Design optimization of the modified planetary carrier

Abstract

This paper aims to design a new model of the third-stage carrier assembly used in a planetary gearbox as a single part component with improved strength and fatigue life properties and lower production costs. First, the mounting carrier assembly is subjected to static, fatigue, and modal analysis, and based on obtained results, the operating conditions that ensure its trouble-free operation are proposed. In the next step, new designs of the carrier as a single piece component are proposed and subjected to similar analyses. The proper numerical analysis method is chosen to evaluate the fatigue life, total deformation, and von Misses stress for each new model. Based on these results, the best design is chosen and submitted to further improvement, ensuring a weight reduction of 5 %. This last model of the carrier assembly is the most optimal solution since the maximum deformation values decreased by more than 55 %, and the maximum von Misses stresses decreased by almost 38 %, which increased fatigue life. A more comprehensive range of operating conditions for the optimized carrier is proposed to ensure its suitability for use in each gearbox. The finite element method analysis is performed in ANSYS.