Adapter housing for a motor-gearbox arrangement

Abstract

The invention relates to an adapter housing (10) for adapting a drive motor (60) to an industrial gearbox (52), the adapter housing comprising: a peripheral housing element (12) extending along a centre axis (AM) having connection flanges (14) formed at both ends, a peripheral contour of the housing element (12) being polygonal; and a partition element (20) which is arranged within the housing element (12) in a plane transverse to the centre axis (AM) and is adapted to an inner surface (16) of the housing element (12). The peripheral contour is preferably octagonal. A polygonal configuration of the adapter housing (10) provides an effective modification of a hollow-cylindrical adapter housing, since it provides both flat mounting surfaces on which auxiliary components can be mounted without significant effort and an external shape that remains sufficiently close to cylindrical to maintain lateral clearance relative to the gearbox (52), thereby allowing airflow along the side of the gearbox housing (12).

Description

[0001] FLENDER GMBH

[0002] FLENDER INDUSTRIEGETRIEBE GMBH Düsseldorf, March 16, 2026 Our reference: FD45945 - 2025P04765WO

[0003] Flender GmbH

[0004] Alfred-Flender-Str. 77, 46395 Bocholt, Germany

[0005] and

[0006] Flender Industriegetriebe GmbH

[0007] Thierbacher Straße 24, 09322 Penig, Germany

[0008] Adapter housing for motor-gearbox arrangement

[0009] Description

[0010] The invention relates to adapter housings for adapting a drive motor to an industrial gearbox, comprising a housing element extending along a central axis AM and circumferentially, with connection flanges formed at each end and a separating element arranged within the housing element to ensure airflow.

[0011] During operation, industrial gearboxes generate power loss in the form of heat. This heat must be dissipated from the gearbox to the environment to prevent overheating and subsequent failure of internal components. One way to dissipate heat from a gearbox is with a fan. This fan is typically mounted on the gearbox input shaft, ensuring continuous operation. The fan can be integrated into or enclosed within an adapter housing. An adapter housing generally consists of two opposing flanges, one on the motor side and one on the gearbox side, connected by a nearly hollow cylindrical body. The adapter housing thus serves as a connecting component between the gearbox and the drive motor. An example of such an adapter housing is shown in DE 102015 011 163 B4.Inside the adapter housing, next to the fan, is a sheet metal part that acts as a separator, separating the intake air from the exhaust air. This promotes a directed airflow towards the gearbox, allowing for more efficient heat dissipation. However, attaching this separator to the inner circumference of the adapter housing's hollow cylindrical body results in high manufacturing costs and significant assembly effort. Furthermore, patents CN 110319 180 B and DE 102012025596 Al should be mentioned, which describe air guide housings for directing the cooling airflow of a fan mounted on the gearbox side. Therefore, there is a constant need to simplify both the manufacturing and assembly processes.

[0012] The purpose of the invention is to identify measures that enable a simplification of the manufacturing and assembly of the adapter housing and increase the efficiency of the cooling.

[0013] The problem is solved by an adapter housing having the features of claim 1. Preferred embodiments are specified in the dependent claims and the following description, each of which, individually or in combination, can represent an aspect of the invention. When a feature is presented in combination with another feature, this serves only to simplify the presentation of the invention and is in no way intended to imply that this feature cannot also be a further development of the invention without the other feature.

[0014] One embodiment relates to an adapter housing for adapting a drive motor to an industrial gearbox, comprising a housing element extending along a central axis AM and circumferentially extending with connection flanges formed at each end, wherein a circumferential contour of the housing element is polygonal, and a separating element arranged within the housing element in a transverse plane ETI to the central axis AM, wherein the separating element forms several bends angled relative to the transverse plane ETI.

