Harmonic gearset with split flexspline

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12072009-B2
Application number	US-202217826231-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 27, 2022
Priority date	May 27, 2022
Publication date	Aug 27, 2024
Grant date	Aug 27, 2024

Abstract

A harmonic gearset, having: a drive shaft; first and second ground gears spaced apart from each other along the drive shaft; an output gear disposed on the drive shaft, between the first and second ground gears; a first flexspline disposed radially between the drive shaft, the first ground gear and the output gear; and a second flexspline disposed radially between the drive shaft, the second ground gear and the output gear, wherein the first and second flexsplines are axially adjacent to each other.

First claim

What is claimed as:

1. A harmonic gearset, comprising:
a drive shaft;
first and second ground gears spaced apart from each other along the drive shaft;
an output gear disposed on the drive shaft, between the first and second ground gears;
a first flexspline disposed radially between the drive shaft, the first ground gear and the output gear; and
a second flexspline disposed radially between the drive shaft, the second ground gear and the output gear, wherein the first and second flexsplines are axially adjacent to each other,
wherein:
the first flexspline has a first set of splines that engages the first ground gear and a second set of splines that engages the output gear; and
the second flexspline has a third set of splines that engages the second ground gear and a fourth set of splines that engages the output gear.

2. The gearset of claim 1 , wherein the first and third sets of splines have a same shape as each other.

3. The gearset of claim 1 , wherein the second and fourth sets of splines have a same shape as each other.

4. The gearset of claim 1 , wherein the first and second flexsplines have a same shape as each other.

5. The gearset of claim 1 , further comprising:
a wave generator that is driven by the drive shaft; and
a wave generator bearing set disposed radially between the wave generator and the first and second flexsplines.

6. An actuator assembly, comprising:
a motor; and
the gearset of claim 1 , wherein the drive shaft is driven by the motor.

7. An aircraft comprising:
a movable structure;
a stationary structure;
the actuator assembly of claim 6 , operationally coupled between the movable structure and the stationary structure.

8. The aircraft of claim 7 , wherein:
the movable structure is a control surface; and
the stationary structure is an airframe.

9. A method of assembling a harmonic gearset, comprising:
positioning a first flexspline radially within an output gear;
positioning a second flexspline radially within the output gear so that the first flexspline and the second flexspline are axially adjacent to each other,
wherein:
the first flexspline includes a first set of splines and a second set of splines that are axially adjacent to each other, and the second flexspline includes a third set of splines and a fourth set of splines that are axially adjacent to each other, and wherein:
positioning the first flexspline radially within the output gear includes positioning the second set of splines of the first flexspline radially within the output gear; and
positioning the second flexspline radially within the output gear includes positioning the fourth set of splines of the second flexspline radially within the output gear.

10. The method of claim 9 , further comprises:
positioning the first set of splines of the first flexspline radially within a first ground gear; and
positioning the third set of splines of the second flexspline radially within a second ground gear.

11. The method of claim 10 , comprising:
positioning a wave generator bearing set radially within the first and second flexsplines;
positioning a wave generator radially within the wave generator bearing set; and
positioning a drive shaft radially within the wave generator.

12. A method of assembling an actuator assembly, comprising:
assembling the harmonic gearset according to the method of claim 11 , and
connecting a motor to the drive shaft.

Assignees

• Hamilton Sundstrand Corp

Inventors

• Balsiger Derick S
• Bloxham Keith A

Classifications

• F16H2049/003

  Features of the flexsplines therefor · CPC title

• F16H19/08

  for interconverting rotary motion and oscillating motion · CPC title

• B64C13/26

  without power amplification or where power amplification is irrelevant · CPC title

• F16H49/001 Primary

  Wave gearings, e.g. harmonic drive transmissions · CPC title