GB1169228A - Improvements in or relating to Drive Mechanism with Epicyclic Gearing for Domestic Machines - Google Patents

Abstract

1,169,228. Variable-ratio gears. FICHTEL & SACHS A.G. 18 Nov., 1966 [20 Nov., 1965], No. 51800/66. Heading F2D. [Also in Division D1] The input shaft of a planetary gear is rotated forwardly or reversely to provide either unidirectional drive at two different ratios or bidirectional drive at a different ratio in each direction. The arrangement may be used in an ironing machine to provide either unidirectional drive of the ironing rollers at two speeds, or to drive the ironing rollers at one speed and the ironing trough in the opposite direction at a second speed. As shown, unidirectional drive is provided by a gear having an input sun 3 meshing planets 4, 5 connected to respective spindles 9, 10 by oppositely acting ratchet clutches 7, 8. The spindles 9, 10 are mounted in a common output carrier 6, the spindle 10 being fast with a planet 12 meshing a freelyrotatable suit 13, and the spindle 9 being fast with a planet 11 meshing an idler planet which also meshes the sun 13, the idler planet being fast with another planet meshing a stationary ring gear 17. In one direction of rotation of the sun 3 the planet 4 drives its spindle 9 and hence the planet 11, the idler planet and the planet reacting on the stationary ring gear to drive the carrier forwardly at a first ratio. In the other direction of rotation of the sun 3 the planet 5 drives its spindle 10 and hence the planet 12, sun 13, idler planet and the planet reacting on the ring gear to drive the carrier forwardly at a second ratio. In an arrangement for bidirectionally driving an output carrier, an input sun meshes two planets connected to their respective shafts through oppositely acting oneway clutches. Both trains are essentially similar, each comprising a planet fast with the planet shaft and meshing a step of a planet having a second step meshing a stationary ring gear.