Flange connecting structure

Abstract

The present application relates to a flange connection structure comprising a connection flange directly connected on one side to a gearbox housing and on the other side to an electric machine housing; and an adapter comprising a body in the shape of a disc and comprising a through-hole through which the shaft of the gearbox passes such that the adapter can be pre-retained in clearance fit and / or transition fit to the gearbox housing prior to mounting the coupling. The body is kept to the inner circumference, facing the opening of the gearbox shell, of the connecting flange in a clearance fit and / or transition fit mode through the periphery of the body, so that the adapter is clamped and arranged between the connecting flange and the gearbox shell without an additional fixing device; wherein the connecting flange, the adapter and a region part, corresponding to the connecting flange, in the electric machine shell form a closed space for accommodating the coupling therein. According to the invention, the assembly process is optimized and the assembly process is simplified.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to a flange connection structure. Background Art

[0002] It is known that for the connection between a gearbox and an electric machine in certain settings, especially for a gearbox and an electric machine with an L-shaped connection configuration, the assembly of the coupling 106 and the connection flange between the gearbox and the electric machine is difficult and may cause additional vibrations due to the tolerance dimension chain. The L-shaped connection configuration means that, for example, the input shaft and the output shaft of the gearbox are at different heights in the vertical direction, so that the input shaft of the gearbox is usually set at a position lower than the output shaft, resulting in limited connection operation space between the connection flange and the housing of the gearbox, which is particularly significant for large gearboxes that are difficult to reposition. In addition, since the application parameters of the gearbox, the extension length and diameter of the input shaft are generally fixed, the selection and position of the coupling are also basically fixed, which further limits the fastening operation space for the coupling after the connection flange between the gearbox and the electric machine is assembled (because the coupling is at a low position and the connection flange also occupies the operation space). It is known that in order to solve the above problems of a gearbox with an L-shaped configuration, the gearbox-electric machine connection flange is selected to be constructed as at least two components, for example, three separate flange components, which are sequentially connected to finally form the entire connection flange. This split-type connection flange has a simple structure and can maintain the operability for itself and the coupling.

[0003] However, due to the need for multiple flange components, the number of molds, especially non-standard casting molds, is also large and the construction period is relatively long. In addition, still due to the need for multiple flange components to be connected to each other, the number of connecting parts and operations also increases accordingly, and thus the assembly time-consuming and complex. In addition, in this conventional split-type connection flange, there is a situation where a single connecting part connects more than two structures at the same time (for example, a single connecting part may need to pass through the second component, the second component and the third component at the same time to ensure the overall stability of the assembled connection flange), which also obviously complicates the assembly process.

[0004] Therefore, there is a need for a flange connection structure that can, on the one hand, reduce the number of components of the flange connection structure, thus reducing the number of non-standard parts in particular and increasing the adaptability, and on the other hand, reduce the number of components and optimize the assembly process, and preferably reduce the influence of vibrations and component processing tolerances on the assembly. Summary of the Utility Model

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present application, a flange connection structure is provided, characterized in that it includes a connecting flange which is directly connected to the gearbox housing on one side and directly connected to the electric machine housing on the other side; and an adapter which includes a body that is disc-shaped and includes a through-hole provided through the body, and the through-hole is penetrated by the shaft of the gearbox so that the adapter can be pre-held to the gearbox housing in a clearance fit and / or interference fit at the position of the through-hole before installing the coupling; wherein the body is held to the inner circumference of the opening of the connecting flange facing the gearbox housing in a clearance fit and / or interference fit at its periphery, so that the adapter is clamped and arranged between the connecting flange and the gearbox housing without additional fixing devices by abutting against the gearbox housing on one side and being held within the opening on the other side; wherein the connecting flange, the adapter, and the region portion of the electric machine housing corresponding to the connecting flange form a closed space to accommodate the coupling therein.

[0006] Optionally, the connecting flange is an integral flange which is directly connected to the gearbox housing and the electric machine housing respectively on both sides as a whole.

