Spiral center drive gearbox for closed gearbox components

Abstract

A gearbox housing includes a gear cavity breather housed within the gearbox housing to allow pressure equalization between the internal gear cavity and the external environment while ensuring that lubricant remains within the gearbox. According to a preferred embodiment, a breather contained within the gearbox housing may be formed as a spring-loaded ball valve to ensure that external contaminants do not enter the gearbox while allowing passage of air.

Description

[0001] Related Applications

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 396,258, filed on August 9, 2022.

[0003] BACKGROUND AND FIELD OF THE INVENTION Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates generally to irrigation machines and, more particularly, to a transmission for enclosing transmission components. Background Art

[0003] FIG1 shows an exemplary self-propelled irrigation system 100 known in the prior art. As shown, a common self-propelled irrigation system 100 may generally include spans 102, 104 supported by drive towers 108, 110. Further, such an irrigation machine 100 may generally include a movable corner 106, which may include an end gun (not shown).

[0004] In operation, the self-driving tower of the irrigation machine is driven by a drive motor mounted on the wheel of each tower. Each drive motor generally includes a gearbox connected to transfer the torque of the drive motor to the wheel. FIG. 2 provides a prior art example of a gearbox disclosed by Zimmer in U.S. Patent 3,954,120. As shown in FIG. 2, each drive tower 200 can generally include a frame / support arm 201-203 and a drive system including a drive motor 222, one or more motor gearboxes 224 and one or more drive shafts 206, 208 to provide torque to one or more drive wheels 204. It is further shown that the torque from each drive shaft 206, 208 can be translated 90 degrees through one or more wheel gearboxes 210. Each gearbox 210 may include a gearbox housing 212 and a gearbox cover 214 fixed by cap screws 216. The drive wheel 204 can be attached to each wheel flange 220 by bolts / bolt holes 218.

[0005] For each system of the prior art, there are many limitations. In particular, each solution of the prior art can allow oil leakage and water intrusion under certain circumstances. In order to overcome the limitations of the prior art, a system is needed that can effectively provide ventilation for the irrigation system gearbox during irrigation operation and improve seal life and reduce oil leakage. Summary of the invention

[0007] To minimize the limitations found in the prior art, and to minimize other limitations that will become apparent upon reading the specification, the present invention teaches an exemplary transmission housing including a gear cavity breather contained within the transmission housing to allow pressure equalization between the internal transmission cavity and the external environment while ensuring lubricant is retained within the transmission. According to a preferred embodiment, the breather contained within the transmission housing may be formed as a spring-loaded ball valve to ensure that external contaminants do not enter the transmission while allowing air to pass.

[0008] According to yet another preferred embodiment, a first exemplary gearbox is disclosed, which includes a gearbox cover and a gearbox housing attached together with a center seal. According to yet another embodiment, the gearbox housing preferably includes an upper wall surface between two gearbox corners. According to yet another embodiment, the first exemplary gearbox includes a gear chamber breather extending through the upper wall surface of the gearbox housing and located between the two gearbox corners.

[0009] According to another preferred embodiment, the center seal is formed by an O-ring installed between the gearbox cover and the gearbox housing. Preferably, the center seal has a rectangular cross-section. Alternatively, the center seal can have a circular cross-section or any other geometric shape. Preferably, the center seal is formed of a flexible material such as nitrile rubber (NBR), fluoroelastomer (FKM / FPM), etc. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary irrigation machine according to the prior art.

[0012] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an exemplary drive tower known in the prior art.

[0013] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a spiral center drive gear module / drive gear train for an irrigation machine according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 4A and Figure 4B for Figure 3 A side cross-sectional view of an exemplary helical center drive gear module / drive gear train is shown.

[0015] Figure 5 It is a front stereoscopic view of the driving module shown in FIG. 4 .

[0016] Figure 6 Shows Figure 5 A rear perspective view of an exemplary helical center drive module is shown.

[0017] Figure 7 for Figure 5 The drive module shown is along Figure 5 The side perspective cross-sectional view taken along line AA is shown.

