Bevel Gear Assembly With Threaded Bushing Axial Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gearbox positioning methods require manual adjustment with washers and separate screw components, leading to inefficiencies and potential unintended adjustments due to manufacturing tolerances and vibrations.

Innovation Solution

A gearbox structure with a socket having an external thread that interacts with an internal thread on the gearbox, allowing axial adjustment of the first shaft and bevel gear by turning the socket, which is supported radially by a complementary conical area, thereby securing the socket and preventing unintended adjustments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate screws and threaded holes are used to fix the bushing, then the bushing can be secured in position, but additional components and assembly operations are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebushing fixation stabilityVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the screw and threaded hole into a single integrated thread structure formed directly on the bushing. The thread is axially offset from the radial support surface, creating a self-contained fixation mechanism that eliminates separate fastening components while maintaining secure positioning of the bushing in the gear housing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If a screw is used to secure the bushing, then the bushing position can be fixed, but the screw may become loose under vibration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebushing position stabilityVSAvoidvibration-induced loosening
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By integrating the thread directly into the bushing structure rather than using a separate screw, the patent creates a more robust fixation system. The thread is formed as part of the bushing itself, eliminating the screw-bushing interface that is susceptible to vibration-induced loosening, while the axially offset thread maintains secure engagement with the gear housing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Manufacturing precision

If multiple washers are added or removed to adjust shaft position, then axial positioning can be optimized, but manual work and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaxial shaft positioning accuracyVSAvoidadjustment process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the static washer-based adjustment system with a dynamic threaded mechanism. The thread on the bushing allows for continuous axial adjustment of the shaft by rotating the bushing, enabling precise positioning without the need to add or remove multiple discrete washers. This provides both manufacturing precision and ease of adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4545820A1Gear assembly with axially adjustable bevel gear
Publication Date: 2025.04.30 DEERE & CO
  • EP4545820A1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP4545820A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4545820A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A gear assembly (10) is equipped with a gear housing (12) in which a first shaft (14) with a first bevel gear (18) and a second shaft (16) with a second bevel gear (20) are rotatably mounted, wherein the shafts (14, 16) form an angle with each other and the first shaft (14) is mounted in a bushing (24) which is provided with a thread (54) which engages with a thread (52) connected to the gear housing (12), so that by rotating the bushing (24) relative to the gear housing (12) an axial adjustment of the first shaft (14) is effected, and wherein the bushing (24) is supported in the radial direction by a surface (56) axially spaced from the threads (52, 54) on a complementary surface (58) of the housing (12). The surfaces (56, 58) are conical and narrow towards the second wave (16).