Control mechanism for adjusting oil level of gearbox and gearbox

Abstract

The utility model provides a control mechanism for adjusting the oil level of a gearbox and the gearbox. The gear box comprises a box body, lubricating oil is contained in the box body, and the control mechanism is installed in the box body. The control mechanism comprises: an actuating device; and a valve body connected to an actuation device, the actuation device configured to actuate the valve body such that the valve body is movable between a first position and a second position, where the first position is lower in height than the second position, where the valve body is at least partially immersed in the lubricating oil within the tank, and where the valve body is at least partially immersed in the lubricating oil within the tank. The valve body is at least partially exposed out of the lubricating oil in the box body. According to the control mechanism disclosed by the invention, the oil level height can be adjusted under the condition that the oil quantity in the gearbox is set.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of transmission devices such as gearboxes, and more particularly to the field of cooling and lubrication control of gearboxes. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a control mechanism for adjusting the oil level of a gearbox, and a gearbox including the control mechanism. Background Art

[0002] Traditional industrial gearboxes are usually installed horizontally and use oil immersion lubrication to lubricate and cool the internal transmission components. The oil level in the gearbox is usually at the height of the bearing, so that the lubrication conditions are met when the gearbox is initially started. However, after the gearbox has been running for a period of time, the depth of the gears and bearings immersed in the lubricating oil increases due to the heat and expansion of the lubricating oil, and the oil churning loss of the gears increases. In addition, the heat generated locally in the gearbox cannot be evacuated, causing the temperature of the gear contact area and the inside of the bearing to rise sharply. It is easy for the gears and bearings to break and fail due to the huge and concentrated frictional heat, which causes the gearbox to be returned to the factory for repair or even scrapped. The waste of time and the increase in cost cannot be ignored.

[0003] In view of the above problems, the common solution now is to select a larger gearbox to meet the thermal power requirements. However, this will cause additional economic waste to customers. Alternatively, another solution is to add additional cooling methods to increase the thermal power of the gearbox. However, the application environment of some gearboxes does not have the conditions for fan cooling and water cooling, and additional cooling methods will also cause resource waste.

[0004] The present invention is designed to solve one or more of the defects in the prior art. Utility Model Content

[0005] The control mechanism for adjusting the oil level of the gearbox proposed in the present disclosure can adjust the oil level when the amount of oil in the gearbox is fixed. Specifically, the control mechanism can raise the oil level during the start-up of the gearbox so that the gears and bearings are immersed in the lubricating oil, thereby meeting the lubrication requirements of the gears and bearings. The control mechanism can also lower the oil level after the gearbox is started normally, and achieve splash lubrication and heat dissipation of the bearings by gear oil throwing, which not only meets the lubrication and heat dissipation requirements of the gears and bearings, but also greatly reduces the oil stirring power loss, thereby improving the transmission efficiency and thermal power of the gearbox, and avoiding unnecessary economic losses due to insufficient thermal power.

[0006] Specifically, the present disclosure proposes a control mechanism for adjusting the oil level of a gearbox, wherein the gearbox includes a housing, wherein the housing is filled with lubricating oil, and the control mechanism is installed in the housing, wherein the control mechanism includes: an actuating device; and a valve body connected to the actuating device, wherein the actuating device is configured to actuate the valve body so that the valve body can move between a first position and a second position, wherein the first position is lower in height than the second position, wherein, in the first position, the valve body is at least partially immersed in the lubricating oil in the housing, and in the second position, the valve body is at least partially exposed from the lubricating oil in the housing.

[0007] In a possible embodiment, in the first position, the valve body is completely immersed in the lubricating oil in the housing, and in the second position, the valve body is completely exposed from the lubricating oil in the housing.

[0008] In a possible embodiment, the actuating device includes: a cylinder body; a piston installed in the cylinder body, the piston dividing the internal space of the cylinder body into a first part and a second part; and a piston rod, one end of the piston rod is fixedly connected to the piston, and the other end extends from the cylinder body and is fixedly connected to the valve body, wherein the cylinder body is provided with a first oil port and a second oil port leading to the first part and the second part respectively, the first oil port is configured to allow hydraulic oil to flow into the first part and flow out of the first part, and the second oil port is configured to allow hydraulic oil to flow into the second part and flow out of the second part.