[0018] Fig. 8A and Figure 8B for Figure 7 An enlarged view of the drive module is shown, illustrating the transmission seal of the present invention.

[0019] Fig. 9A FIG. 4 is a front view of an exemplary transmission cover according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Fig. 9B To be attached to Fig. 9A A rear view of an exemplary transmission housing with a transmission cover.

[0021] Fig.10 for Fig. 9B A side perspective view of the gearbox housing is shown.

[0022] Fig.11A is a side view of an exemplary steel ball valve type breather device for use with the present invention.

[0023] Fig. 11B for Fig.11A A side cross-sectional view of the breather shown.

[0024] Fig.12 is a side cross-sectional view of a transmission component of the present invention showing the transmission output shaft connected to the shear cross bolt.

[0025] Fig.13 is a side cross-sectional view of a transmission component of the present invention, showing the transmission input shaft. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] Various aspects of the present invention will be explained in conjunction with the exemplary embodiments and examples shown in the accompanying drawings. These descriptions, embodiments and figures should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims. Further, the word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "as an example, instance or illustration". Accordingly, any embodiment described herein as "exemplary" should not be construed as being superior to other embodiments. In addition, well-known elements of the present embodiment will not be described in detail or omitted to avoid confusion with relevant details.

[0028] If the specification describes other prior art embodiments or advantages of limitations, applicants do not intend to challenge or overrule any potential embodiments covered by the appended claims unless applicants specifically indicate that they "hereby challenge or overrule" the scope of potential claims. Likewise, the term "embodiments" does not require that all embodiments of the invention include any feature or advantage discussed, nor does it require that the invention does not include disadvantages or drawbacks of the prior art.

[0029] As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" are also intended to include the plural forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In addition, the word "may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e., "potentially"), rather than a mandatory sense (i.e., "must"). Further, it should be understood that throughout the present invention, unless logically required to be otherwise specified, the steps of the process or method as shown or described may be performed in any order (i.e., repeatedly, iteratively or simultaneously), and selected steps may be omitted. It will also be understood that the terms "comprises", and / or "comprising", when used herein, specify the presence of the feature, integer, step, operation, element and / or component, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and / or groups thereof.

[0030] Figure 3 300 is a perspective view of a spiral center drive gear module / drive gear train of an irrigation machine according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the exemplary motor 300 can be any type of motor without limitation. The gearbox 302 will be further discussed below.

[0031] See now Figure 4A and Figure 4B , provides Figure 3 A side cross-sectional view of an exemplary helical center drive gear module / drive gear train is shown. Figure 4A , an electric motor 300 is shown attached to a gearbox 302. As shown, the gearbox 302 includes a gear 308 for transmitting torque between the drive elements as described above. As shown, the gear 308 is contained in a gearbox housing 304, which defines a gearbox cavity 305, which is then covered by a gearbox cover 310 (as shown in FIG. Figure 5 shown).

[0032] Figure 4B 304 for receiving the breather device (not shown) of the present invention in the gearbox housing 304. According to a preferred embodiment, the exemplary gear cavity breather device included in the gearbox housing 304 preferably allows for pressure equalization between the gearbox cavity 305 and the external environment while ensuring that lubricant is retained in the gearbox 304. At the same time, the gear cavity breather preferably keeps contaminants and water out of the gear cavity 305. As shown, preferably, the mounting boss 306 formed in the gearbox housing 304 is formed to allow the received breather device to extend through the upper wall 307 of the gearbox housing 304.

[0033] According to a preferred embodiment, the breather contained in the gearbox housing 304 can be formed as a spring-loaded ball valve (as described below) to ensure that external contaminants do not enter the gearbox while allowing air to pass through, thereby causing pressure equalization. Alternatively, the breather can be any other type of breather device without limitation. For example, the breather used in the present invention can be a labyrinth breather system. Furthermore, the breather can be Type fabric barrier system, or the like. In addition, the ventilation system of the present invention can include a spiral box, a diaphragm system, etc.

