GEARBOX WITH GEARBOX HOUSING

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a gearbox with a gearbox housing.

[0002] It is generally known that a gearbox has a gearbox housing.

[0003] From US 2018 / 259056 A1, the closest state of the art is known to be a housing for a vehicle in which a mechanical element can be stored.

[0004] A method for manufacturing a housing is known from JP 2017 150536 A.

[0005] A manufacturing process for a gearbox is known from DE 10 2016 011664 A1.

[0006] A complexly shaped housing part is known from CN 102 691 779 A.

[0007] A gearbox housing is known from CN 107 387 735 A.

[0008] The invention is therefore based on the objective of designing a gearbox housing in the most material-saving way possible.

[0009] According to the invention, the problem is solved in the gearbox with gearbox housing according to the features specified in claim 1.

[0010] Key features of the invention for the gearbox with gearbox housing, in particular gearbox housing part, wherein the gearbox housing has a support structure composed of webs and the gearbox housing has connecting surfaces connected to webs of the support structure, wherein the support structure together with the connecting surfaces are additively manufactured, in particular by means of 3D printing,

[0011] in particular, the connecting surfaces with the webs form an oil-tight housing part.

[0012] A key advantage is that additive manufacturing using a 3D printer allows the gearbox housing to be produced with a bionic support structure that conducts the force flow occurring during operation, and the support structure can be made oil-tight via connecting surfaces. The bionic support structure thus also features one or more webs that extend through the interior of the gearbox housing. This ensures optimal force flow between the bearing mounts and / or the gearbox cover mount. The thickness of the webs can be adjusted to the specific force flow. Therefore, the support structure can be manufactured with a material distribution that corresponds to the force flow, allowing for material-saving gearbox production. In addition to the force flow, other functions, such as oil channels, can also be integrated into the support structure, in which case the thickness of the webs is increased accordingly.However, the hollow design of the webs results in high rigidity, so that no significant additional material is required for integrating the oil system into the supporting structure. A separate piping system is therefore unnecessary. Furthermore, integrating the oil system improves thermal balance and ensures a uniform gearbox temperature.

[0013] According to the invention, the webs are connected to each other and to a bearing receptacle and a receptacle for a gearbox cover. An advantage of this is that the forces occurring during operation, especially lateral forces, are transferred directly from the bearing receptacles via the supporting structure, thus enabling force-free or at least low-force operation of the connecting surfaces, and in particular ensuring oil tightness in a material-saving manner.

[0014] In an advantageous embodiment, one of the webs, in particular a handle-shaped web, connects two points of the gearbox cover and the gearbox housing, and is particularly spaced apart from the supporting structure. It is advantageous that the power flow can also be conducted through the interior, unless a gear toothing element of the gearbox is located there.

[0015] In an advantageous design, each web of the supporting structure is shaped differently compared to every other web. The advantage here is that the web can be shaped bionically. Thus, the shape is optimized for force flow. This allows the force flow to be effectively transmitted with minimal material.

[0016] In an advantageous design, each connecting surface is shaped differently from every other connecting surface of the gearbox housing. The advantage here is that oil tightness, and thus the housing function, can be ensured with as little material as possible, since the connecting surfaces can be operated without force.

[0017] In an advantageous embodiment, each web has at least two different cross-sectional areas at two different locations. It is advantageous that the cross-sectional profile of the web in the web direction can be optimized for the force flow to be transmitted.

[0018] In an advantageous embodiment, each of the webs is curved and / or each of the connecting surfaces is curved. The advantage here is that, on the one hand, the force flow is possible, and on the other hand, a high stiffness of the supporting structure can be achieved, particularly with minimal material expenditure.

[0019] According to the invention, a channel structure formed from channels is integrated into the wall of the gearbox housing, specifically within the supporting structure. An advantage of this design is that no additional component is required for conveying oil, particularly no piping. Furthermore, thermal equalization and thus a more uniform temperature within the gearbox housing can be achieved. This facilitates efficient heat dissipation. The additional material required for the channels is minimal in terms of durability, as the hollow structure is more rigid.

