A heat management system for an extruder gearbox and an extruder gearbox
By introducing movable heat dissipation components into the extruder gearbox, the heat dissipation area and air duct are dynamically adjusted, solving the problems of slow low-temperature start-up and insufficient heat dissipation during high-temperature operation, achieving rapid start-up and efficient heat dissipation, and improving the stability and lifespan of the equipment.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202511814069.2
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-12-04
- Publication Date
- 2026-03-03
- Estimated Expiration
- 2045-12-04
AI Technical Summary
The existing cooling mechanism of the extruder gearbox cannot heat up quickly during low-temperature startup and effectively dissipate heat during high-temperature operation, resulting in prolonged startup time and increased energy consumption, and failing to meet the thermal management requirements of different operating conditions.
It employs movable heat dissipation components, and the heat dissipation components are driven to move by adjustment components to change their area exposed to air and the cross-section of the air cooling channel, so as to realize the on-demand adjustment of heat dissipation capacity. This includes the design of heat transfer components, adjustment components and heat dissipation components, and dynamic adjustment of heat dissipation area and air duct.
It enables rapid temperature rise during low-temperature startup, reducing startup time and energy consumption, while effectively dissipating heat during high-temperature operation, ensuring the operational stability and lifespan of the equipment, and improving thermal management efficiency.
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Figure CN121251791B_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to the field of extruder gearbox technology, specifically to a thermal management system for an extruder gearbox and an extruder gearbox. Background Technology
[0002] As the core transmission component of a single-screw or twin-screw extruder, the gearbox plays a crucial role in converting the high speed of the motor to the low speed of the screw and amplifying the torque. To ensure the long-term stable operation of the gearbox, existing technologies typically employ fixed cooling and heat dissipation mechanisms to cool the lubricating oil inside the gearbox, preventing lubrication failure or component damage caused by excessively high oil temperatures.
[0003] However, the aforementioned cooling mechanism continuously dissipates heat at a stable efficiency during the gearbox startup and warm-up phase, significantly slowing down the rate of temperature rise of the lubricating oil and extending the startup time required for the equipment to reach its ideal operating temperature. This heat dissipation method, lacking adaptive adjustment capabilities, cannot simultaneously meet the rapid temperature rise requirements during the low-temperature startup phase and the effective heat dissipation needs during the high-temperature operation phase. Summary of the Invention
[0004] In order to solve the technical problems in the related art, the present invention provides a thermal management system for an extruder gearbox and an extruder gearbox.
[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by the present invention includes:
[0006] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a thermal management system for an extruder gearbox is provided, comprising:
[0007] A heat dissipation assembly is used to be installed in a housing. The heat dissipation assembly includes a heat transfer component, an adjustment component, and a heat dissipation component. The heat transfer component includes a first end and a second end that are disposed opposite to each other. The first end is used to be installed in the housing and immersed in lubricating oil. The second end is in thermal contact with the heat dissipation component. The heat dissipation component is used to be installed outside the housing and is used to be in contact with air.
[0008] The adjusting member is configured to drive the heat sink to move in order to change the area of the heat sink directly exposed to the air and to form air-cooling channels with different cross-sectional areas.
[0009] Optionally, the heat transfer element includes a plurality of heat transfer plates and a heat transfer body disposed between the first end and the second end, wherein the plurality of heat transfer plates are spaced apart and are respectively connected to the first end.
[0010] Optionally, the first end is formed in a semi-cylindrical shape, and a plurality of heat transfer plates are spaced apart on the circumferential surface of the first end.
[0011] Optionally, the second end includes a plurality of semi-circular ring plates, which are spaced apart in a vertical direction to form a ventilation cavity between each two adjacent semi-circular ring plates. Each ventilation cavity has a groove formed therein, one end of which extends toward the inner wall of the semi-circular ring plate and the other end of which extends toward the outer wall of the semi-circular ring plate. The plurality of grooves are spirally spaced apart along the circumference of the semi-circular ring plates.
[0012] The heat transfer body has a rotating hole extending vertically, which is connected to a plurality of ventilation cavities. The adjusting member includes an adjusting column and a plurality of clamping pieces. The adjusting column is rotatably inserted into the rotating hole. The plurality of clamping pieces are correspondingly arranged in the plurality of ventilation cavities and connected to the adjusting column. The clamping pieces include a first piece and a second piece arranged at intervals between each other.
[0013] The heat sink includes a plurality of heat sinks, each heat sink including a first part, a slider and a plurality of second parts, the plurality of second parts being disposed one-to-one in a plurality of ventilation cavities to seal the ventilation cavities, the slider being movably disposed in the slide groove and connected to one of the plurality of second parts, and the second part connected to the slider being located between the first part and the second part, the first part extending vertically and connected to the plurality of second parts;
[0014] The heat sink includes a first state and a second state. In the first state, the slider of each heat sink is located at the end of the corresponding groove near the inner wall of the semi-circular ring plate, the second part blocks the ventilation cavity and the first part contacts the outer wall of the semi-circular ring plate. In the second state, the slider of each heat sink is located at the end of the corresponding groove away from the inner wall of the semi-circular ring plate and the first part is separated from the outer wall of the semi-circular ring plate.
