Gear assembly with thrust washer configuration

Abstract

A gear assembly includes a shaft defining an axis of rotation, a gear mounted to the shaft for rotation about the axis of rotation relative to the shaft, a pin, and a thrust washer disposed axially adjacent to the gear. The pin is disposed in a portion of the thrust washer and extends into the shaft.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a gear assembly, and more particularly, to a gear assembly having a thrust washer. Background Technology

[0002] Gear assemblies can have multiple gears to provide output with a selected gear ratio. Among various components, gear assemblies can have multiple thrust washers to withstand the thrust loads of one or more gears in the gear assembly. As just one example, such a gear assembly could be used as the drive gear assembly for a shredder on an agricultural harvester. Summary of the Invention

[0003] According to an aspect of this disclosure, a gear assembly includes: a support; a shaft mounted to the support and defining an axis of rotation; a gear mounted to the shaft for rotation about the axis of rotation relative to the shaft; a pin; and a thrust washer disposed axially adjacent to the gear and preventing rotation about the axis of rotation relative to the support. The thrust washer includes a through-hole and a channel. The shaft is disposed in the through-hole. The pin is disposed in the channel and extends into the shaft.

[0004] According to another aspect of this disclosure, the gear assembly includes: a shaft defining an axis of rotation; a gear mounted to the shaft for rotation about the axis of rotation relative to the shaft; a pin; and a thrust washer disposed axially adjacent to the gear. The thrust washer includes a bend. The pin is disposed in the bend and extends into the shaft.

[0005] The above and other features will become apparent from the following description and accompanying figures. Attached Figure Description

[0006] The detailed description of the accompanying drawings is based on the drawings, in which (general shading is applied):

[0007] Figure 1 This is a side elevation view showing an agricultural harvester;

[0008] Figure 2 This is a perspective view showing the gear assembly of a shredder used to drive an agricultural harvester;

[0009] Figure 3 This is an example of a planetary gear assembly showing the gear assembly along... Figure 2 The cross-sectional view taken by line 3-3;

[0010] Figure 4This is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the planetary gear assembly with the parts partially cut open, showing a pin that extends laterally through opposite ends of the shaft and is positioned in the bend of the corresponding thrust washer.

[0011] Figure 5A It is a perspective view with the section cut open, showing the first one of the pins extending through the shaft and having opposite end portions, which are disposed in the corresponding bend of the first thrust washer received in the corresponding groove;

[0012] Figure 5B It is a perspective view with the part cut open, showing the second one of the pins extending through the shaft and having opposite end portions, which are disposed in the corresponding bends of the second thrust washer received in the corresponding grooves;

[0013] Figure 6 This is a perspective view showing the first housing portion and the second housing portion of the support member of the gear assembly;

[0014] Figure 7 Along the way when partially dissected Figure 2 The cross-sectional view taken by line 7-7;

[0015] Figure 8A This is a perspective view showing the first thrust washer; the second thrust washer is structurally similar to the first thrust washer.

[0016] Figure 8B This is a rear elevation view showing the first thrust washer;

[0017] Figure 8C This is a side elevation view showing the first thrust washer; and

[0018] Figure 8D This is a front elevation view showing the first thrust washer. Detailed Implementation

[0019] refer to Figure 1The agricultural harvester 10 is configured to harvest crops from the field. The harvester 10 processes the crops, thereby separating the grain from the crop residue. Typically, the harvester 10 may include a tool 12 for rearward cutting, collecting, and transporting crops; a feed chamber 14 for advancing crops received from the tool 12 into the body of the harvester 10; a threshing and separating section 16 for threshing the crops and further separating the grain from crop residues; a cleaning section 18 including one or more screens and sieves for separating the grain from chaff or other relatively small pieces of crop material; a clean grain elevator 20 for lifting the clean grain to a storage bin 22; a discharge machine 24 for unloading the clean grain to another location; an agitator 26 for agitating residues received from the threshing and separating section 16 that are not passed to the cleaning section; a shredder 28 (e.g., a flail shredder) for chopping the crop residues; and a residue spreader 30 for distributing the crop residues across the field. The harvester 10 can be controlled from an operator station 32. The harvester 10, including such components, can be configured in a variety of ways.

[0020] refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 The harvester 10 includes a gear assembly 34 configured to rotatably drive the shredder 28. It should be understood that although the gear assembly 34 is disclosed herein as part of the harvester 10 and in relation to the shredder 28, the gear assembly 34 can be used in a wide variety of environments.