[0007] Optionally, the inner circumference of the opening of the connecting flange includes a stepped portion extending radially inwards from its side wall to abut against the side facing it in the body, so that the inner circumference of the opening and the body cooperate with each other.

[0008] Optionally, a first seal is provided between the bent region of the stepped portion and the peripheral edge of the body opposite to the bent region.

[0009] Optionally, in the side of the body opposite to the connecting flange, at least a part of the opening for the shaft extension of the body surrounding the gearbox housing abuts against the gearbox housing.

[0010] Optionally, the adapter includes an annular protrusion and the gearbox housing includes a protrusion surrounding the opening for the shaft extension, and the annular protrusion protrudes around the through-hole and its radial inner wall and the surface of the region within the annular protrusion in the body respectively abut against the outer peripheral wall and the end face of the protrusion of the gearbox to be held to the gearbox housing in a clearance fit and / or interference fit.

[0011] Optionally, a second seal is provided between the contact position of the surface of the region within the annular protrusion in the body and the end face of the protrusion.

[0012] Optionally, the diameter of the body is selected to be greater than the size of the cross-section of the coupling of the shafts of the gearbox and the electric machine in a plane perpendicular to the axial direction.

[0013] Optionally, the gearbox and the electric machine are in an L-shaped connection structure.

[0014] Optionally, the clearance fit is selected as an H7 / h7 clearance fit.

[0015] With the flange connection structure of the present application, it can reduce the number of components of the flange connection structure and thus reduce the production quantity of non-standard parts in particular, so that the production cycle can be shortened; it can increase the adaptability, enabling the same flange connection structure to be applicable to the connection between different gearboxes and electric machines and thus enabling the use of a coupling with an adapted size without regenerating the flange connection structure; it can save more space for the assembly of the coupling and thus enable the connection between the gearbox and the electric machine to be more compact; it can optimize the assembly process and simplify the assembly flow, especially avoiding the appearance and use of connectors for connecting three or more connectors. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Other significant features and advantages of the present application are derived from the following non-limiting description provided for illustrative purposes with reference to the following drawings, in which:

[0017] Figure 1 A perspective view of a flange connection structure connected between a gearbox and an electric machine according to an embodiment of the present application is shown;

[0018] Figure 2 An enlarged perspective view of a flange connection structure connected between a gearbox and an electric machine according to an embodiment of the present application is shown;

[0019] Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of a flange connection structure connected between a gearbox and an electric machine according to an embodiment of the present application is shown;

[0020] Figure 4 A perspective view of a fitting for a flange connection structure according to an embodiment of the present application is shown; and

[0021] Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of a fitting for a flange connection structure according to an embodiment of the present application is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0022] The following description is substantially exemplary only and is not intended to limit the present application and its application or use. It is also understood that in all the drawings, corresponding reference numerals denote the same or corresponding parts and features.

[0023] The embodiments of the present application will be further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. First, the meaning of the L-shaped connection structure is defined herein: The L-shaped connection structure means that the input shaft and the output shaft of at least one of the gearbox or the electric machine are not collinear but offset in a selected direction. For example, the input shaft and the output shaft are in different horizontal planes in the vertical direction such that there is an offset or deflection in the transmission path after assembly of the gearbox and the electric machine. For example, taking a specific gearbox as an example, its input shaft and output shaft extend horizontally at different heights in the installation position and the input shaft is lower than the output shaft; correspondingly, the electric machine is connected to its input shaft and thus the electric machine and the gearbox have an L-shaped connection structure. Although in the following embodiments of the present application, the gearbox and the electric machine with the L-shaped connection structure are used as examples to describe the embodiments of the present application, those skilled in the art will understand that the flange connection structure 100 described in the present application can be used for the connection structure of any other suitable special-shaped gearboxes and / or electric machines without departing from the scope of the present application. For example, for the input shaft and the output shaft, the electric machine can also obviously adopt the flange connection mechanism in the embodiments of the present application.

