Integrated Drive Coupling with Axial Fan for Vibration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial drives in the high kilowatt or megawatt range face challenges with imbalance, which can lead to vibration coupling into tunnel walls during underground mining applications, posing risks such as tunnel instability and the need for additional support.
Innovation Solution
A drive system with an electric motor, gear, and a component featuring axial fan blades integrated into a brake disc or drum, allowing direct connection of the rotor shaft and input shaft without a clutch, and utilizing a hydraulic fluid clutch for torque control, which reduces imbalance through air flow stabilization and compact design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a clutch is used between the motor and gearbox, then torque transmission can be controlled, but the device complexity increases and imbalance worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The clutch is integrated into the coupling component, merging the clutch function with the coupling function. The coupling component includes a clutch drum and clutch shoes that can engage and disengage torque transmission between the motor shaft and gearbox input shaft, eliminating the need for a separate clutch assembly and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling component serves multiple functions: it provides mechanical coupling between shafts, enables torque transmission control through integrated clutch mechanism, and facilitates airflow passage for gearbox cooling. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed in the drive system.
2Temperature
If cooling fans are added to the drive system, then heat dissipation improves, but imbalance and vibration increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling fan is integrated into the coupling component housing, merging the cooling function with the coupling structure. The fan is positioned to draw air through the coupling component and direct it toward the gearbox, providing effective cooling while minimizing imbalance through strategic placement and balanced design.
Solution Approach 2:
The fan blades are arranged to draw air radially inward and redirect it axially toward the gearbox, creating a three-dimensional airflow pattern that efficiently cools the gearbox while the fan's rotational balance minimizes vibration and imbalance effects.
3Volume of moving object
If the drive system is made compact, then space utilization improves, but access for maintenance becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The drive system is segmented into modular components including the motor, integrated coupling component with clutch and fan, and gearbox. This modular segmentation allows the compact overall design while enabling easy access to individual components for maintenance and service operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling component is designed with a compact axial profile while maintaining adequate radial clearance for airflow and maintenance access. The fan and clutch mechanisms are arranged in a space-efficient configuration that preserves access pathways for servicing the motor and gearbox without significantly increasing the drive system's overall footprint.
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
The solution effectively reduces imbalance, enabling a compact and stable drive system that minimizes vibration coupling into tunnel walls, ensuring safety and efficient heat dissipation while allowing for easy access in underground mining environments.
Implementation Method 1
fan blades are formed or arranged on the second part such that the airflow preferably radially drawn in by the fan blades is conveyed in an axial direction towards the gearbox
Implementation Method 2
The coupling is designed as a fluid coupling, in particular wherein the first and second coupling parts have friction plates on their facing sides
Implementation Method 3
When an electromagnet is energized, a brake shoe is pressed against the brake disc or brake drum against the spring force generated by a spring element
Implementation Method 4
a brake shoe is pressed against the brake disc or brake drum against the spring force generated by a spring element
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a drive having an electric motor and a gear unit, in addition to a component arranged between the electric motor and the gear unit, and also to a facility. The component has a first and a second part, the rotor shaft of the electric motor being non-rotatably connected to the first part and the driving shaft of the gear unit being non-rotatably connected to the second part. Fan blades are formed or arranged on the second part, in particular formed or arranged such that the air flow sucked in, preferably radially, by the fan blades is delivered to the gear unit in an axial direction, thus forming, in particular, an axial fan on the second part.