Harmonic Drive Gearbox In Aerospace

With the rapid development of space remote sensing technology and the continuous improvement of application requirements, the performance requirements of remote sensors are getting higher and higher, while the design requirements of light weight, compact, low consumption and precision of space products are becoming more and more stringent. Harmonic reducer is a kind of high performance reducer, which is widely used in aviation field. Its characteristics of high precision, high torque and low backlash can meet the various needs of the transmission system in the aviation field, and promote the development and promotion of aviation technology.

Airplane

1. Aircraft braking system: harmonic drive gearbox can be used in aircraft braking systems to improve braking efficiency and reliability.

2. Aircraft flap system: The harmonic gearbox can be used in the control system of the aircraft flap to ensure the precise control of the flap

3. Aircraft landing gear system: The harmonic gear box can be used in the retractable and suspension system of the aircraft landing gear to ensure the smooth movement and firm installation of the landing gear.

4. Aero-engine: The harmonic reducer can be used in the reduction transmission system of the aero-engine to improve the working efficiency of the engine.

Photo credit via springerlink

Satellite

"Test" satellite series, earth observation satellites, data relay satellites, communication satellites, reconnaissance satellites, etc., can apply harmonic drive technology  to space mechanisms such as space solar wing deployment mechanisms, antenna drive mechanisms, positioning and pointing mechanisms, and scanning mechanisms.

Compared with the ground environment, the harmonic drive gearbox used in space usually has lower load and slower speed, so it is not easy to occur fatigue damage. However, the particularity of space environment, such as high vacuum, microgravity, strong radiation, alternating temperature and unmaintainable, all put forward higher requirements for the lubrication technology of harmonic gearbox. Due to the problems of volatilization, creeping and pollution of lubricating oil in vacuum environment, it is difficult to lubricate space moving parts simply in the form of ground products; Generally, the space moving parts are lubricated by solid lubrication or grease lubrication. For harmonic drive, because of the particularity of its transmission form and the diversity of application conditions, the lubrication mode is the key to the success of space harmonic products, and harmonic lubrication technology has become the focus and difficulty of research at home and abroad in recent years.

Harmonic Equatorial Mount

In order to overcome the influence of the earth's rotation on astronomical observation and photography, the equatorial telescope is designed to drive the telescope to track the celestial bodies in relative motion caused by the earth's rotation. The equatorial mount operates at a very low speed of 24 hours when it is tracking celestial bodies, so the input speed of the driving motor often needs to be reduced to a low speed through a higher speed reduction ratio. Because the traditional equatorial mounts mostly uses worm gear or planetary gear as the main reducer, the equatorial mounts have the disadvantages such as heavy structural weight, which is not conducive to carrying, and large backlash in the gear meshing surface, which requires additional structures for compensation. In recent years, strain wave gear has been gradually used as the main reducer in the equatorial mounts because of its advantages of low backlash and high torque tolerance. The harmonic gear replaces the traditional worm gear as the transmission and reduction mechanism of the equatorial mount. It has the advantages of compact structure, large torque, zero hysteresis, no need for heavy hammers, and no need for balance adjustment.

UAV

In the field of UAV, when the unmanned aerial vehicle lands, most of them use their own propulsion power system for reverse work to perform braking. However, the braking deceleration in this way consumes a lot of energy and is likely to cause damage to the UAV. At the same time, the shock absorption protection measures when the UAV lands are not comprehensive, and cannot improve the service life of the UAV. In China, some UAV brands have begun to try to use strain wave reducer instead, including landing gear support plates , shock absorbing mechanism, and both sides of the two-axis servo motor are looking for adaptation solutions. It is believed that the application of strain wave drive in the field of drones will become more and more extensive.

Although China's research on harmonic drive system started late, through continuous deepening of core technology and innovation, it has accelerated the process of domestic substitution of harmonic decelerators, and has successfully broken through the monopoly of international brands in the Chinese market. Due to the advantages of high cost performance of Chinese harmonic gearbox, many countries around the world have also begun to try to cooperate with Chinese harmonic gearbox manufacturers in recent years to find more economical and efficient harmonic alternatives. Laifual Drive, as one of the top harmonic drive reducer brands in China, looks forward to establishing long-term and stable cooperation with all of you.