[0024] In the embodiments of the present application, the direction along which the input shaft (or the output shaft, depending on the type of the electric machine, only the input shaft is described as an example herein) in the gearbox extends is defined as the axial direction, and the direction around the axial direction is defined as the circumferential direction. In addition, in the plane perpendicular to the axial direction, the direction passing through the center of the input shaft is defined as the radial direction. Those skilled in the art should understand that such a direction definition is only exemplary and not restrictive, and those skilled in the art can make other definitions of the direction in any suitable form according to the structure and setting manner of the gearbox or the electric machine.

[0025] Next, in conjunction with Figures 1-3 The flange connection structure 100 connected between the gearbox and the electric machine according to the embodiments of the present application will be described in detail, wherein: Figure 1 FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of the flange connection structure 100 connected between the gearbox and the electric machine according to the embodiments of the present application; Figure 2 FIG. 12 shows an enlarged perspective view of the flange connection structure 100 connected between the gearbox and the electric machine according to the embodiments of the present application; and Figure 3 FIG. 14 shows a cross-sectional view of the flange connection structure 100 connected between the gearbox and the electric machine according to the embodiments of the present application.

[0026] As Figures 1-3As shown, according to an embodiment of the present application, the flange connection structure 100 includes a connecting flange 102. The connecting flange 102 is connected to the gearbox housing 200 on one side and to the electric machine housing 300 on the other side. Preferably, the connecting flange 102 is directly connected to the gearbox housing 200 on one side and directly connected to the electric machine housing 300 on the other side, so that the connection operations on both sides of the connecting flange 102 can be simplified. It is conceivable that the connecting flange 102 can be configured to be integral with the electric machine housing 300, for example, formed by integral molding, to simplify the number of connecting parts of the flange connection structure 100.

[0027] It is also conceivable that the connecting flange 102 includes a positioning mechanism on at least one of its two sides to help position the connecting flange 102 at a desired position, such as aligning the connection positions of the connecting parts.

[0028] As Figures 1-3 shown, the connecting flange 102 includes an opening 108 on the side facing the gearbox to allow the input shaft with the coupling 106 installed thereon to pass through the opening 108 and be received into the connecting flange 102. It is conceivable that the size of the opening 108 can be selected to be suitable for the passage of the coupling 106 with the maximum size of the input shaft of the gearbox. With this size design, the connecting flange 102 according to the present application can be applicable to different couplings 106 and the equipment requirements of different gearboxes. Based on this opening design, the coupling 106 can be fixed to the end of the input shaft before installing the connecting flange 102, thereby simplifying the installation space requirements of the coupling and enabling a compact structure to be achieved.

[0029] As Figures 1-3 shown, according to an embodiment of the present application, the flange connection structure 100 further includes an adapter 104, which is configured to cooperate with the corresponding opening 108 of the connecting flange 102 to achieve sealing of the internal cavity space of the connecting flange 102. As Figures 1-3 shown, the adapter 104 includes a body. In the illustrated embodiment, the body is disc-shaped, but this is only exemplary. As those skilled in the art will understand, the overall shape of the body actually matches the shape of the opening 108 due to cooperation with the corresponding opening 108 of the connecting flange 102. For example, if the opening 108 is square or polygonal or curved, the body of the adapter 104 is correspondingly square or polygonal or curved.

[0030] As shown in the figure. The adapter 104 further includes a through hole 120 disposed through the body, and the shaft of the gearbox passes through the through hole 120 so that the adapter 104 can be pre-held to the gearbox housing 200 with a clearance fit and / or an interference fit at the position of the through hole 120 before installing the coupling 106. In other words, the through hole 120 has a clearance fit and / or an interference fit with the gearbox housing 200, enabling the coupling 106 to be fixed to the end of the input shaft after the adapter 104 is held to the gearbox housing 200. Subsequently, only the connection flange 102 needs to be fixed to the gearbox housing 200 to complete the assembly of the entire flange connection structure 100, significantly simplifying the entire assembly process, contributing to efficiency improvement, and being able to accommodate various different types of couplings 106 or facilitating operations such as disassembly and replacement of the coupling 106. Regarding other specific structures or variations of the adapter 104, reference will be made to Figures 4-5 the detailed description and will not be elaborated here additionally.