[0009] In a possible embodiment, the cylinder body includes a first oil pipe arranged at the first oil port and a second oil pipe arranged at the second oil port, the first oil pipe and the second oil pipe are configured to allow hydraulic oil to flow therethrough to enter the first part and the second part respectively, and the first oil pipe and the second oil pipe are fixedly mounted on the housing of the gear box.

[0010] In a possible embodiment, the shape of the valve body is formed by translating its cross-sectional shape for a distance in a direction perpendicular to the plane where the cross-sectional shape is located, and the cross-sectional shape includes a first circular arc concave inward, and the first circular arc forms the curved surface of the valve body by translation.

[0011] In a possible embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the valve body is sickle-shaped and is formed by connecting the following lines in sequence: a horizontal first line segment; a vertical second line segment; the first circular arc having a first radius, the first circular arc being tangent to the second line segment; a vertical third line segment; a horizontal fourth line segment; a second circular arc convex outwardly having a second radius; and a vertical fifth line segment, the second circular arc being tangent to the fourth line segment and the fifth line segment.

[0012] In a possible embodiment, the control mechanism also includes a temperature sensor, which is configured to measure the temperature of the lubricating oil in the gearbox, and the actuating device is configured to actuate the valve body when the temperature measured by the temperature sensor exceeds a temperature threshold, so that the valve body rises from the first position to the second position.

[0013] In a possible embodiment, the temperature sensor is attached to the valve body.

[0014] The present disclosure also proposes a gearbox, which includes a housing, wherein lubricating oil is filled in the housing, and the gearbox also includes a control mechanism according to any of the above items installed in the housing, wherein the control mechanism is configured to adjust the oil level of the lubricating oil.

[0015] In a possible embodiment, the gearbox further includes: an output shaft, which is supported on the box body; and a gear installed on the output shaft in the box body, one side of the gear is close to the inner wall of the box body, and the control mechanism is arranged in the space between the other side of the gear and the inner wall of the other side of the box body.

[0016] In general, the various embodiments of the present disclosure may be combined and coupled in any possible manner within the scope of the present disclosure. These and other aspects, features and / or advantages of the present disclosure will be apparent and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described by way of example with reference to the following drawings, in which:

[0018] Figure 1 is a front view of a gearbox according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0019] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of a gearbox is shown, wherein a portion of the gearbox housing wall is removed to expose the transmission components and control mechanism installed therein;

[0020] Figure 3 It is along Figure 1A cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 1 , which shows the installation position of the control mechanism relative to the transmission component;

[0021] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a control mechanism according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0022] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 a side view of the control mechanism shown;

[0023] Figure 6 It is along Figure 5 A cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG.

[0024] Figure 7 It is along Figure 6 Cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG.

[0025] It should be understood that the drawings illustrate only one way of implementing the present disclosure and should not be construed as limiting other possible embodiments within the scope of the appended claims. The scope of protection of the present disclosure is limited only by the appended claims. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] A gearbox is a transmission device commonly used in the mechanical field, which can be used to convert a higher rotation speed into a lower rotation speed, and vice versa. Figure 1 A front view of a gearbox 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The gearbox 1 is shown in a perspective view, wherein a portion of the housing wall of the gearbox 1 is removed to expose the transmission components and the control mechanism 2 installed therein. Figure 3 It is along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 1 shows the installation position of the control mechanism 2 relative to the transmission component.

[0027] refer to Figure 1-3 The gearbox 1 includes a housing 10 and transmission components installed in the housing 10. The housing 10 is formed by a thin shell-shaped housing wall, and a space for installing the transmission components is defined inside the housing 10. Usually, two half-shell components are formed by casting using cast iron material, and then the two half-shell components are assembled together to form the housing 10. The main function of the housing 10 is to support, seal and protect the transmission components inside, etc., so as to maintain the normal operation of these transmission components.

