A RIGHT-ANGLE GEAR REDUCTION UNIT

Abstract: In a right-angle gear reduction unit, a drive input shaft (3) is arranged to protrude out of the reduction unit case (2) with both of its opposite axial ends (3a, b), thereby one of said ends can be used for coupling to following reduction units and/or auxialiary devices.

Description: "A right-angle gear reduction unit" Technical Field This invention relates to a right-angle gear reduction unit of a type which comprises a case having two opposite walls,, a drive input shaft, a bevel gear pair comprising a pinion and gear in mesh relationship with each other, a first gear reduction stage between the drive inpμt shaft and the bevel pinion gear in said pair, a d ive output shaft laid within said case along an orthogonal axis to the axis of the drive input shaft, and a second reduction stage between the drive output shaft and the bevel gear in said pair. In some particular applications, the need exists for a number of the above-outlined reduction units to be clustered in parallel such that they can be operated in a synchronized fashion. Also, auxiliary devices may have to be connected to one reduction unit such as tachometer generators, brakes, etc. In either instances, the reduction units are required to include an additional drive output shaft, drivingly coupled to the input shaft such that said output shaft will drive the following reduction units and/or said auxiliary devices through the. drive train associated with the input shaft. Background Art In prior art arrangements, this requirement is met by providing a second pinion gear in mesh with the gear in the bevel gear pair and extending outward from the case. This second pinion gear is, therefore, synchronized with the drive input shaft and available for any further coupling. This prior construction has some drawbacks, among which is that making, assembling, and adjusting two or more - 1 - SUBSTITUTE SHEET pinions to properly mesh with one and the same gear is a difficult task because of each gear-and-pinion pair being designed to be a near-univocal matched combination, both construction- and assembly-wise. Further, the bevel gear pair is highly stressed because it has to transfer the through-power directed to the following reduction units, additionally to transferring the power associated with its drive output shaft. Also, the efficiency of each gear wheel engaged in the reduction unit is other than unity, thereby the presence of the second pinion results in decreased overall efficiency of the reduction unit. The underlying technical problem of this invention is to provide a reduction unit whose construction and operation are conceived to remove the drawbacks with which the above-mentioned prior art is beset. Disclosure of the Invention This problem is solved according to the invention by a reduction unit as previously indicated being characterized in that said drive input shaft extends within said case between said opposite walls and is supported at each of its axial ends. Brief Description of Drawings The invention will now be described with reference to two embodiments thereof shown, by way of example and not of limitation, in the accompanying drawings, where: Figure 1 is a longitudinal section taken through a reduction unit according to the invention; and Figure 2 is a cross-section taken through said reduction unit along line II-II in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a partial view of another embodiment of the invention in longitudinal section; - 2 - SUBSTITUTE SHEET Figure 4 is a detail of a modified form of the embodiment of figure 3; Figure 5 is a sectional view taken at line V-V of figure 3. Best Mode of Carrying Out the Invention With reference to the drawing figures, shown at 1 is a reduction unit comprising a case 2 in the form of a parallelepipedon having a base 2a juxtaposed to a top wall 2b, and four side walls 2c,d,e,f in juxtaposed pairs. A drive input shaft 3 having an axis X is supported, via bearings 4a,b housed in respective blocks 5a,b, on the walls 2c,d. Each block is provided with a respective seal 6a, . A drive output shaft 7 having an axis Y is supported, via bearings 8a,b housed in respective blocks 9a,b, on the opposite walls 2e,f. The block 9b has a seal 10. The reduction unit 1 further comprises a first reduction stage, generally shown at 11, a hypoid bevel gear pair 12 and a second or final reduction stage 13. The first reduction stage 11 is comprised of two spur gears 14 and 15 keyed to the drive input shaft 3 and to a pinion 16 of the bevel gear pair 12, respectively. The pinion 16 is supported with its axis parallel to the axis X of the case 2 by means of bearings 17a,b which are respectively housed in a block IS on the. wall 2c and a block 19 standing on the base 2a. The bevel gear pair 12 further comprises a gear 20 keyed to a layshaft 21. The latter is supported in bearings 22a,b mounted in blocks 23a,b formed on the walls 2e,f. The final reduction stage 13 comprises two spur gears 24 and 25 keyed to the layshaft 21 and the output shaft 7, respectively. The bearing blocks 9a, 23a,b and 18 are shut to the outside by covers, all denoted by 26. - 3 - SUBSTITUTE SHEET Note that the input shaft 3 extends with both of its opposite axial ends 3a,b outwards from the case 2, thereby it can be operated from either end, or one end can be used for coupling to it such accessories as brakes, tachometer generators, or cascaded following reduction units. With this construction feature, the wheelwork of the reduction unit 1, including the first and second reduction stages and the bevel gear pair, are only imposed the power transferred to the output shaft 7 and unaffected by the so-called through-power applied to the opposed end of the input shaft 3 to which the input power is transferred. This structure may be used to provide a conventional type reduction unit, as by arranging for the shaft 3 to be terminated with one of its ends 3a, within the case outline and shutting off the corresponding blocks 5a or 5b by means of a cover 26. In the example shown, the input shaft 3 extends between the output shaft 7 and the layshaft 21. In this instance, the distance separating the axis of the input shaft 3 from the axis of the pinion 16 is small, but may be increased by shifting in position the pinion 16 relative to the gear 20 in the hypoid pair 12. In addition, the drive input shaft locates approximately centrally in the case. According to a second embodiment (not shown) of the invention, the input shaft 3 may be positioned between the output shaft 7 and the top wall 2b of the case 2. In this second embodiment, compared to the former example, the distance between the axis of the input shaft 3 and the axis of the pinion 16 is greater. Additionally, the drive input shaft lies off-centered in the case. - 4 - SUBSTITUTE SHEET According to another embodiment of the invention, shown in figures 3 to 5, the case 2 may be construed by means of two separate case elements 102a, 102b which are removably and interchangeably coupled to each other at respective coupling flanges 103a,b. The coupling is obtained by conventional means such as coupling bolts. This construction is recommended when the same case 2, or at least the element 102b thereof, has to be used in connection with different models of reduction units. It is for example envisageable that the same case element 102b be suitable for housing both reduction units where the first reduction stage is omitted (fig. 4) or where relatively high reduction rates are provided at the bevel gear pair 12. In the first alternative, the axis of the pinion 16 is generally sy etrically centered between the walls 2e and 2f of the case 2 and the input shaft is obtained by a tail 104a of the pinion shaft. In this second alternative, especially when the reduction unit is designed with the aim of li itinσ as far as possible the distance between the side walls 2e and 2f, it is required that the axis of the pinion 16 be offset by a distance D relatively to the centered position, otherwise the bevel gear 20 of the pair 12 could interfere with the drive input shaft 3. In order to fit both cases, the block 19 includes a support member in the form of a plate element 119 with a seat 120 housing the bearing 17b: the plate element 119 is removably and interchangeably fixed to the case element 102b by means of bolts not shown at two sholders 121a,b projecting from the respective side walls 2e,f. The seat 120 is machined in the plate element 119 at the position required for the pinion 16. Different plate elements with seats 120a or 120b can be prepared at low cost for a different position of the pinion 16. These different plate - 5 - SUBSTITUTE SHEET output shaft 7. It w ll be appreciated that no through-power is transferred via the reduction unit wheelworks. A manor advantage afforded by the invention s represented by the omission of a second pinion m mesh with the gear of the bevel pair to operate following reduction units or auxiliary devices. This is effective to remove all of the drawbacks previously discussed. Further, with the reduction unit providing for a symmetrical configuration of the case, the wheelwork layout may be reversed relative to the axis X (moving gear 24 to the location of gear 20, and gear 25 to suit), where necessary to arrange for the shafts 3 and 7 to rotate oppositely from the configuration shown. This would be useful where two counter-rotating axles are to be operated through two serially coupled reduction units. Also, this reduction unit would be adapted for use in gear motors. - 6 - SUBSTITUTE SHEET

