A yaw gear box round nut locking structure

Abstract

The present application relates to a kind of yaw gear box round nut locking structure, including output shaft and round nut, output shaft is equipped with outer thread, round nut is combined on output shaft by inner thread, still include cover plate, at least one wedge pin, and with the spring corresponding to wedge pin one by one;Cover plate is fixed to the end surface of output shaft by connecting piece;Round nut is equipped with a wedge ring groove to the end of cover plate, wedge ring groove has a inclined wall face;Wedge pin is set in wedge ring groove, it has a with the inclined face of inclined wall face match, and the axial gap between wedge pin and the bottom surface of wedge ring groove, and between with cover plate are reserved;Cover plate is pressed on wedge pin, so that the inclined face of wedge pin and the inclined wall face of wedge ring groove keep pressed match;Compared to prior art, by continuous, flexible self-compensation locking structure, the risk of rigid card tongue fatigue fracture is fundamentally eliminated, and the locking reliability and stability of round nut are significantly improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of gearbox technology, and specifically to a round nut locking structure for a yaw gearbox. Background Technology

[0002] As a key component for axial positioning and locking of the yaw gearbox, the failure of the round nut means the failure of the yaw gearbox, which may in turn lead to the failure of the yaw function of the entire wind turbine generator set. Therefore, the reliability of the round nut is extremely important to the reliability of the entire unit.

[0003] Existing yaw gearbox round nut locking structure, such as Figure 1 As shown, the round nut 02 is used in conjunction with the locking washer 03. During assembly, the locking washer 03 is first installed into the output shaft 01, and the inner tab of the locking washer 03 is engaged in the groove on the output shaft 01. Then, the round nut 02 is tightened onto the output shaft 01. Finally, the outer tab of the locking washer 03 is engaged in the outer groove of the round nut 02 to lock the round nut 02. The existing structure has the following shortcomings: the wind power operating environment is harsh, and the yaw system needs to constantly adjust its angle to align with the wind direction, bearing huge vibrations, alternating impacts, and pulsating torques from wind loads, gear meshing, and start-stop cycles. Under such complex dynamic loads, the tab of the locking washer 03 will generate small reciprocating motions and impacts with the groove of the round nut 02. Over time, this can easily lead to fatigue fracture of the locking washer 03 tab, loosening of the round nut, sinking of the output shaft, and consequently, a series of accidents such as broken teeth or yaw system failure. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to address the problem that in the existing yaw gearbox round nut locking structure, the retaining washer tongue is prone to fatigue fracture due to the small reciprocating impact with the round nut groove under complex dynamic loads, thus leading to the loosening and failure of the round nut. This invention provides a yaw gearbox round nut locking structure.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows: A yaw gearbox round nut locking structure includes an output shaft and a round nut. The output shaft has an external thread, and the round nut is screwed onto the output shaft through an internal thread. The structure also includes a cover plate, at least one wedge pin, and springs corresponding to the wedge pins. The cover plate is fixed to the end face of the output shaft via a connector. A wedge-shaped annular groove with an inclined wall is provided at one end of the round nut facing the cover plate. The wedge pin is disposed within the wedge-shaped annular groove and has an inclined surface that conforms to the inclined wall. An axial clearance is reserved between the wedge pin and the bottom surface of the wedge-shaped annular groove, and between the wedge pin and the cover plate. The cover plate presses the springs against the wedge pins, ensuring that the inclined surface of the wedge pins remains pressed tightly against the inclined wall of the wedge-shaped annular groove.

[0006] The present invention, employing the aforementioned technical solution, abandons the mechanical limiting method relying on a "rigid latch engaging a groove," and instead adopts an elastic clamping and locking structure composed of a "spring-wedge pin-sloping surface." The spring is pressed against the wedge pin by the cover plate, ensuring that the inclined surface of the wedge pin continuously and stably presses against the inclined wall of the wedge-shaped annular groove of the round nut. The maximum static friction generated by the pressure between the contact surfaces prevents the round nut from rotating, thereby locking it. This structure eliminates the inherent risk of fatigue fracture due to reciprocating impacts; furthermore, the bidirectional axial clearance reserved between the wedge pin, the bottom surface of the annular groove, and the cover plate provides the structure with dynamic compensation capabilities. Under complex dynamic load conditions, even if microscopic wear occurs on the contact surface, the pre-compressed spring will continuously release elastic force, pushing the wedge pin to move downward along the inclined plane, automatically and in real time compensating for wear gaps, ensuring that the locking surface always remains in a compressed state. Compared with the existing yaw gearbox round nut locking structure, which is prone to fatigue fracture due to the small reciprocating impact between the retaining washer tongue and the round nut groove under complex dynamic loads, thus causing the round nut to loosen and fail, this invention fundamentally eliminates the risk of fatigue fracture of the rigid retaining tongue through a continuous and flexible self-compensating locking structure. It significantly improves the long-term locking reliability and stability of the round nut under harsh working conditions, ensuring the operational safety of the yaw gearbox and even the entire unit.

