Abstract: A food mixer having a planetary gear system. The mixer comprises a vertically extending stand housing an electric motor, a base to support the stand, an overhang arm connected to the stand, and a gear system housed in the overhang arm. The gear system includes a center shaft having a center gear mounted thereto, the center shaft being drivingly coupled to the motor and rotatable about its axis. The gear system further includes an agitator shaft having an agitator gear mounted on an end thereto, the agitator shaft being oriented generally parallel to the center shaft and located such that the agitator gear meshes with the center gear. The gear further includes a ring gear having a set of internal gear teeth, the ring gear encircling the center gear and the agitator gear whereby the agitator gear meshes with the ring gear.

Abstract: A planet carrier assembly has a plurality of pinion gears rotatably mounted in a cage or spider. A stationary washer, having four bearing pads, is disposed adjacent the sidewall of the planet carrier cage. Th& sidewalls are spaced and have aligned openings to accept pinion pins on each of which a pinion gear is rotatably mounted. A rotatable washer, or thrust bearing, is disposed between each pinion gear and respective bearing pads of the stationary washers.

Abstract: A process for assembling and an epicyclic reduction gear comprising a plurality of planets provided with outer toothings moveable rotatable about a shaft which are engaged with the toothings of, at least one adjacent gear ring. The shaft of the planets is mounted on a planet-holder so that it is adapted to move with respect to said planet-holder both radially and angularly in a plane perpendicular to the principal shaft of the reduction gear. The rotation shaft of each planet may be radially and angularly adjusted to a position where its outer toothing meshes with the toothing of the adjacent gear ring and may thereafter be secured in position.

Abstract: A planetary gear designed with helically cut teeth, in particular for motor vehicles, is provided with a sun wheel (1), which is non-rotatably connected with the drive shaft (2), a plurality of planet gears (4) mounted in a planet carrier (6) and a ring gear (7) which surrounds the planet gears (4) and is connected with a ring-gear carrier (8). In order to absorb axial forces, pairs of pressure surfaces (19, 20, 24) are provided on thrust rings (17, 18, 22) and the planet gears (4). Preferably, one pair of pressure surfaces (19) is provided between the sun wheel (1) or drive shaft (2), on the one hand, and the planet gears (4), on the other, and one pair of pressure surfaces (24) is provided between the planet gears (4) and the ring gear (7).

Abstract: A composite flywheel wherein a primary mass is rotatable by the engine of a motor vehicle and can transmit torque to a secondary mass--which serves to rotate the clutch plate of a friction clutch--by way of several sets of coil springs and a planetary transmission. A friction clutch serves to oppose certain angular movements of the primary and secondary masses relative to each other, and a slip clutch is provided to limit the magnitude of the torque which can be transmitted by the planetary transmission.

Abstract: A propelling and/or steering mechanism uses a planetary gear set and ring gear arrangement, in which the ring gear "floats" upon the planetary gear set, free of a center hub and a bearing connection.

Abstract: A planetary gear arrangement has one or more planetary gear sets each having a carrier assembly in which a plurality of pinion gears are rotatably mounted on pins supported in a carrier housing. An annular lube dam is attached to the carrier housing and includes a first and second annular sidewall portions extending radially inward and joined by an axial wall portion. The radially innermost sidewall portion directs lubrication fluid to the support pins for delivery to the pinion gears. The axial wall engages notched portions on the pins to ensure the angular orientation of the lube passages formed in the pins. The outermost annular wall portion provides a thrust washer bearing surface between the carrier assembly and an adjacent transmission component to support relative rotation therebetween.

Abstract: A planetary gear assembly for a transmission is disclosed having a carrier with two spaced apart plates. A plurality of cylindrical axles extend between and are secured to the plates so that these axles are spaced apart and generally parallel to each other. A gear having an inner cylindrical surface is coaxially disposed around each axle. Furthermore, a tubular cylindrical ceramic sleeve is positioned between the outer surface of each axle and the inner cylindrical surface of each gear. The cylindrical sleeve serves as a bearing between the shaft and its associated gear.

