Planetary
Gears
23R502 – Design of Mechanical Transmission Systems
By: Jayanth Subramaniam A
23R210
What is a Planetary
Gear?
• A gear system that uses a central "sun" gear, one or
more "planet" gears that orbit it, and an outer "ring"
gear that encloses them.
• Also known as an epicyclic gear system.
• This specific arrangement of gears in planetary gear
systems enhances their robustness and their ability to
achieve high torque density and large reduction
ratios in a compact, in-line package.
Key Components
• Sun Gear (Central Gear): The central gear that
the planets rotate around.
• Planet Gears: Two or more identical gears that
mesh with the sun and the ring gear. They are
mounted on the planet carrier.
• Planet Carrier (Arm): A moving arm that holds
the planet gears and dictates their orbital path.
• Ring Gear (Annulus): An external gear with
internal teeth that meshes with the planet gears.
Types
Based on construction:
• Single-stage planetary gearbox
• Multi-stage planetary gearbox
• Compound planetary gearbox
Based on configuration and mounting:
• Coaxial planetary gearbox
• Offset planetary gearbox
• Right-angle planetary gearbox
• Harmonic drive planetary gearbox
Based on gear type:
• Spur gear planetary gearbox
• Helical gear planetary gearbox
Modes of Operation
Fixed Component Input Component Output Component
Mode Resulting Motion Typical Use
(Brake) (Drive) (Driven)
Standard reduction in
Ring Gear Large reduction in speed;
Reduction Sun Gear Planet Carrier automatic transmissions
(Annulus) High torque increase.
(low gears).
Speed increase (less Used to achieve the
Overdrive Sun Gear Planet Carrier Ring Gear common as a single "direct drive" in
stage). automatic transmissions.
Output rotates in the
To achieve reverse gear
Reversing Planet Carrier Sun Gear Ring Gear opposite direction of
in some transmissions.
the input.
Often used for a slightly
Moderate reduction in
Reduction Sun Gear Ring Gear Planet Carrier different ratio than the
speed.
first mode.
Locking the system to
Input shaft speed equals
Direct Drive None (All locked) Any Any bypass the gear
output shaft speed ().
reduction entirely.
Advantages
• Coaxial Shafts: Input and output shafts are on the same axis (in-line design).
• High Power Density: Multiple planet gears share the load, increasing torque capacity.
• Compact Size: Achieves high reduction ratios in a small space.
• Efficiency: High efficiency (typically 90-98%) due to shared loading and rolling contact.
Disadvantages
• Complexity: More complex to design, manufacture, and assemble than simple parallel-shaft gearboxes.
• Bearing Loads: Requires precision in bearing placement for load sharing.
• Cost: Higher manufacturing cost due to complexity.
Applications
• Automotive: Automatic transmissions
(they are the core of how shifts occur).
• Heavy Machinery: Construction
equipment (excavators, bulldozers) for
high torque at the wheels/tracks.
• Robotics: Precision gearboxes for high-
torque, low-backlash applications.
• Aerospace: Turbofan engines for the
gear reduction between the turbine and
the fan (Geared Turbofan).
• Wind Turbines: Used in the gearbox to
step up the low rotational speed of the
blades to a high speed for the generator.