Cycloidal wheel drive

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016200528-A1
Application number	US-201414911699-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Aug 13, 2014
Priority date	Aug 13, 2013
Publication date	Jul 14, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A wheel assembly and a bin sweep system. The system may include a sweep auger for moving granules, and a wheel assembly including a rim and a tire disposed on the rim, the rim defining an interior radially inward of an inner circumference of the rim, and a cycloidal drive disposed in the interior of the rim. The cycloidal drive may include an input shaft, a drive gear having first gearing features and being eccentrically mounted on the input shaft, a stationary drive plate, and second gearing features coupled to the rim, the first gearing features engaging the second gearing features to drive the rim and wheel at a reduced speed relative to the input shaft.

First claim

1 - 20 . (canceled)

21 . A bin sweep system comprising:
a sweep auger for moving granules; and a wheel assembly including
an input shaft driven by the sweep auger,
a wheel, and
a cycloidal drive driven by the input shaft to drive the wheel at a reduced speed.

22 . The system of claim 21 , wherein the sweep auger, the input shaft, and the wheel are substantially coaxial.

23 . The system of claim 21 , wherein the wheel defines a cavity and the cycloidal drive is disposed within the cavity.

24 . The system of claim 23 , wherein the wheel assembly further comprises end caps coupled to the wheel and sealing the cavity.

25 . The system of claim 23 , wherein the wheel includes a tire and the tire at least partially defines the cavity.

26 . The system of claim 25 , wherein tire comprises multiple curved segments coupled to the wheel assembly with fasteners.

27 . The system of claim 21 , wherein the cycloidal drive comprises:
an eccentric bearing coupled to the input shaft; a drive gear coupled to the eccentric bearing and concentric with the eccentric bearing; a stationary drive plate coupled to the input shaft such that the stationary drive plate does not rotate with the input shaft; and a movable ring gear coupled to the drive gear for rotation at a reduced speed and greater torque than the drive gear.

28 . The system of claim 27 , wherein the movable ring gear further comprises a cylindrical housing mounted for rotation about the input shaft, the cylindrical housing enclosing the eccentric bearing, the drive gear and stationary drive plate.

29 . The system of claim 28 , further comprising a tire coupled to the cylindrical housing.

30 . The system of claim 29 , wherein the tire comprises multiple curved segments coupled to the wheel assembly with fasteners.

31 . The system of claim 30 , wherein the tire includes treads defining angled channels for directing granular material therethrough and towards the sweep auger.

32 . A wheel assembly for use in a bin sweep system having a sweep auger, the wheel assembly comprising:
an input shaft adapted for driven engagement with the sweep auger, a wheel, and a cycloidal drive driven by the input shaft to drive the wheel at a reduced speed.

33 . The wheel assembly of claim 32 , wherein the wheel defines a cavity and the cycloidal drive is disposed within the cavity.

34 . The wheel assembly of claim 33 , wherein the wheel assembly further comprises end caps coupled to the wheel and sealing the cavity.

35 . The wheel assembly of claim 33 , wherein the wheel includes a tire and the tire at least partially defines the cavity.

36 . The wheel assembly of claim 35 , wherein tire comprises multiple curved segments coupled to the wheel assembly with fasteners.

37 . The wheel assembly of claim 32 , wherein the cycloidal drive comprises:
an eccentric bearing adapted to be coupled to the input shaft; a drive gear coupled to the eccentric bearing and concentric with the eccentric bearing; a stationary drive plate adapted to be coupled to the input shaft such that the stationary drive plate does not rotate with the input shaft; and a movable ring gear coupled to the drive gear for rotation at a reduced speed and greater torque than the drive gear.

38 . The wheel assembly of claim 37 , wherein the movable ring gear further comprises a cylindrical housing adapted for rotation about the input shaft, the cylindrical housing enclosing the eccentric bearing, the drive gear and stationary drive plate.

39 . The wheel assembly of claim 38 , further comprising a tire coupled to the cylindrical housing.

40 . The wheel assembly of claim 39 , wherein the tire comprises multiple curved segments coupled to the wheel assembly with fasteners.

41 . The wheel assembly of claim 40 , wherein the tire includes treads defining angled channels for directing granular material therethrough and towards the sweep auger.

Assignees

• Actuant Corp

Inventors

• Klubertanz James A
• Buege Wallace
• Ballweg Bradley
• Zolp Dennis

Classifications

• B65G65/466 Primary

  arranged to be movable · CPC title

• F16H2001/323

  comprising eccentric crankshafts driving or driven by a gearing · CPC title

• F16H2200/2005

  with one sets of orbital gears · CPC title

• B65G33/34

  Applications of driving gear · CPC title

• F16H1/321

  the orbital gear being nutating · CPC title