[0007] In addition, when the ambient temperature changes suddenly, causing the round nut to expand and contract, the wedge pin can float up and down within its axial clearance range. The spring's clamping force ensures that its inclined surface is always in close contact with the inclined wall of the ring groove, thereby dynamically maintaining the locking state and avoiding loss of preload or loosening of the connection due to material expansion and contraction.

[0008] Furthermore, the wedge-shaped groove is formed at the corner where the end face of the round nut intersects with the inner wall; the wedge-shaped pin is embedded between the outer wall of the output shaft and the inclined wall of the wedge-shaped groove; compared with forming the wedge-shaped groove on the end face of the round nut, forming the groove at the corner is easier to process and has a lower production cost.

[0009] Furthermore, the wedge pin is provided with a first spring groove, and the cover plate is provided with a second spring groove. The two ends of the spring are respectively accommodated in the first spring groove and the second spring groove. The spring groove provides precise positioning and accommodation space for the spring, effectively preventing the spring from deflecting or coming out during operation, ensuring that the spring force is always stably applied to the wedge pin along the axial direction, and guaranteeing the durability and consistency of the locking force.

[0010] Furthermore, the number of wedge pins is two or more, and they are evenly spaced along the circumference of the round nut. By using two or more wedge pins evenly distributed along the circumference, locking pairs can be established at multiple points on the round nut simultaneously. This not only provides a larger total locking torque, but also makes the round nut bear force evenly, avoiding the possibility of uneven loading or loosening caused by single-point force, and greatly enhancing the overall stability and vibration resistance of the locking structure.

[0011] Furthermore, the connector is a screw, and the cover plate has a countersunk through hole in the middle for the screw to pass through. The screw is connected to a pre-set threaded hole at the end of the output shaft. The countersunk design prevents the screw head from protruding, ensuring a compact structure and avoiding interference with other components.

[0012] Furthermore, a sensor is provided at the bottom of the wedge-shaped groove, with the detection end of the sensor facing the wedge pin. The sensor is used to trigger a signal when the wedge pin moves down to a set position due to wear. The sensor can monitor the amount of downward movement of the wedge pin due to wear in real time. When the wear reaches the preset limit position, the sensor can trigger an alarm in advance, thereby realizing predictive maintenance and avoiding gearbox failure due to locking failure, which in turn leads to the failure of the yaw function of the entire wind turbine generator set. This effectively improves the safety and maintainability of the equipment and reduces operation and maintenance costs.

[0013] Furthermore, the bottom of the sensor is provided with a magnetic adsorption material to adsorb metal shavings generated by the friction between the wedge pin and the round nut; this can prevent metal shavings from interfering with the normal operation of the sensor and keep the monitoring environment clean.

[0014] Furthermore, it also includes a planetary carrier and two bearings. The planetary carrier is interference-fitted onto the output shaft, and the round nut is used to axially position and lock the planetary carrier. The two bearings are interference-fitted onto the planetary carrier.

[0015] Compared to existing technologies, the advantages of this invention are as follows: This invention, through a continuous and flexible self-compensating locking structure, fundamentally eliminates the risk of fatigue fracture of rigid latches, significantly improving the long-term locking reliability and stability of the round nut under harsh working conditions, ensuring the operational safety of the yaw gearbox and even the entire unit; when sudden changes in ambient temperature cause thermal expansion and contraction of the round nut, the wedge pin can float up and down within its axial clearance range, and the spring's clamping force ensures that its inclined surface is always tightly fitted with the inclined wall of the annular groove, thereby dynamically maintaining the locking state and avoiding loss of preload or loosening of the connection due to material expansion and contraction; the sensor can monitor the downward displacement of the wedge pin due to wear in real time, and when the wear reaches a preset limit position, the sensor can trigger an alarm in advance, thereby achieving predictive maintenance and avoiding gearbox failure due to locking failure, which in turn leads to the failure of the yaw function of the entire wind turbine generator set, effectively improving the safety and maintainability of the equipment and reducing operation and maintenance costs. Attached image description: Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the existing technology; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention; Figure 3 for Figure 2 A magnified view of A in the middle.