[0020] In an advantageous embodiment, the channel structure has branches, in particular where at least three channels merge into one another at each branch. The advantage here is that increased stiffness and stability as well as optimized use of space can be achieved.

[0021] According to the invention, a first opening of a first channel of the channel structure leads into a collecting trough, and a second opening of the first channel or of another channel of the channel structure leads into a bearing receptacle for lubricating a bearing, wherein the gearbox housing is shaped such that oil sprayed upwards is at least partially directed to the collecting trough. An advantage of this is that the supply of lubricating oil enables improved lubrication and thus more efficient utilization of the gearbox.

[0022] In an advantageous embodiment, a first opening of a second channel leads into a first oil pan of the gearbox housing, and a second opening of the second channel leads into a second oil pan. wherein a raised section is formed on the transmission housing between the first and second oil pans, in particular the transmission housing is raised and / or the transmission housing has a narrowed internal cross-section, wherein the first and second oil pans each form a section of the transmission housing. An advantage of this is that it allows for an increase in the oil level in the oil pan that would otherwise be emptied or at least have its oil level lowered during operation due to the movement of the gear components.

[0023] In an advantageous embodiment, each channel of the channel structure is curved and / or has a different cross-section, in particular a different cross-sectional area and / or a different cross-sectional area value, at least at a first location than at a second location, the first location being spaced apart from the second. It is advantageous that the channels can be shaped in such a way that high stiffness and optimal force transmission are achieved with as little material as possible, wherein the cross-sectional area of ​​the channel exceeds a threshold value, in particular a minimum area value, at all locations of the channel.

[0024] In an advantageous embodiment, a first opening of a second channel leads into a recess in the gearbox housing formed by the supporting structure and connecting surfaces, which serves as a first oil pan, and a second opening of the second channel leads into a recess in the gearbox housing formed by the supporting structure and connecting surfaces, which serves as a second oil pan. wherein the gearbox housing has a narrowed clear inner diameter or cross-section of the interior area of ​​the gearbox housing between the first and second oil pans, and / or wherein the supporting structure is raised between the first and second oil pans, in particular having a raised section. The advantage of this is that it allows for equalization of the oil levels, i.e., backflow of oil and an increase in the oil level, which is reduced during operation. The intermediate raised section or narrowed section has the advantage that the contour of the gearbox housing follows the contour of the gear teeth as closely as possible.

[0025] According to the invention, at least one of the bearing mounts and the mount for the gearbox cover are manufactured as a casting, wherein the support structure including connecting surfaces are additively manufactured, and the gearbox housing is a composite part made of bearing mounts and

[0026] The housing is designed to accommodate the gearbox cover and support structure, including connecting surfaces. A key advantage is that the gearbox housing can be manufactured as a composite component consisting of cast housings and an additively manufactured support structure with connecting surfaces. This allows for high rigidity in the housings and precise machining. Despite this, the bionic shape of the support structure remains achievable and can be implemented using material-saving methods.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment, the gearbox housing is made of metal, particularly aluminum, and especially additively manufactured. The advantage here is that a stable metal housing can be provided. Additive manufacturing enables high rigidity and stability with minimal material usage. Furthermore, the bionic shape of the supporting structure, including the connecting surfaces, cannot be produced by conventional casting – at least not cost-effectively.

[0028] Further advantages arise from the sub-claims.

[0029] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to schematic illustrations: In the Figure 1 A gearbox according to the invention, comprising a gearbox housing and gearbox cover 5, is shown in an oblique view. Figure 2 is different from Figure 1 The gearbox is shown with the gearbox cover removed. In the Figure 3The supporting structure, composed of webs 1 together with bearing mounts 6 and a mount for the gearbox cover 5, is shown, with the connecting surfaces between the webs removed. Figure 4 The gearbox housing is shown in a sectional view.