[0015] Optionally, the groove is configured as an arc-shaped structure.
[0016] Optionally, the grooves are formed on opposite sides between each pair of adjacent semicircular ring plates, each heat sink includes two sliders, the two sliders are respectively disposed in the two grooves between each pair of adjacent semicircular ring plates, and the two sliders are connected to the same second part.
[0017] Optionally, the adjusting component further includes a manual adjusting lever, which is arranged horizontally and one end of which is connected to the top of the adjusting column; or,
[0018] The adjusting component also includes a drive motor, which is mounted on the housing. The output end of the drive motor is coaxially connected to the adjusting column to drive the adjusting column to rotate.
[0019] Optionally, in the second state, the distance L between the second part and the adjusting column satisfies: 5mm≤L≤20mm.
[0020] Optionally, during the transition from the first state to the second state, the distance between the second part and the adjustment column gradually increases.
[0021] According to a second aspect of the present invention, an extruder gearbox is also provided, comprising a housing and a thermal management system for the extruder gearbox as described in any of the technical solutions of the first aspect of the present invention, wherein the thermal management system for the extruder gearbox is disposed in the housing.
[0022] Beneficial effects:
[0023] 1. Through the above technical solution, firstly, the present invention can effectively resolve the contradiction between "slow temperature rise during low-temperature start-up" and "heat dissipation requirements during high-temperature operation." Specifically, in existing related technologies, fixed heat dissipation mechanisms continuously dissipate heat during low-temperature start-up, delaying the temperature rise of lubricating oil and increasing start-up time and energy consumption; while during high-temperature operation, their heat dissipation capacity may be insufficient. The technical solution of the present invention, by enabling the adjusting component to drive the heat dissipation component to move, thereby changing its area directly exposed to the air, can achieve the key characteristic of adjusting heat dissipation capacity on demand. During the low-temperature start-up stage, the heat dissipation component can be controlled to minimize its exposed area. This is equivalent to significantly inhibiting heat dissipation physically, reducing heat loss to the environment, and allowing the heat generated during equipment startup to be used more efficiently to raise the lubricating oil temperature, achieving rapid start-up and reducing start-up resistance and wear. During the high-temperature operation stage, the heat dissipation component can be controlled to maximize its exposed area. This enhances heat dissipation, promptly dissipating excess heat continuously generated by the system, preventing excessively high oil temperature, and ensuring long-term operational reliability and lifespan.
[0024] Secondly, this invention enables proactive optimization of the heat dissipation channel, improving thermal management efficiency. Specifically, in existing technologies, structures such as fixed fins not only have a fixed heat dissipation area but also a fixed airflow path, making optimization impossible. This invention, however, can not only adjust the static heat dissipation surface area but also dynamically shape the path and space of cooling airflow. By changing the cross-sectional area of the air-cooling channel, the air velocity and flow rate can be directly affected, thereby allowing for precise control of heat dissipation intensity at the fluid dynamics level. A larger cross-section results in smoother airflow and stronger convective heat transfer; a smaller cross-section restricts airflow and weakens heat dissipation. This allows for higher-dimensional and more efficient thermal management.
[0025] In summary, this invention creatively transforms the heat dissipation capacity of a gearbox from a fixed, passive attribute into an actively adjustable variable through a movable heat dissipation structure. It fundamentally overcomes the inherent defects of fixed heat dissipation mechanisms in existing technologies. By dynamically switching between suppressed and enhanced heat dissipation, it simultaneously meets the distinct requirements of low-temperature start-up and high-temperature operation, thereby achieving a comprehensive and positive effect: shortening start-up time, reducing energy consumption, minimizing wear, ensuring operational stability, and extending equipment lifespan.
[0026] 2. Other beneficial effects or advantages of the present invention will be described in detail in the specific embodiments. Attached Figure Description
[0027] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.
[0028] in:
[0029] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of an extruder gearbox provided in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0030] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of the thermal management system of an extruder gearbox provided in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein the heat sink is in a first state;
[0031] Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of the thermal management system of an extruder gearbox provided in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, from another perspective.
[0032] Figure 4 This is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of the thermal management system of an extruder gearbox provided in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein the heat sink is in a second state;
[0033] Figure 5 This is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of a heat transfer element provided in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0034] Figure 6 This is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of a heat transfer element provided in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention from another perspective;
[0035] Figure 7 This is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of an adjusting member provided in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0036] Figure 8 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of a heat sink provided in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0037] Explanation of the labels in the attached drawings:
[0038] 100-Extruder gearbox; 101-Heat dissipation assembly; 1-Heat transfer element; 11-First end; 12-Second end; 121-Semi-circular ring plate; 122-Ventilation cavity; 123-Slide groove; 13-Heat transfer plate; 14-Heat transfer body; 141-Rotation hole; 2-Adjusting element; 21-Adjusting column; 22-Clamping plate; 221-First plate; 222-Second plate; 23-Drive motor; 3-Heat dissipation element; 31-Heat dissipation fin; 311-First part; 312-Slider; 313-Second part; 102-Box body. Detailed Implementation
[0039] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are some embodiments of the present invention, but not all embodiments.
