Planetary transmission apparatus including vehicle-wheel hub

Abstract

A planetary transmission for a vehicle, comprising a planet carrier, on which at least one planet wheel is mounted, a hub arranged for a vehicle wheel and connected to the planet carrier, and a static housing which is connected to the vehicle and in which the hub is mounted. A friction brake is arranged at an outer periphery of the planet carrier and is intended to brake the rotation of the planet carrier in relation to the static housing. The hub and the planet carrier are interconnected by a splined connection. According to an embodiment, an outer gear ring is arranged so as to interact with the at least one planet wheel, which outer gear ring is connected to the static housing by a second splined connection.

1. Planetary transmission apparatus for use in a vehicle, comprising a planet carrier ( 2 ), on which at least one planet wheel ( 4 ) is mounted, a vehicle-wheel hub ( 16 ) connected to the planet carrier ( 2 ), a static housing ( 28 ) which is adapted to be connected to the vehicle and in which the hub ( 16 ) is mounted, and a friction brake ( 34 ) arranged on an outer periphery of the planet carrier ( 2 ) and acting directly between the planet carrier ( 2 ) and the static housing ( 28 ), wherein the hub ( 16 ) and the planet carrier ( 2 ) are interconnected by means of a first splined connection ( 14 ,  21 ). 
     
     
       2. Planetary transmission apparatus according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the planet carrier ( 2 ) comprises a splined hole ( 12 ), the centre line ( 15 ) of which coincides with the axis of rotation of the planet carrier ( 2 ) and in that the hub ( 16 ) comprises a splined journal ( 20 ) which is arranged in the hole ( 12 ) of the planet carrier ( 2 ). 
     
     
       3. Planetary transmission apparatus according to  claim 2 , characterized in that the splined journal ( 20 ) of the hub ( 16 ) is axially fixed in the splined hole ( 12 ) of the planet carrier ( 2 ) by means of a plate ( 19 ) arranged at a first end ( 18 ) of the hub ( 16 ). 
     
     
       4. Planetary transmission apparatus according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the friction brake ( 34 ) comprises a set of first friction discs ( 36 ) arranged on the periphery of the planet carrier ( 2 ) and a set of second friction discs ( 40 ) arranged on an inner side of the static housing ( 28 ). 
     
     
       5. Planetary transmission apparatus according to  claim 4 , characterized in that the first and second friction discs ( 36  and  40  respectively) are axially displaceable on the planet carrier ( 29 ) and the static housing ( 28 ) respectively. 
     
     
       6. Planetary transmission apparatus according to  claim 5 , characterized in that a first pressure plate ( 32 ,  32 ′) for the friction brake ( 34 ) is arranged on the static housing ( 28 ) and in that a second pressure plate ( 44 ) is arranged so as to be displaced, on braking, in the direction of the first pressure plate ( 32 ) so as to compress the first and second friction discs ( 36  and  40  respectively) between the first and second pressure plates ( 32 ,  44 ). 
     
     
       7. Planetary transmission apparatus according to  claim 6 , characterized in that at least one hydraulic piston ( 46 ,  46 ) is arranged in the static housing ( 28 ) and is arranged so as to displace, on braking, the second pressure plate ( 44 ) in the direction of the first pressure plate ( 32 ). 
     
     
       8. Planetary transmission apparatus according to  claim 7 , characterized in that an annular duct ( 48 ) is arranged in the static housing ( 28 ) and is intended to contain hydraulic fluid and in that the annular duct ( 48 ) has a fluid connection to the at least one hydraulic cylinder ( 46 ,  46 ′). 
     
     
       9. Planetary transmission apparatus according to  claim 7 , characterized in that the at least one hydraulic cylinder ( 46   46 ′) comprises a self-adjustment member ( 52 ) which, via a sleeve ( 53 ), is arranged displaceably in a hole ( 54 ) in the housing ( 28 ), a pin ( 56 ) movable axially in the sleeve ( 53 ) being connected to the hydraulic piston ( 46 ,  46 ′). 
     
     
       10. Planetary transmission apparatus according to  claim 1 , characterized in that an outer gear ring ( 30 ,  30 ′) is arranged on the static housing ( 28 ) and in that an inner sun wheel ( 10 ) is arranged on a drive shaft ( 6 ) of the vehicle. 
     
     
       11. Planetary transmission apparatus according to  claim 6 , characterized in that an outer gear ring ( 30 ,  30 ′) is arranged on the first pressure plate ( 32 ,  32 ′). 
     
     
       12. Planetary transmission apparatus according to  claim 10 , characterized in that the outer gear ring ( 30 ′) is connected to the static housing ( 28 ) by means of a second splined connection ( 42 ,  74 ). 
     