[0030] As shown in the figures, the gearbox housing is additively manufactured, in particular by a 3D printer. Preferably, metal, especially aluminum, is used as the material for the gearbox housing.

[0031] The gearbox housing has a support structure composed of interconnected webs 1. Furthermore, some of the webs 1 are connected to the bearing receptacle 6 and the receptacle for the gearbox cover 5. The webs 1 each have different shapes. In particular, they each have a curved contour. Each of the webs 1 preferably has at least two different cross-sections.

[0032] The supporting structure resembles a skeleton. Connecting surfaces 2 extend over surfaces free between webs 1, so that the supporting structure together with the connecting surfaces 2 forms an oil-tight gearbox housing.

[0033] At least one of the webs 1 extends from a first point of the gearbox housing to another point of the gearbox housing, with this web 1 projecting into the interior and being at least partially spaced away from the gearbox housing. This web 1 is therefore accessible from behind.

[0034] The supporting structure essentially serves to transmit power during operation of the gearbox.

[0035] The connecting surfaces 2 have a thinner wall than the webs 1. The support structure also connects the receptacle for the gearbox cover 5 to the bearing receptacles 6, so that these are not only held in place, but transverse forces occurring during operation are also transmitted through the support structure. The connecting surfaces 2 primarily serve to seal against oil and not to transmit force.

[0036] Each of the more than fifteen connecting surfaces 2 is individually shaped, in particular, differs from all other connecting surfaces 2 of the gearbox housing; in particular, each of the connecting surfaces is curved. Likewise, each of the more than fifteen webs 1 is individually shaped, in particular, differs from all other webs 1 of the gearbox housing.

[0037] As in Figure 2As shown, an oil collection channel 20 is formed on the inside of the gearbox housing. Furthermore, a scraper is provided inside the gearbox, which feeds the oil scraped off by the scraper, independent of the direction of rotation, to the oil collection channel 20. From this oil collection channel 20, channels 43 lead within the supporting structure to bearings, in particular bearing mounts, in particular bearing flanges, so that the bearings are lubricated by the oil exiting the respective opening 21 of the respective channel.

[0038] Each of the channels leading from an outlet opening of a respective channel to an end area of ​​the respective channel opening into another channel or to another outlet opening of the respective channel is curved and has at least two different channel cross-sections, in particular and is therefore individual, i.e. unique among all the channels formed on the gearbox housing.

[0039] Another channel is integrated into the gearbox housing and also runs within the housing wall. This additional channel serves to equalize the oil level between two sections of the gearbox's oil sump. The gearbox housing is shaped to closely match the contour of the gear teeth. Since the gearbox has two gears whose teeth mesh with each other and whose axes of rotation are parallel and spaced apart, the gearbox housing has two recesses at its base. These recesses are spaced apart by a raised section 42 and, in particular, each function as an oil sump (40, 41).

[0040] The second channel opens into the first oil pan 40 at its first outlet and into the second oil pan 41 at its second outlet. This allows for an equalization of the oil levels in the two oil pans 40 and 41. The second channel passes under the raised section 42.

[0041] In Figure 5 The oil collection channel 20 is shown, wherein the oil, scraped off by the scraping means on the smooth side surface of the rotating gear, in particular spur gear, is introduced into the channel 43, which leads to the bearing housings of the bearings. In particular, one of the bearings is the bearing that rotatably supports the gear.