[0040] Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the invention provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention, but merely to illustrate selected embodiments of the invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the invention without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of the invention.
[0041] To facilitate a clearer and more accurate understanding of the technical solutions of this invention by those skilled in the art, the existing related technologies and their technical problems will be described in more detail below.
[0042] As a core transmission component, the extruder gearbox is responsible for converting the high speed and low torque of the motor into the low speed and high torque required by the screw. To ensure its reliability during continuous operation, existing technologies generally equip gearboxes with fixed cooling and heat dissipation mechanisms (such as fixed finned air-cooled or water-cooled circuits) to continuously remove the heat generated during operation and prevent excessively high lubricating oil temperature from causing performance degradation or component damage. Simultaneously, to avoid problems such as high transmission resistance and accelerated wear caused by excessively high lubricating oil viscosity during low-temperature starts, preheating of the lubricating oil is often necessary before or at the initial stage of startup.
[0043] During gearbox startup, the lubricating oil is in a low-temperature, high-viscosity state, requiring rapid heating to reduce viscosity, resistance, and wear. However, the fixed cooling system continues to dissipate heat during this phase, inevitably delaying the oil's warm-up process and slowing down the startup time to reach optimal operating conditions, leading to increased energy consumption. The root cause is that most existing cooling systems (such as fixed fins) cannot dynamically adjust their heat dissipation capacity and area according to oil temperature. They cannot "suppress heat dissipation" to promote rapid warm-up during low-temperature startup, nor can they "enhance heat dissipation" to ensure stable operation during high-temperature operation. This lack of temperature adaptive adjustment capability is a key technical bottleneck restricting the improvement of gearbox operating efficiency and lifespan.
[0044] In view of this, the present invention provides a novel solution: a thermal management system for an extruder gearbox. The technical concept of this invention lies in introducing an actively adjustable "thermal switch" mechanism into the extruder gearbox. Through a movable heat dissipation component, the effective heat dissipation area exposed to the air and the cross-sectional area of the air duct are dynamically changed, thereby intelligently managing thermal balance. During low-temperature startup, heat dissipation is reduced to rapidly raise the temperature; during high-temperature operation, heat dissipation is increased to enhance cooling. This resolves the contradiction in temperature requirements during start-up, shutdown, and operation phases of traditional fixed heat dissipation mechanisms, achieving a leap from continuous heat dissipation to on-demand heat dissipation, significantly improving energy efficiency and equipment lifespan.
[0045] The technical solution of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0046] like Figures 1 to 8 As shown, according to a first aspect of the present invention, a thermal management system for an extruder gearbox is provided, including a heat dissipation assembly 101 disposed in a housing 102. The heat dissipation assembly 101 includes a heat transfer element 1, an adjusting element 2, and a heat dissipation element 3. The heat transfer element 1 includes a first end 11 and a second end 12 disposed opposite to each other. The first end 11 is disposed inside the housing 102 and immersed in lubricating oil, and the second end 12 is in thermal contact with the heat dissipation element 3. The heat dissipation element 3 is disposed outside the housing 102 and is in contact with air. The adjusting element 2 is configured to drive the heat dissipation element 3 to move to change the area of the heat dissipation element 3 directly exposed to air and to form air-cooling channels with different cross-sectional areas.
[0047] Through the above technical solution, firstly, the present invention can effectively resolve the contradiction between "slow temperature rise during low-temperature start-up" and "heat dissipation requirements during high-temperature operation." Specifically, in existing related technologies, fixed heat dissipation mechanisms continuously dissipate heat during low-temperature start-up, delaying the temperature rise of lubricating oil and increasing start-up time and energy consumption; while during high-temperature operation, their heat dissipation capacity may be insufficient. The technical solution of the present invention, by enabling the adjusting component 2 to drive the heat dissipation component 3 to move, changes its area directly exposed to air, thereby achieving the key characteristic of adjusting heat dissipation capacity on demand. During the low-temperature start-up phase, the heat dissipation component 3 can be controlled to move to its minimum exposed area. This is equivalent to significantly suppressing heat dissipation physically, reducing heat loss to the environment, and allowing the heat generated during equipment startup to be used more efficiently to raise the lubricating oil temperature, achieving rapid start-up and reducing start-up resistance and wear. During the high-temperature operation phase, the heat dissipation component 3 can be controlled to move to its maximum exposed area. This enhances heat dissipation, promptly dissipating excess heat continuously generated by the system, preventing excessively high oil temperature, and ensuring long-term operational reliability and lifespan.