Abstract: A flywheel mass arrangement having a flywheel mass on the driving side, a planetary gear unit having at least one planet carrier provided with at least one planet gear that engages with at least one additional toothed wheel of the planetary gear unit, and with a flywheel mass on the driven side which can be rotationally deflected relative to the flywheel mass on the driving side. At least one of the flywheel masses has a control structure for elastic elements of a damping arrangement which act in the circumferential direction. A mass is provided at the planet gear to project radially beyond the toothing diameter of the planet gear and is arranged at an axial offset relative to at least one additional toothed wheel such as the ring gear or the sun gear of the planetary gear unit, in particular relative to the toothing engagement of the additional toothed wheel with the planet gear.

Abstract: A wheel mounting hub system includes a hollow stationary hub carrier with an inner surface and a rotating hub located radially within the stationary hub carrier throughout at least a portion of its axial length. A planetary gear train including a sun gear and planet gears mounted on webs formed on the rotating hub is located within the stationary hub carrier. The planetary gear train includes a ring gear located on the inner surface of the stationary gear carrier in mesh with the planet gears. Axially spaced annular roller bearings are located between the rotating hub and the inner surface of the stationary hub. Outer bearing races for the roller bearings are formed on the inner surface of the stationary hub carrier and inner bearing races are located on the outer surface of the rotating hub.

Abstract: An automotive differential has two annular housing parts that are screwed together and an adjustment collar that is screwed into one of the annular housing parts. A ring gear is supported by bearings in the respective housing parts for rotation on a longitudinal axis that is perpendicular to a plane through the juncture of the two annular housing parts. A pinion gear is also rotatably mounted in the annular housing part that carries the adjustment collar for rotation on an axis that is not parallel to the longitudinal axis of the ring gear. The pinion gear meshes with the ring gear. Gear backlash and bearing preload are adjusted by indexing the two housing parts with respect to each other and by positioning the adjustment collar with respect to the one housing part.

Abstract: A planetary gear device P includes a planetary carrier 3 integrally provided with a shaft portion 3.sub.1, a ring gear supporting member 7 having a ring gear 6 fixedly mounted on the outer periphery thereof, and an output member 10 spline-connected to the outer periphery of the shaft portion 3.sub.1. The right side of the ring gear supporting member 7 is supported on the left side of the planetary carrier 3 through a first thrust bearing 13, and the left side of the ring gear supporting member 7 is supported through a second thrust bearing 16 on the right side of a washer 15 secured to the shaft portion 3.sub.1, of the planetary carrier 3 by means of a circlip 14. With this arrangement, it is possible to reduce vibrations transmitted from the ring gear supporting member 7 of the planetary gear device P to the output member 10, to improve the mounting property of the planetary gear device P and to facilitate the management of dimensions of parts.

Abstract: An improved differential case is provided that resists rotation between the two differential case halves. Spline teeth extend from each of the mating faces of the two differential case halves into grooves in the other. The spline teeth and grooves prevent relative rotation. A method of making the differential case halves is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a planetary gearing comprising a planet carrier which is adapted to be rotated about an axis of rotation, a sun gear, at least one planetary gear, and a ring gear, at least one axle end projecting beyond one end face of said planet carrier and said planetary gear being rotatably supported on said axle end by means of its axle-reception opening. Especially in small-size planetary gearings making use of sintered components, the service life is to be improved. For this purpose, it is suggested that the planetary gear should be constructed such that it is at least radially displaceable with regard to the axis of rotation of the said planet carrier.

Abstract: A hub system which has a stationary hub carrier and a planetary gear with a web that functions as a rotating hub for supporting a wheel rim. Planet wheels are mounted on the web and a ring gear is connected to the stationary hub carrier and to a vehicle component. Two spaced bearings are positioned in an X-arrangement inside of the stationary hub carrier to rotationally mount the rotating hub on the stationary hub carrier. The bearings are biased with respect to each other by the connection between the stationary hub carrier and the vehicle component. A sun gear on a drive shaft is located in the planetary gear to engage the planet wheels and drive them around the ring gear.

