Planetary Gear Mechanism Slide Bearings Lubrication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gear mechanisms in wind power plants rely predominantly on roller bearings due to transient operating conditions and low sliding speeds, which limit the use of slide bearings, and existing slide bearings are not cost-effective or durable enough for long service life.
Innovation Solution
A planetary gear mechanism utilizing radial and axial slide bearings made of slide bearing materials, with an oil distributor ring for pressure lubrication and splash lubrication through oil reservoirs, ensuring effective lubrication and potentially unlimited service life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If roller bearings are used in planetary gear mechanisms, then reliability under transient operating conditions is improved, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs slide bearings instead of roller bearings, using simpler, more cost-effective bearing solutions that are replaced periodically rather than designed for extended service life, thereby reducing manufacturing cost and complexity while maintaining adequate reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters by ensuring adequate lubrication conditions are maintained, allowing slide bearings to operate reliably under transient conditions where they would otherwise fail, thus achieving reliability with simpler components
2Ease of manufacture
If slide bearings are used with low sliding speeds, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but service life becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous lubrication through oil supply ducts and lubrication holes that ensure the slide bearings are continuously supplied with lubricant, maintaining adequate lubrication films even at low sliding speeds, thereby extending service life while keeping manufacturing costs low
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces lubricant as an intermediary substance between the bearing surfaces, using oil supply ducts and lubrication holes to deliver lubricant directly to the contact zones, enabling slide bearings to achieve extended service life at low sliding speeds without increasing manufacturing complexity
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional slide bearings are used with high rotational speeds, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but reliability deteriorates under extreme stressing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent ensures continuous lubrication through properly dimensioned oil supply ducts and lubrication holes that maintain adequate lubricant supply even under extreme stressing conditions and high rotational speeds, preserving reliability while using cost-effective slide bearings
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the lubrication parameters by ensuring adequate lubricant flow rates and pressure through properly designed oil supply ducts, allowing conventional slide bearings to operate reliably under extreme stressing conditions that would otherwise cause failure
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 provides a cost-effective and long-lasting planetary gear mechanism with effective lubrication, enhancing the durability and operational efficiency of wind power plant gear mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
an oil distributor ring is preferably provided which surrounds a sun gear shaft radially and has a connection to an oil supply duct in a transmission housing. At least one oil distribution duct, which is connected to the oil distributor ring and ends at a lubrication point for a planetary gear bearing
Implementation Method 2
in order to perform splash lubrication of the axial slide bearings and radial slide bearings, in each case a bore can be provided in the planetary gear shafts, which bore forms an oil reservoir which can be filled when the respective planetary gear shaft dips into an oil sump
Data Source
AI summary
A planetary gear mechanism for a wind power plant includes a sun gear, an internal gear and a planetary carrier with planetary gears supported by radial and axial slide bearings. The radial slide bearings include a sleeve made of a slide bearing material and attached as an inner ring to a planetary gear shaft or mounted as an outer ring in a bore in a planetary gear. An outer bearing ring cooperating with the inner ring is formed by the bore in the planetary gear, or an inner bearing ring cooperating with the outer ring is formed by the planetary gear shaft. A slide bearing material of a first bearing element of the axial slide bearings is applied between a planetary carrier cheek and an end side of a planetary gear. The end side of the planetary gear or the planetary carrier cheek forms a corresponding cooperating second bearing element.