Split Gearbox Housing With Cooling Fins for Compact Heat Dissipation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gearboxes lack a compact, cost-effective design that allows efficient heat dissipation and easy manufacturing, while also enabling operation in different orientations without disrupting oil circulation.

Innovation Solution

A gearbox design featuring two identical housing parts with integrated cooling fins and webs that allow airflow for heat dissipation, enabling efficient cooling and simple assembly, and allowing inversion for different orientations with uninterrupted oil circulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the gearbox housing is designed as a single complex piece, then structural strength is improved, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehousing structural strengthVSAvoidmanufacturing cost and complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is divided into two identical housing parts that can be manufactured separately using standard molding processes, then joined together. This segmentation allows for simpler, more cost-effective manufacturing of each individual part while maintaining the overall structural integrity of the complete housing assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Volume of moving object

If the housing is designed to be compact, then space efficiency is improved, but heat dissipation capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehousing volumeVSAvoidheat dissipation
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling fins are integrated within the housing structure itself, nested between the two housing parts. This allows the cooling surface area to be maximized within the compact housing volume, enabling effective heat dissipation without increasing the overall size of the gearbox.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the housing is designed for a specific orientation, then structural optimization is improved, but adaptability to different orientations deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural optimizationVSAvoidorientation flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is designed with symmetric features including identical housing parts, cooling fins arranged on multiple surfaces, and mounting feet positioned to provide stable support in any orientation. This symmetric design allows the gearbox to be installed in any orientation while maintaining structural integrity and proper function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

4Temperature

If cooling fins are added to increase heat dissipation, then thermal performance is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat dissipation efficiencyVSAvoidhousing structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling fins are merged with the housing parts themselves, forming an integrated structure rather than separate components. This allows the cooling function to be achieved while maintaining a simple, cost-effective manufacturing process using standard molding techniques.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 design achieves high performance with improved heat dissipation, reduced manufacturing costs, and flexible orientation capabilities without affecting oil circulation.

Implementation Method 1

cooling fins which are aligned parallel to the axis of rotation of the input shaft of the gearbox, in particular the bevel gear stage

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 2

cooling fins formed on each housing part

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal Radiation: Thermal Radiation

Data Source

PatentEP4515122B1Transmission with housing parts, in particular two identically designed housing parts
Publication Date: 2026.02.11 SEW EURODRIVE GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4515122B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4515122B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4515122B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a transmission with two identically designed housing parts (1), wherein the two housing parts (1) are connected together, and cooling ribs (3, 4) are formed on each housing part (1). Foot plates (2) are held by webs (4) which are connected to each housing part (1), in particular in a welded manner, and each web (4) surrounds cooling ribs (3, 4).