Coupling element and transmission having coupling element

Abstract

A coupling element and a transmission having the coupling element are provided. The coupling element (30) comprises internal teeth and a cutout (32). The coupling element (30) is configured for coupling a first gear set and a second gear set of the transmission. The first gear set comprises at least one first ring gear (15). The coupling element (30) forms a first ring gear (15) on the inner circumference via the internal teeth. The coupling element (30) is formed in an annular manner. At least one cutout (32) is formed on the at least one first end region in the axial direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a coupling element and a transmission device having the coupling element. Background Art

[0002] A coupling element for mechanically coupling a first planetary gear set to a second planetary gear set is known. The coupling element comprises a ring gear at the inner periphery, which engages with the planetary gears located on the inner side in the radial direction. Summary of the invention

[0003] The object of the present invention is to provide an improved coupling element by means of which the efficiency and the lubrication function of the transmission are increased during operation.

[0004] This object is achieved by a coupling element having the features of claim 1. Advantageous developments are subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0005] The coupling element comprises an inner tooth portion and a cutout. The coupling element is configured to couple a first gear set and a second gear set of a transmission. The first gear set and the second gear set may be arranged to be offset relative to each other in an axial direction. The first gear set comprises at least one first ring gear. The second gear set may comprise at least a second spur gear. The coupling element forms the first ring gear on the inner periphery via the inner tooth portion. The coupling element is formed in an annular manner. The inner tooth portion may extend through the entire coupling element in an axial direction. At least one cutout is formed at at least one first end region in an axial direction. The first end region may be arranged at the inner tooth portion. At least one cutout may be provided at a second end region opposite to the first end region in an axial direction. The second end region may be arranged at the inner tooth portion.

[0006] If two elements are coupled to each other, the movement of one element causes a reaction of the other element. For example, the connection can be provided by a shape lock or a friction connection. Additional elements can be provided between the elements. For example, the connection can be torsion-proof. The torsion-proof connection of two elements is understood to mean a connection in which the two elements are rigidly coupled to each other for all expected states of the transmission, for example, so that they have approximately the same rotation speed. The elements can be provided here as separate components that are torsionally connected to each other, or otherwise as an integral piece.

[0007] The first gear set may include a first spur gear. The first spur gear may engage with the first ring gear. If the first gear set is arranged offset in the axial direction relative to the second gear set, the second spur gear of the second gear set may abut against the first spur gear of the first gear set in the axial direction. Therefore, the second spur gear and the coupling element may be positioned relative to each other in the axial direction. The second spur gear may be arranged in the first ring gear in the radial direction. The second spur gear may overlap with the first ring gear in the radial direction. The coupling element may include a connecting device for a torsion-proof connection to the second spur gear, such as a claw connection or a fixing element or a combination thereof. Therefore, the first gear set and the second gear set may be connected via the coupling element.

[0008] The contact point of the first spur gear and the second spur gear may be formed via an end face of the first spur gear and an end face of the second spur gear, wherein the two end faces touch each other. One of the two end faces may be spherical so that a line touch or line contact is generated between the first spur gear and the second spur gear. The cutout may be arranged at a delimited surface of the oil chamber outside the area of ​​the line touch in the radial direction.

[0009] In one embodiment, the coupling element may comprise external teeth at the outer periphery.

[0010] In one embodiment, the second gear set may include at least a second spur gear. The coupling element may form a second spur gear at the inner periphery via an external toothing. In this regard, the internal toothing may be torsionally connected to the external toothing. The external toothing may extend through the entire coupling element in an axial direction. The coupling element may then form a sun ring gear. Thus, the first gear set and the second gear set may be coupled via the coupling element. The first gear set and the second gear set may be arranged in the same plane in the axial direction. The second gear set may be arranged outside the first gear set in a radial direction.

[0011] At least one of the outer and inner teeth of the coupling element may be helical. Both the outer and inner teeth may be helical. The inner and outer teeth may be helical in the same direction.

[0012] In one embodiment, the coupling element may comprise a circumferential groove formed at an inner circumference of the coupling element.The groove may be arranged at a first end region of the coupling element.

