Planet Gear Bearing Arrangement With Flat Axial Disk for Low-Speed Wear
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing planetary gear sets for wind power plants face issues with high wear and complex assembly due to force-fit connections and profiled floating disks, which lead to increased maintenance and reduced reliability, especially at low rotational speeds.
Innovation Solution
A planetary gear set with a flat axial disk mounted between the planet carrier and planet gear, eliminating the need for force-fit connections and using a lubricant to minimize friction, allowing for hydrodynamic operation and reduced wear, featuring a sleeve for lubricant supply and a clearance fit for easy assembly and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a force-fit connection (e.g., screw connection) is used between the axial slide bearing and the planet carrier web, then the bearing arrangement is securely fixed, but the assembly outlay and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the fastening means (screws, boreholes) from the bearing arrangement, eliminating the need for force-fit connections. The axial disk is retained solely by friction between its friction surfaces and the friction elements, removing complex assembly requirements while maintaining secure fixation.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing arrangement becomes self-assembling through friction-based retention. The axial disk automatically engages with the planet carrier web via friction between contact surfaces, eliminating the need for external fastening operations and reducing assembly complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If profiled floating disks with wedge surfaces are used, then the bearing can accommodate misalignment, but at low rotational speeds (below 100 rpm) the bearing tends to run dry, resulting in increased wear
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies different surface properties to different locations: the friction surfaces have high friction coefficient for secure retention, while the bearing surfaces maintain hydrodynamic lubrication. The axial disk is flat rather than profiled, eliminating wedge surfaces that cause dry-running at low speeds.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the axial disk from profiled (with wedge surfaces) to flat. This parameter change eliminates the dry-running tendency at low rotational speeds while maintaining misalignment accommodation through the floating arrangement and lubricant film.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the axial disk is tilted or slanted with ramp surfaces, then the bearing can accommodate thermal expansion, but linear contact occurs with the planet gear or planet carrier, abrading the lubricant film and causing excessive wear
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the geometric parameter of the axial disk from having ramp surfaces to being flat. This eliminates linear contact edges that would abrade the lubricant film, while the floating arrangement still accommodates thermal expansion through radial movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a simple flat axial disk instead of complex profiled designs, reducing manufacturing complexity and improving reliability. The flat design prevents lubricant film abrasion while maintaining functional requirements.
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 reduces wear and assembly complexity, enhancing the reliability and service life of the planetary gear set, even at low rotational speeds, while simplifying installation and maintenance, and allowing for a more compact design.
Implementation Method 1
a lubricant, through which a lubricant is supplied, is arranged on the planet gear axle for rotatable mounting purposes
Implementation Method 2
using a lubricant to minimize friction, allowing for hydrodynamic operation and reduced wear
Implementation Method 3
The flat form of the axial disk on the side facing the web of the planet carrier prevents an edge resting on the web of the planet carrier when the axial disk is tilted or slanted. An essentially linear contact between the web of the planet carrier and an edge on the axial disk results in friction wear
Data Source
AI summary
A planetary gear set includes a slide bearing shell arranged on a planet gear axle, a planet gear mounted rotatably on the slide bearing shell and a planet carrier having a recess for receiving the planet gear axle. An axial disk is mounted in a floating manner between a web of the planet carrier and the planet gear in an axial direction and configured flat on an axially outer side facing the web of the planet carrier. A lubricant film between the axial disk and the planet gear ensures during normal operation hydrodynamic operation between the planet gear and the axial disk. A deficient lubrication is present between the axially outer side of the axial disk and the web of the planet carrier.