[0048] Secondly, this invention enables proactive optimization of the heat dissipation channel, improving thermal management efficiency. Specifically, in existing technologies, structures such as fixed fins not only have a fixed heat dissipation area but also a fixed airflow path, making optimization impossible. This invention, however, can not only adjust the static heat dissipation surface area but also dynamically shape the path and space of cooling airflow. By changing the cross-sectional area of the air-cooling channel, the air velocity and flow rate can be directly affected, thereby allowing for precise control of heat dissipation intensity at the fluid dynamics level. A larger cross-section results in smoother airflow and stronger convective heat transfer; a smaller cross-section restricts airflow and weakens heat dissipation. This allows for higher-dimensional and more efficient thermal management.
[0049] In summary, this invention creatively transforms the heat dissipation capacity of a gearbox from a fixed, passive attribute into an actively adjustable variable through a movable heat dissipation structure. It fundamentally overcomes the inherent defects of fixed heat dissipation mechanisms in existing technologies. By dynamically switching between suppressed and enhanced heat dissipation, it simultaneously meets the distinct requirements of low-temperature start-up and high-temperature operation, thereby achieving a comprehensive and positive effect: shortening start-up time, reducing energy consumption, minimizing wear, ensuring operational stability, and extending equipment lifespan.
[0050] In one embodiment of the present invention, such as Figures 2 to 6 As shown, the heat transfer element 1 of the present invention may include a plurality of heat transfer plates 13 and a heat transfer body 14 disposed between a first end 11 and a second end 12. The plurality of heat transfer plates 13 are spaced apart and respectively connected to the first end 11.
[0051] Firstly, this embodiment optimizes the heat flow path to establish a highly efficient and stable internal heat conduction channel. Specifically, this embodiment limits the heat transfer element 14 to be positioned between the first end 11 and the second end 12, so the core heat transfer path can be from the first end 11 and the assembly of heat transfer plates 13 through the heat transfer element 14 to the second end 12. This ensures that the heat collected from the extensive heat absorption surface (first end 11 and heat transfer plates 13) can be efficiently and with low thermal resistance transferred to the heat dissipation component 3 outside the housing 102. This avoids excessive heat dispersion or retention during the transfer process, improving the response speed and conduction efficiency of the entire thermal management system.
[0052] Secondly, this embodiment avoids heat flow short-circuiting and ensures uniform heat extraction by arranging the heat transfer plates 13 at intervals. Specifically, by arranging the heat transfer plates 13 at intervals, it can be ensured that the lubricating oil can flow fully and penetrate into the gaps between each heat transfer plate 13. In this way, heat can be extracted from a wider and deeper oil area, avoiding local overheating or uneven heat exchange, thereby achieving faster and more uniform control of the overall temperature of the lubricating oil in the gearbox.
[0053] In one embodiment of the present invention, such as Figures 2 to 6 As shown, the first end 11 of the present invention can be formed in a semi-cylindrical shape, and a plurality of heat transfer plates 13 are connected to the circumferential surface of the first end 11 at intervals along the circumferential direction.
[0054] Thus, firstly, this implementation method can achieve a high degree of adaptability to the internal rotational conditions of the gearbox, improving space utilization and heat exchange efficiency. Specifically, the inside of the gearbox typically contains components such as gears and shafts. Designing the first end 11 as a semi-cylindrical shape can avoid the space waste or space conflict caused by traditional rectangular or flat heat absorption substrates in the corners, enabling more efficient use of the limited and usually irregular installation space inside the gearbox. Moreover, it allows for the deployment of a larger internal heat exchange unit within the same external size constraints.
[0055] Secondly, this implementation creates a three-dimensional, multi-directional heat-absorbing interface, enhancing dynamic heat exchange with the flowing lubricating oil. Specifically, arranging the heat transfer plates 13 along the circumference of the semi-cylinder means that these plates extend from an arc-shaped base surface at multiple angles. This layout allows the heat-absorbing component to no longer be a single-oriented plane, but a three-dimensional heat-capturing net capable of capturing heat from the lubricating oil from multiple directions. This enables more efficient heat exchange with the lubricating oil.
[0056] In one embodiment of the present invention, such as Figures 2 to 8As shown, the second end 12 of the present invention may include a plurality of semi-circular ring plates 121, which are arranged at intervals in the vertical direction so that a ventilation cavity 122 is formed between each two adjacent semi-circular ring plates 121. Each ventilation cavity 122 is provided with a groove 123. One end of the groove 123 extends toward the inner wall of the semi-circular ring plate 121, and the other end of the groove 123 extends toward the outer wall of the semi-circular ring plate 121. The plurality of grooves 123 are arranged at intervals in a spiral along the circumference of the semi-circular ring plate 121.