[0034] According to another preferred embodiment, the aerator used in the present invention can be as follows Fig.11A and 11B A steel ball valve type vent valve 330 is shown. Fig.11A A side view of an exemplary vent valve 330 that may preferably be used with the present invention is shown. Fig. 11B Another side cutaway view 332 is shown illustrating exemplary internal components of the vent valve 330. As shown, the internal components may include an air output passage 334, a spring 336, and a ball 338 for controlling internal transmission pressure.

[0035] Figure 6 Shows Figure 3 A rear perspective view of an exemplary spiral center drive module is shown. Figure 6 As shown, the gearbox 302 of the present invention preferably includes a sensor port 307 on the back of the gearbox housing 302. According to a preferred embodiment, the sensor port 307 can accommodate and include one or more of a plurality of sensor types to monitor the gearbox 302. For example, the sensor port 307 can include a magnetic sensor for implementing a magnetic brake mechanism. Alternatively, the sensor can be a temperature sensor, an oil level sensor, a pressure sensor, etc. Preferably, a drain plug 309 (e.g., an M16 drain plug, etc.) can also be provided on the outer wall of the gearbox 302.

[0036] Reference now Figure 7-10 , the preferred method and arrangement for sealing the transmission front cover 310 to the main transmission housing 304 will now be discussed. Figure 7 supply Figure 5 The driving module shown is a side perspective cross-sectional view taken along line AA. Fig. 8A and Figure 8B Provided Figure 7 Magnified view of the area shown.

[0037] The transmission front cover 310 is attached to the transmission housing 304 by a plurality of fixing bolts 313. Fig. 8A and Figure 8BAs shown, the flexible seal 312 is preferably used to secure and seal the front cover 310 of the transmission and the transmission housing 304. Preferably, the front cover 310 of the transmission and the transmission housing 304 are machined into interlocking geometric shapes to ensure the alignment of the cover and the transmission housing, and to properly position the cover to ensure that the flexible seal 312 is properly in place and prevent possible oil leakage. In particular, the cover 310 of the present invention is preferably designed to ensure the correct alignment of the gears, bearings, shafts and seals during the assembly of the complete transmission. Further, the cover is formed to improve the structural integrity of the transmission.

[0038] The flexible seal 312 of the present invention is preferably provided by an O-ring installed between the upper cover 310 and the lower gearbox housing 304. According to a preferred embodiment, the flexible seal 312 of the present invention may preferably have a rectangular / square cross-section and may preferably be formed of nitrile rubber (NBR), fluoroelastomer (FKM / FPM), etc.

[0039] Reference now Fig. 9A , Fig. 9B and Fig.10 , further aspects of the present invention will now be discussed further. In particular, the gearbox housing 304 and the front cover 310 of the present invention may preferably include selectively positioned prying pieces. As shown, preferably, when the cover 310 is connected to the lower gearbox housing 304, the upper cover prying piece 320 may preferably be positioned to align with the lower gearbox housing prying piece 324. In addition, preferably, when the cover 310 is attached to the lower gearbox housing 304, the second upper cover prying piece 318 is positioned to align with the second lower gearbox prying piece 326. Similarly, the third gearbox cover prying piece 322 may be aligned with the third lower gearbox housing prying piece 328.

[0040] See now Fig.12 and 13 The gearbox 302 of the present invention preferably also includes torque overload protection to protect the components of the gearbox 302 and any other components in or connected to the drive train (e.g., U-joints, opposing wheel gearboxes, center drive gearboxes, center drive motors). For example, Fig.12 As shown, the output shaft 334 of the gearbox 302 (e.g., the output shaft connected to the drive shaft or the flexible joint) may include a shear cross bolt 338, which may preferably be connected to an axel hub 340, 342, etc. Fig.12 As shown, a shear key 336 or the like may be used instead of the shear cross bolt 338. Alternatively, the output shaft 334 may be segmented into at least one segment of the output shaft 334 connected by a shear cross bolt 338 or a shear key 336 or the like. Fig.13As shown, these same torque protection measures can be integrated into the input shaft 344 (e.g., the motor rotor to pinion gear connection) of the gearbox 302. For example, Fig.13 As shown, the input shaft 344 may include a shear key or shear cross bolt 348 to secure the input shaft 344 to the pinion hub 346 or another segment of the input shaft 344 .

