Design and Dynamics Simulation of a Novel Double-Ring-Plate Gear Reducer

A patented double-ring-plate gear reducer was designed and its dynamic performance was simulated. One unique characteristic of this novel drive is that the phase angle difference between two parallelogram mechanisms is a little less than 180 degree and four counterweights on two crankshafts are designed to balance inertia forces and inertia moments of the mechanisms. Its operating principle, advantages, and design issues were discussed. An elasto-dynamics model was presented to acquire its dynamic response by considering the elastic deformations of ring-plates, gears, bearings, etc. The simulation results reveal that compared with housing bearings, planetary bearings work in more severe conditions. The fluctuation of loads on gears and bearings indicates that the main reason for reducer vibration is elastic deformations of the system rather than inertia forces and inertia moments of the mechanisms.