[0021] The gear assembly 34 includes a support 36. For example, the support 36 is configured to have a first housing portion 38 and a housing portion 40 fastened (e.g., with bolts) to the first housing portion 38. The support 36 can be configured in a variety of ways, with the housing being just one embodiment.

[0022] Support 36 can be secured to prevent movement relative to the frame of harvester 10. Torque reaction member 42 can be fastened to support 36 (e.g., with bolts) to prevent rotation of support 36.

[0023] Gear assembly 34 receives a rotational input and outputs a rotational output. Gear assembly 34 includes a pulley 44 to be driven by a belt 48 to rotate about a rotation axis 46, the belt 48 imparting the rotational input to the pulley 44. Gear assembly 34 includes an output shaft 50 that defines and is rotatable about the rotation axis 46 to provide a rotational output.

[0024] Gear assembly 34 includes an input sleeve 52. The input sleeve 52 is fixed to a pulley 44 for rotation therewith, such that rotation of the pulley 44 causes rotation of the input sleeve 52. The input sleeve 52 surrounds an output shaft 50. Bearings (e.g., double-row tapered roller bearings) are radially disposed between the sleeve 52 and the output shaft 50 for relative rotation between them about a rotation axis 46. Bearings (e.g., ball bearings) are radially disposed between the input sleeve 52 and a first housing portion 38 for rotation of the input sleeve 52 relative to a support member 36. Bearings (e.g., ball bearings) are radially disposed between a second housing portion 40 and a support sleeve surrounding the output shaft 50 for rotation of the output shaft 50 about a rotation axis 46.

[0025] Gear assembly 34 includes a first sun gear 54, a second sun gear 56, an output gear 58, a plurality of planetary gears 60 (e.g., three), and a shift collar 62, one of which is shown. An input sleeve 52 surrounds and is splinedly connected to the first sun gear 54 to transmit rotation of the input sleeve 52 to the first sun gear 54. The first sun gear 54 and the second sun gear 56 surround and are rotatably mounted to the output shaft 50 so as to be rotatable relative to the output shaft 50. The output gear 58 surrounds and is splinedly connected to the output shaft 50 such that rotation of the output gear 58 about a rotation axis 46 causes a corresponding rotation of the output shaft 50.

[0026] Planetary gears 60 are evenly spaced about the axis of rotation 46 of the output shaft 50. When the support 36 is configured as a housing, each planetary gear 58 is positioned within an interior region 63 of the support 36. Each planetary gear 58 has an axis of rotation 64 fixed relative to the axis of rotation 46 of the support 36 and the output shaft 50, and is configured as, for example, a compound gear having a first gear 66 and a second gear 68. Gears 66 and 68 are fixed to each other to prevent movement relative to each other. A first sun gear 54 and a first gear 66 mesh with each other, and a second sun gear 56 and a second gear 68 mesh with each other.

[0027] Shift collar 62 surrounds and is splined to output gear 58, and is displaceable in opposite axial directions relative to the axis of rotation 46. Shift lever 70 is coupled to shift collar 62 to displace shift collar 62 between neutral, a first operating position, and a second operating position. In neutral, shift collar 62 is splined to output gear 58, but not to either sun gear 54, 56. In the first operating position, shift collar 62 is splined to the first sun gear 54 and output gear 58, such that power flows from input sleeve 52 to the first sun gear 54, shift collar 62, output gear 58, and then to output shaft 50. In the second operating position, the shift collar 62 is splinedly connected to the second sun gear 56 and the output gear 58, such that power flows from the input sleeve 52 to the first sun gear 54, the first gear 66 of each planetary gear 60, the second gear 68 of each planetary gear 60, the second sun gear 56, the shift collar 62, the output gear 58, and then to the output shaft 50. The second operating position provides a reduced speed to the output shaft 50 relative to the first operating position.

[0028] refer to Figures 3 to 7 Each planetary gear 60 is included in a planetary gear assembly 70 of gear assembly 34, one of which is shown. The planetary gear assemblies 70 are similar to each other in structure and function.

[0029] Each planetary gear assembly 70 includes a shaft 72 and a planetary gear 60. The shaft 72 is mounted to a support 36 and defines a rotation axis 64 for the planetary gear 60. The shaft 72 includes a first end portion 74 and a second end portion 76. The first end portion 74 is disposed in and supported therein in a first axial bore 78 included in a first housing portion 38 and coaxial with the rotation axis 64, and the second end portion 76 is disposed in and supported therein in a second axial bore 80 included in a second housing portion 40 and coaxial with the rotation axis 64.

