with which a drive shaft which is not shown can be connected in a rotation-proof manner.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

(21) 10, 10.sub.1-10.sub.3 pinion cage 12 base body 14 front surface 16 outer surface 18 set-back section 20 bore 22 blind hole bore 24 perforation 26 spiral gear planet wheel 28 planet wheel axle 29 first axial section 30 through bore 31 second axial section 32 first fixing means 33 first support section 34, 34.sub.1. 34.sub.2 contact surface 35 second support section 36 counter-support surface 37 planet wheel toothing 38 projection 40 catch contour 42 undercut 44 nose 46 recess 48, 48.sub.1, 48.sub.2 boundary surface 50 recess 52 second fixing means 54 limiting surface 56 engine transmission arrangement 58 spiral gear planetary gear train 59 spiral gear shaft 60 spiral gear toothing 62 inner spiral gear 64 inner toothing 66 ball bearing 68 bearing receptacle 70 electromotor 72 motor shaft 74 cam AP pinion cage axis B bulging L longitudinal axis profile covering