Main Application Scenarios And Technical Features Of The Planetary Carrier

At present, the main application scenarios of planetary gear sets include the following categories:

1. Automotive transmission systems 

Automatic transmission: The carrier supports the planetary gears, achieving power distribution and multi-gear shifting. By locking different components, the transmission ratio changes, enhancing the smoothness of gear shifting.

Electric vehicle reducer: As a key component for power coupling, the carrier needs to meet the requirements of high speed and lightweight. The global orders for electric vehicle carriers increased by 53% in 2024.

Hybrid system: It is used in the dual-row planetary gear structure to coordinate the power distribution between the engine and the motor, achieving efficient energy management. 

2. Industrial robots 

Joint reducer: The planet carrier supports the planet gears in precision reducers (such as harmonic reducers), requiring a repeat positioning accuracy of ≤ ±1 arc second and high rigidity to withstand the impact loads from repeated starts and stops.

Automation equipment: Applied in machine tool spindles, AGVs (automated guided vehicles), etc., it needs to adapt to load scenarios of 1.5 to 10 tons. In 2024, the industrial robot sector will contribute 34% to the market increment of planet carriers, and it is expected that the penetration rate will reach 52% by 2027. 

3. Wind power generation 

The speed-increasing gearbox: The planet carrier in the main drive of the wind turbine bears high torque and needs to have fatigue resistance and corrosion resistance. Lightweight design can reduce the weight at the top of the tower.

Offshore wind power: Special coatings are needed to deal with the complex environment of high humidity and high salt fog to extend the lifespan of components. 

4. Construction Machinery 

Heavy equipment transmission: In excavators, cranes and other equipment, the planet carrier needs to withstand extreme loads and impacts. For instance, the box-type structure accounts for 62%, and through topology optimization design, the weight is reduced by 18% to 22%.

Mining machinery: For example, in mining dump trucks, the planet carrier material is upgraded to 42CrMo4 alloy steel, and plasma surface strengthening technology is adopted to enhance wear resistance. 

5. Aerospace 

Engine reducer: The planet carrier in the main rotor transmission of the helicopter needs to achieve ultra-high power density, and the use of titanium alloy reduces the weight by 26%.

Landing gear system: Integrated sensors monitor the gear meshing status in real time to ensure high reliability. 

6. Rail Transit 

Traction system: In permanent magnet synchronous traction trains, the transmission efficiency of the planetary gear set needs to be ≥ 98.5%, and silicon nitride ceramic bearings are applied to reduce friction losses.

Bogie transmission: The differential gear train is used to compensate for the speed difference of the wheels, enhancing the stability of the train when running on curves. 

In summary, the application scenarios of planetary gearboxes are continuously expanding with technological iterations, towards lightweight and intelligent designs, the use of new materials, adaptation to extreme working conditions, modular design, and predictive maintenance. With the development and progress of technology, the application depth of planetary gearboxes in emerging scenarios such as deep-sea wind power and semiconductor manufacturing robots will be further expanded.