Patent Publication Number: US-2023144383-A1

Title: Universal drive housing

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 371 as a U.S. National Phase Application of application no. PCT/EP2021/054972, filed on Mar. 1, 2021, which claims benefit of German Patent Application no. 10 2020 204 202.0 filed Mar. 31, 2020, the contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure relates generally to transmissions and more particularly to a transmission series. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In the case of transmissions manufactured in small production runs, the housing is designed in a customer-specific manner. For example, perhaps the mounting of the input shaft must be adapted to the load that is to be supported. From this, various types of input shaft mountings follow. In turn, the various types of mounting require a different design of the transmission housing. This increases production costs. 
     SUMMARY 
     The purpose of the present invention is to reduce the production costs of transmissions. That objective is achieved by a transmission series according to the present disclosure. Example embodiments are described below and are illustrated in the figures. 
     A transmission series is a group of at least two transmissions which match one another in relation to the form of at least one technical feature. The at least two transmissions form an arrangement. 
     A first transmission and a second transmission of the transmission series according to the invention each comprise an input shaft, a housing, a supporting structure, and at least two and preferably exactly two bearings by which the input shaft is mounted in the supporting structure. 
     An input shaft is a shaft designed to be acted upon by an input torque. At least part of the input shaft is outside the housing. This part is acted upon by the input torque. 
     A supporting structure is a means designed to receive and pass on forces. The supporting structures of the first housing and the second housing are in each case fixed in their respective housings. Preferably, the fixing of the said supporting structures in their housing is solid, that is, without the possibility of relative movement between the supporting structure and the housing. The supporting structure is designed to absorb holding forces transmitted into it by the at least two bearings and pass them on into the transmission housing. 
     Preferably, the supporting structures form part of the housing in each case. This means that the supporting structure, together with the housing of the transmission concerned, encapsulates a hollow space—the inside of the transmission. The at least two bearings are preferably arranged inside of that hollow space. 
     The at least two bearings of the first transmission are of identical design as one another. Likewise, the at least two bearings of the second transmission are of identical design as one another. Bearings of identical design belong to a group of bearings with the same design of one or more technical features. Thus, all the bearings in this group have certain technical features which are of the same design in all the bearings of the group. For example, axial bearings, radial bearings, axial-radial bearings, roller bearings, ball bearings, conical roller bearings, needle bearings, spherical roller bearings, and slide bearings in each case form such a group. The at least two bearings of the first transmission might be ball bearings and the at least two bearings of the second transmission might be conical roller bearings. 
     According to the invention, the design of the at least two bearings of the first transmission is different from the design of the at least two bearings of the second transmission. The at least two bearings of the first transmission and the at least two bearings of the second transmission are thus of different design. 
     A first design and a second design of bearings are different when there is at least one technically differentiating feature between them. In this context a technical feature is understood to be one whose expression in the bearings of the first design and the bearings of the second design is the same in each case, and whose expression in the bearings of the first design differs from its expression in the bearings of the second design. For example, axial bearings and radial bearings are different. Likewise, slide bearings and roller bearings are bearings of different design. Ball bearings, conical roller bearings, needle bearings, spherical roller bearings, and slide bearings are designs that differ from one another in pairs. 
     The supporting structure of the first transmission and the supporting structure of the second transmission are of the same design. Two components are of the same design if their physical parameters—particularly in relation to their materials and geometrical properties—are the same to within the relevant manufacturing tolerances. 
     Supporting structures of the same design are advantageous since they have cost advantages due to scale effects. This is more so the case when castings of complex structure are used as supporting structures. By virtue of the various designs of the bearings, the individual transmissions of the model series according to the invention can be adapted to suit the load situations of individual customers. 
     According to a preferred further development, bearings of various designs can be used with input shafts which are not of the same design. This means that in accordance with the said further development, the input shaft of the first transmission and the input shaft of the second transmission are not of the same design. Thus, the input shaft of the first transmission and the input shaft of the second transmission differ in at least one physical parameter in such manner that the difference is no longer within the range of the manufacturing tolerances concerned. In particular, the input shaft of the first transmission and the input shaft of the second transmission can differ in their respective component geometries. 
     This further development stems from the notion that adaptations to suit customer-specific circumstances should be made in inexpensive components. Thus, input shafts are usually lathe-turned components which, compared with cast components, can be produced more cheaply. 
     In a preferred further development, the at least two bearings of the first transmission are configured in an X-arrangement and the at least two bearings of the second transmission are configured in an O-arrangement. This implies that the bearings are axial-radial bearings. 
