Support Ring Oil Groove Layout for Flexible Gearbox Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing transmission systems face challenges in oil supply due to space constraints and inflexible oil bore positions, leading to complex assembly and potential errors during installation.

Innovation Solution

A transmission design featuring a rotationally symmetrical support ring with a groove that forms an oil line, allowing for flexible installation independent of angular position, and an oil-tight connection with the housing, ensuring reliable oil supply to bearings and other components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separately designed pipelines are used to supply lubricating points with oil, then the oil supply can be provided, but they take up space in the narrow transmission housing and compete with other components for a tight space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoil supplyVSAvoidspace in transmission housing
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the oil supply function directly into the support ring structure by forming oil lines within the support ring itself. This integration eliminates the need for separate pipelines, thereby providing reliable oil supply while saving space in the transmission housing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Volume of moving object

If the gearbox housing is provided with oil bores, then space is saved, but the position of the mouths of the oil bores is not variable which makes assembly more difficult and represents a potential source of error

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace in transmission housingVSAvoidassembly
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the oil supply system dynamic by allowing the support ring to be rotatable relative to the housing. The oil lines are formed within the rotatable support ring, enabling the system to adapt to different angular positions during assembly while maintaining oil supply functionality, thus improving ease of assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Stability of the object's composition

If the support ring is fixed in the housing with a rigid connection, then the oil line position is stable, but the support ring cannot be installed in any angular position

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoil line positionVSAvoidangular position installation
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces rotational movement between the support ring and housing, transforming the static rigid connection into a dynamic rotatable connection. This allows the support ring to be installed in any angular position while maintaining stable oil line positions relative to the rotating support ring itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3882491B1Support ring with oil bores
Publication Date: 2022.11.02 ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
  • EP3882491B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The invention relates to a gearbox comprising a housing (101), at least one support ring (103), and at least one planet carrier (105); wherein the planet carrier (105) is rotatably mounted in the support ring (103); and wherein the support ring (103) has a rotationally symmetrical basic shape, forms at least one oil line (111), and is fixed in the housing (101) but not integrally connected to the housing (101). The support ring (103) has a rotationally symmetrical groove (113) which is closed by the housing (101); wherein the oil line (111) opens into the groove (113).