Gearbox Extra Equipment Connection via Selective Disengagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current gearbox designs experience energy losses and occupy unnecessary space due to the continuous operation of extra equipment like retarders and power take-offs, even when not in use, leading to increased fuel consumption and component complexity.
Innovation Solution
A gearbox design featuring a first reverse gearwheel that can be disconnected from the mainshaft during non-reversing operations, allowing extra equipment to be connected without a separate gearwheel, reducing energy losses and optimizing space usage by using existing gearwheels for power transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If extra equipment like retarders and power take-offs are continuously connected to the gearbox, then they can be readily operated, but energy losses increase and fuel consumption rises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic connection and disconnection of extra equipment to the gearbox through clutch mechanisms. The clutch allows the retarder and power take-off to be selectively engaged or disengaged from the gearbox output shaft, enabling the system to transition between connected and disconnected states based on operational requirements, thereby reducing continuous energy losses while maintaining ease of operation when needed.
2Reliability
If separate gearwheels are used to connect extra equipment to the gearbox, then the connection is reliable, but the device complexity increases and space is occupied
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the function of connecting extra equipment with the existing gearbox output shaft structure. Instead of using separate dedicated gearwheels for the retarder and power take-off, the invention utilizes the existing output shaft and its associated clutch mechanisms to provide reliable connections, thereby reducing component complexity and freeing up space while maintaining connection reliability through proven clutch technology.
3Power
If the mainshaft gearwheel for first direction operation is continuously engaged, then power transmission is maintained, but energy losses occur during second direction operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power transmission path by providing separate gearwheel arrangements for first direction (forward) and second direction (reverse) operation. The mainshaft gearwheel for first direction is selectively disengaged during reverse operation through the clutch mechanism, allowing the reverse gearwheel to handle power transmission independently. This segmentation eliminates the energy losses that would occur if the forward gearwheel were continuously forced to rotate in the opposite direction during reverse operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a gearbox, to a method for connecting extra equipment via the gearbox, and to a means of transport. The gearbox comprises a first shaft with at least two journalled gearwheels in the respective form of a first gearwheel intended to drive the first shaft in a first direction and a second gearwheel or gearwheels intended to drive the first shaft in a second direction. The gearbox further comprises devices for, when necessary, locking the gearwheels situated on the first shaft to, for joint rotation with, said shaft. The gearbox comprises also a second shaft with at least two fixed gearwheels, one of them being a second gearwheel intended to cooperate with the first gearwheel for operation in the first direction, and a third shaft with a third gearwheel which can be in or out of engagement with the first and second gearwheels for operation in the first direction. The invention is characterised in that the first gearwheel intended for operation in the first direction is also in engagement with one or more further power-transmitting means used for connecting at least one form of extra equipment, e.g. a retarder or a power take-off.