[0057] The heat transfer body 14 has a rotating hole 141 extending vertically. The rotating hole 141 is connected to a plurality of ventilation cavities 122. The adjusting member 2 includes an adjusting column 21 and a plurality of clamping pieces 22. The adjusting column 21 is rotatably inserted into the rotating hole 141. The plurality of clamping pieces 22 are correspondingly arranged in the plurality of ventilation cavities 122 and connected to the adjusting column 21. The clamping pieces 22 include a first piece 221 and a second piece 222 arranged at intervals between each other.
[0058] The heat sink 3 includes a plurality of heat sinks 31. Each heat sink 31 includes a first part 311, a slider 312, and a plurality of second parts 313. The plurality of second parts 313 are disposed one-to-one in a plurality of ventilation cavities 122 to seal the ventilation cavities 122. The slider 312 is movably disposed in a slide groove 123 and connected to one of the plurality of second parts 313. The second part 313 connected to the slider 312 is located between the first piece 221 and the second piece 222. The first part 311 extends vertically and is connected to the plurality of second parts 313.
[0059] The heat sink 3 includes a first state and a second state. In the first state, the slider 312 of each heat sink 31 is located at the end of the corresponding groove 123 near the inner wall of the semi-circular ring plate 121, the second part 313 blocks the ventilation cavity 122 and the first part 311 is in contact with the outer wall of the semi-circular ring plate 121. In the second state, the slider 312 of each heat sink 31 is located at the end of the corresponding groove 123 away from the inner wall of the semi-circular ring plate 121 and the first part 311 is separated from the outer wall of the semi-circular ring plate 121.
[0060] To facilitate understanding by relevant technical personnel, the heat dissipation process in the first and second states is explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0061] Please see Figure 2 In the first state (corresponding to low temperature start-up), the second part 313 of the heat sink 31 blocks the ventilation cavity 122, and the entire heat sink 3 will only dissipate heat through the exposed first part 311, which has a weak heat dissipation capacity. At this time, it is equivalent to suppressing the heat dissipation capacity of the entire component to the maximum extent, so as to effectively serve the needs of low temperature start-up.
[0062] During this process, it is important to note that although heat is conducted to the heat sink 31, the effective contact area between the heat sink 31 and the air is limited due to the sealed ventilation cavity 122 (mainly the exposed portion of the first part 311). More importantly, the heat sink 31 maintains contact with the semi-circular ring plate 121 through the first part 311, creating a thermal short-circuit effect—heat tends to accumulate inside the dense metal structure formed by the semi-circular ring plate 121 and the heat sink 31, circulating between these components through conduction, rather than dissipating into the air. In other words, in the first state, the device actively creates a "thermal insulation" environment by blocking the vertical airflow and maintaining thermally conductive contact between the heat sink 31 and the heat source. This minimizes heat loss to the environment through convection and conduction, allowing the input heat to be used to rapidly increase the lubricating oil temperature.
[0063] Please see Figure 4 In the second state (corresponding to high-temperature operation), the first part 311 separates from the outer wall of the semi-circular plate 121. Correspondingly, the second part 313 of the heat sink 31 also separates from the adjusting column 21, so that the ventilation cavity 122 is fully opened. The entire heat sink 3 not only dissipates heat through the first part 311 (and the separation of the first part 311 from the outer wall of the semi-circular plate 121 not only exposes the first part 311 to the air, maximizing the exposure area and enhancing the heat dissipation effect, but also creates an air duct between the first part 311 and the semi-circular plate 121, at which time several semi-circular plates 121 can also play a heat dissipation role), but also dissipates heat through the ventilation cavity 122 and the first part 311. At this time, the heat dissipation potential of the component can be fully activated, and by increasing the exposure area and opening a smooth air duct, the cooling requirements during high-temperature operation can be effectively met.
[0064] In this process, in the second state, the device creates a highly efficient heat exchanger by opening the ventilation cavity 122 to form an air duct, exposing a large area of the first part 311 to the air, and enabling the semi-circular annular plate 121 to also achieve a heat dissipation effect. Simultaneously, by utilizing both the increased heat dissipation surface area and the formation of a strong convection air duct, the heat dissipation capacity is maximized to cope with the large amount of heat generated during continuous operation.
[0065] Thus, firstly, this implementation method can construct a highly integrated and efficient spatial heat conduction and regulation structure. Specifically, the second end 12 of the heat transfer element 1 is directly constructed as a multi-layered, hollow tower-like structure. Each semi-circular ring plate 121 itself is a heat-conducting surface in contact with the heat sink 3. Their vertical stacking greatly increases the contact heat conduction area with the heat sink 3 (second part 313) within a compact space, laying a solid foundation for the rapid transfer of heat from the heat transfer body 14 to each heat dissipation unit. At the same time, the ventilation cavity 122, configured in this way, allows the regulating air duct (ventilation cavity 122) and the heat conduction structure (semi-circular ring plate 121) to be alternately integrated and combined into one in physical space. This makes the entire component both a heat conduction hub and a shell for the airflow channel, achieving a high degree of functional integration and compactness of the structure.