     In another preferred further development, the first transmission and the second transmission each have a cover. A cover is a means for covering or closing off an opening. 
     The cover is fixed in the respective supporting structure and thereby closes an opening of the supporting structure concerned. The cover of the first transmission is fixed in the supporting structure of the first transmission. This fixing is preferably solid, i.e. such that no relative movement is possible between the supporting structure and the cover concerned. Preferably, a seal is arranged between the supporting structures and the respective cover, which seals the supporting structure in an oil-tight manner against the cover concerned. 
     In each case the input shaft extends through the cover. Thus, the input shaft of the first transmission passes through the cover of the first transmission, while the input shaft of the second transmission passes through the cover of the second transmission. This implies that each cover has an opening through which the input shaft extends. Accordingly, at least part of each input shaft is inside its respective transmission. The part of the input shafts inside their respective transmissions and the part on the outside are arranged on opposite sides of the cover concerned. 
     The cover of the first transmission and the cover of the second transmission are structurally the same. This results in further scale effects thanks to which cost savings can be made. 
     The cover of the first transmission is preferably developed further in that it axially supports an outer ring of a first of the two bearings of the first transmission, i.e. parallel to a rotation axis of the input shaft. Thus, the cover forms an axial abutment for the outer ring of the first bearing. Preferably, the said cover supports the outer ring of the first bearing against any displacement toward the outside of the first transmission. 
     The supporting structure of the second transmission is preferably further developed with a step which axially supports an outer ring of a first of the at least two bearings of the second transmission. Thus, the supporting structure of the second transmission forms an axial abutment for the outer ring of the second bearing. The outer ring of the second bearing is preferably supported toward the inside of the second transmission. 
     A step is a circular part of the surface of a component which extends between two rotationally symmetrical edges of the component and connects them to one another. These edges form the circular boundary lines of the circular ring. 
     Since the supporting structures of the first and second transmissions are of identical design, according to this further development, the supporting structure of the first transmission also has a step. This can have no function and, in particular, forms no abutment for an outer ring of one of the two bearings of the first transmission. 
     The input shaft of the first transmission is preferably developed further with a step, which axially supports an inner ring of the first bearing of the first transmission. Thus, the step forms an axial abutment for the inner ring of the first bearing of the first transmission. Preferably, the step supports the inner ring toward the outside of the first transmission. 
     The input shaft of the second transmission preferably has no corresponding step, but rather, is further developed by a screwed-on adjusting nut. This forms an abutment for an inner ring of the first bearing of the second transmission. Thus, the adjusting nut supports the inner ring in the axial direction. Preferably, the adjusting screw supports the inner ring toward the inside of the second transmission. Thus, the support given by the step on the input shaft of the first transmission and the support given by the adjusting screw of the input shaft of the second transmission preferably act in opposite directions. 
     In a preferred further development, the supporting structure of the first transmission has a groove. This groove is preferably rotationally symmetrical. Into the groove is set a locking ring which forms an axial abutment for an outer ring of a second of the at least two bearings of the first transmission. The locking ring supports the outer ring in the axial direction. Preferably, the locking ring supports the outer ring toward the inside of the first transmission. 
     Since the supporting structures of the first and second transmissions are designed identically, the supporting structure of the second transmission also has a rotationally symmetrical groove. This can have no function and can correspondingly remain without an inset locking ring. 
     Preferably, the supporting structure of the second transmission is further developed with a step, which serves as an abutment for an outer ring of a second of the at least two bearings of the second transmission. The said step supports the outer ring in the axial direction. Preferably, the outer ring is supported toward the outside of the second transmission. 
     Since the supporting structures of the first and second transmissions are designed identically, the supporting structure of the first transmission has a corresponding step. This can have no function or can form an abutment for the outer ring of the second bearing of the first transmission. 
     In other preferred further developments, the input shafts of the first transmission and/or the second transmission each form a step. The steps support the respective inner rings of the second bearing of the transmission concerned in the axial direction. Thus, they form an axial abutment for the inner ring concerned. 