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A right-angle gear reduction unit of a type which comprises a case (2) having two opposite walls (2c, 2d), a drive input shaft (3), a bevel gear pair (12) comprising a pinion (16) and gear (20) in mesh relationship with each other, a first gear reduction stage (11) between the drive input shaft and the bevel pinion gear in said pair, a drive output shaft (7) laid within said case along an orthogonal axis to the axis of the drive input shaft, and a second reduction stage (13) between the drive output shaft and the bevel gear in said pair, characterized in that said drive input shaft (3) extends within said case (2) between said opposite walls (2c,d) and is supported at each of its axial ends (3a,b). 2. A right-angle gear reduction unit according to Claim 1, wherein said drive input shaft (3) extends outwards from the case (2) with both of its opposite axial ends (3a,b) . 3. A right-angle gear reduction unit according to either Claim 1 or 2 , wherein said bevel gear pair (20) is a hypoid bevel gear pair. 4. A right-angle gear reduction unit according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said pinion (16) is rotatably supported on said case (2) by means of a support member (119) removably attached to said case. - 7 - SUBSTITUTE SHEET

Inventors: CASAROTTO GIORGIO, CASAROTTO, GIORGIO
Applicants: CASAROTTO G & C SRL, CASAROTTO GIORGIO, CASAROTTO G. & C. S.R.L., CASAROTTO, GIORGIO
Application year: 1993
Main classification: F16H37
IPC codes: F16H1