Abstract: An internal gear of a planetary gear reduction mechanism and a clutch outer member of a one-way clutch are formed integrally with a cylindrical rotary member extending axially. The rear end of the cylindrical rotary member is formed as the internal gear, while the front end thereof is formed as the clutch outer member. A boss portion or a centering portion is formed integral with the cylindrical rotary member between the internal gear and the clutch outer member. The inner peripheral surface of the boss portion slidably engages the peripheral surface of a planet carrier or a flange formed at the rear end of a drive shaft. In this manner, the axis of the cylindrical rotary member aligns coaxially with the drive shaft.

Abstract: An isolated ring gear (60) for a planetary gear drive system (12), which isolated ring gear (60) is operative transferring torque loads and reducing the transmission of high frequency vibrations from the planetary pinions (36) of the drive system (12) to an adjacent support (50). The isolated ring gear (60) includes and inner ring segment (62), an outer ring segment (64) and a plurality of spring elements (66) disposed between and integrally formed with the inner and outer ring segments (62, 64). The inner ring segment (62) has a plurality of gear teeth (62.sub.T) for being disposed in intermeshing combination with the teeth (32b.sub.T) of the planetary pinions (36) and the outer ring segment (64) is rigidly affixed to the adjacent support structure (50).

Abstract: The kinematic arrangement of a multiple-speed automatic transmission for an automotive vehicle includes three simple planetary units, hydraulically actuated clutches and brakes applied and released selectively, and several overrunning couplings that produce one-way drive connection between the inner and outer races, which are connected to various components of the gear units. Each of the planetary gear units includes a sun gear, a ring gear surrounding the sun gear, a carrier, and a set of planet pinions in continuous meshing engagement with the sun gear and ring gear and rotatably supported on the carrier. At least one of the gear units includes an overrunning clutch that produces a one-way drive connection between its carrier and one of the planet pinions supported on the carrier.

Abstract: This invention relates to high reduction planetary transmissions that do not use internal ring gears and particularly planet gears that are the support for the planet carrier and in some cases the planet carrier may be used as a support bearing for the input shaft relative to the stationary and output gears with which they mesh. The floating is accomplished by providing means to let the carrier move radially in response to unbalanced forces from the planet gears. The floating of the planet gears improves the alignment between the intermeshing gears and the balancing of the load between the planet gears. A speed reducing device placed between the input shaft of the transmission and the drive means is used to decrease the speed of the input shaft to decrease the centrifugal force on the planetary pinions as they rotate around the sun and output gears.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a motor vehicle planetary transmission component for the individual drive of a wheel of a motor vehicle. The planetary transmission component comprises a rotary component of a motor which is mounted with its motor shaft by means of a roller bearing on a support part, which support part simultaneously forms a housing for a planetary transmission. The motor shaft supports, equiaxially with respect to its axis of rotation, a sun wheel which is surrounded by a ring gear held on the support part. Engaged with the sun wheel and the ring gear are planet wheels which are supported axially parallel to the axis of rotation of the motor shaft on a driven shaft part of the planetary transmission. The driven shaft part is supported by means of a single, single-row roller bearing on the support part. This roller bearing is located on the side of the plane of rotation of the planet wheels axially farther from the roller bearing of the motor shaft, and has some radial play.

Abstract: A differential drive having a drivable differential carrier supported in a drive house. The differential drive includes two axle shaft gears which are coaxially supported in a first bore. A plurality of pairs of differential gears which are eccentrically supported in an axis-parallel way in the differential carrier second and third bores. The longer hub extension opposed to a region of engagement with the associated axle shaft gear is radially fixed. The shorter hub extension adjoining a region of engagement with an associated axle shaft gear is laterally guided in a radial direction.