[0028] like Figure 2As shown, the transmission components installed in the housing 10 include an input shaft 11, an output shaft 12, and intermediate transmission shafts 13 and 14, and a series of gears 16 installed on the input shaft 11, the output shaft 12, and the intermediate transmission shafts 13 and 14 via bearings 15. The gears 16 mesh with each other to convert the first rotation speed of the input shaft 11 into the second rotation speed of the output shaft 12. Figure 2 In the example shown, the radius of each gear 16 increases gradually from right to left. Figure 2 The gearbox 1 shown is a reduction box, and the first rotation speed is greater than the second rotation speed. Alternatively, in other examples, the gearbox 1 can be a speed increase box, and the first rotation speed can be less than the second rotation speed. In order to lubricate and cool the components such as the bearing 15 and the gear 16, a certain amount of lubricating oil (not shown in the figure) is injected into the housing 10. The lubricating oil is stored in an oil storage tank formed by the housing 10.

[0029] During the shutdown and startup of the gearbox 1, in order to meet the lubrication requirements, the oil level of the lubricating oil usually needs to be at a higher level, for example, at the height of each bearing 15. Subsequently, when the gearbox 1 has been running stably for a period of time, the speed of the transmission parts such as the gear 16 has been high and the temperature of the lubricating oil is also high, in order to reduce the oil stirring loss and meet the thermal power requirements of the gearbox 1, the oil level of the lubricating oil needs to be lowered so that it only immerses a part of the gear 15 (the gear with the largest diameter) on the output shaft 12. As for the gears 16 and bearings 15 on the input shaft 11 and the intermediate transmission shafts 13 and 14, they are lubricated and cooled by the lubricating oil splashed by the gear 15 on the output shaft 12. In order to achieve the above-mentioned oil level adjustment, the present disclosure proposes a control mechanism 2, and its working principle will be described in detail below.

[0030] refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 The gear 16 on the output shaft 12 is installed close to one side of the inner wall of the housing 10 (the right side shown in the figure), so there will be a large space between the gear 16 and the other side of the inner wall of the housing 10 (the left side shown in the figure). The control mechanism 2 according to the present disclosure is installed in this space. This installation method makes full use of the existing internal space of the gear box 1 and avoids interference between the control mechanism 2 and internal transmission components.

[0031] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a control mechanism 2 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 5 yes Figure 4 A side view of the control mechanism 2 is shown. Figure 6 It is along Figure 5 A cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG.

[0032] Figure 7It is along Figure 6 It will be understood that the cross-sectional view is taken along the line CC in FIG. Figure 6 The cross-sectional view shown shows line CC, where the Figure 7 The cross-sectional view shown is for the complete control mechanism 2 (not for Figure 6 The intercepted control mechanism 2) shown is intercepted.

[0033] like Figure 4 As shown, the control mechanism 2 according to the present disclosure includes an actuating device 21 and a valve body 22 connected to the actuating device 21. The actuating device 21 is configured to actuate the valve body 22 so that the valve body 22 can move to change the height. According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the actuating device 21 is configured to actuate the valve body 22 so that the valve body 22 can move between a first position and a second position higher than the first position. Specifically, during the shutdown and startup of the gearbox 1, the valve body 22 is in a lower first position. At the first position, the valve body 22 is at least partially immersed in the lubricating oil in the housing to raise the oil level of the lubricating oil to a higher level, for example, to raise the oil level to the height of the bearing 15 in the gearbox 1. In a preferred embodiment, at the first position, the valve body 22 is completely immersed in the lubricating oil in the housing to maximize the oil level. In a further preferred embodiment, at the first position, the valve body 22 is just completely immersed in the lubricating oil in the housing, which can both maximize the oil level and avoid wasting the stroke of the valve body 22. When the gearbox 1 operates stably for a period of time and the speed of the transmission parts such as the gear 16 is already high, the actuating device 21 actuates the valve body 22 to move it to the second position. At the second position, the valve body 22 is at least partially exposed from the lubricating oil in the housing, so that the oil level of the lubricating oil drops to a lower level, for example, the oil level drops to only submerge a part of the gear 16 on the output shaft 12. In a preferred embodiment, at the second position, the valve body 22 is completely exposed from the lubricating oil in the housing 1 to minimize the oil level. In a further preferred embodiment, at the second position, the valve body 22 is just completely exposed from the lubricating oil in the housing 1, which can both minimize the oil level and avoid wasting the stroke of the valve body 22.

