Transmission efficiency of one tooth difference sine tooth profile planetary reducer

Area of Science:

• Robotics and Mechanical Engineering
• Planetary Gear Systems
• Lightweight Design

Background:

• Space exploration and UAV manipulators require compact, lightweight drive systems.
• Existing reducers face challenges in meeting these stringent lightweight requirements.
• Novel reducer designs are crucial for advancing robotic capabilities in constrained environments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose and analyze a novel single tooth difference continuous sine tooth profile K-H-V type planetary reducer with a pin-type equi-speed output mechanism.
• To investigate the structural composition, meshing characteristics, and efficiency of the proposed reducer.
• To validate the efficiency calculation method through experimental measurements.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of the reducer's structural composition and meshing characteristics.
• Investigation of meshing pair forces, friction coefficients, and efficiency.
• Study of planetary gear forces, bearing efficiency, and output mechanism efficiency.
• Experimental measurement and comparison of prototype reducer efficiency with calculated values.

Main Results:

• Gear modulus, input speed, surface roughness, and lubricant viscosity significantly impact meshing efficiency.
• Eccentric bearings show lower efficiency than non-eccentric bearings; efficiency can be improved by adjusting pressure angle, tooth number, tooth height, and pinhole radius.
• Output mechanism power loss is the primary factor affecting transmission efficiency; reducing center distance, bearing inner diameter, and planetary gear tooth number, while increasing pin shaft outer diameter, minimizes power loss.
• Prototype experimental efficiency (82.47%) closely matches computational efficiency (83.72%) with a 1.25% error.

Conclusions:

• The proposed K-H-V type planetary reducer with a pin-type equi-speed output mechanism offers a viable solution for lightweight robotic joint drive systems.
• Optimizing design parameters such as pressure angle, tooth numbers, and bearing configurations is key to maximizing reducer efficiency.
• The validated calculation method provides a reliable tool for predicting and optimizing the performance of such reducers.