[0013] The cutout may overlap with the groove base of the groove in the radial direction. The groove base may be a cylindrical surface of the groove located on the outside in the radial direction. There may be two grooves. Each groove may be arranged in one of the two end regions of the coupling element that are opposite to each other in the axial direction. The groove may form a wall extending in the radial direction. The wall may be arranged on the outside of the groove in the axial direction.

[0014] In one embodiment, the cutout may extend from the groove through the coupling element in the axial direction to the outside of the coupling element. The cutout may extend through a wall portion of the coupling element extending in the radial direction. The cutout may extend obliquely through the coupling element, i.e. in the radial direction and in the axial direction, to the outside of the coupling element. The cutout may extend obliquely inwardly in the radial direction. The cutout may extend obliquely outwardly in the radial direction.

[0015] In one embodiment, the oil chamber can be formed at the inner periphery of the coupling element. The oil chamber can be defined in the axial direction by a bounding surface. The bounding surface can extend in the circumferential direction. The bounding surface can be arranged in the axial direction at the end area of ​​the inner tooth portion. The oil chamber can include the tooth portion of the first ring gear.

[0016] The groove may at least partially form a bounding surface. For example, a surface of the groove located at the outer side in the axial direction and extending in the radial direction may form a bounding surface. The surface extending in the radial direction may be an inner surface of a wall extending in the radial direction. The oil chamber may extend between the two grooves. The oil chamber may be formed between the groove base and the surface of the groove extending in the circumferential direction. The centrifugal force that delivers the oil for lubricating the first ring gear in the radial direction to the inner periphery of the coupling element may act in the radial direction.

[0017] The oil chamber may be defined by a second defining surface. The second defining surface may be disposed at a second end region opposite to the first end region. The second defining surface may be formed at least in part by another groove disposed at the second end region. The oil chamber may extend inwardly to the center of the coupling element in the axial direction. The oil chamber may be disposed between the two defining surfaces in the axial direction. The oil chamber may be defined by a groove base of the groove, a surface of the groove located outside in the axial direction, and an inner periphery of the coupling element, respectively.

[0018] In one embodiment, the oil chamber may be in fluid communication with at least one cutout. The cutout may be formed such that it enables oil to flow out of the oil chamber in an axial direction of the coupling element. The oil flow may occur in a radial direction and in an axial direction out of the oil chamber.

[0019] If two elements are in fluid communication with each other, fluid (e.g. oil) can be conducted from one element to another element. In this case, the fluid connection can be formed in a leak-free manner so that the oil is substantially completely conducted from one element to another element.

[0020] One of the cutouts can be formed such that it comprises a fluid connection with the boundary surface of the oil chamber which is located furthest outward in the axial direction. The cutout can be in fluid communication with the groove base. This improves the drainage of oil from the oil chamber via centrifugal force.

[0021] In one embodiment, the cutout may be formed via a through hole. The hole may lead to the groove base. The hole may lead to a delimiting surface of the oil chamber extending in the radial direction. The hole may extend obliquely through the coupling element, i.e. in the radial direction and in the axial direction, to the outside of the coupling element. The cutout may be formed by a hole that is angled relative to the axial direction.

[0022] The cutouts may have a rectangular cross section in the circumferential direction.The cutouts may be produced via a face milling cutter which is moved in the radial direction and aligned in the axial direction.

[0023] In one embodiment, a plurality of cutouts may be provided. These cutouts may be evenly distributed in the circumferential direction. Several cutouts may be provided on each of the first end region and the second end region of the coupling element. The number of cutouts may be an even number. More than three (e.g., eight) cutouts may be provided on each of the first end region and the second end region of the coupling element. If a cutout is provided on each of the first end region and the second end region of the coupling element, the same number of cutouts may be provided in each end region, and the cutouts of the two end regions may be provided at the same position in the circumferential direction.