[0066] Secondly, this embodiment enables precise and synchronous control of all heat sinks 31 through a single operation. Specifically, in this embodiment, a single adjusting column 21 runs through the entire structure, and all heat sinks 31 on all layers can be controlled simultaneously through a single rotational input. Simultaneously, the clamping plates 22, arranged in this manner, effectively convert the rotational movement of the adjusting column 21 into the movement of the heat sinks 31 along the slide grooves 123 through contact between the clamping plates 22 and the second part 313, ensuring effective transmission of driving force and preventing the heat sinks 31 from deflecting or jamming during movement. Furthermore, the spirally spaced slide grooves 123 ensure that when the adjusting column 21 rotates, each slider 312 synchronously begins and completes radial movement due to its different phase on the spiral trajectory. This guarantees that all heat sinks 31 switch from the first state to the second state in a consistent manner, avoiding control failure or structural stress caused by inconsistent local responses.
[0067] Third, in this embodiment, when the heat sink 3 is in the first state, firstly, the ventilation cavity 122 is effectively blocked by the second part 313, hindering airflow inside the ventilation cavity 122 and almost eliminating convective heat dissipation through this path. Secondly, the first part 311 of the heat sink 31 contacts the outer wall of the semi-circular ring plate 121, causing heat to dissipate almost only through the exposed portion of the first part 311. This maximizes the suppression of the entire component's heat dissipation capacity, effectively meeting the requirements for low-temperature startup. When the heat sink 3 is in the second state, firstly, the ventilation cavity 122 is fully opened, forming a continuous airflow channel with a large cross-section, allowing free airflow and enhancing heat dissipation. Secondly, the first part 311 of the heat sink 31 separates from the semi-circular ring plate 121 and is fully exposed to the air. At this time, heat is dissipated not only through the first part 311, but also through the second part 313 and the ventilation cavity 122. This fully activates the component's heat dissipation potential, effectively meeting the cooling requirements during high-temperature operation by increasing the exposed area and opening smooth airflow channels.
[0068] In one embodiment of the present invention, such as Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the slide groove 123 of the present invention can be configured as an arc-shaped structure.
[0069] Firstly, by setting the slide groove 123 to an arc shape, a continuous and smoothly changing motion trajectory is provided for the slider 312. Compared to a straight inclined groove, the arc-shaped slide groove 123 can more effectively decompose the force during motion transition, ensuring that the force component pushing the slider 312 to move radially remains in a more favorable direction. This effectively reduces the possibility of sliding friction and jamming between the slider 312 and the wall of the slide groove 123, ensuring smooth and reliable operation.
[0070] Secondly, the arc-shaped guide trajectory avoids abrupt changes in the direction of movement. During the unfolding (switching to the second state) and retraction (switching to the first state) of the heat sink 31, the changes in its speed and acceleration are more gradual, achieving a smooth and gentle transition. Furthermore, the two endpoints of the arc-shaped groove 123 (corresponding to the first and second states) can serve as clear and stable mechanical limit points. This positioning method, guaranteed by geometric position, helps the heat sink 31 to perform repeatable and precise position switching between the two states, ensuring the consistency of the heat dissipation area and airflow cross-section after each operation.
[0071] In one embodiment of the present invention, such as Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the groove 123 of the present invention can be formed on the opposite side surface between each two adjacent semi-circular ring plates 121. Each heat sink 31 includes two sliders 312. The two sliders 312 are respectively disposed in the two grooves 123 between each two adjacent semi-circular ring plates 121, and the two sliders 312 are connected to the same second part 313.
[0072] In this way, firstly, by setting two sliders 312 and placing them respectively in the corresponding grooves 123 of two adjacent semicircular ring plates 121, it is equivalent to providing two independent and parallel guide fulcrums for a single heat sink 31. In this way, a stable dual-rail guiding system can be provided for each heat sink 31, which can effectively limit the unintended swing or rotation of the heat sink 31 in any direction, so as to ensure that the heat sink 31 always maintains precise radial linear motion without deflection during the process of moving from the first state to the second state, thereby achieving a smooth and reliable state switching.
[0073] Secondly, the dual-guiding mechanism ensures that the second part 313 always maintains a perpendicular contact with the semi-circular ring plate 121. In the first state, it ensures that the second part 313 is in fairly uniform and tight contact with the semi-circular ring plate 121, and reliably seals the ventilation cavity 122, effectively suppressing heat dissipation. In the second state, it ensures that after the second part 313 separates from the surrounding structure, it forms a regular and uniform ventilation gap, thereby establishing an efficient and stable air-cooling channel, while still maintaining partial contact with the semi-circular ring plate 121 to ensure heat dissipation.
