Transmission Axial Stop Ball Pair Wear Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transmissions for construction and mining machines face increased wear and reduced operational duration due to high drive power levels, leading to axial mobility limitations and friction issues with conventional stop means, which are not adequately protected against abrupt blocking and require complex maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A transmission system utilizing a ball pair with rotatable balls in ball sockets on the axis to limit axial movement between transmission parts, reducing wear by distributing contact points and allowing constant surface interaction, thus minimizing localized wear and enhancing durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional stop means (hardened stop discs, spherical thrust pieces) are used to limit axial movement, then axial mobility is limited, but wear increases and operational duration decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies spherical balls instead of flat stop discs or thrust pieces. The spherical geometry allows for point contact with transmission parts, distributing axial forces across multiple contact points as the balls rotate. This curvature-based approach reduces localized wear compared to conventional flat surfaces, thereby extending operational duration while maintaining reliable axial mobility limitation.
Solution Approach 2:
The stop means transitions from static conventional stop discs to dynamic spherical balls that can rotate on the axis. This dynamic capability allows the balls to constantly change contact points with transmission parts, preventing wear concentration at single locations and reducing friction during axial movement limitation.
2Reliability
If stop means are used between transmission parts moving at different rotational speeds, then axial mobility is limited, but friction increases due to rotational speed difference
Solution Approach 1:
The spherical geometry of the balls minimizes contact area with transmission parts, reducing frictional resistance. As the balls rotate on the axis, they maintain point contact rather than surface contact, which significantly reduces energy loss due to friction while still effectively limiting axial mobility between transmission parts rotating at different speeds.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable spherical balls dynamically adapt to the rotational speed differences between transmission parts. By rotating freely on the axis, the balls accommodate speed variations without creating excessive friction, unlike fixed stop discs that would slide against moving parts. This dynamic rotation minimizes energy loss while maintaining axial constraint.
3Force
If hardened stop discs with high Rockwell hardness are used, then axial forces are managed, but wear increases under high drive power levels
Solution Approach 1:
The spherical balls concentrate axial forces at point contacts rather than distributed surface contacts. This geometry allows the balls to withstand high axial forces while minimizing contact area, reducing wear under high drive power conditions. The balls can be made from materials with appropriate hardness to manage axial forces while their spherical shape prevents wear concentration.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable balls dynamically distribute axial force application points as they rotate, preventing continuous stress concentration at single locations. This dynamic force distribution reduces wear accumulation even under high drive power levels, extending operational duration compared to static hardened stop discs that maintain constant contact points.
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 ball pair stop means extend the operational duration of transmissions, simplify maintenance, and enable higher drive power levels by reducing friction and wear, while allowing for more reliable operation and protection against abrupt blocking.
Implementation Method 1
friction is generated as a result of the combination of rotational speed difference and axial forces
Implementation Method 2
the stop means are subjected to increased wear, as a result of which the operating duration of a corresponding transmission can be shortened
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure generally refers to a transmission comprising a transmission housing and at least one transmission stage arranged in the transmission housing. The transmission stage may include, coaxially with respect to an axis, a sun gear, a planet carrier with at least two planet gears rotatably mounted on the planet carrier; and an internal gear as transmission parts. At least one stop means may be provided for limiting the axial movement of two transmission parts which are movable relative to one another. The stop means may comprise a ball pair with a first ball assigned to a first transmission part and a second ball assigned to a second transmission part. The two balls may be arranged so as to be rotatable about their ball center on the axis.