[0024] In one embodiment, the coupling element may include a fixing element, which is at least indirectly configured for relative positioning of the coupling element and at least the first spur gear of the first gear set in the axial direction. The first spur gear may engage with the first ring gear. The surface of the fixing element located on the inner side in the axial direction may at least partially form a delimiting surface of the oil chamber. The fixing element may be formed by a snap ring or a fixing ring. The circumferential groove may be configured for positioning the fixing element in the axial direction. The fixing element may fit into the circumferential groove of the coupling element. The cutout in the radial direction may be arranged so that it includes an area on the outside of the fixing ring in the radial direction. The cutout may be formed by omitting at least one tooth. The cutout may be formed by omitting the teeth of the first ring gear in a wall portion extending in the radial direction.

[0025] In one embodiment, the cutout may extend through the fixing element. The cutout may be formed by weakening the fixing element on its periphery. The cutout may extend to the outside of the weakened fixing element and through a wall portion of the coupling element extending in a radial direction. The cutout may extend through the fixing element and a wall portion extending in a radial direction. The cutout may be formed by a combination of an inclined hole and a hole extending in an axial direction.

[0026] In one embodiment, a thrust washer may be disposed between the coupling element and the first planetary gear for relative positioning of the coupling element and the first spur gear. The thrust washer may be configured to abut against an inner surface of a fixed element. The thrust washer may be configured for axial positioning of the first spur gear. The thrust washer may be arranged between the fixed element and the first spur gear. The surface of the thrust washer located on the inner side in the axial direction may at least partially form a defining surface of the oil chamber. The inner surface of the thrust washer may have a spherical configuration inward in the axial direction. When the thrust washer contacts the first planetary gear, a line touch or line contact may be formed.

[0027] The cutout may extend in the axial direction from the outside of the coupling element beyond the surface of the thrust washer which is located at the inside in the axial direction.The thrust washer and the fixing ring may be formed as a one-piece element.

[0028] In one embodiment, the cutout may extend through the thrust washer. The cutout may be formed by weakening the thrust washer at its periphery. The cutout may extend to the outside of the weakened thrust washer and through a wall portion of the coupling element extending in a radial direction. The cutout may extend to the outside of the weakened thrust washer, to the outside of the weakened fixing element and through a wall portion of the coupling element extending in a radial direction. The cutout may extend through a wall portion extending in a radial direction, a fixing element or a thrust washer or a combination thereof.

[0029] In one aspect, a transmission comprises a first gear set, a second gear set and a coupling element according to one of the aforementioned embodiments. The first gear set comprises a first ring gear. The second gear set comprises a second spur gear.

[0030] In one embodiment, the first gear set may be formed by a first planetary gear set, and the first planetary gear set may include a first sun gear, a first planet carrier, a first planet gear, and a first ring gear. The first planet gear may form a first spur gear. The first sun gear may be engaged with the first planet gear. The first planet gear may be engaged with the first ring gear.

[0031] In one embodiment, the second gear set may be formed by a second planetary gear set. The second planetary gear set may include a second sun gear, a second planet carrier, a second planetary gear, and a second ring gear. The second sun gear may form a second spur gear. The second sun gear may engage with the second planetary gear. The second planetary gear may engage with the second ring gear. The first planetary gear set and the second planetary gear set may be arranged in the same plane in the axial direction. The first planetary gear set and the second planetary gear set may be arranged to be offset in the axial direction relative to each other.

[0032] The transmission can have the function of a differential transmission. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a transmission having a coupling element is shown.

[0034] Figure 2 A further exemplary embodiment of a transmission having a coupling element is shown in cross section.

[0035] Figure 3 A further exemplary embodiment of a transmission having a coupling element is shown in cross section.

[0036] Figure 4 A further exemplary embodiment of a transmission having a coupling element is shown in cross section.

[0037] Figure 5 A further exemplary embodiment of a transmission having a coupling element is shown in cross section.

[0038] Figure 6 A further exemplary embodiment of a transmission having a coupling element is shown in cross section. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a transmission with a coupling element is shown. The transmission comprises a first gear set, in this case a first planetary gear set 10, and a second gear set, in this case a second planetary gear set 20, and a coupling element 30. The coupling element 30 is formed in an annular manner. The coupling element 30 comprises an internal toothing at the inner circumference and thus forms the first ring gear 15 of the first gear set 10. The coupling element 30 comprises a cutout 32 at a first end region in the axial direction.