[0030] Planetary gear 60 is rotatably mounted to shaft 72 for rotation about axis of rotation 64 relative to shaft 72. A pair of bearings 82 (e.g., needle roller bearings) are radially disposed between planetary gear 60 and shaft 72 for rotation of planetary gear 60 about axis of rotation 64 relative to shaft 72. Spacer sleeves 84 are axially disposed between bearings 82 such that bearings 82 are axially spaced apart from each other relative to axis of rotation 64.

[0031] The planetary gear assembly 70 includes a first thrust washer 86 and a second thrust washer 88 that are similar to each other in structure and function. The thrust washers 86 and 88 are configured to support the axial thrust load of the planetary gear 60.

[0032] Thrust washers 86 and 88 are axially disposed adjacent to the planetary gear 60 and the corresponding bearing 82, such that the planetary gear 60 and the bearing 82 are axially disposed between the thrust washers 86 and 88 relative to the rotation axis 64. The first thrust washer 86 is axially disposed relative to the rotation axis 64 between a first boss 89 of the first housing portion 38 adjacent to the first axial side 114 of the first thrust washer 86 and the planetary gear 60, and between a corresponding bearing 82 adjacent to the second axial side 116 of the first thrust washer 86. The second thrust washer 88 is axially disposed relative to the rotation axis 64 between a second boss 90 of the second housing portion 40 adjacent to the first axial side 114 of the second thrust washer 88 and the planetary gear 60, and between a corresponding bearing 82 adjacent to the second axial side 116 of the second thrust washer 88.

[0033] Each thrust washer 86 includes a through hole 92, in which a shaft 72 is disposed. A first end portion 74 of the shaft 72 is disposed in the through hole 92 of the first thrust washer 86, such that the first thrust washer 86 surrounds the first end portion 74 of the shaft 72. A second end portion 76 of the shaft 72 is disposed in the through hole 92 of the second thrust washer 88, such that the second thrust washer 88 surrounds the second portion 76.

[0034] refer to Figures 8A to 8D Each thrust washer 86, 88 includes a first bend 94 and a second bend 96. The first bend 94 and the second bend 96 are aligned with each other diametrically. The thrust washers 86, 88 are configured, for example, as rings, the ring comprising the first bend 94, the second bend 96, a first arcuate portion 98 connecting the first bend 94 and the second bend 96, and a second arcuate portion 99 opposite to and coplanar with the first arcuate portion 98 and connecting the first bend 94 and the second bend 96. During manufacturing, the thrust washers 86, 88 are initially elliptical in shape, which is then stamped to include the bends 94, 96, and to provide a generally circular shape for the thrust washers 86, 88.

[0035] Each arcuate portion 98, 99 includes a first face 110 and a second face 112 facing in opposite axial directions. Each first face 110 is included in a first axial side 114 of the thrust washers 86, 88, and each second face 112 is included in a second axial side 116 of the thrust washers 86, 88.

[0036] Reference Figures 3 to 7The first surface 110 of the arcuate portions 98 and 99 of the first thrust washer 86 contacts the first boss 89 of the first housing portion 38, and the second surface 112 of the arcuate portions 98 and 99 of the first thrust washer 86 contacts the planetary gear 60 and the corresponding bearing 82. The first surface 110 of the arcuate portions 98 and 99 of the second thrust washer 88 contacts the second boss 90 of the second housing portion 40, and the second surface 112 of the arcuate portions 98 and 99 of the second thrust washer 88 contacts the planetary gear 60 and the corresponding bearing 82. The second surface 112 provides an axial support surface for the planetary gear 60 and the bearing 82 relative to the axis of rotation 64, and prevents or otherwise restricts axial movement of the planetary gear 60 and the bearing 82 relative to the axis of rotation 64.

[0037] Thrust washers 86 and 88 are prevented from rotating about the axis of rotation 64 relative to the support 36. Each bend 94 and 96 protrudes axially into the support 36. Each of the first and second housing portions 38 and 40 includes a first recess 118 and a second recess 120. The first bend 94 and the second bend 96 of the first thrust washer 86 protrude axially into the first recess 118 and the second recess 120 of the first housing portion 38, respectively, so as to be respectively disposed in the first recess 118 and the second recess 120 of the first housing portion 38. The first bend 94 and the second bend 96 of the second thrust washer 88 protrude axially into the first recess 118 and the second recess 120 of the second housing portion 40, respectively, so as to be respectively disposed in the first recess 118 and the second recess 120 of the second housing portion 40. In this way, the recesses 118 and 120 prevent the bends 94 and 96 from rotating about the axis of rotation 64. The support 36 prevents the thrust washers 86 and 88 from rotating about the axis of rotation 64.