Abstract: A planetary gear reduction mechanism permitting easy mounting of a plate that separates a gear reduction section from a motor section. A flange portion 20 that is integrally formed with an output shaft rotation axis 11 is provided on its rear side a ring of support pins 21 having an open-ended cylinder shape and circumferentially equally spaced in a circle. A plate 22 has on its front side of the flange portion 22a a ring of projections 22b circumferentially equally spaced, and the projections 22b are engaged with the support pins 21. With planetary gears 7 attached onto the support pins 21, the plate 22 is mounted by press-fit inserting the projections 22b into the openings of the support pins 21.

Abstract: In a differential/mechanism for transmitting power from a drive shaft to the axle shafts of a motor vehicle, a shim cap surrounding the end of the axle shaft is located between a differential pinion shaft and a slotted washer seated within recesses formed on the axle shaft and on the side bevel gear, the shim cap having a crown whose thickness fills the axial space between the inner end of the axle shaft and the pinion shaft. The shim cap limits the range of axially inward movement of the axle shaft.

Abstract: A reduction mechanism for mill comprises a planetary gear train comprising a sun gear, planet gears, an internal gear and a carrier for supporting the planet gears; an input shaft for feeding power; a sun gear shaft on which the sun gear is mounted; an intermediate shaft interposed between the sun gear shaft and the input shaft; an output table for transferring rotary power; a thrust bearing for supporting the output table; and a case for enveloping the planet gear train and the thrust bearing. A tilting pad type bearing is used for the thrust bearing. The thrust supporting portion of the tilting pad type bearing is formed spherically. The center of the spherical surface is positioned between inside and outside diameters of a vertical portion of the case which receives a thrust force.

Abstract: A transmission comprising an input member, an output member and a planetary gear train is provided. The planetary gear train includes an output carrier and a spindle. The output carrier includes an outer conically tapered surface and the spindle includes a tapered inner surface having a variable inner diameter. The outer conically tapered surface of said output carrier includes a variable outer diameter. The output carrier is immovably affixed to said stationary spindle by forcibly press-fitting said variable outer diameter of said outer conically tapered surface of said output carrier into immoveable engagement with said variable inner diameter of said tapered inner surface of said spindle. The planetary gear train effects a speed reduction between said input member and said output member.

Abstract: In a transmission having a planetary gear unit arranged on one side thereof with respect to a partition wall integral with a casing, an output gear-and-bearing mounting structure is provided in which an output gear arranged on the other side of the partition wall opposite to the planetary gear unit is supported by the partition wall via a bearing. The output gear has a boss rotatably supported by the partition wall through the bearing fitted into an axial hole of the partition wall, and a flange located on the other side of the partition wall and extending along the same. An outer race of the bearing is fixed to a side surface of the partition wall facing the flange of the output gear, by a bolt inserted through a through hole formed in the flange of the output gear.

Abstract: A differential for the axle drive of a motor vehicle has a cage in the interior of which the axle shaft gears are guided and on which they are supported. For absorbing the forces acting in the direction of the axle drive shafts, the cage is made of a tube section and has at least two diametrical bores for the receiving and leadthrough of the axle drive shafts. As a result, the differential can be manufactured with a reduced weight and lower cost while having a high stiffness.

Abstract: A planetary transmission comprising a planet carrier (6) connected rotationally fast to a driving shaft (3), a planet gear (7) of which planet carrier (6) is simultaneously in mesh with an annulus (9) fixed on a housing (1,2) and with a sun gear (10) connected rotationally fast to a driven shaft (12) arranged concentric with the driving shaft (3), each of the driving shaft (3) and the driven shaft (12) being mounted for rotation relative to the housing (1,2) on at least one bearing (16,17) and outer and inner rings (22,25 31 34) of said bearings (16,17) being seated on bearing seats (5,14,11,15), characterized in that at least one of two bearing seats (5,14,11,15) of each bearing (16,17) comprises at an axial end thereof, a resilient projection (19,24,27,32) engaging by elastic reverse deformation, an end face of the inner or outer bearing ring (22,25,31,34) seated thereon.

