Group Gearbox Coupling Shaft for Crawler Gear Function
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transmission arrangements for agricultural and construction vehicles lack a simple and cost-effective way to integrate a crawler gear function with range shift transmissions, requiring separate reduction stages that increase complexity and component count.
Innovation Solution
A range shift transmission with an input shaft and output shaft featuring coaxially arranged gear pairs and a coupling shaft connected to a coupling switching device, allowing for multiple switching positions to enable power flow and disconnection, thereby utilizing existing gear pairs to achieve a crawler gear function without additional components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a separate reduction stage is added to achieve crawler gear function, then the crawler gear function is achieved, but the device complexity and component count increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the existing gear pairs serve dual purposes: their primary function for normal transmission and an additional function for crawler gear operation. By enabling the gear pairs to be used for both standard transmission ratios and crawler reduction, the system achieves multi-functionality without adding separate reduction stages, thus resolving the contradiction between achieving crawler gear function and maintaining simple transmission structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the crawler gear function with the existing transmission structure by integrating the coupling shaft and switching device into the current gear pair arrangement. Instead of merging separate crawler reduction stages with the transmission, the invention merges the crawler function directly into the existing gear pairs through selective engagement via the coupling shaft, eliminating the need for separate components
2Adaptability or versatility
If a separate reduction stage is added to achieve crawler gear function, then the crawler gear function is achieved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The existing gear pairs are designed to serve multiple functions - normal transmission and crawler gear operation. This eliminates the need to manufacture separate reduction stages, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while achieving the desired crawler gear function
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the crawler gear function from the concept of a separate reduction stage and integrates it into the existing transmission components. By taking out the need for separate reduction stages and implementing crawler function through the coupling shaft and existing gear pairs, manufacturing costs are reduced
3Adaptability or versatility
If a separate reduction stage is added to achieve crawler gear function, then the crawler gear function is achieved, but the transmission space occupied increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling shaft is integrated into the existing transmission space alongside the gear pairs. By merging the crawler mechanism components with the existing transmission assembly rather than adding separate reduction stages, the patent minimizes the additional space required while achieving crawler gear function
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling shaft and switching device are nested within the existing transmission structure, utilizing the available space between and around the existing gear pairs. This nesting approach allows the crawler function components to be housed within the existing transmission envelope without requiring additional external space
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
A group-shift transmission (10) has an input shaft (12, 14) and an output shaft (32) on which gears (16, 18; 20, 22; 24, 26; 28, 30) of gear pairs of at least two shift groups (A, B, C) are arranged coaxially, wherein the input shaft (12, 14) can be brought into drive connection with the output shaft (32) via a gear pair of a shift group (A, B, C). A coupling shaft (42) is provided, which is rotationally fixed to a coupling switching device (44) for assuming several shift positions. In a coupled switching position, the coupling shaft (42) is driven via the coupling switching device (44) to a gear pair (16, 18) of a switching group (A) for the transmission of a power flow via the coupling shaft (42) to the output shaft (32). In an open switching position, the drive connection between the coupling shaft (42) and this gear pair (16, 18) is interrupted.