[0040] The first ring gear 15 is lubricated and cooled via oil. The oil is delivered to the inner periphery of the coupling element 30 in the radial direction by centrifugal force or in another way. As a result, an oil chamber 33 is formed on the inner periphery of the coupling element 30. The cutout 32 extends from the oil chamber 33 through the coupling element 30 in the axial direction to the outside of the coupling element 30. As a result, the oil can flow out from the oil chamber 33 to the outside of the coupling element 30.

[0041] Further details of the transmission and coupling element 30 are described below.

[0042] The first planetary gear set 10 includes: a first sun gear 11; a first planet carrier 12; a plurality of first planet bolts 13; a plurality of first planet gears 14; and a first ring gear 15. The first sun gear 11 is engaged with one of the first planet gears 14. One of the first planet gears 14 is engaged with the first ring gear 15 and is rotatably mounted on one of the first planet bolts 13. The first planet bolt 13 is connected to the first planet carrier 12.

[0043] The second planetary gear set 20 includes: a second sun gear 21; a second planet carrier 22; a plurality of second planet bolts 23; a plurality of second planet gears 24; and a second ring gear 25. The second sun gear 21 is engaged with one of the second planet gears 24. One of the second planet gears 24 is engaged with the second ring gear and is rotatably mounted on one of the second planet bolts 23. The second planet bolt 23 is connected to the second planet carrier 22. The second planet carrier 22 is formed by a stationary member 9. The first planetary gear set 10 is arranged to be offset in the axial direction relative to the second planetary gear set 20.

[0044] The second sun gear 21 is arranged in the radial direction within the first ring gear 15 and the coupling element 30, respectively, and extends partially in the axial direction within the coupling element 30. The second sun gear 21 is connected to the coupling element 30 in a torsionally fixed manner. The second sun gear 21 is supported against at least one of the first planetary gears 14 in the axial direction. As a result, one of the first planetary gears 14 is positioned in the axial direction relative to the second sun gear 21 and relative to the first ring gear 15 and the coupling element 30, respectively. The contact surfaces of the first planetary gears 14 and the second sun gear 21 are configured so that they form a line contact. The cutout 32 is arranged outside the area of ​​the line contact in the radial direction.

[0045] On the left-hand side in the axial direction, a circumferential groove 31 is formed on the first end region at the inner periphery of the coupling element 30. The fixing element 40 fits into the circumferential groove 31. The thrust washer 50 is arranged between one of the first planetary gears 14 and the fixing element 40. The thrust washer 50 is used for relative positioning of one of the first planetary gears 14 relative to the coupling element 30. The bounding surface of the oil chamber 33 is partially formed on the left-hand side by a surface of the groove 31 located outside in the axial direction and extending in the radial direction. In addition, the bounding surface is partially formed by a surface of the fixing element 40 located inside in the axial direction. In addition, the bounding surface is formed by a surface of the thrust washer 50 located inside in the axial direction. At the second end region of the coupling element 30, the second bounding surface is formed by a portion of the second sun gear 21 extending in the radial direction, which overlaps with the bounding surface at the first end region of the coupling element 30 in the radial direction.

[0046] The groove 31 forms a wall portion extending inwardly in the radial direction from the groove base at the first end region. The cutout 32 extends from the groove 31 in the axial direction through the wall portion of the coupling element 30 to the outside of the coupling element 30. The cutout 32 is formed via a hole in the axial direction. The cutout 32 overlaps the outer periphery of the fixing element 40 in the radial direction. A plurality of cutouts 32 are evenly distributed in the circumferential direction. The oil flow direction from the oil chamber 33 through one of the cutouts 32 to the outside of the coupling element 30 is in the Figure 1 It is shown with the help of thick arrows.