[0038] Grooves 118 and 120 are radial grooves because they extend radially relative to the axis of rotation 64. The grooves 118 and 120 of each thrust washer 86 and 88 are diametrically aligned with respect to the axis of rotation 64. The grooves 118 and 120 of the first thrust washer 86 are included in a first boss 89 of the first housing portion 38, and the grooves 118 and 120 of the second thrust washer 88 are included in a second boss 90 of the second housing portion 40. The first boss 89 and the second boss 90 are formed to include a first hole 78 and a second hole 80, respectively.

[0039] Each thrust washer 86, 88 includes a first channel 122 and a second channel 124. With respect to each thrust washer 86, 88, a first bend 94 and a second bend 96 respectively include the first channel 122 and the second channel 124. An axial second side portion 116 of the thrust washers 86, 88 includes the first channel 122 and the second channel 124. Each channel 122, 124 extends from the radially outer periphery 126 of the thrust washers 86, 88 to the radially inner periphery 128 of the thrust washers 86, 88. The radially inner periphery 128 defines a through-hole 92 in the thrust washers 86, 88.

[0040] The planetary gear assembly 70 includes a first pin 130 and a second pin 132, each of which prevents rotation of the shaft 72 about the rotation axis 64. The first pin 130 is disposed in a first channel 122 of a first bend 94 of a first thrust washer 86 and a second channel 124 of a second bend 96, such that the first pin 130 is disposed in the first bend 94 and the second bend 96 of the first thrust washer 86. The second pin 132 is disposed in a first channel 122 of a first bend 94 of a second thrust washer 88 and a second channel 124 of a second bend 96, such that the second pin 132 is disposed in the first bend 94 and the second bend 96 of the second thrust washer 88. Therefore, the pins 130 and 132 disposed in the channels 122 and 124 of the bends 94 and 96 of the respective thrust washers 86 and 88 prevent rotation of the shaft 72 about the rotation axis 64.

[0041] Each pin 130, 132 extends into the shaft 72. The first pin 130 and the second pin 132 extend laterally through the first end portion 74 and the second end portion 76 of the shaft 70, respectively. Illustrated, the first pin 130 and the second pin 132 extend diametrically through the first end portion 74 and the second end portion 76 of the shaft 70 relative to the axis of rotation 64.

[0042] Each pin 130, 132 is configured, for example, as a dowel pin. Pins 130, 132 include a first end portion 134 disposed outside the shaft 72 and in a first channel 122 of a first bend 94 of a corresponding thrust washer 86, 88; a second end portion 136 disposed outside the shaft 72 and in a second channel 124 of a second bend 96 of a corresponding thrust washer 86, 88; and an intermediate portion 138 disposed between the first end portion 134 and the second end portion 136 and in the corresponding end portions 74, 76 of the shaft 72. The thrust washers 86, 88, together with the pins 130, 132 disposed in the bends 94, 96, contribute to the relatively compact design of the planetary gear assembly 70.

[0043] The channels 122, 124 of each thrust washer 86, 88 are configured to communicate with the lubricant of the corresponding adjacent bearing 82. Each channel 122, 124 and the recesses 118, 120 therein cooperate to provide a lubricant passage 140 for communicating lubricant (e.g., oil) from the inner region 63 to the corresponding adjacent bearing 82. The channels 122, 124 and the recesses 118, 120 of the bends 94, 96 allow lubricant to reach the bearing 82. The housing portions 38, 40 may be formed to include features that help guide the lubricant to the channels 140.

[0044] In some embodiments, each thrust washer 86, 88 may be thick enough (axially) that channels 122, 124 are provided by grooves in the second axial side 116 of the thrust washer 86, 88. In such cases, the thrust washers 86, 88 may be formed without bends 94, 96 and may include tabs, shanks, or other features modified as appropriate for engagement with the corresponding housing portions 38, 40.