[0041] The scope of the invention should not be determined by the embodiments shown, but rather by the following claims and their legal equivalents.

Claims

1. A mechanized system, characterized in that: having at least one first drive motor connected to the drive shaft; The drive shaft is connected to at least one drive wheel via a first gearbox connected to the drive motor; the gearbox comprises: Helical center drive gear train; a gearbox housing defining a central gearbox cavity and enclosing the helical center drive gear train; A transmission front cover; the transmission front cover is attached to the transmission housing by a plurality of fixing bolts; a center seal comprising a flexible seal between the transmission front cover and the transmission housing; wherein the center seal comprises an O-ring mounted between the transmission front cover and the transmission housing; wherein the center seal comprises a rectangular cross-section; and A gear chamber breather extends through an upper wall surface of the transmission housing.

2. The gearbox according to claim 1, characterized in that: The center seal is formed of nitrile rubber (NBR).

3. The gearbox according to claim 1, characterized in that: The center seal is formed from fluoroelastomer.

4. The gearbox according to claim 2, characterized in that: The gear chamber breather is configured to equalize pressure between the transmission chamber and an external environment.

5. The gearbox according to claim 4, characterized in that: The gear chamber breather includes a spiral-type cartridge filter.

6. The gearbox according to claim 4, characterized in that: The gear cavity breather includes a fabric barrier system.

7. The gearbox according to claim 4, characterized in that: The gear chamber breather includes a labyrinth ventilation system.

8. The gearbox according to claim 4, characterized in that: The gear chamber breather includes a diaphragm system.

9. The gearbox according to claim 4, characterized in that: The gear chamber breather includes a steel ball valve type breather valve.

10. The gearbox according to claim 9, characterized in that: The steel ball valve type vent valve includes an air output channel, a spring and a ball for controlling the internal gearbox pressure.

11. The gearbox according to claim 10, characterized in that: The gearbox includes a sensor and a sensor port for monitoring an interior of the gearbox.

12. The gearbox according to claim 11, characterized in that The gearbox includes a sensor selected from a group of sensors including: a magnetic sensor, a temperature sensor, an oil level sensor, and a pressure sensor.

13. The gearbox according to claim 12, characterized in that The gearbox includes a drain plug on an outer wall of the gearbox.

14. The gearbox according to claim 13, characterized in that The transmission front cover and the transmission housing are machined into interlocking geometries.

15. The gearbox according to claim 14, characterized in that The transmission housing and the transmission front cover each include a pry piece.

16. The gearbox according to claim 15, characterized in that The prying piece includes a first transmission front cover prying piece and a first transmission housing prying piece; wherein the first transmission front cover prying piece is positioned to be aligned with the first transmission housing prying piece when the transmission front cover is attached to the transmission housing.

17. The gearbox according to claim 16, characterized in that The prying piece further includes a second transmission front cover prying piece and a second transmission housing prying piece; wherein the second transmission front cover prying piece is positioned to be aligned with the second transmission housing prying piece when the transmission front cover is attached to the transmission housing.

18. The gearbox according to claim 17, characterized in that The prying piece further includes a third transmission front cover prying piece and a third transmission housing prying piece; wherein the third transmission front cover prying piece is positioned to be aligned with the third transmission housing prying piece when the transmission front cover is attached to the transmission housing.

19. The gearbox according to claim 18, characterized in that The gearbox further comprises an output shaft connected to the first drive train component; wherein the output shaft is fixed to the first drive train component by a shear cross bolt.

20. The gearbox according to claim 18, characterized in that The gearbox further comprises an output shaft connected to the first drive train component; wherein the output shaft is fixed to the first drive train component by a shear key.

21. The gearbox according to claim 18, characterized in that The gearbox further comprises an input shaft connected to a second drive train component; wherein the input shaft is fixed to the second drive train component by a shear cross bolt.

22. The gearbox according to claim 18, characterized in that The gearbox further comprises an input shaft connected to a second drive train component; wherein the input shaft is fixed to the second drive train component by a shear key.

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