[0015] A polygonal adapter housing represents an efficient modification of a hollow cylindrical adapter housing, as it offers both flat mounting surfaces on which additional components can be installed without significant effort, and its outer shape closely resembles a cylinder to ensure a lateral overhang of the gearbox. This allows airflow to pass laterally around the gearbox housing, for example, to reach bearings. The separating element features a central cutout through which the drive train running between the drive motor and gearbox is guided. This central cutout also serves to direct cooling air from the intake side to the exhaust side. Preferably, the separating element has no other openings through which a significant amount of cooling air can exchange between the intake and exhaust sides.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the circumferential contour of the adapter housing, extending around the central axis AM, is octagonal. An octagonal shape closely resembles the conventional hollow cylindrical shape. In particular, this ensures that the radial clearance between the adapter housing and the outer surface of the internally rotating fan remains very small, thus minimizing areas where unwanted airflow stagnation can occur. Furthermore, the octagonal shape provides flat, i.e., uncurved, surfaces, allowing for easy attachment of components both internally and externally. The octagonal shape also ensures sufficient lateral overhang of the adapter housing relative to the gearbox housing, enabling cooling air to exit towards the outer sides of the gearbox housing within the overhang area.From a manufacturing perspective, a preferred design is one in which the housing element is formed from two housing halves joined in an axial plane to the central axis AM. This makes it possible to produce the two housing halves in the same manufacturing step and then, in a preferred embodiment, weld them together in butt joints formed in the axial plane after the halves have been joined.

[0017] The angled bends formed by the separating element relative to the transverse plane are understood to be a region of the separating element that is expediently made of the same material, in particular sheet metal, and is positioned at an angle to the transversely arranged region. These bends result in increased rigidity of the separating element. Furthermore, optimized airflow is achieved because the transition from the transverse region, via the bends, to the inner surface of the adapter housing is no longer characterized by sharp changes in direction. This results in an overall improved airflow direction towards the gearbox and thus better heat dissipation. It is particularly preferred that the number of bends corresponds to the number of corners of the circumferential contour of the housing element.This ensures that the separating element adapts almost completely to the inner surface of the housing element, allowing for uniform airflow. In a specific design, the bends may be positioned at an angle of between 20° and 80°, particularly between 30° and 60°, to the transverse plane.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the bends are attached to the inner surface of the housing element, in particular by clamping or screwing. Preferably, the separating element is bent or angled a second time in addition to the bend, thus providing tabs by which the bends, and therefore the entire separating element, can be connected to the housing element of the adapter housing. For example, retaining clips can be provided as fastening elements, which are screwed to the housing element and clamp the bends, in particular the tabs created by the second bend. The sheet metal of the respective bend can be slid onto the retaining clip with a corresponding tab, so that small misalignments due to manufacturing deviations can be easily compensated for. Instead of tightening or loosening screws and nuts, the assembly and disassembly process consists only of sliding the sheet metal onto the retaining clip.Pulling the separating element out of the retaining clips.

[0019] In a further preferred embodiment, adjacent bends are at least partially connected to one another. In particular, it can be provided that the adjacent bends are connected to each other by welding. This allows the separating element to be further stabilized if necessary.

[0020] The problem is further solved by a motor-gearbox arrangement for an industrial application, comprising a drive motor with an output shaft, an industrial gearbox with an input shaft connected to the output shaft of the drive motor, wherein a fan wheel is arranged non-rotatably on the input shaft, and the drive motor is connected to the industrial gearbox via an adapter housing as described. In particular, the bends are angled relative to the transverse plane in the direction of the fan wheel. The separating element extends conically or opens towards the gearbox, so that the airflow is forced over the inclined, opening bends towards the gearbox. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, it can be provided that the bends extend at least into a second transverse plane formed by the fan wheel.

[0021] The invention is explained below by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments, wherein the features shown below can represent an aspect of the invention both individually and in combination. Figure 1 shows a motor-gearbox arrangement with an adapter housing.

[0022] Fig. 2: a half-section of an adapter housing,

[0023] Fig. 3: a view of an adapter housing and

[0024] Figs. 4, 5: Details and specifications of an adapter housing.