     
       13. Planetary transmission apparatus according to  claim 1 , characterized in that a sensor ( 68 ) arranged in the housing ( 18 ) is adapted to interact with a surface on the periphery of the planet carrier ( 2 ) so as in this way to sense the speed of rotation of the planet carrier ( 2 ). 
     
     
       14. Planetary transmission apparatus for use in a vehicle, comprising a planet carrier ( 2 ), on which at least one planet wheel ( 4 ) is mounted, a vehicle-wheel hub ( 16 ) connected to the planet carrier ( 2 ), a static housing ( 28 ) which is adapted to be connected to the vehicle and in which the hub ( 16 ) is mounted, and a friction brake ( 34 ) arranged on an outer periphery of the planet carrier ( 2 ) and acting directly between the planet carrier ( 2 ) and the static housing ( 28 ), wherein an outer gear ring ( 30 ′) is arranged so as to interact with the at least one planet wheel ( 4 ) and in that the outer gear ring ( 30 ′) is connected to the static housing ( 28 ) by means of a second splined connection ( 42 ,  74 ). 
     
     
       15. Planetary transmission apparatus according to  claim 14 , characterized in that splines ( 74 ) on an outer periphery of the outer gear ring ( 30 ′) and in that splines ( 42 ) are arranged in the housing ( 28 ), which splines ( 42 ,  74 ) form the second splined connection ( 42 ,  74 ). 
     
     
       16. Planetary transmission apparatus according to  claim 14 , characterized in that the friction brake ( 34 ) comprises a set of first friction discs ( 36 ) arranged on the periphery of the planet carrier ( 2 ) and a set of second friction discs ( 40 ) arranged on an inner side of the static housing ( 28 ), which second friction discs ( 40 ) are arranged so as to engage with the splines ( 42 ) in the housing ( 28 ). 
     
     
       17. Planetary transmission apparatus according to  claim 16 , characterized in that the outer gear ring ( 30 ′) forms a first pressure plate ( 32 ′) which is arranged so as to compress, on braking, the first and second friction discs ( 36 ,  40 ). 
     
     
       18. Planetary transmission apparatus for use in a vehicle, comprising:
   a planet carrier  (   2   ) , on which at least one planet wheel  (   4   )  is mounted, a vehicle - wheel hub  (   16   )  connected to the planet carrier  (   2   ) , a static housing  (   28   )  which is adapted to be connected to the vehicle and in which the hub  (   16   )  is mounted, and        a hydraulically activated friction brake  (   34   )  arranged on an outer periphery of the planet carrier  (   2   )  and acting directly between the planet carrier  (   2   )  and the static housing  (   28   ) , and        wherein the hub  (   16   )  and the planet carrier  (   2   )  are interconnected by means of a first splined connection  (   14 ,  21   )  and the planet carrier  (   2   )  being of one - piece construction and wherein the planet carrier  (   2   )  extends solidly in a radial direction between a centered hole  (   12   )  thereof and the outer periphery of the planet carrier  (   2   )  upon which the multi - disc brake  (   34   )  is arranged.     
     
     
       19. The planetary transmission according to  claim 18 , wherein the centered hole (   12   )  of the planet carrier  (   2   )  is a longitudinal through - hole.   
     
     
       20. The planetary transmission according to  claim 19 , wherein splines (   14   )  are provided at an interior surface of the longitudinal through - hole  (   12   ). 
     
     
       21. The planetary transmission apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein the centered hole (   12   )  forms a portion of the first splined connection  (   14 ,  21   ). 
     
     
       22. A planetary transmission apparatus for use in a vehicle, comprising:
   a planet carrier  (   2   ) , on which at least one planet wheel  (   4   )  is mounted, a vehicle - wheel hub  (   16   )  connected to the planet carrier  (   2   ) , a static housing  (   28   )  which is adapted to be connected to the vehicle and in which the hub  (   16   )  is mounted;        a friction brake  (   34   )  arranged on an outer periphery of the planet carrier  (   2   )  and acting directly between the planet carrier  (   2   )  and the static housing  (   28   );      the hub  (   16   )  and the planet carrier  (   2   )  are interconnected by means of a first splined connection  (   14 ,  21   )  and the hub  (   16   )  being of one - piece construction with a splined journal  (   20   )  that forms a portion of the first splined connection  (   14 ,  21   )  and wherein the planet carrier  (   2   )  extends solidly in a radial direction between a centered hole  (   12   )  thereof and the outer periphery of the planet carrier  (   2   )  upon which the multi - disc brake  (   34   )  is arranged, wherein the centered hole  (   12   )  of the planet carrier  (   2   )  is a longitudinal through - hole, and wherein splines  (   14   )  are provided at an interior surface of the longitudinal through - hole  (   12   ).   
     