Abstract: A planet carrier (6) of a planetary transmission wherein planet gears (7) in mesh with an annulus (9) and a sun gear (10) are mounted on pins (8) which are guided on both sides of the planet gears (7) in lodgings (15,15a) of disk-shaped carrier elements (13,13a) connected to each other, characterized in that the lodgings (15,15a) are made in the form of pockets opening radially outwards to enable radial insertion of the pins (8).

Abstract: A two speed drive has an input shaft and an output shaft. Between the input shaft and the output shaft is a first brake/clutch pack assembly, a planetary gear train and a second brake/clutch assembly. The two speed drive offers a low speed operation, a high speed operation and braking of the drive by the engagement and disengagement of the first and second brake/clutch pack assemblies. The planetary gear train includes one axially fixed planet gear with the remainder to the planet gears being allowed to move axially in order to equalize the load carried by each planet gear.

Abstract: A differential gear assembly has a planetary reduction gearing and a bevel differential mechanism which share a common carrier. The bevel gear differential mechanism has four pinion gears mounted in the carrier in pairs on slidably disposed supports. The supports also secure telescoping parts of the carrier together to permit easy assembly. The four pinions mesh with two side gears which are rotatably supported in the carrier and connected with respective output shafts.

Abstract: A sun gear/planetary housing apparatus for use in a vehicle transfer case assembly is provided. The apparatus includes a planetary housing assembly having a body, a gear cavity formed within the body, a gear supporting ridge located within the gear cavity, a plurality of notches located on the gear supporting ridge, and a washer accepting groove located on the gear supporting ridge; a washer having a plurality of oil carrying channels and a plurality of tabs configured to engage with the notches; and a sun gear assembly having a gear end and a bearing surface located on the gear end. A method of assembling a sun gear/planetary housing apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: A planetary gear system includes a sun gear coupled to an annular ring gear through a plurality of twist-planet gears, a speeder gear, and a ground structure having an internal ring gear. Each planet gear includes a solid gear having a first half portion in the form of a spur gear which includes vertical gear teeth and a second half portion in the form of a spur gear which includes helical gear teeth that are offset from the vertical gear teeth and which contact helical gear teeth on the speeder gear and helical gear teeth on the outer ring gear. One half of the twist planet gears are preloaded downward, while the other half are preloaded upwards, each one alternating with the other so that each one twists in a motion opposite to its neighbor when rotated until each planet gear seats against the sun gear, the outer ring gear, the speeder gear, and the inner ring gear. The resulting configuration is an improved stiff anti-backlash gear system.

Abstract: A friction torque establishing device and a ring gear are assembled with a positioner ring between a housing of the torque establishing device and the ring gear. The positioner ring has a split sleeve with a living hinge portion which permits the assembly of the ring between the housing and a toothed portion of the ring gear along a hub member. The sleeve also has locator pins and a latch mechanism integrally formed therewith to assure proper location relative to the gear and for latching the ring gear on the hub after assembly.

Abstract: An epicyclical system of miter, bevel, worm and spur gears, plus joining members that may be adapted to, or be embodied in, a wide variety of devices in the field of applied mechanics including, but not limited to: (a) absorption of energy from fluid streams, (b) timing and tracking mechanisms, (c) mechanical power transmission; (d) generation of uniform or intermittent sine wave velocities in a multitude of helicoid patterns.

Abstract: A centrifugal planetary friction transmission comprising an input shaft, an output shaft, at least one planetary friction pulley set which is formed by three coaxially linked cylindrical external friction pulleys, and three internal pulleys. The friction forces acting on the planetary friction pulley set are mostly cancelled out by each other. According to the invention, the external friction pulleys only contact with the internal friction pulleys, and the normal pressure for producing the friction force for transmitting the torque is created by the centrifugal force of the external friction pulley set only and the transmission is a positive characteristic planetary transmission.