[0025] Figure 1 shows a motor-gearbox assembly 50, for example, for an industrial application. The motor-gearbox assembly 50 comprises a drive motor 60 with a motor shaft, which can also be referred to as the output shaft 62, and an industrial gearbox 50 with an input shaft 54. The drive motor 60 and gearbox 52 are shown only schematically. The output shaft 62 and input shaft 54 ​​are connected to each other for the transmission of a drive torque, the type of connecting means of which need not be discussed further here. In addition, a fan wheel 56 is mounted non-rotatably on the input shaft 54 ​​of the gearbox 52. During operation of the motor-gearbox assembly 50, the fan wheel 56 therefore rotates at the same speed as the input shaft 54. Furthermore, an adapter housing 10 is provided, via which the drive motor 60 and the gearbox 52 are connected to each other.The adapter housing 10 encloses the two shafts 54 and 62 and the fan wheel 56, at least to a large extent. The output shaft 62 of the drive motor 60 and the input shaft 54 ​​of the gearbox 52 lie on a central axis AM, which defines a principal direction of the motor-gearbox arrangement 50. The fan wheel 56 is driven by the input shaft 54 ​​to rotate about the central axis AM.

[0026] The adapter housing 10 has a housing element 12 that extends concentrically to the central axis AM. The housing element 12 forms connection flanges 14i, 142 at its ends for connecting the adapter housing 10 to the drive motor 60 and the gearbox 52, respectively. A circumferential contour of the housing element 12, concentric to the central axis AM, is octagonal, specifically a regular octagon. The adapter housing 10 also includes a separating element 20. The separating element 20 is arranged within the housing element 12 in a first transverse plane ETI Z of the central axis AM. The separating element 20 is integrally formed with and attached to an inner surface 16 of the housing element 12. As will be described below, the separating element 20 can have areas that project from the first transverse plane ETI.The separating element 20 forms a central cutout 30 through which the input shaft 54 ​​and / or the output shaft 62 are guided. The separating element 20 thus divides the interior of the housing element 12 into two areas 32 and 34, with the fan wheel 56 being located in the gearbox-side area 34. The fan wheel 56 is therefore axially spaced from the separating element 20 in a second transverse plane ET2 ZU of the central axis AM.

[0027] Figure 2 shows an adapter housing 10 in detail in a perspective half-section. A separating element 20 is depicted in one possible embodiment. The housing element 12 is formed from two housing halves 18 joined in an axial plane with respect to the central axis AM. Due to the half-section shown, only one of the two housing halves 18 is visible. The housing halves 18 can, for example, be welded together in butt joints 22 formed in the axial plane by the opposing placement of the two housing halves 18.

[0028] The separating element 20 forms several bends 24 angled relative to the first transverse plane ETI. In this case, eight bends 24 are provided, corresponding to the octagonal shape of the circumferential contour. The bends 24 are angled relative to the transverse plane ETI in the area 34 or in the direction of the fan wheel 56 (see Figure 1). In the embodiment shown here, the bends 24 are at an angle of 45° to the first transverse plane ETI. This means that the separating element 20 transitions from the transversely arranged part at an angle of 45° to the bends 24 and from these at a further angle of 45° to the inner surface 16 of the housing element 12. However, other designs may also be provided in which the bends 24 are at an angle between 20° and 80°, in particular 30° to 60°, to the transverse plane ETI.Adjacent bends 24 are connected to each other, at least partially. It may be provided that the adjacent bends 24 are connected to each other by a weld 28, for example as a spot weld or a weld seam. In one possible embodiment, the bends 24 may extend at least to the second transverse plane ET2, which is not shown here.