[0047] Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a transmission device with a coupling element 30 is shown. This embodiment includes all the features of the previous embodiment. The difference between this embodiment and the previous embodiment lies in the configuration of the cutout 32.

[0048] In the present embodiment, the cutout 32 is formed in the thrust washer 50. The wall portion extending in the radial direction has no cutout 32. The cutout 32 is formed by a hole that is angled with respect to the axial direction and inclined inwardly in the radial direction. The cutout 32 ends in the fixing element 40 in the radial direction. The oil can flow out of the oil chamber 33 through the thrust washer 50 via the cutout 32 to the outside of the coupling element 30.

[0049] Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a transmission device having a coupling element 30 is shown. This embodiment includes reference Figure 2 All features of the embodiments described herein. Figure 2 The embodiment described differs in the configuration of the cutout 32 .

[0050] In this embodiment, the cutout 32 extends in the axial direction. The cutout 32 does not tilt inward in the radial direction. The cutout 32 ends in the fixing element 40 in the radial direction. The oil can flow out of the oil chamber 33 through the thrust washer 50 via the cutout 32 to the outside of the coupling element 30.

[0051] Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a transmission device having a coupling element 30 is shown. This embodiment includes reference Figure 1 All features of the embodiments described herein. Figure 1 The embodiment described differs in the configuration of the cutout 32 .

[0052] In the present case, the cutout 32 is formed by weakening the periphery of the fixing element 40. The cutout 32 is formed by a weakened area at the periphery of the fixing element 40 in addition to the hole extending in the axial direction in the wall portion extending in the radial direction of the coupling element 30. In this weakened area, the outer side of the fixing element 40 is at a distance from the groove base in the radial direction. As a result, the oil can flow out of the oil chamber 33 to the outside through the hole in the wall portion extending in the radial direction of the coupling element 30 through the fixing element 40. The oil flow direction from the oil chamber 33 to the outside of the coupling element 30 through one of the cutouts 32 is in Figure 4 It is shown with the help of thick arrows.

[0053] Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a transmission device having a coupling element 30 is shown. This embodiment includes reference Figure 4 All features of the embodiments described herein. Figure 1 The embodiment described differs in the configuration of the cutout 32 .

[0054] In the present embodiment, the fixing ring extends in the radial direction as far as the groove base. The cutout 32 is additionally formed via a hole in the fixing element 40. The hole in the fixing element 40 extends in the axial direction. The oil can flow out of the oil chamber 33 to the outside of the coupling element 30 via the cutout 32.

[0055] Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a transmission device having a coupling element 30 is shown. This embodiment includes reference Figure 3 All features of the embodiments described herein. Figure 3 The described embodiment differs in the arrangement of the second planetary gear set 20 and in the configuration of the coupling element 30 .

[0056] In the present embodiment, the first planetary gear set 10 and the second planetary gear set 20 are arranged in the same plane in the axial direction. The first planetary gear set 10 is arranged in the radial direction inside the second planetary gear set 20. The first planetary gear set 10 and the second planetary gear set 20 are arranged in a stacked manner.

[0057] In particular, there is no contact surface between one of the first planetary gears 14 and the second sun gear 21. The second sun gear 21 is formed at the outer periphery of the coupling member 30. The first ring gear 15 is formed at the inner periphery of the coupling member 30.

[0058] The coupling element 30 comprises a circumferential groove 31 at the second end region. Furthermore, the coupling element 30 comprises a further fixing element 40 and a further thrust washer 50 at the second end region. Figure 6On the right-hand side in FIG. 3 , a second delimiting surface is comprised which is formed in part by the groove 31 , the fixing element 40 and the thrust washer 50 .

[0059] In another embodiment, the coupling element 30 comprises cutouts 32 at the second end region, which are arranged at the same positions in the radial direction as the cutouts 32 at the first end region.