[0034] As described above, the main function of the valve body 22 is to adjust the oil level of the lubricating oil by adjusting the depth of the valve body 22 immersed in the lubricating oil (i.e., by adjusting the volume of the lubricating oil displaced by the valve body 22) when the amount of lubricating oil in the gearbox 1 is fixed, so as to meet the requirements of different oil level heights under different working conditions. Therefore, the valve body 22 can take any suitable shape, such as a cube, a sphere, an irregular polyhedron, etc.

[0035] exist Figure 4-7 In the preferred embodiment shown, the valve body 22 is sickle-shaped, and its three-dimensional shape is composed of a sickle-shaped cross-sectional shape (or its Figure 5 The cross-sectional shape (or the shape in the side view) is formed by translating a distance in a direction perpendicular to the plane where the cross-sectional shape (or the shape in the side view) is located. Figure 7 As shown. Specifically, the sickle-shaped cross-sectional shape is formed by connecting the following lines in sequence: a horizontal first line segment S1; a vertical second line segment S2; a first circular arc A1 with a first radius that is concave inwards, and the first circular arc A1 is tangent to the second line segment S2; a vertical third line segment S3; a horizontal fourth line segment S4; a second circular arc A2 with a second radius that is convex outwards; and a vertical fifth line segment S5, the length of the fifth line segment S5 is equal to the length of the second line segment S2, and the second circular arc A2 is tangent to the fourth line segment S4 and the fifth line segment S5. The connection points of the above lines can be rounded to achieve a smooth transition.

[0036] The above sickle-shaped cross-sectional shape is advantageous because the curved surface formed by the translation of the first arc A1 can be used for installation toward the output shaft 12, so that the valve body 22 will not interfere with the output shaft 12 during the period of being raised from the first position to the second position and when it is in the second position. Further, the above sickle-shaped cross-sectional shape is advantageous because the curved surface formed by the translation of the second arc A2 can be used for installation toward the inner wall of the housing 10, so that a certain space is reserved between the valve body 22 and the housing for installation of related parts. Further, the above sickle-shaped cross-sectional shape is advantageous because the plane formed by the translation of the horizontal fourth line segment S4 can be configured to connect with the bottom wall of the housing 10 when the valve body 22 is in the first position, thereby serving as a motion stopper for the valve body 22.

[0037] Figure 7 Only one preferred shape of the valve body 22 is disclosed, and those skilled in the art may also select different shapes of the valve body 22 according to actual needs. For example, the valve body 22 may be formed to include only a curved surface formed by translating the first arc A1, and the shapes of other parts may be the same as those of the first arc A1. Figure 7 For example, the valve body 22 may be formed to not include a curved surface formed by translating the first arc A1, but to include a plane formed by translating the extended line segments of the fourth line segment S4 and the fifth line segment S5 at this position. In this case, the valve body 22 can displace the volume of lubricating oil with greater efficiency.

[0038] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the actuating device 21 configured to actuate the valve body 22 includes a cylinder 210, a piston 211 installed in the cylinder 210, and a piston rod 212. Figure 4As shown. The cylinder body 210 may be cylindrical, and may be provided with a first oil port and a second oil port, and the cylinder body 210 may include a first oil pipe 210a provided at the first oil port and a second oil pipe 210b provided at the second oil port. The first oil pipe 210a and the second oil pipe 210b may be connected to the inner wall of the housing 10, and may be configured to introduce or lead hydraulic oil into or out of the cylinder body 210 to achieve movement of the piston 211 and the piston rod 212, which will be described in detail later.

