Slewing Ring Mounting With Clamping Wedges for Tolerance Compensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing systems for enclosing fastening flanges of slewing rings between thrust transmission bodies are cumbersome due to the need for individual adjustment to accommodate diameter tolerances, requiring laborious welding adjustments.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating radially displaceable thrust transmission bodies with a wedge gap and clamping wedges supported on stops, allowing for tolerance compensation without pre-adjustment, ensuring secure transmission of thrust forces to the turntable or vehicle frame.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If shear transfer elements are individually adjusted to accommodate diameter tolerances of mounting flanges, then reliable force transmission is achieved, but assembly complexity and labor increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliable force transmissionVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the geometric parameters of the mounting structure by introducing a wedge gap with adjustable width. This gap allows the shear transfer element to be positioned at different radial distances from the center, enabling tolerance compensation without individual adjustment of each element. The wedge-shaped geometry provides a systematic parameter variation that accommodates diameter tolerances of mounting flanges.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The wedge gap acts as an intermediary mechanism between the shear transfer element and the mounting flange. Instead of directly adjusting each shear transfer element to fit specific tolerance variations, the wedge gap provides a mediating structure that absorbs dimensional variations and enables straightforward assembly while maintaining reliable force transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If shear transfer elements are precisely adjusted before welding, then optimal fit and force transmission are achieved, but production time and labor costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefit precisionVSAvoidproduction speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The wedge gap is pre-formed in the mounting structure before assembly, establishing the tolerance compensation mechanism in advance. This preliminary action eliminates the need for on-site adjustment and fitting operations, allowing shear transfer elements to be installed directly in their final positions without time-consuming pre-adjustment procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces expensive and time-consuming individual adjustment operations with a simple, standardized wedge gap structure. This approach treats the adjustment function as a built-in structural feature rather than a labor-intensive process, significantly reducing both time and cost while maintaining manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Stability of the object's composition

If mounting flanges are securely fastened to accommodate thrust forces, then structural stability is ensured, but the complexity of ensuring backlash-free mounting increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidmounting complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting structure is segmented into distinct functional zones: the wedge gap for tolerance compensation, the shear transfer element for force transmission, and the mounting flange for structural connection. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for its specific function, simplifying the overall mounting process while ensuring structural stability and backlash-free operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

This solution simplifies the assembly process by allowing tolerance compensation during installation, ensuring reliable force transfer and facilitating series production by eliminating the need for precise pre-adjustment of thrust transmission bodies.

Implementation Method 1

a circumferentially extending wedge gap between the stops and the thrust transmission bodies which are radially displaceable relative to the stops, into which a clamping wedge engages

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWedge: Wedge

Implementation Method 2

the shear force transmission from the mounting flanges to the stops thus takes place via the shear transmission bodies and the clamping wedges provided between the shear transmission bodies and the stops

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP4155099B1Vehicle
Publication Date: 2024.07.10 WILHELM SCHWARZMUELLER GMBH
  • EP4155099B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4155099B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4155099B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A vehicle is described with a slewing ring arranged between a turntable (2) and a vehicle frame. The slewing ring consists of two ring rings (1) rotatably mounted within one another by means of rolling elements. Mounting flanges (3) of the slewing rings, bolted to the turntable (2) on one side and to the vehicle frame on the other, are held without play between thrust transfer elements (5) located on the turntable (2) and the vehicle frame, bearing against the circumferential edge of the mounting flanges (3). To allow for tolerance compensation, it is proposed that the turntable (2) and the vehicle frame have stops (8) for the thrust transfer elements (5). A wedge gap extending in the circumferential direction is provided between the stops (8) and the thrust transfer elements (5), which are radially displaceable relative to the stops (8). A clamping wedge (7) engages in this wedge gap.