Multiple planetary gear-set with a limited slip transmission system

摘要

A gear assembly with two inputs and two outputs which can be used on zero turn riding mowers or similar vehicles. The first input is a propelling input and the second input is a steering input. The assembly contains a planet carrier, a first planetary gear assembly, and a second planetary gear assembly. The propelling input is engaged with the planet carrier. The first and second planetary gear assemblies contain a ring gear. The steering input is engaged with the ring gears. The steering input is either a helical bevel gear, straight bevel gear, or a gear train. In another version, the gear assembly can have two planet carriers connected externally to the planetary gear assemblies. In this instance, a central gear is used in between the first planetary gear assembly and the second planetary gear assembly to connect the sun gears.

主权项

1. A multiple planet gear set with a limited slip transmission system comprises:
a planet carrier; a propelling input; a first output; a steering input; a second output; a first planetary gear assembly; a second planetary gear assembly; the first planetary gear assembly and the second planetary gear assembly each comprise a ring gear, a sun gear, and a plurality of planet gears; the sun gear and the ring gear of the first planetary gear assembly being concentrically mounted about a central rotation axis; the sun gear and the ring gear of the second planetary gear assembly being concentrically mounted about the central rotation axis; the propelling input being operatively engaged with the planet carrier; the steering input being externally and operatively engaged with the ring gear of both the first planetary gear assembly and the second planetary gear assembly, in order to rotate the ring gear of the first planetary gear assembly and the ring gear of the second planetary gear assembly in opposite rotational directions; the planet carrier being positioned in between the first planetary gear assembly and the second planetary gear assembly; the first output being axially connected to the sun gear of the first planetary gear assembly; the second output being axially connected to the sun gear of the second planetary gear assembly; the planet carrier comprises a spur gear, a plurality of first mounts and a plurality of second mounts; each of the plurality of first mounts being rotatably connected to a corresponding planet gear from the first planetary gear assembly; and each of the plurality of second mounts being rotatably connected to a corresponding planet gear from the second planetary gear assembly.