[0039] The piston 211 installed in the cylinder 210 divides the internal space of the cylinder 210 into a first part P1 and a second part P2. The first oil pipe 210a is in fluid communication with the first part P1 via the first oil port, and the second oil pipe 210b is in fluid communication with the second part P2 via the second oil port. One end of the piston rod 212 is fixedly connected to the piston 211, and the other end extends from the cylinder 210 and is fixedly connected to the valve body 22. For example, the piston 211 can be integrally formed with the piston rod 212, and the end of the piston rod 212 can be threadedly connected to the valve body 22. In this case, the end of the piston rod 212 can include an external thread, and the valve body 22 is provided with an internal thread hole for threading with the end. External hydraulic oil can flow into the first part P1 and the second part P2 from the first oil pipe 210a and the second oil pipe 210b, and flow out from the first part P1 and the second part P2, so that the piston 211 can drive the piston rod 212, and then drive the valve body 22 to move between the first position and the second position.

[0040] Specifically, during the shutdown and startup of the gearbox 1, hydraulic oil can be introduced into the first part P1 of the internal space of the cylinder 210, and the lubricating oil (if any) in the second part P2 can be discharged to promote the piston 211 to move downward, thereby driving the valve body 22 to move downward to the first position, or to maintain it in the first position. As a result, the oil level of the lubricating oil in the gearbox 1 is increased, and the transmission components in the gearbox 1 are immersed in the lubricating oil, thereby meeting the lubrication requirements of the gearbox 1 when it is started. When the gearbox 1 has been running stably for a period of time and the speed of the transmission components such as gears is already high, hydraulic oil can be introduced into the second part P2 of the internal space of the cylinder 210, and the lubricating oil in the first part P1 can be discharged to promote the piston 211 to move upward, thereby driving the valve body 22 to move upward to the second position. As a result, the oil level of the lubricating oil in the gearbox 1 is reduced, the mechanical oil stirring loss is reduced, the transmission efficiency is improved, and part of the transmission components in the gearbox 1 still enter the lubricating oil. Through splash lubrication, the oil can enter the gear contact area and the inside of the bearing, so that they are fully lubricated and cooled, ensuring the normal operation of the gearbox 1.

[0041] In one embodiment according to the present disclosure, the control mechanism 2 may further include a temperature sensor (not shown). The temperature sensor may be attached to the valve body 22, or installed at any other suitable location. The temperature sensor is configured to measure the temperature of the lubricating oil in the gearbox 1, and the actuating device 21 of the control mechanism 2 is configured to actuate the valve body 22 when the temperature of the lubricating oil in the housing 1 exceeds a certain temperature threshold, so that the valve body 22 moves from the first position to the second position. The temperature threshold may be a set temperature corresponding to the thermal power of the gearbox.

[0042] According to the description given above, the control mechanism 2 proposed in the present disclosure can automatically adjust the oil level in the gearbox 1 when the amount of lubricating oil is fixed. Compared with the solutions of the prior art, it has the advantages of high cost performance, high reliability, and easy control, and can reduce the maintenance cost of customers. In addition, the control mechanism 2 solves the problem of insufficient thermal power of the gearbox 1 under the same equivalent, and its mechanical power density is higher than that of the solutions of the prior art. In addition, the control mechanism 2 can adopt different specifications, has strong adaptability, and can adopt different box layout methods according to different structures of the box, and adapt to horizontally installed and inclined installed gearboxes 1, etc.

[0043] Although the present disclosure has been described in conjunction with the above-mentioned specific embodiments, it should not be understood as being limited to the examples proposed in any way. The scope of the present disclosure is defined by the appended claims. In the context of the claims, the terms "comprise" or "include" do not exclude other possible elements or steps. In addition, references such as "one" or "an" should not be interpreted as excluding multiple. The use of reference symbols for elements shown in the figures in the claims should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, the various features mentioned in different claims may be advantageously combined, and the mention of these features in different claims does not exclude that the combination of these features is impossible and advantageous. In addition, the "first", "second", "third" and "fourth" used in the present disclosure are only used to distinguish the relevant parts, and are not intended to give them any priority attributes.