[0074] In one embodiment of the present invention, the adjusting member 2 of the present invention may further include a manual adjusting rod, which is arranged in a horizontal direction and one end of the manual adjusting rod is connected to the top of the adjusting column 21.
[0075] Manual adjustment provides operators with a direct, mechanical means of intervention. This implementation method does not rely on external energy or complex control systems, resulting in a simple structure and low manufacturing and maintenance costs. It ensures that the core temperature control concept can be achieved even in the simplest application scenarios. Furthermore, manual operation provides direct tactile feedback, allowing operators to clearly perceive state changes and avoiding potential misjudgments or delays that may occur with automatic systems.
[0076] In one embodiment of the present invention, such as Figures 2 to 4 and Figure 7 As shown, the adjusting member 2 of the present invention may further include a drive motor 23, which is mounted on the housing 102. The output end of the drive motor 23 is coaxially connected to the adjusting column 21 to drive the adjusting column 21 to rotate.
[0077] Motor adjustment provides a physical interface for system integration into higher control levels (such as PLCs and temperature controllers). Motor drive enables automatic and precise control of heat dissipation state switching based on real-time oil temperature signals. Operators can remotely trigger adjustments without being physically present, achieving automated on-demand adjustment and significantly improving system convenience and intelligence. Furthermore, the motor can quickly actuate upon receiving commands, completing precise and repeatable state switching, avoiding issues such as uneven force and inaccurate positioning that can occur with manual operation.
[0078] In one embodiment of the present invention, in the second state, the distance L between the second part 313 of the present invention and the adjusting column 21 satisfies: 5mm≤L≤20mm.
[0079] Thus, firstly, this spacing ensures the minimum airflow space required for efficient heat dissipation. Specifically, in the second state, the ventilation cavity 122 is opened to form a cooling channel, and the spacing L between the second part 313 and the adjusting column 21 directly determines the effective width of the airflow in the radial direction. By limiting the lower limit of the spacing L (≥5mm), it is ensured that even in the fully extended state, the airflow has a minimum space that is no smaller than necessary to guarantee unobstructed airflow. This prevents excessive airflow resistance due to an excessively small spacing, ensuring sufficient airflow to achieve effective convective heat transfer. Simultaneously, it also provides the necessary heat exchange space between the air and the inner surface of the second part 313.
[0080] Secondly, this spacing ensures structural compactness and operational reliability. Specifically, while a larger spacing L might be more beneficial for airflow, it can lead to structural problems. This implementation limits the upper limit of the spacing L (≤20mm), which not only controls the overall size (limiting the maximum radial expansion of the heat sink 31 group to ensure the structural compactness of the entire thermal management system and prevent it from occupying too much space on the gearbox), but also maintains operational stability (an excessively large L value means that the second part 313 of the heat sink 31 needs to move a longer distance, which may amplify manufacturing and assembly errors and affect the synchronicity and consistency of the movement of all heat sinks 31).
[0081] In one embodiment of the present invention, during the process of switching from the first state to the second state, the distance between the second part 313 and the adjusting column 21 gradually increases.
[0082] In this way, firstly, the position of the heat sink 31 is not limited to two fixed points: fully retracted and fully extended. By controlling the rotation angle of the adjusting column 21, the heat sink 31 can be stabilized at any intermediate position between the first and second states. Correspondingly, the area of the heat sink 3 exposed to air and the cross-sectional area of the air-cooling channel can also be continuously and steplessly varied. This allows the system to make more precise and matched adjustments to the heat dissipation power based on subtle changes in the real-time temperature of the lubricating oil, rather than simply making abrupt switches between strong insulation and strong heat dissipation, which is beneficial for further improving the accuracy and energy efficiency of thermal management.
[0083] Secondly, because the heat dissipation capacity is infinitely adjustable, the system is no longer limited to handling only two extreme conditions: low-temperature start-up and high-temperature operation. It can perfectly adapt to complex conditions such as changes in ambient temperature, temperature rise caused by load fluctuations, or the need to maintain a specific oil temperature. The control system (or operator) can precisely set the heat dissipation capacity to any required level, much like using a "dimmer switch" to control the brightness of a light. This allows the gearbox to always operate within the optimal oil temperature range, thereby maximizing energy efficiency, minimizing wear, and optimizing operational stability under a wider range of operating conditions.
[0084] According to a second aspect of the present invention, an extruder gearbox 100 is also provided, including a housing 102 and a thermal management system for the extruder gearbox according to any one of the technical solutions in the first aspect of the present invention, wherein the thermal management system for the extruder gearbox is disposed in the housing 102.
[0085] The above are merely specific embodiments of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the scope of the claims.