Abstract: A double planetary carrier is constructed by providing separate carriers for carrying therein two sets of planet gears which are axially set apart from each other, and by connecting the two carriers together. A cylindrical portion is formed on a periphery of a side plate of one of the carriers to receive therein a side plate of the other carrier. Serrated teeth are formed respectively on a periphery of the side plate and on the cylindrical portion to connect the two carriers by means of serrations. The serrated teeth are formed so as to have a play therebetween. Between the side plates there are formed radially extending oil grooves to introduce lubricating oil into oil holes which are formed in gear shafts of the planet gears.

Abstract: This invention relates to high reduction planetary transmissions that do not use ring gears and particularly planet gears that are the support for the planet carrier. The planet carrier is entirely supported by the planet gears meshing with their respective sun and output gears. The planet gears can move in a radial direction to improve tooth alignment between the meshing gears and equalize the distribution of the torque load between the planet gears. In some cases the planet carrier may act as one of the support bearings for the input shaft.

Abstract: A geared drive system employing a planetary gear train conveys torque and rotary motion from a source thereof to a bladed propulsor or other device requiring torque and rotary motion. A pivotable joint arrangement connects the planet carrier to a rotating or static torque frame in a manner that isolates the carrier from torsional deflections and the deleterious effects thereof.

Abstract: A hinge fitting for motor vehicle seats having an adjustable backrest comses a fixed hinge member, which is associated with the seat, and a swivelling hinge member which is associated with the backrest. The two hinge members are connected via an eccentric so as to swivel, and both hinge members comprise sets of toothing which engage with each other and form part of a wobble mechanism. The eccentric may be swivelled about a first swivelling axis in a first pivot bearing relative to the other hinge member. Both pivot bearings are arranged eccentrically relative to each other. The pivot bearings are formed by plain bearing bushings which are mounted in the hinge members. For the purpose of calibration by means of a calibrating mandrel, the plain bearing bushings are plastically compressible. The running surfaces of the plain bearing bushings observe, in each case, the smallest spacing from the associated axis of the hinge member which accommodates the respective plain bearing bushings.

Abstract: A multiple-disc clutch type electronically controlled differential limiting device comprises a differential gear, a hydraulically actuated multiple-disc clutch operably disposed between a differential case and a differential side gear to produce, a differential limiting torque by engagement of the clutch, and a differential limiting controller which derives a wheel-speed difference between-right and left driven wheels and hydraulically controls an engaging force of the clutch to increasingly compensate the engaging force in accordance with an increase in the wheel-speed difference. A torsional damper is internally accommodated in the associated drive shaft. A resonance frequency of the torsional damper is set to be equal to a resonance frequency of a torsional vibration system which is constructed by a peripheral member of the differential acting as a mass moment of inertia with respect to the axis of the associated drive shaft and each drive shaft acting as a torsional spring.

Abstract: A coupling system including a sun gear coupling (32) and a ring gear coupling (158) for connecting the sun gear(36) and the ring gear housing (50) of a planetary gear train (26) to an external shaft (24) and an external mechanical ground (56) respectively are each characterized by undulant cross sections for accommodating parallel and angular misalignments. A ring gear deflection limiter (158), antirotation spline (190) and vibration damper are also included for enhanced operation.

Abstract: Planetary reduction gear comprising at least one stage consisting of an input plant pinion (7), of spider gears (8, 9, 10) mounted on a spider (11) secured to an output shaft and to a fixed crown wheel (12). The spider gears are mounted so that they can float radially in the spider and the toothings of the meshing elements are offset such that the radial resultant of the forces exerted, on the one hand, between the crown wheel and the spider gears and, on the other hand, between the spider gears and the planet pinion points either toward the planet pinion in order to reduce the noise of the reduction gear, or toward the weakest elements in order to increase the load capability of the reduction gear.

Abstract: A heavy duty work vehicle for rough terrain is provided with tandem axles wherein engine power is transferred equally to both the front and rear wheels of the tandem axles. A gear train having a torque divider splits any unequal torque on the front and rear wheels into two equal torques to obviate wheel lifting and loss of traction.

