Split Gear Overload Protection for Large Rotating Drives
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drive and/or adjustment devices for large rotating assemblies, such as wind turbines or construction machines, face challenges in providing effective overload protection that is easily adaptable to different applications and load cases, particularly under alternating loads.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution integrates overload protection into a gear of the transmission, specifically configuring the gear to be split with two parts torque-transmittingly connected via spur toothing and axially retained by an axial securing means that yields under excessive load, disengaging the spur toothing and interrupting the drive train.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a predetermined breaking point is provided in the output shaft by weakening the diameter, then overload protection is achieved, but the device complexity and manufacturing costs increase due to individual adjustments required for each application
Solution Approach 1:
The gear is divided into two separate parts (first gear part and second gear part) that can be assembled together. The splitting allows the overload protection mechanism to be integrated into the gear assembly without modifying the output shaft, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The axial securing means acts as an intermediary element between the two gear parts. It provides a standardized interface for assembling the gear halves and implementing overload protection through its yieldable connection, eliminating the need for custom output shaft modifications.
2Reliability
If the output shaft diameter is changed or material is adjusted to modify the breaking load, then the predetermined breaking torque can be adjusted, but the ease of manufacture decreases due to limited variation options
Solution Approach 1:
The predetermined breaking torque is adjusted by changing parameters of the axial securing means (such as its strength characteristics) rather than modifying the gear or output shaft geometry. This approach maintains ease of manufacture while allowing flexible adjustment of the breaking torque parameter.
3Reliability
If a predetermined breaking point is implemented in the output shaft, then overload protection is provided, but the ease of repair deteriorates because the output shaft and housing must be modified
Solution Approach 1:
By splitting the gear into two parts with a standardized axial securing means, the design enables easy replacement of the entire gear assembly as a single component. This eliminates the need to modify the output shaft or housing during repair, significantly improving ease of repair while maintaining overload protection.
4Reliability
If the transmission length is increased due to diameter taper or predetermined breaking point, then overload protection is achieved, but the loss of space increases in the limited installation environment
Solution Approach 1:
The overload protection mechanism is implemented through the axial securing means that connects two gear parts in the axial direction, rather than requiring radial diameter taper. This dimensional approach allows compact integration without increasing the transmission's radial footprint, preserving installation space while providing reliable overload protection.
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 approach allows for reliable overload protection that can be easily adjusted and retrofitted, effectively preventing damage to the assembly under both threshold and alternating loads, while maintaining the simplicity of replacing only one component of the drive train.
Implementation Method 1
an axial securing means (16) which holds the two gear parts (13a, 13b) axially on top of each other in spur toothing engagement and yields when a predetermined axial load is applied between the gear parts
Implementation Method 2
two gear parts (13a, 13b) that are torque-transmittingly connected to one another by a spur toothing engagement (15)
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a drive and/or adjustment device for driving and/or adjusting a rotatable assembly, for example a large rolling bearing ring of a wind turbine or a slewing gear of a construction machine or of a hoist, comprising an output element for rotationally driving and/or adjusting the rotatable assembly, a transmission which is connected upstream of the output element and has at least one torque-transmitting gear, and an overload safety mechanism for the rotatable assembly. The overload safety mechanism is provided on the gear, which is divided and has two gear parts that are torque-transmittingly interconnected via spur toothing and held axially in spur toothing engagement by an axial securing means which yields at a predetermined axial loading between the gear parts.