[0031] As previously described and as Figures 1-3 shown, the fit between the adapter 104 and the corresponding opening 108 of the connection flange 102 is selected such that the body is held to the inner periphery of the corresponding opening 108 of the connection flange 102 with a clearance fit and / or an interference fit at its periphery. With this clearance fit and / or interference fit, it helps with the installation and assembly of the adapter 104 and the opening 108. In other words, the adapter 104 is configured to be received in the opening 108 with a clearance fit and / or an interference fit, ensuring the sealing performance, especially the dust-proof performance.

[0032] Preferably, the adapter 104 is clamped and disposed between the connection flange 102 and the gearbox housing 200 without additional fixing devices by abutting against the gearbox housing 200 on one side and being held in the opening 108 on the other side. In fact, this clamping arrangement ensures that the adapter 104 does not undergo any displacement movement in the axial direction, thus not impairing the sealing effect on the connection flange 102 or avoiding wear caused by such axial wobbling.

[0033] As previously described and preferably, the connection flange 102, the adapter 104, and the corresponding regional part of the electric machine housing 300 corresponding to the connection flange 102 form a closed space to accommodate the coupling 106 therein. In fact, as detailedly explained above, the adapter 104 is configured to cooperate with the opening 108 of the connection flange 102, thus being able to generally seal the opening 108; on the other side, due to the fixed connection between the connection flange 102 and the electric machine, it is also generally sealed, thereby forming a sealed accommodation space for the coupling 106. Preferably, the adapter 104 is a steel adapter, enabling it to be manufactured by means such as machining or molding.

[0034] Also asFigures 1-3 As shown, optionally, the connecting flange 102 is a one-piece flange, which is integrally molded or machined in any suitable manner. By way of example, it is formed by casting molding. The connecting flange 102 is a single piece and is directly connected to the gearbox housing 200 and the electric machine housing 300 on both sides thereof as a whole. It should be emphasized here that the "direct connection" means that the connecting flange 102 is fixed to the gearbox housing 200 or the electric machine housing 300 by means of a suitable connecting member, such as screws, rivets, etc. by way of example and not limitation, without passing through any independent intermediate member.

[0035] Also as Figures 1-3 shown, the inner circumference of the opening 108 of the connecting flange 102 includes a stepped portion 114 extending radially inward from its side wall to abut against the side of the body facing it. In other words, the opening 108 of the connecting flange 102 includes a protrusion extending radially inward on its inner circumference, and the protrusion may extend in a ring shape over the entire circumference of the inner circumference or may extend in an arc shape over at least a part of the entire circumference of the inner circumference. Therefore, the protrusion and the inner circumference of the opening 108 form a stepped portion 114, and the stepped portion 114 may be a single annular protrusion or a plurality of arcuate protrusions distributed in the circumferential direction. In this case, one side of the adapter 104 abuts against the facing surface of the protrusion or the stepped portion 114, so that the axial position of the adapter 104 in the opening 108 is defined. Preferably, the body also includes a stepped portion, that is, a protrusion, extending radially outward around its periphery, and preferably, the protrusion extends around the entire periphery of the body. Preferably, the stepped portion of the body and the stepped portion 114 of the opening 108 are complementary to each other, so that the inner circumference of the opening 108 and the periphery of the body form a rabbet structure, wherein the opening 108 is a female rabbet and the adapter 104 is a male rabbet. Preferably, the body is configured such that when it is fully received in the opening 108 of the connecting flange 102, the side thereof opposite to the opening 108 is not higher than, and more preferably flush with or continuous with the peripheral surface of the opening 108.

