Rotary Gear Transmission Layout for Easier Gearbox Maintenance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rotary mechanical systems face difficulties in maintenance due to the complex disassembly process required to separate the driving machine and rotary machine, particularly when a transmission is involved, which complicates the process and increases the workload.

Innovation Solution

A rotary mechanical system design that includes a driving machine with a drive shaft, a transmission unit with a main and auxiliary gear system, and a gearbox with spur gears that can be easily disassembled by moving the transmission unit and gearbox apart in the axial direction to release meshing, allowing for maintenance and reassembly without the need for extensive disassembly of the entire system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a transmission is disposed between the driving machine and the rotary machine, then the rotation speed can be shifted and output, but the maintenance work becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotation speed shifting capabilityVSAvoidmaintenance complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The transmission system is divided into modular components: a transmission unit with main and auxiliary gears that can be separated from the gearbox. This segmentation allows the transmission unit to be independently removed for maintenance while leaving the gearbox intact, reducing maintenance complexity despite maintaining rotation speed shifting capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The transmission unit (main shaft, auxiliary shaft, and their gears) is extracted as a separate removable module from the gearbox. By taking out the transmission unit, maintenance work can be performed without disassembling the entire gearbox, thus improving ease of repair while preserving the rotation speed shifting function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Device complexity

If the transmission unit and gearbox are integrated, then the structure is compact, but the disassembly process requires extensive work to separate components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrationVSAvoiddisassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated structure is segmented into two main parts: the transmission unit and the gearbox. The transmission unit can be quickly separated from the gearbox by simply moving them apart in the axial direction, reducing disassembly time while maintaining a relatively compact overall structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connection between the transmission unit and gearbox is made dynamic rather than fixed. The gears are designed to be easily disengaged by axial movement, allowing the system to transition between integrated and separated states quickly, thus reducing disassembly time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4234976A1Rotary mechanical system and maintenance method of rotary mechanical system
Publication Date: 2023.08.30 MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTIES COMPRESSOR CORP
  • EP4234976A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4234976A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4234976A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A rotary mechanical system includes a driving machine, a transmission unit that includes a main shaft, a main gear, an auxiliary gear meshing with the main gear, an auxiliary shaft, and a first gear, a gearbox that includes a second gear meshing with the first gear, an input shaft with the second gear fixed, and an output shaft that shifts a rotation speed of the input shaft, and a rotary machine that includes a rotary machine shaft connected to the output shaft. The first gear is a spur gear having a plurality of first tooth portions which are spur teeth whose teeth traces are parallel to the central axis. The second gear has a plurality of second tooth portions which are spur teeth whose teeth traces are parallel to the central axis, and each of which is disposed between the adjacent first tooth portions.