     
       23. The planetary transmission apparatus according to any one of claims  18  and  22 , wherein the friction brake (   34   )  comprises a set of first friction discs  (   36   )  arranged on the periphery of the planet carrier  (   2   )  and a set of second friction discs  (   40   )  arranged on an inner side of the static housing  (   28   ). 
     
     
       24. The planetary transmission apparatus according to  claim 23 , wherein the first and second friction discs (   36  and  40  respectively )  are axially displaceable on the planet carrier  (   29   )  and the static housing  (   28   )  respectively.   
     
     
       25. The planetary transmission apparatus according to  claim 24 , wherein a first pressure plate (   32 ,  32 ′ )  for the friction brake  (   34   )  is arranged on the static housing  (   28   )  and in that a second pressure plate  (   44   )  is arranged so as to be displaced, on braking, in the direction of the first pressure plate  (   32   )  so as to compress the first and second friction discs  (   36  and  40  respectively )  between the first and second pressure plates  (   32 ,  44   ). 
     
     
       26. The planetary transmission apparatus according to  claim 25 , wherein an outer gear ring (   30 ,  30 ′ )  is arranged on the first pressure plate  (   32 ,  32 ′ ). 
     
     
       27. The planetary transmission apparatus according to  claim 25 , wherein at least one hydraulic piston (   46 ,  46 ′ )  is arranged in the static housing  (   28   )  and is arranged so as to displace, on braking, the second pressure plate  (   44   )  in the direction of the first pressure plate  (   32   ). 
     
     
       28. The planetary transmission apparatus according to  claim 27 , wherein an annular duct (   48   )  is arranged in the static housing  (   28   )  and is intended to contain hydraulic fluid and in that the annular duct  (   48   )  has a fluid connection to the at least one hydraulic piston  (   46 ,  46 ′ ). 
     
     
       29. The planetary transmission apparatus according to  claim 27 , wherein the at least one hydraulic piston (   46 ,  46 ′ )  comprises a self - adjustment member  (   52   )  which, via a sleeve  (   53   ) , is arranged displaceably in a hole  (   54   )  in the housing  (   28   ) , a pin  (   56   )  movable axially in the sleeve  (   53   )  being connected to the hydraulic piston  (   46 ,  46 ′ ). 
     
     
       30. The planetary transmission apparatus according to any one of claims  18  and  22 , further comprising an outer gear ring (   30 ,  30 ′ )  arranged on the static housing  (   28   )  and an inner sun wheel  (   10   )  arranged on a drive shaft  (   6   )  of the vehicle.   
     
     
       31. The planetary transmission apparatus according to  claim 29 , wherein the outer gear ring (   30 ,  30 ′ )  is connected to the static housing  (   28   )  by means of a second splined connection  (   42 ,  74   ). 
     
     
       32. The planetary transmission apparatus according to any one of claims  18  and  22 , further comprising a sensor (   68   )  arranged in the housing  (   28   )  that is adapted to interact with a surface on the periphery of the planet carrier  (   2   )  so as in this way to sense the speed of rotation of the planet carrier  (   2   ). 
     
     
       33. The planetary transmission apparatus according to any one of claims  18  and  22 , further comprising an outer gear ring (   30 ′ )  arranged so as to interact with the at least one planet wheel  (   4   )  and in that the outer gear ring  (   30 ′ )  is connected to the static housing  (   28   )  by means of a second splined connection  (   42 ,  74   ). 
     
     
       34. The planetary transmission apparatus according to  claim 33 , further comprising splines (   74   )  on an outer periphery of the outer gear ring  (   30 ′ )  and splines  (   42   )  arranged in the housing  (   28   ) , said splines  (   42 ,  74   )  forming the second splined connection  (   42 ,  74   ). 
     
     
       35. The planetary transmission apparatus according to  claim 33 , wherein the friction brake (   34   )  comprises a set of first friction discs  (   36   )  arranged on the periphery of the planet carrier  (   2   )  and a set of second friction discs  (   40   )  arranged on an inner side of the static housing  (   28   ) , which second friction discs  (   40   )  are arranged so as to engage with the splines  (   42   )  in the housing  (   28   ). 
     
     
       36. The planetary transmission apparatus according to  claim 33 , wherein the outer gear ring (   30 ′ )  forms a first pressure plate  (   32 ′ )  which is arranged so as to compress, on braking, the first and second friction discs  (   36 ,  40   ). 
     
