What millennia-old technology is at the heart of many of today's most innovative technological breakthroughs? Robotics, 3D printing and new forms of transportation all have one thing in common: often, a planetary gear box at the basis of their drive. As a supplier of planetary gearboxes, we of course know all the ins and outs, but what if you are confronted with this technology for the first time? For us, reason to explain it clearly. In this article, we discuss the basis of the planetary gearbox.
What is a planetary gearbox?
A planetary gearbox is a gearbox in which the input shaft and the output shaft are in line. A planetary gearbox is used to transmit the largest torques on the smallest footprint.
The bicycle hub gear is a good example of a planetary gear mechanism: Have you ever wondered how you can get so much power and possibilities in such a small hub? For a three-speed hub gear, one planetary gear system is used, for a five-speed hub gear, two systems. Each planetary gear system has a reduction gear, a direct clutch and a gear position.
Mathematically, the smallest transmission ratio is 3:1, the largest is 10:1. With a ratio smaller than 3, the sun gear becomes too large compared to the planet gears, with a ratio larger than 10, the sun gear becomes too small and the torques drop. The transmissions are mostly absolute, a whole number.
Planetary gearboxes are often used, but how does that work? Read more here…
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