Rotatable Transport Lock for Planet Carrier Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional transport locks for wind turbine gearboxes rigidly fix the planetary carrier, preventing relative movement and causing potential damage during transport and complicating assembly.

Innovation Solution

A detachable transport securing device with rotatable parts allows the planetary carrier to be aligned relative to the housing, enabling rotation and simplifying assembly by allowing the carrier to be rotated relative to the shaft, thus eliminating the need for additional fixation and reducing damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the planetary carrier is rigidly fixed during transport, then the planetary carrier is secured in a defined position, but damage may occur during transport and assembly becomes complicated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecuring planetary carrierVSAvoidassembly ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The transport lock is designed with rotatable parts that allow the planetary carrier to rotate relative to the housing-fixed component during transport, rather than being rigidly fixed. This dynamic capability prevents damage while maintaining secure positioning, and simplifies assembly by allowing alignment adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The transport lock is divided into at least two separate parts: a first part joined to the housing-fixed component and a second part joined to the planetary carrier. These parts are connected through a bearing, allowing relative rotation while maintaining secure attachment. This segmentation enables both secure fixing and rotational freedom.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the planetary carrier is rigidly fixed during transport, then the planetary carrier is secured in a defined position, but damage may occur during transport

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecuring planetary carrierVSAvoiddamage during transport
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The bearing connection between the first and second parts allows the planetary carrier to rotate dynamically during transport, absorbing shocks and preventing damage that would occur with rigid fixation, while still maintaining secure positioning through the joined parts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The bearing connection is designed beforehand to accommodate potential transport shocks and misalignments by allowing rotational movement, thus cushioning against damage before it occurs during transport.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Ease of operation

If the planetary carrier can be rotated relative to the housing, then assembly is simplified and alignment is easier, but the planetary carrier may become unstable during transport

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly easeVSAvoidplanetary carrier stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The transport lock is segmented into two parts connected by a bearing, where the first part is joined to the housing-fixed component and the second part is joined to the planetary carrier. This segmentation allows rotation during assembly while the joined parts maintain stability during transport.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bearing connection provides dynamic rotational capability when needed for assembly alignment, while the rigid joints between the parts and their respective components provide stability during transport. The system transitions between stable and rotatable states as needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 prevents damage during transport and simplifies assembly by allowing the planetary carrier to be rotated relative to the housing, facilitating easier alignment and commissioning.

Implementation Method 1

the means comprises at least one bearing. The first part and the second part are rotatably mounted within one another by means of the bearing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBearing: Ball Bearing

Data Source

PatentEP4388226B1Transportation safeguard with installation bearing
Publication Date: 2025.07.09 ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
  • EP4388226B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

Means (113) for fixing a planet carrier (105) during transportation in a housing-mounted component (119); wherein a first part (117) of the means (113) can be joined to the housing-mounted component (119) and a second part (121) of the means (113) can be joined to the planet carrier (105). The means (113) has at least one bearing (125), by way of which the first part (117) and the second part (121) are mounted rotatably one inside the other.