Claims
1. A thermal management system for an extruder gearbox, characterized by, The application relates to a heat dissipation assembly (101) arranged in a box (102), wherein the heat dissipation assembly (101) comprises a heat transfer member (1), an adjusting member (2) and a heat dissipation member (3), the heat transfer member (1) comprises a first end (11) and a second end (12) arranged oppositely, the first end (11) is arranged in the box (102) and immersed in lubricating oil, the second end (12) is in thermal contact with the heat dissipation member (3), and the heat dissipation member (3) is arranged outside the box (102) and used for contacting air. The adjusting member (2) is configured to drive the heat dissipation member (3) to move so as to change the area of the heat dissipation member (3) directly exposed to air and form air cooling channels with different cross-sectional areas. The heat transfer member (1) comprises a plurality of heat transfer plates (13) and a heat transfer body (14) arranged between the first end (11) and the second end (12), the plurality of heat transfer plates (13) are arranged at intervals and connected with the first end (11) respectively. The second end (12) comprises a plurality of semicircular ring plate bodies (121) arranged at intervals along the vertical direction, so that a ventilation cavity (122) is formed between every two adjacent semicircular ring plate bodies (121), a sliding groove (123) is formed in each ventilation cavity (122), one end of the sliding groove (123) extends towards the inner wall of the semicircular ring plate body (121), the other end of the sliding groove (123) extends towards the outer wall of the semicircular ring plate body (121), and a plurality of sliding grooves (123) are arranged at intervals along the circumferential direction of the semicircular ring plate body (121). The heat transfer body (14) is provided with rotating holes (141) extending along the vertical direction, the rotating holes (141) are communicated with the plurality of ventilation cavities (122) respectively, the adjusting member (2) comprises an adjusting column (21) and a plurality of clamping plates (22), the adjusting column (21) is rotatably arranged in the rotating hole (141), and the plurality of clamping plates (22) are arranged in the plurality of ventilation cavities (122) one by one and connected with the adjusting column (21), the clamping plate (22) comprises a first plate body (221) and a second plate body (222) arranged at intervals. The heat dissipation member (3) comprises a plurality of heat dissipation plates (31), the heat dissipation plate (31) comprises a first part (311), a sliding block (312) and a plurality of second parts (313), the plurality of second parts (313) are arranged in the plurality of ventilation cavities (122) one by one to block the ventilation cavities (122), the sliding block (312) is movably arranged in the sliding groove (123) and connected with one of the plurality of second parts (313), the second part (313) connected with the sliding block (312) is located between the first plate body (221) and the second plate body (222), and the first part (311) extends along the vertical direction and is connected with the plurality of second parts (313). 2. The thermal management system of an extruder gear box of claim 1, wherein, The first end (11) is formed in a semi-cylindrical shape, and a plurality of heat transfer fins (13) are connected to the peripheral surface of the first end (11) at intervals along the peripheral direction of the first end (11).
3. The thermal management system of an extruder gear box of claim 1, wherein, The heat dissipation member (3) comprises a first state and a second state, in the first state, the sliding block (312) of each heat dissipation fin (31) is located at the end of the corresponding sliding groove (123) close to the inner wall of the semi-circular ring plate body (121), the second part (313) blocks the ventilation cavity (122) and the first part (311) is in contact with the outer wall of the semi-circular ring plate body (121); in the second state, the sliding block (312) of each heat dissipation fin (31) is located at the end of the corresponding sliding groove (123) away from the inner wall of the semi-circular ring plate body (121), and the first part (311) is separated from the outer wall of the semi-circular ring plate body (121).
4. The thermal management system of an extruder gear box of claim 3, wherein, The sliding groove (123) is arranged in an arc shape.
5. The thermal management system of an extruder gearbox according to claim 3, characterized in that, The sliding groove (123) is formed on the opposite side surface between every two adjacent semi-circular ring plate bodies (121), each heat dissipation fin (31) comprises two sliding blocks (312), the two sliding blocks (312) are arranged in the two sliding grooves (123) between every two adjacent semi-circular ring plate bodies (121) respectively, and the two sliding blocks (312) are connected with the same second part (313).
6. The thermal management system of an extruder gearbox according to claim 3, characterized in that, The adjusting member (2) further comprises a manual adjusting rod, the manual adjusting rod is arranged in a horizontal direction, and one end of the manual adjusting rod is connected with the top of the adjusting column (21); or, The adjusting member (2) further comprises a driving motor (23), the driving motor (23) is installed on the box body (102), and the output end of the driving motor (23) is coaxially connected with the adjusting column (21) for driving the adjusting column (21) to rotate.
7. The thermal management system of an extruder gear box of claim 3, wherein, In the second state, the distance L between the second part (313) and the adjusting column (21) satisfies: 5mm≤L≤20mm.
8. The thermal management system of an extruder gearbox according to claim 3, characterized in that, In the process of switching from the first state to the second state, the distance between the second part (313) and the adjusting column (21) gradually increases.
9. An extruder gearbox, characterized in that A heat management system comprising a box body (102) and an extruder gearbox according to any one of claims 1-8, the heat management system of the extruder gearbox being arranged in the box body (102).
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Extruder gear box cooling and heat dissipation mechanism and gear box
CN120739863A