[0042] According to the invention, the bearing mounts 6 and the mount for the gearbox cover 5 are manufactured as castings and the supporting structure including connecting surfaces are additively manufactured on them, in particular by 3D printing. Reference symbol list

[0043] 1 Bridge 2 Connecting surface 3 Driving shaft 4 Driving shaft 5 Gearbox cover 6 Bearing mount 20 Oil collection channel 21 Channel outlet 40 First oil pan section 41 Second oil pan section 42 Raise between first and second oil pan sections 43 Channel 44 Further channel

Claims

1. A gear unit having a gear-unit housing, in particular gear-unit housing part, wherein the gear-unit housing has a support structure composed of webs (1) and the gear-unit housing has connecting surfaces (2) connected to webs (1) of the support structure, wherein the support structure together with the connecting surfaces (2) is additively produced, in particular by means of 3D printing, in particular wherein the connecting surfaces (2) form an oil-tight housing part with the webs (1), characterised in that the webs (1) are connected to one another and to a bearing receiver (6) and receiver for a gear-unit cover (5), wherein at least one of the bearing receivers (6) and the receiver for the gear-unit cover (5) are manufactured as a casting, wherein the support structure together with connecting surfaces (2) are additively produced, wherein the gear-unit housing is produced as a composite part of bearing receivers (6) and receiver for the gear-unit cover (5) and support structure together with connecting surfaces (2), wherein a channel structure formed from channels is formed in the wall of the gear-unit housing, namely in the support structure, wherein a first mouth opening (21) of a first channel of the channel structure opens in a collection trough and a second mouth opening (21) of the first channel or another channel of the channel structure opens in a bearing receiver (6) for lubrication of a bearing, wherein the gear-unit housing is formed such that upwards sprayed oil is at least partially fed to the collection trough.

2. A gear unit according to claim 1, characterised in that one of the webs, in particular a handle-shaped web, connects two sites of the gear-unit cover (5) and is at a distance from the gear-unit housing, in particular from the support structure.

3. A gear unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that each web of the support structure is shaped differently compared to any other web of the support structure, and / or in that each connecting surface (2) is shaped differently to any other connecting surface (2) of the gear-unit housing.

4. A gear unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that each web has at least two differing cross-sectional surfaces at two different sites, and / or in that each of the webs (1) is curved and / or in that each of the connecting surfaces (2) is curved.

5. A gear unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the channel structure has branches, in particular wherein at the respective branch, at least three channels open into one another in each case.

6. A gear unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a first mouth opening (21) of a second channel opens in a first oil pan of the gear-unit housing and a second mouth opening (21) of the second channel opens in a second oil pan, wherein between first and second oil pan there is formed a raised region at the gear-unit housing, in particular therefore the gear-unit housing is raised and / or the gear-unit housing has a narrowed inside cross-section of the interior region of the gear-unit housing, wherein the first and the second oil pan are in each case a partial region of the gear-unit housing.

7. A gear unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that each of the channels of the channel structure is in each case curved and / or at least at a first location has a different cross-section, in particular a different cross-sectional surface and / or a different cross-sectional surface value, from a second location, wherein the first location is spaced apart from the second location.

8. A gear unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that a first mouth opening (21) of a second channel opens into a depression, which is formed by the support structure together with connecting surfaces (2) and which functions as a first oil pan, of the gear-unit housing and a second mouth opening (21) of the second channel opens into a depression, which is formed by the support structure together with connection surfaces (2) and which functions as a second oil pan, of the gear-unit housing, wherein between first and second oil pan, the gear-unit housing has a narrowed inside diameter or cross-section of the interior region of the gear-unit housing, and / or wherein the support structure is raised between first and second oil pan, in particular has a raised region.

9. A gear unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the gear-unit housing is produced, in particular additively, of metal, in particular aluminium.

10. A gear unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that in a respective bearing receiver (6) there is received a respective bearing which rotatably supports a respective toothing part of the gear unit, wherein the toothings of toothing parts mesh, wherein the interior, surrounded by the gear-unit housing, of the gear unit is at least partially filled with lubricating oil, wherein a gear-unit cover (5) is received in the receiver for the gear-unit cover (5) and is connected to the gear-unit housing by means of screws, wherein the opening encompassed by the receiver for the gear-unit cover (5) is such in size and shape that a shaft (3) and / or a toothing part of the gear unit is or are guidable through the opening.