Abstract: A speed reducer has a sun gear for connection to a turbine of an engine and a planet carrier supporting a number of planetary gears meshing with the sun gear and with the ring gear fitted to the engine mounting. According to the present invention, the planet carrier has a first annular element having pairs of seats for pins on each of which rotates one of the planetary gears. A second annular element for connection to a compressor of the engine has a number of axial arms fitted inside respective cavities of the first annular element. An end of each axial arm is connected to a portion of the first annular element that is substantially equidistant between to the seats of each of the pairs of seats.

Abstract: In a high ratio planetary transmission which includes in a housing coaxial input and output shafts and wherein a first sun roller structure is part of one of the shafts and disposed within the housing, a first traction ring is disposed within the housing around the first sun roller structure in spaced relationship therefrom, and a number of planetary traction rollers are supported in the space between the sun roller structure and the first traction ring, each traction roller has two sections of different diameters, one in engagement with the first traction ring and with the sun roller structure and the other being in engagement with a second traction ring which is operatively connected for rotation with the other of the input and output shafts.

Abstract: A carrier for an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle is provided. The carrier comprises a hub, an annular face plate, a plurality of posts, and a plurality of planetary gears. The hub includes a collar having internal teeth adapted to mesh with an input or an output shaft, and a disc attached to the collar. The posts are generally cylindrical, and extend between the hub and the face plate substantially within the respective perimeters of the hub and the face plate. The planetary gears are disposed in a gear pocket between the hub and the face plate, with each planetary gear being mounted on an associated pinion shaft and adapted to mesh with both a sun gear and a ring gear.

Abstract: A means for securing a connection between a planetary gear unit including one or more planet gear sets and a drum member surrounding them, wherein the planet gear carrier (8) carrying the planet gears (10) rotatably mounted on planet gear spindles (9) includes a larger diameter disc member (14) connected to the open end of the drum member (16) by a projection and recess (17/18) connection. Connection is axially secured by a securing element (30) formed as a ring adjacent the disc member (14) and having at least two, and preferably three, pairs of spreading arms extending radially into the recesses (18) of the drum member (16). The recesses (18) are provided with grooves (19) located in front of the plane of the disc member (14). The end edges (36) of the radial spreading arms (32) are engageable in the grooves (19) in the circumferential direction by plastic or elastic deformation.

Abstract: A seat reclining mechanism for adjusting the angular position of a seatback relative to a seat cushion by a planetary gear arrangement includes a rotatable shaft, a base plate, a pivotable arm, a control gear, a plurality of planetary gears, and a supporting member. Each planetary gear has a first boss portion. The supporting member has first and second circular holes for receiving therein the first boss portions of the planetary gears. The first and second circular holes are disposed on the supporting member such that a first distance between a rotational center of the supporting member and a rotational center of the first circular hole is shorter than a second distance between the rotational center of the supporting member and a rotational center of the second circular hole. The supporting member has a circular center hole. The pivotable arm has a second boss portion which is received in the circular center hole of the supporting member for mounting the supporting member on the second boss portion.

Abstract: A small-sized reduction gear includes: a stationary internal gear 10; a movable internal gear 20 having an internal gear; planet gears 12 in mesh with the stationary internal gear 10 and the movable internal gear 20; a holder member 15 and a holder clamp 19 which hold the planet gears 12; and a sun gear 4 in mesh with the planet gears 12 and directly connected with a motor shaft 3. The reduction gear further includes a column beam 18 provided between columns extending upwardly from the holder member 15 and, further guide sections provided in those sections where the movable internal gear 20 and the stationary internal gear 10 are in contact with each other. This construction helps to provide a small-sized reduction gear which makes it possible to obtain a high reduction ratio with a very small number of parts, which has a high level of transmission efficiency, which involves little backlash and noise, and which excels in dustproofness and can be produced at low costs.