Claims

1. A control mechanism (2) for adjusting the oil level of a gearbox, the gearbox comprising a housing (10), the housing (10) containing lubricating oil, the control mechanism (2) being installed in the housing (10), characterized in that: The control mechanism (2) comprises: an actuating device (21); and a valve body (22) connected to the actuating device (21), the actuating device (21) being configured to actuate the valve body (22) so that the valve body (22) can move between a first position and a second position, wherein the first position is lower in height than the second position, Wherein, in the first position, the valve body (22) is at least partially immersed in the lubricating oil in the housing (10), and in the second position, the valve body (22) is at least partially exposed from the lubricating oil in the housing (10).

2. The control mechanism (2) for adjusting the gearbox oil level according to claim 1, characterized in that: In the first position, the valve body (22) is completely immersed in the lubricating oil in the housing (10), and in the second position, the valve body (22) is completely exposed from the lubricating oil in the housing (10).

3. The control mechanism (2) for adjusting the gearbox oil level according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The actuating device (21) comprises: Cylinder body (210); a piston (211) installed in the cylinder (210), wherein the piston (211) divides the internal space of the cylinder (210) into a first part (P1) and a second part (P2); and a piston rod (212), one end of which is fixedly connected to the piston (211), and the other end of which extends out from the cylinder body (210) and is fixedly connected to the valve body (22), The cylinder body (210) is provided with a first oil port and a second oil port leading to the first part (P1) and the second part (P2) respectively, the first oil port being configured to allow hydraulic oil to flow into and out of the first part (P1), and the second oil port being configured to allow hydraulic oil to flow into and out of the second part (P2).

4. The control mechanism (2) for adjusting the gearbox oil level according to claim 3, characterized in that: The cylinder body (210) comprises a first oil pipe (210a) arranged at the first oil port and a second oil pipe (210b) arranged at the second oil port, the first oil pipe (210a) and the second oil pipe (210b) being configured to allow hydraulic oil to flow therethrough to enter the first part (P1) and the second part (P2) respectively, and the first oil pipe (210a) and the second oil pipe (210b) being fixedly mounted on the housing (10) of the gear box.

5. The control mechanism (2) for adjusting the gearbox oil level according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The shape of the valve body (22) is formed by translating its cross-sectional shape for a distance in a direction perpendicular to the plane where the cross-sectional shape is located, and the cross-sectional shape includes a first circular arc (A1) concave inwardly, and the first circular arc (A1) forms the curved surface of the valve body (22) by translation.

6. The control mechanism (2) for adjusting the gearbox oil level according to claim 5, characterized in that: The cross-sectional shape of the valve body (22) is sickle-shaped and is formed by connecting the following lines in sequence: a horizontal first line segment (S1); a vertical second line segment (S2); the first circular arc (A1) having a first radius, the first circular arc (A1) being tangent to the second line segment (S2); a vertical third line segment (S3); a horizontal fourth line segment (S4); a second circular arc (A2) convex outwardly having a second radius; and a vertical fifth line segment (S5), the second circular arc (A2) being tangent to the fourth line segment (S4) and the fifth line segment (S5).

7. The control mechanism (2) for adjusting the gearbox oil level according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The control mechanism (2) further comprises a temperature sensor, which is configured to measure the temperature of the lubricating oil in the gearbox. The actuating device (21) is configured to actuate the valve body (22) when the temperature measured by the temperature sensor exceeds a temperature threshold, so that the valve body (22) rises from the first position to the second position.

8. The control mechanism (2) for adjusting the gearbox oil level according to claim 7, characterized in that: The temperature sensor is attached to the valve body (22).

9. A gear box, comprising a housing (10), wherein lubricating oil is contained in the housing (10), characterized in that: The gearbox further comprises a control mechanism (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 8 installed in the housing, wherein the control mechanism (2) is configured to adjust the oil level of the lubricating oil.

10. The gearbox according to claim 9, characterized in that The gearbox further comprises: an output shaft (12), the output shaft (12) being supported on the housing (10); and a gear (16) mounted on the output shaft (12) in the housing (10), one side of the gear (16) being close to the inner wall of the housing (10), and the control mechanism (2) being arranged in a space between the other side of the gear (16) and the inner wall of the other side of the housing (10).

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