[0029] Figure 3 shows a view of the adapter housing 10. Reference numeral 36 designates the attachment points of the bends 24 of the separating element 20 relative to the housing element 12. Furthermore, the housing element 12 forms several slot-shaped intake openings 38 through which cooling air can enter area 32 when the fan wheel 56 (not shown in Figure 3) is in operation. Inside the housing, this air then passes through the cutout 30 into the second area 34. The cooling air then flows through the exhaust openings 40 formed by the gearbox-side connection flange 141 into the lateral gearbox area to cool components such as bearings. The connection flange 141 with the exhaust openings 40 is shown in Figure 4.

[0030] Figure 5a) shows a first possibility for attaching the respective bends 24 to the inner surface 16 of the housing element 12. For this purpose, the bend 24 has an angled tab 42 to which a nut 44 is attached from the inside and can be screwed on from the outside of the housing element 12. Figure 5b) shows an exemplary retaining clip 26, by which the bend 24 can alternatively be attached to the inner surface 16 of the housing element 12 by clamping the respective tab 42 in the retaining clip 26 and screwing the retaining clip 26 with its threaded part 46 to the housing element 12.

[0031] 10 adapter housings

[0032] 12 Housing element

[0033] 14 Connection flange

[0034] 16 interior surface

[0035] 18 Housing half

[0036] 20 separating element

[0037] 22 Impact area

[0038] 24 bends

[0039] 26 retaining clips

[0040] 28 Welding

[0041] 30 die-cuts

[0042] 32 area

[0043] 34 area

[0044] 36 Mounting point

[0045] 38 Intake opening

[0046] 40 Outflow opening

[0047] 42 tab

[0048] 44 Mother

[0049] 46 Threaded part

[0050] 50 Motor-gearbox arrangement 52 Industrial gearboxes

[0051] 54 Input shaft

[0052] 56 Fan wheel

[0053] 60 Drive motor

[0054] 62 Output shaft

Claims

Patent claims 1. Adapter housing (10) for adapting a drive motor (60) to an industrial gearbox (52), comprising a housing element (12) extending along a central axis (AM) and circumferentially extending with end flanges (14) formed, wherein a circumferential contour of the housing element (12) is polygonal, and a separating element (20) arranged within the housing element (12) in a transverse plane (ETI) to the central axis (AM), wherein the separating element (20) forms several bends (24) angled relative to the transverse plane (ETI).

2. Adapter housing (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the circumferential contour is octagonal.

3. Adapter housing (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the housing element (12) is formed from two housing halves (18) joined in an axial plane to the central axis AM.

4. Adapter housing (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that the housing halves (18) are welded together in butt areas (22) formed in the axial plane.

5. Adapter housing (10) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the separating element (20) is adapted to an inner surface (16) of the housing element (12).

6. Adapter housing (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the number of bends (24) corresponds to the number of corners of the circumferential contour of the housing element (12).

7. Adapter housing (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the bends (24) are each at an angle between 20° and 80°, in particular 30° to 60°, relative to the transverse plane (ETI).

8. Adapter housing (10) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the bends (24) are attached to the inner surface (16) of the housing element (12), in particular clamped or screwed.

9. Adapter housing (10) according to claim 8, characterized in that retaining clamps (26) are provided which are screwed to the housing element (12) and clamp the bends (24).

10. Adapter housing (10) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that adjacent bends (24) are connected to each other at least section by section.

11. Adapter housing (10) according to claim 10, characterized in that the adjacent bends (24) are connected to each other by a weld (28).

12. Motor-gearbox arrangement (50) for an industrial application, comprising a drive motor (60) with an output shaft (62), An industrial gearbox (52) with an input shaft (54) connected to the output shaft (62) of the drive motor (60), wherein a fan wheel (56) is arranged non-rotatably on the input shaft (54), characterized in that the drive motor (60) is connected to the industrial gearbox (52) via an adapter housing (10) according to one of the preceding claims.

13. Motor-gearbox arrangement (50) according to claim 12, characterized in that the bends (24) are angled relative to the transverse plane (ETI) in the direction of the fan wheel (56).

14. Motor-gearbox arrangement (50) according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the bends (24) extend at least into a second transverse plane (ETI) formed by the fan wheel (56).

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