[0036] As Figures 1-3As shown, in the embodiment of the present application, a first seal 110 is further provided between the adapter 104 and the connecting flange 102 to, on the one hand, compensate for possible machining errors and, on the other hand, prevent impurities such as dust from invading. Preferably, the first seal 110 is disposed between the bent region of the stepped portion 114 (i.e., the corner between the stepped portion 114 and the inner peripheral surface of the opening 108) and the peripheral edge of the body opposite to the bent region (i.e., at or near the region of the peripheral edge of the body facing the corner of the stepped portion 114). The first seal line is preferably selected as an elastomeric seal, so that the noise generated by the loose fit between the body and the connecting flange 102 due to machining errors can be further eliminated. In addition, in the case of an elastomeric seal, it can also provide buffering for the tendency of relative displacement between different components due to vibration.

[0037] As Figures 1-3 shown, as described above, the adapter 104 is held tool - free between the gearbox housing 200 and the connecting flange 100. In this case, it can be determined that at least a part of the adapter 104 is configured to abut against the gearbox housing 200, so as to ensure the prevention of possible axial movement of the adapter 104 and stably hold the adapter 104. Preferably, on the side of the body opposite to the connecting flange 102, the abutting position is selected to be around the opening of the input shaft of the gearbox, that is, at least a part of the body around the opening of the gearbox housing 200 for shaft extension abuts against the gearbox housing 200. Here, it should be understood that in the above - mentioned embodiment of the present application, the abutment is an axial abutment to achieve clamping. Of course, optionally, the entire surface of the adapter 104 on the side opposite to the connecting flange 102 abuts against the gearbox housing 200. However, in order to reduce the weight of the adapter 104, obviously, the abutment of at least a part of the entire surface against the gearbox housing 200 is sufficient to achieve clamping. The abutting position is not absolutely limited to the opening around the shaft of the gearbox described in the present application and is only exemplary. Those skilled in the art can select any appropriate abutting position according to the design characteristics of the gearbox without departing from the scope of the present application as long as the adapter 104 can be clamped and held.

[0038] The following will refer to Figures 4-5 further describe the possible structure of the adapter 104, where Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the adapter 104 for the flange connection structure 100 according to an embodiment of the present application and Figure 5 shows a cross - sectional view of the adapter 104 for the flange connection structure 100 according to an embodiment of the present application, where the features already described with reference to Figures 1-3 are not described in detail additionally here.

[0039] AsFigures 4-5 As shown, the adapter 104 includes an annular projection 116 configured to project around the through-hole 120 of the body, particularly towards the gearbox housing 200. Correspondingly, the gearbox includes a projection 202 around the opening for the shaft to extend. It should be understood that the annular projection 116 and / or the projection 202 may be in a continuous annular shape or a discontinuous annular overall shape, or even a partial arc shape, and these shapes can be selected or varied according to design requirements.

[0040] Based on the above annular projection 116 and the projection 202, the annular projection 116 abuts against the outer peripheral wall and the end face of the projection 202 of the gearbox with its radial inner wall and the surface of the area within the body located within the annular projection 116 (i.e., the surface within the annular projection 116 and facing the gear housing) respectively, and is held to the gearbox housing 200 in a clearance fit and / or interference fit manner. Preferably, the radial thickness of the above projection 202 of the gearbox is selected to correspond to the annular width of the surface of the area within the body located within the annular projection 116. Optionally, the radial thickness of the above projection 202 of the gearbox is selected to be greater than or equal to the annular width of the surface of the area within the body located within the annular projection 116.

[0041] Optionally, in the embodiment of the present application, a second seal 112 is provided between the contact position of the surface of the area within the body located within the annular projection 116 and the end face of the above projection 202 of the gearbox. The second seal is preferably selected as an elastomeric seal, so as to further eliminate the noise generated due to the non-tight fit between the body and the gearbox housing 200 caused by machining errors. In addition, in the case of an elastomeric seal, it can also provide buffering for the tendency of relative displacement generated between different components due to vibration.

