Agricultural Power Train Intermediate Transmission Module

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Solution Overview

Problem

Agricultural working machines, such as tractors, face challenges in adapting speed and torque transmission to different performance classes while maintaining a compact and efficient drive train design, as existing systems lack flexibility and often result in space inefficiencies and potential damage to continuously variable transmissions.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an intermediate transmission module with a separate housing connected to both the motor and transmission housings, featuring a coaxial arrangement of input and output shafts, which allows for adjustable transmission ratios and reduces the number of modular transmission types, thereby enhancing flexibility and space efficiency, and optionally integrating a torsional damper to mitigate vibrations and torque peaks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple different transmission types are used to represent different performance ranges, then adaptability to various drive motor performance classes is improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to performance classesVSAvoidnumber of modular transmission types
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The intermediate transmission module is designed as a universal component that can be used across multiple performance ranges by adjusting its transmission ratio. This single modular unit replaces the need for multiple different transmission types, achieving adaptability to various drive motor performance classes while reducing device complexity. The module can be configured with different overall transmission ratios to match different performance classes of drive motors and continuously variable transmissions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The intermediate transmission module achieves adaptability to different performance classes by changing its overall transmission ratio parameter. This allows the same physical module to be configured for different performance ranges, eliminating the need for multiple specialized transmission types and reducing the number of modular components required in the system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple different transmission types are used to represent different performance ranges, then adaptability to various drive motor performance classes is improved, but space requirements for the drive train structure increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to performance classesVSAvoidspace requirement for drive train structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The intermediate transmission module serves as a universal component that can be configured for different performance ranges, replacing multiple specialized transmission units. This consolidation significantly reduces the total space required for the drive train structure while maintaining the ability to adapt to various drive motor performance classes through ratio adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The intermediate transmission module is integrated into the existing drive train architecture in a space-efficient manner, positioned to optimize the layout between the drive motor and continuously variable transmission. This nested arrangement minimizes the overall volume occupied by the drive train structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Ease of operation

If the drive motor and continuously variable transmission are arranged vertically offset, then ease of installation and integration into vehicle frame is improved, but mechanical efficiency and torque transmission are worsened due to vertical offset

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintegration into vehicle frameVSAvoidtorque transmission efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The intermediate transmission module acts as a mechanical intermediary between the vertically offset drive motor and continuously variable transmission. It includes components specifically designed to compensate for the vertical offset, such as angled gear arrangements or offset shafts, thereby maintaining efficient torque transmission while allowing the vertically separated arrangement that facilitates easy integration into the vehicle frame.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This configuration allows for better adaptation to various performance classes, reduces space requirements, minimizes vertical offset, and enhances torque transmission efficiency while protecting the continuously variable transmission from damage, thereby improving overall drive train performance and reliability.

Implementation Method 1

a torsional damper is integrated into the drive train between the drive motor and the continuously variable transmission

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTorsional damping: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP3831635A1Power train for an agricultural working machine
Publication Date: 2021.06.09 CLAAS SELBSTFAHRENDE ERNTEMASCHINEN GMBH
  • EP3831635A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3831635A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3831635A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a drive train (7) for an agricultural machine (1, 2), wherein the drive train (7) comprises a drive motor (8) with an output shaft (12) and a motor housing (11), and a continuously variable transmission (9) with a transmission housing (13) which is driven by the drive motor (8) via an input shaft (14), wherein an intermediate transmission module (10) with a separate housing (16) is arranged between the drive motor (8) and the continuously variable transmission (9), which is connected to the motor housing (11) and/or the transmission housing (13), and wherein the intermediate transmission module (10) has an input shaft (17) and an output shaft (18), wherein the input shaft (17) of the intermediate transmission module (10) and the output shaft (12) of the drive motor (8) and/or the output shaft (18) of the intermediate transmission module (10) and the input shaft (14) of the continuously variable transmission (9) The gearbox (9) is arranged coaxially.