[0016] The markings in the diagram are: 01-output shaft, 02-round nut, 03-lock washer, 04-bearing, 05-oil seal, 06-box, 07-bearing, 1-screw, 2-cover plate, 3-spring, 4-wedge pin, 5-sensor, 6-round nut, 7-planetary carrier, 8-output shaft. Detailed Implementation

[0017] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0018] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the invention.

[0019] This embodiment provides a locking structure for a round nut in a yaw gearbox, such as... Figures 2-3 As shown, the device includes an output shaft 8 and a round nut 6. The output shaft 8 has an external thread, and the round nut 6 is screwed onto the output shaft 8 through an internal thread. It also includes a cover plate 2, at least one wedge pin 4, and springs 3 corresponding to the wedge pins 4. The cover plate 2 is fixed to the end face of the output shaft 8 by a connector. The edge of the cover plate 2 extends out of the end face of the output shaft 8. The end of the round nut 6 facing the cover plate 2 has a wedge-shaped annular groove with an inclined wall. The wedge pin 4 is disposed in the wedge-shaped annular groove and has an inclined surface that fits against the inclined wall. An axial clearance is reserved between the wedge pin 4 and the bottom surface of the wedge-shaped annular groove, as well as between the wedge pin 4 and the cover plate 2. The cover plate 2 presses the springs 3 against the wedge pins 4, so that the inclined surface of the wedge pin 4 and the inclined wall of the wedge-shaped annular groove are kept pressed tightly against each other. The wedge-shaped groove is formed at the corner where the end face of the round nut 6 intersects with the inner wall; the wedge-shaped pin 4 is fitted between the outer wall of the output shaft 8 and the inclined wall of the wedge-shaped groove; along the direction from the round nut 6 to the cover plate 2, the inclined wall of the wedge-shaped groove is inclined away from the center line of the output shaft 8. Alternatively, a wedge-shaped groove can be formed on the end face of the round nut 6. The wedge-shaped groove includes two sides. The inner side is parallel to the center line of the output shaft 8, and the outer side is an inclined wall. Along the direction from the round nut 6 to the cover plate 2, the inclined wall is inclined in a direction away from the center line of the output shaft 8. The shape of the wedge-shaped pin 4 matches the wedge-shaped groove and is fitted between the two sides. The wedge pin 4 is provided with a first spring groove, and the cover plate 2 is provided with a second spring groove. The two ends of the spring 3 are respectively accommodated in the first spring groove and the second spring groove; the first spring groove and the second spring groove are arranged opposite each other, and the center line of the spring 3 is parallel to the center line of the output shaft 8. The number of wedge pins 4 is two or more, and they are evenly spaced along the circumference of the round nut 6; in this embodiment, two wedge pins 4 and two springs 3 are selected. The connecting component is screw 1. The cover plate 2 has a countersunk through hole in the middle for screw 1 to pass through. Screw 1 is connected to the threaded hole at the end of the output shaft 8. A sensor 5 is provided at the bottom of the wedge-shaped groove. The detection end of the sensor 5 is set towards the wedge pin 4 and is used to trigger a signal when the wedge pin 4 moves down to the set position due to wear. The sensor 5 is an existing displacement sensor. After the trigger signal is triggered, it serves to remind you to replace the round nut 6 and the wedge pin 4. The bottom of sensor 5 is provided with magnetic adsorption material to adsorb metal shavings generated by the friction between wedge pin 4 and round nut 6; the magnetic adsorption material is magnetic felt. It also includes a planetary carrier 7 and two bearings. The planetary carrier 7 is interference-fitted onto the output shaft 8, and the round nut 6 is used to axially position and lock the planetary carrier 7. The two bearings are interference-fitted onto the planetary carrier 7.