[0045] While exemplary embodiments of this disclosure have been described above, these descriptions should not be viewed in a limiting sense. Rather, other changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of this disclosure as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A gear assembly, comprising: Support components; A shaft, which is mounted to the support and defines an axis of rotation; A gear, the gear being mounted to the shaft for rotation about the axis of rotation relative to the shaft; pin; and A thrust washer, configured to be axially adjacent to the gear and prevented from rotating about the axis of rotation relative to the support member, the thrust washer including a through hole and a channel, the shaft being disposed in the through hole, and the pin being disposed in the channel and extending into the shaft. The thrust washer includes a curved portion that protrudes axially into the support member and includes the channel. Wherein, the curved portion is a first curved portion, the channel is a first channel, the thrust washer includes a second curved portion that axially protrudes into the support and includes a second channel, and the pin is disposed in the second channel.

2. The gear assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The axial side of the thrust washer includes the channel.

3. The gear assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The channel extends from the radial outer periphery of the thrust washer to the radial inner periphery of the thrust washer.

4. The gear assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The thrust washer includes a second channel, and the pin is disposed in the second channel.

5. The gear assembly according to claim 4, wherein, The channel is a first channel, and the axial side of the thrust washer includes the first channel and the second channel.

6. The gear assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The support member includes a groove, and the curved portion protrudes axially into the groove.

7. The gear assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The first curved portion and the second curved portion are aligned with each other in the diametrical direction.

8. The gear assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The thrust washer includes a ring, which comprises a first curved portion, a second curved portion, a first bow-shaped portion, and a second bow-shaped portion. The first bow-shaped portion connects the first curved portion and the second curved portion. The second bow-shaped portion is opposite to the first bow-shaped portion and coplanar with the first bow-shaped portion, and connects the first curved portion and the second curved portion.

9. The gear assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The support member includes a first groove and a second groove, and the first curved portion and the second curved portion axially protrude into the first groove and the second groove respectively, so as to be respectively disposed in the first groove and the second groove.

10. The gear assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The pin is configured as a locating pin, the locating pin including a first end portion, a second end portion and a middle portion, the first end portion being disposed outside the shaft and disposed in the first channel of the first bend, the second end portion being disposed outside the shaft and disposed in the second channel of the second bend, and the middle portion being disposed between the first end portion and the second end portion and disposed in the shaft.

11. The gear assembly of claim 1, comprising a bearing radially disposed between the shaft and the gear, wherein, The channel is configured to communicate with the bearing via lubricant.

12. A gear assembly, comprising: A shaft, which defines an axis of rotation; A gear, the gear being mounted to the shaft for rotation about the axis of rotation relative to the shaft; pin; and A thrust washer, the thrust washer being axially adjacent to the gear, the thrust washer including a bend, the pin being disposed in the bend and extending into the shaft. The bent portion is a first bent portion, the thrust washer includes a second bent portion, and the pin is disposed in the second bent portion. The first bent portion and the second bent portion axially protrude into the first groove and the second groove in the support member for supporting the shaft, respectively.

13. The gear assembly according to claim 12, wherein, The thrust washer includes a ring formed with a first bend and a second bend.

14. The gear assembly of claim 12, comprising: A housing, in which the gear is disposed; Second positioning pin; A second thrust washer, wherein the pin is configured as a first locating pin, the thrust washer is a first thrust washer, and the bent portion is a first bent portion. The first thrust washer is axially disposed between the gear and the first housing portion of the housing, and the second thrust washer is axially disposed between the gear and the second housing portion of the housing. Each of the first housing portion and the second housing portion includes an axial hole, a first radial groove, and a second radial groove aligned diametrically with the first radial groove. The shaft includes a first end portion disposed in an axial hole in the first housing portion and a second end portion disposed in an axial hole in the second housing portion. The first thrust washer includes a second curved portion that is diametrically aligned with the first curved portion of the first thrust washer. The second thrust washer includes a first curved portion and a second curved portion aligned diametrically with the first curved portion of the second thrust washer. For the first thrust washer, the first bent portion and the second bent portion axially protrude into the first radial groove and the second radial groove of the first housing portion, respectively, so as to be respectively disposed in the first radial groove and the second radial groove of the first housing portion. For the second thrust washer, the first bent portion and the second bent portion respectively protrude axially into the first radial groove and the second radial groove of the second housing portion, so as to be respectively disposed in the first radial groove and the second radial groove of the second housing portion. The first locating pin is disposed in the first and second bends of the first thrust washer and extends laterally through the first end portion of the shaft. The second locating pin is disposed in the first and second bends of the second thrust washer and extends laterally through the second end portion of the shaft.

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