[0042] As previously described and as Figures 4-5 shown, since the diameter of the opening 108 of the connecting flange 102 is selected to be greater than the maximum size of the optional model coupling 106, it can be determined that the diameter of the body is correspondingly selected to be greater than the size of the cross-section of the coupling 106 connecting the shafts of the gearbox and the electric machine in a plane perpendicular to the axial direction, that is, the diameter of the optional maximum size coupling.

[0043] In addition, as an example, in the embodiments of the present application, the clearance fit is selected as the H7 / h7 clearance fit, but this is only exemplary. Those skilled in the art can select an appropriate type of clearance fit standard based on requirements, such as the combination of dust prevention, vibration prevention, and machine processing accuracy, without departing from the scope of the present application. In fact, the selection of the standard for the transition fit follows the same reason and will not be additionally defined herein (that is, any possible standard that can meet the design requirements is feasible). Although in the above description of the present application, the detailed structure of the present application is described with reference to specific embodiments, those skilled in the art need to understand that the above description is only exemplary and not restrictive. Those skilled in the art can consider any possible variations or substitutions based on the disclosure of the present application without departing from the scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A flange connection structure (100), characterized in that, It includes a connecting flange (102) which is directly connected to the gearbox housing (200) on one side and directly connected to the electric machine housing (300) on the other side; and An adapter (104) which includes a body that is disc-shaped and includes a through-hole (120) provided through the body, and the shaft of the gearbox passes through the through-hole (120) such that the adapter (104) can be pre-held to the gearbox housing (200) with a clearance fit and / or interference fit at the position of the through-hole (120) before installing the coupling (106); Wherein, the body is held to the inner circumference of the opening (108) of the connecting flange (102) facing the gearbox housing (200) with a clearance fit and / or interference fit at its periphery, such that the adapter (104) is clamped and arranged between the connecting flange (102) and the gearbox housing (200) without additional fixing means by abutting against the gearbox housing (200) on one side and being held within the opening (108) on the other side; Wherein, the connecting flange (102), the adapter (104), and the region portion of the electric machine housing (300) corresponding to the connecting flange (102) form a closed space to accommodate the coupling (106) therein.

2. The flange connection structure (100) according to claim 1, wherein, The connecting flange (102) is a one-piece flange which is directly connected to the gearbox housing (200) and the electric machine housing (300) respectively on both sides as a whole.

3. The flange connection structure (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inner circumference of the opening (108) of the connecting flange (102) includes a stepped portion (114) extending radially inwards from its side wall to abut against the side facing it in the body, such that the inner circumference of the opening (108) and the body cooperate with each other.

4. The flange connection structure (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that, A first seal (110) is provided between the bent region of the stepped portion (114) and the peripheral edge of the body opposite to the bent region.

5. The flange connection structure (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that, On the side of the body opposite to the connecting flange (102), at least a part of the opening for the shaft to extend around the gearbox housing (200) abuts against the gearbox housing (200).

6. The flange connection structure (100) according to claim 5, characterized in that, The adapter (104) includes an annular protrusion (116) and the gearbox housing (200) includes a protrusion (202) around the opening for the shaft to extend. The annular protrusion (116) protrudes around the through-hole (120) and its radial inner wall and the surface of the region within the annular protrusion (116) in the body respectively abut against the outer peripheral wall and the end face of the protrusion (202) of the gearbox to be held to the gearbox housing (200) with a clearance fit and / or interference fit.

7. The flange connection structure (100) according to claim 6, characterized in that, A second seal (112) is provided between the contact position of the surface of the region within the annular protrusion (116) in the body and the end face of the protrusion (202).

8. The flange connection structure (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The diameter of the body is selected to be larger than the dimension of the cross-section of the coupling (106) connecting the shaft of the gearbox and the shaft of the electric machine in a plane perpendicular to the axial direction.

9. The flange connection structure (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The gearbox and the electric machine are connected in an L-shaped configuration.

10. The flange connection structure (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The clearance fit is selected as an H7 / h7 clearance fit.

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