[0020] The present invention, employing the aforementioned technical solution, abandons the mechanical limiting method relying on a "rigid latch engaging a groove," and instead adopts an elastic clamping and locking structure composed of a "spring-wedge pin-sloping surface." The cover plate 2 presses the spring 3 against the wedge pin 4, ensuring that the inclined surface of the wedge pin 4 continuously and stably presses against the inclined wall of the wedge-shaped annular groove of the round nut 6. The maximum static friction force generated by the pressure between the contact surfaces prevents the round nut 6 from rotating, thereby locking the round nut 6. This structure eliminates the inherent risk of fatigue fracture due to reciprocating impacts; furthermore, the bidirectional axial clearance reserved between the wedge pin 4, the bottom surface of the annular groove, and the cover plate 2 provides the structure with dynamic compensation capabilities. Under complex dynamic load conditions, even if microscopic wear occurs on the contact surface, the pre-compressed spring 3 will continuously release its elastic force, pushing the wedge pin 4 to move downwards along the inclined plane, automatically and in real time compensating for wear gaps and ensuring that the locking surface always remains pressed. Compared to the existing yaw gearbox round nut locking structure, which is prone to fatigue fracture due to micro-reciprocating impacts with the round nut groove under complex dynamic loads, leading to round nut loosening and failure, this invention fundamentally eliminates the risk of fatigue fracture of the rigid latch through a continuous, flexible self-compensating locking structure. This significantly improves the long-term locking reliability and stability of the round nut 6 under harsh working conditions, ensuring the safety of the yaw gearbox and even the entire gearbox. The entire unit operates safely; and when the ambient temperature changes suddenly, causing the round nut 6 to expand and contract, the wedge pin 4 can float up and down within its axial clearance range. The clamping force of the spring 3 ensures that its inclined surface is always in close contact with the inclined wall of the annular groove, thereby dynamically maintaining the locking state and avoiding loss of preload or loosening of connection due to material expansion and contraction; the sensor 5 can monitor the downward displacement of the wedge pin 4 due to wear in real time. When the wear reaches the preset limit position, the sensor 5 can trigger an alarm in advance, thereby realizing predictive maintenance and avoiding gearbox failure due to locking failure, which in turn leads to failure of the yaw function of the entire wind turbine generator set. This effectively improves the safety and maintainability of the equipment and reduces operation and maintenance costs.

[0021] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A yaw gearbox round nut locking structure, comprising an output shaft (8) and a round nut (6), wherein the output shaft (8) is provided with an external thread, and the round nut (6) is screwed onto the output shaft (8) through an internal thread, characterized in that: It also includes a cover plate (2), at least one wedge pin (4), and springs (3) corresponding to the wedge pins (4); the cover plate (2) is fixed to the end face of the output shaft (8) by a connector; a wedge-shaped groove is provided at one end of the round nut (6) facing the cover plate (2), and the wedge-shaped groove has an inclined wall surface; the wedge pin (4) is set in the wedge-shaped groove, and it has an inclined surface that fits against the inclined wall surface, and an axial gap is reserved between the wedge pin (4) and the bottom surface of the wedge-shaped groove, as well as between the wedge pin (4) and the cover plate (2); the cover plate (2) presses the spring (3) onto the wedge pin (4), so that the inclined surface of the wedge pin (4) and the inclined wall surface of the wedge-shaped groove are pressed and fitted together.

2. The yaw gearbox round nut locking structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The wedge-shaped groove is formed at the corner where the end face of the round nut (6) intersects with the inner wall; the wedge-shaped pin (4) is fitted between the outer wall of the output shaft (8) and the inclined wall of the wedge-shaped groove.

3. The yaw gearbox round nut locking structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The wedge pin (4) is provided with a first spring groove, the cover plate (2) is provided with a second spring groove, and the two ends of the spring (3) are respectively accommodated in the first spring groove and the second spring groove.

4. The yaw gearbox round nut locking structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The number of wedge pins (4) is two or more, and they are evenly spaced along the circumference of the round nut (6).

5. The yaw gearbox round nut locking structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The connector is a screw (1), and the cover plate (2) has a countersunk through hole in the middle for the screw (1) to pass through. The screw (1) is connected to a threaded hole at the end of the output shaft (8).

6. The yaw gearbox round nut locking structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: A sensor (5) is provided at the bottom of the wedge-shaped groove. The detection end of the sensor (5) is set towards the wedge pin (4) and is used to trigger a signal when the wedge pin (4) moves down to a set position due to wear.

7. The yaw gearbox round nut locking structure according to claim 6, characterized in that: The bottom of the sensor (5) is provided with a magnetic adsorption material for adsorbing metal shavings generated by the friction between the wedge pin (4) and the round nut (6).

8. The yaw gearbox round nut locking structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a planetary carrier (7) and two bearings. The planetary carrier (7) is fitted onto the output shaft (8) with an interference fit. The round nut (6) is used to axially position and lock the planetary carrier (7). The two bearings are fitted onto the planetary carrier (7) with an interference fit.

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