     
       37. The planetary transmission apparatus according to any one of claims  18  and  22 , further comprising a plurality of individual pistons that actuate the friction brake (   34   )  and which are distributed concentrically about the planet carrier within the static housing  (   28   ). 
     
     
       38. The planetary transmission apparatus according to any one of claims  18  and  22 , wherein said friction brake (   34   )  consists of a fluid - cooled multi - disc friction brake configured to brake the planet carrier and which has a first set of brake discs mounted on the outer periphery of the planet carrier for rotation therewith and a second set of brake discs mounted to the static housing  (   28   ). 
     
     
       39. The planetary transmission apparatus according to  claim 38 , further comprising a concentrically oriented disc plate configured to actuate the fluid- cooled multi - disc brake responsively to applied hydraulic pressure.   
     
     
       40. The planetary transmission according to  claim 39 , further comprising a plurality of concentrically distributed hydraulic pistons configured to actuate the disc plate thereby compressing the brake discs sets together for braking the planet carrier. 
     
     
       41. The planetary transmission according to  claim 40 , further comprising an annular duct in fluid communication with each of the plurality of concentrically distributed hydraulic pistons which is arranged to commonly supply actuating hydraulic fluid to each of the hydraulic pistons. 
     
     
       42. The planetary transmission according to  claim 38 , further comprising a helical spring operatively arranged with the fluid- cooled multi - disc brake and configured to return the brake to an initial position after braking.   
     
     
       43. The planetary transmission according to  claim 38 , further comprising a plurality of concentrically distributed helical springs operatively arranged with the fluid- cooled multi - disc brake and configured to return the brake to an initial position after braking.   
     
     
       44. The planetary transmission according to  claim 38 , further comprising a self- adjustment member operatively arranged with the fluid - cooled multi - disc brake and configured to adjust initial braking positions of the brake responsive to friction - wear of the brake discs.   
     
     
       45. The planetary transmission according to  claim 38 , wherein each set of brake discs is axially movable and circumferentially fixed on splines. 
     
     
       46. The planetary transmission according to  claim 38 , wherein the first set of brake discs is axially movable and circumferentially fixed on splines peripherally formed on the planet carrier. 
     
     
       47. The planetary transmission according to  claim 38 , wherein the second set of brake discs is axially movable and circumferentially fixed on splines formed at the static transmission housing. 
     
     
       48. The planetary transmission according to  claim 38 , wherein the outer gear ring forms a pressure plate of the brake. 
     
     
       49. The planetary transmission according to  claim 38 , wherein the outer gear ring establishes a static pressure plate against which the sets of brake discs are compressed during braking of the planet carrier. 
     
     
       50. The planetary transmission according to  claim 38 , wherein the outer gear ring is rotationally fixed upon internal splines of the static transmission housing. 
     
     
       51. The planetary transmission according to  claim 50 , wherein the outer gear ring has splines arranged on an outer periphery thereof and which are configured for mating engagement with the internal splines of the transmission housing. 
     
     
       52. The planetary transmission according to  claim 38 , further comprising a sensor arranged in the transmission housing for detecting an operational condition of the planetary transmission. 
     
     
       53. The planetary transmission according to  claim 38 , further comprising a sensor arranged in the transmission housing that detects an operational condition of the planetary transmission that corresponds to a traveling speed of a vehicle in which the transmission is included. 
     
     
       54. The planetary transmission according to  claim 38 , wherein the planet carrier extends solidly in a radial direction between a centered hole thereof and the outer periphery of the planet carrier upon which the multi- disc brake is arranged.   
     
     
       55. The planetary transmission according to  claim 54 , wherein the centered hole of the planet carrier is a longitudinal through- hole.   
     
     
       56. The planetary transmission according to  claim 55 , wherein splines are provided at an interior surface of the longitudinal through- hole.   
     
     
       57. The planetary transmission according to  claim 38 , wherein the multi- disc brake is a hydraulically activated friction brake acting directly between the planet carrier and the static transmission housing.   
     
     
       58. The planetary transmission according to  claim 38 , wherein the hub is mounted by roller bearings on an inside of the static housing. 
     
     
       59. The planetary transmission according to  claim 38 , wherein the hub is mounted by two roller bearings arranged at a distance, one from the other, in a direction of an axis of rotation of the planet carrier and an outer portion of each roller bearing is arranged on an inside of the static housing. 
     
     
       60. The planetary transmission according to  claim 59 , wherein an inner portion of one of the two roller bearings is arranged on an outside of the hub. 
     
     
       61. The planetary transmission according to  claim 59 , wherein an inner portion of each of the two roller bearings is arranged on an outside of the hub.