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Transmission concept for high reduction ratios with dedicated planet support
Transmission concept for high reduction ratios with dedicated planet support
A stepped planet gear, two axially adjacent ring gears and direct radial support form the core of the described operating principle.
A stepped planet gear, two axially adjacent ring gears and direct radial support form the core of the described operating principle.
Official patent title
Official patent title
Planetengetriebe (Planetary Gear)
Planetengetriebe (Planetary Gear)
Engineering challenge
Engineering challenge
In Wolfrom planetary gear sets, radial forces and tilting moments act on the planet gears during torque transmission. The patent specification describes a structural radial support for the stepped planet gear.
In Wolfrom planetary gear sets, radial forces and tilting moments act on the planet gears during torque transmission. The patent specification describes a structural radial support for the stepped planet gear.
Underlying engineering principle
Underlying engineering principle
A stepped planet gear meshes with a sun gear and two axially adjacent ring gears. The tip-circle outer surface of the second, helically toothed section is supported on a cylindrical section coaxial with the first shaft.
A stepped planet gear meshes with a sun gear and two axially adjacent ring gears. The tip-circle outer surface of the second, helically toothed section is supported on a cylindrical section coaxial with the first shaft.
Operating principle
Operating principle
The sun gear on the first shaft meshes with the first toothed section of the stepped planet gear.
The sun gear on the first shaft meshes with the first toothed section of the stepped planet gear.
This first toothed section also meshes with the first ring gear.
This first toothed section also meshes with the first ring gear.
The second, helically toothed section meshes with the second ring gear.
The second, helically toothed section meshes with the second ring gear.
The outer surface at the tip circle of the second toothed section runs on the coaxial cylindrical support section and provides radial support for the stepped planet gear.
The outer surface at the tip circle of the second toothed section runs on the coaxial cylindrical support section and provides radial support for the stepped planet gear.
Depending on the embodiment, support washers and thrust bearings provide additional axial guidance and accommodate tilting moments.
Depending on the embodiment, support washers and thrust bearings provide additional axial guidance and accommodate tilting moments.
Design features
Design features
• stepped planet gear between the sun gear and two axially adjacent ring gears
• stepped planet gear between the sun gear and two axially adjacent ring gears
• two coupled toothed sections on the stepped planet gear
• two coupled toothed sections on the stepped planet gear
• helically toothed second gear section
• helically toothed second gear section
• cylindrical support section coaxial with the first shaft
• cylindrical support section coaxial with the first shaft
• depending on the embodiment, supplementary support washers and thrust bearings
• depending on the embodiment, supplementary support washers and thrust bearings
These features alone do not establish any application-specific performance values.
These features alone do not establish any application-specific performance values.
Potential applications
Potential applications
The patent specification refers to applications requiring a high reduction ratio with low backlash; robotics is cited as one example. Suitability for any industrial application must be assessed against the specific engineering requirements.
The patent specification refers to applications requiring a high reduction ratio with low backlash; robotics is cited as one example. Suitability for any industrial application must be assessed against the specific engineering requirements.
Patent and register information
Patent and register information
Official German title: Planetengetriebe
Inventor: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Bernd-Robert Höhn
Registered proprietor: Höhn GmbH, Gräfelfing
German application: DE 10 2020 111 001.4 · filed 22 April 2020
Publications: DE102020111001A1 (28 October 2021); DE102020111001B4 (5 May 2022)
German register status: “anhängig/in Kraft”, checked on 21 October 2026.
International family: PCT/EP2021/060277; WO2021214085A1. Other grant publications include US11781619B2 (10 October 2023) and JP7300786B2 (30 June 2023). The current status of these national rights has not been independently confirmed here. A PCT publication is not a worldwide patent.
German register — current status · Original German patent — PDF · WIPO international publication · US patent — PDF
The patent claims and relevant national registers govern the scope and status of protection. Licensing and third-party rights require a separate review.
Technical animations
Technical animations
English animation — Wolfrom planetary transmission · Deutsche Animation · Höhn GmbH YouTube channel
Register review date: 19 September 2026
• Inventor: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Bernd-Robert Höhn
• German applicant and registered proprietor of German IP right DE 10 2020 111 001.4 according to DPMAregister: Höhn GmbH
• DE filing date: 22 April 2020
• DE publications: DE102020111001A1 of 28 October 2021; publication of grant DE102020111001B4 on 5 May 2022
• International patent application: PCT/EP2021/060277; WO2021214085A1 of 28 October 2021
• Priorities listed in the PCT record: DE 10 2020 111 001.4 and DE 10 2020 111 004.9, both dated 22 April 2020
Legal status: DPMAregister lists the German IP right with the status “pending/in force”. European regional application 21722384.1 is deemed withdrawn; no European patent was granted from it. A family member was granted in the United States; its current fee status has not been independently confirmed. A family member was granted in Japan, and the register entry indicates that annual fees have been paid.
Official sources: DPMAregister · WIPO PATENTSCOPE · EPO-Verfahrensakte · J-PlatPat
Legal statuses outside Germany should be rechecked in the relevant register before any specific use.
Engineering by Höhn GmbH
Engineering by Höhn GmbH
Höhn GmbH supports industrial companies in assessing the operating principle for a specific application, comparing it with alternative transmission concepts and defining appropriate next development steps.
Höhn GmbH supports industrial companies in assessing the operating principle for a specific application, comparing it with alternative transmission concepts and defining appropriate next development steps.
Statements regarding availability and licensing are made only following a separate legal review.
Statements regarding availability and licensing are made only following a separate legal review.
Could this transmission concept suit your application?
Could this transmission concept suit your application?
Let us assess how the operating principle fits the required ratio, loads, installation space and system interfaces.
Let us assess how the operating principle fits the required ratio, loads, installation space and system interfaces.
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