[0060] Reference numerals

[0061] 9 Stationary parts

[0062] 10 First planetary gear set

[0063] 11 First sun gear of the first planetary gear set

[0064] 12 First planet carrier of the first planetary gear set

[0065] 13 First planetary bolt of the first planetary gear set

[0066] 14 First planetary gear of the first planetary gear set

[0067] 15 First ring gear of the first planetary gear set

[0068] 20 Second planetary gear set

[0069] 21 Second sun gear of the second planetary gear set

[0070] 22 Second planet carrier of the second planetary gear set

[0071] 23 Second planetary bolt of the second planetary gear set

[0072] 24 Second planetary gear of the second planetary gear set

[0073] 30 Connecting elements

[0074] 31 Grooves

[0075] 32 Incision

[0076] 33 Oil chamber

[0077] 40 Fixing elements

[0078] 50 Thrust washer.

Claims

1. A coupling element (30) comprising an inner tooth portion and a cutout (32), wherein The coupling element (30) is configured to couple a first gear set and a second gear set of a transmission. The first gear set comprises at least one first ring gear (15), The coupling element (30) forms the first ring gear (15) on the inner circumference via the inner toothing. The coupling element (30) is formed in an annular manner, and At least one cutout (32) is formed at at least one first end region in the axial direction.

2. The coupling element (30) according to claim 1, characterized in that The coupling element (30) comprises an external toothing on an outer circumference.

3. The coupling element (30) according to claim 2, characterized in that The second gear set includes at least a second spur gear, and The coupling element (30) forms the second spur gear on the inner circumference via the external toothing.

4. Coupling element (30) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that A circumferential groove (31) is formed at the inner periphery of the coupling element at the first end region.

5. The coupling element (30) according to claim 4, characterized in that The cutout (32) extends from the groove (31) through the coupling element (30) in the axial direction to the outside of the coupling element (30).

6. The coupling element (30) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that An oil chamber (33) is formed at the inner periphery of the coupling element (30), The oil chamber (33) is delimited in the axial direction by a delimiting surface, and The groove (31) at least partially forms the delimiting surface.

7. The coupling element (30) according to claim 6, characterized in that The oil chamber (33) is in fluid communication with at least one of the cutouts (32), and At least one of the cutouts (32) is formed so as to allow oil to flow out of the oil chamber (33) in the axial direction.

8. Coupling element (30) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The cutout (32) is formed via a through hole.

9. Coupling element (30) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that A plurality of cutouts (32) are provided.

10. Coupling element (30) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The coupling element (30) comprises a fixing element (40), The fixing element (40) is at least indirectly configured for relative positioning of the coupling element (30) and at least one first spur gear of the first gear set in the axial direction. The first spur gear is configured to engage with the first ring gear (15), and The surface of the fixing element (40) located on the inner side in the axial direction at least partially forms a boundary surface of the oil chamber (33).

11. The coupling element (30) according to claim 10, characterized in that The cutout (32) extends through the fixing element (40).

12. The coupling element (30) according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that The coupling element (30) comprises a thrust washer (50), The thrust washer (50) is disposed between the coupling element (30) and the first spur gear for relative positioning of the coupling element (30) and the first spur gear, and A surface of the thrust washer (50) located on the inner side in the axial direction at least partially forms a boundary surface of the oil chamber (33).

13. The coupling element (30) according to claim 12, characterized in that The cutout (32) extends through the thrust washer (50).

14. A transmission having a first gear set, a second gear set and a coupling element (30) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The first gear set includes a first ring gear (15), and The second gear set includes a second spur gear.

15. The transmission device according to claim 14, characterized in that The first gear set is formed by a first planetary gear set (10), the first planetary gear set (10) comprising a first sun gear (11), a first planet carrier (12), a first planetary gear (14) and the first ring gear (15), The first planetary gear (14) forms the first spur gear, the first sun gear (11) is engaged with the first planetary gear (14), and the first planetary gear (14) is engaged with the first ring gear (15).

16. The transmission device according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that The second gear set is formed by a second planetary gear set (20), the second planetary gear set (20) comprising a second sun gear (21), a second planet carrier (22), second planetary gears (24) and a second ring gear, wherein The second sun gear (21) forms the second spur gear, the second sun gear (21) is engaged with the second planetary gears (24), and the second planetary gears (24) are engaged with the second ring gear.

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