     Preferably, the supporting function by the steps of the input shafts acts in opposite directions. Thus, the step on the input shaft of the first transmission preferably supports the inner ring of the second bearing of the first transmission toward the outside of the first transmission, whereas the step on the input shaft of the second transmission supports the inner ring of the second bearing of the second transmission toward the inside of the second transmission. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in  FIGS.  1  and  2   . In detail: 
         FIG.  1    shows a first transmission of a transmission series; and 
         FIG.  2    shows a second transmission of the transmission series. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The first transmission  101  shown in  FIG.  1    and the second transmission  201  shown in  FIG.  2    belong to a common model series. The transmissions  101 ,  201  each have an input shaft  103 ,  203 . A housing  105  of the first transmission  101  and a housing  205  of the second transmission  201  are of identical design. The housings  105 ,  205  each form an opening onto which a supporting structure  107 ,  207  is bolted. The supporting structure  107  of the first transmission  101  and the supporting structure  207  of the second transmission  201  are of identical design. 
     The input shaft  103  of the first transmission  101  is mounted rotatably in the supporting structure  107  of the first transmission  101  by means of a first ball bearing  109   a  and a second ball bearing  109   b . Analogously, the input shaft  203  of the second transmission  201  is mounted rotatably in the supporting structure  207  of the second transmission  201  by means of a first conical roller bearing  209   a  and a second conical roller bearing  209   b.    
     To the supporting structures  107 ,  207  a cover  111 ,  211  is bolted in each respective case. The respective input shafts  103 ,  203  extend through central openings in the covers  111 ,  211 . The cover  111  of the first transmission  101 , and likewise the cover  211  of the second transmission  201 , is sealed relative to the respective input shaft  103 ,  203  so that no oil can escape between the said covers  111 ,  211  and the input shafts  103 ,  203 . 
     The supporting structure  107  of the first transmission  101  and the supporting structure  207  of the second transmission  201  are in each case provided with a first step  113 ,  213 . The first step  213  of the supporting structure  207  of the second transmission  201  forms an axial abutment for an outer ring of the first conical roller bearing  209   a . The said first step  213  supports the outer ring toward the inside of the transmission. 
     The first step  113  of the supporting structure  107  of the first transmission  101  has no function. 
     The input shaft  103  of the first transmission  101  is provided with a first step  115  as an abutment for an inner ring of the first ball bearing  109   a . It supports the said inner ring toward the inside of the transmission. 
     The cover  111  of the first transmission  101  forms an abutment for an outer ring of the first ball bearing  109   a . The outer ring is supported by the cover  111  toward the inside of the transmission. Since the covers  111 ,  211  of the first and second transmissions  101 ,  201  are of identical design, the cover  211  of the second transmission  201  forms a corresponding abutment. However, this has no function. 
     An outer ring of the second ball bearing  109   b  is supported toward the inside of the transmission. For that purpose, the supporting structure  107  of the first transmission  101  is provided with a groove  117  into which a locking ring is set. This forms an abutment for the support of the outer ring of the second ball bearing  109   b.    
     Since the respective supporting structures  107 ,  207  of the first and second transmissions  101 ,  201  are of identical design, the supporting structure  207  of the second transmission  201  has a corresponding groove  217 . However, this has no function and therefore remains empty. 
     A second step  119  of the supporting structure  107  of the first transmission  101  forms another abutment for the outer ring of the second ball bearing  109   b . In that way the outer ring of the second ball bearing  109   b  is supported toward the outside of the transmission. The outer ring of the second ball bearing  109   b  is between the locking ring set into the groove  117  and the second step  119  of the supporting structure  107  of the first transmission  101 . 
     Since the supporting structures  107 ,  207  of the first transmission  101  and the second transmission  201  are of identical design, the supporting structure  207  of the second transmission  201  also has a second step  219 . Analogously, this forms an abutment for an outer ring of the second conical roller bearing  209   b . In that way the outer ring of the second conical roller bearing  209   b  is supported toward the outside of the transmission. 
     The input shafts  103 ,  203  of the transmission  101  and the second transmission  201  are in each case provided with a step  120 ,  220  as abutments for an inner ring of the second ball bearing  109   b  or the second conical roller bearing  209   b  respectively. A second step  120  of the input shaft  103  of the first transmission  101  serves as an abutment for an inner ring of the second ball bearing  109   b  and supports it toward the outside of the transmission. Analogously, a step  220  of the input shaft  203  of the second transmission  201  forms an abutment for an inner ring of the second conical roller bearing  209   b . However, the inner ring of the second conical roller bearing  209   b  is supported by the second step  220  in the opposite direction, i.e. toward the inside of the transmission. 
     By virtue of the arrangement of the abutments described, the first ball bearing  109   a  and the second ball bearing  109   b  are configured in an X-arrangement. The first conical roller bearing  209   a  and the second conical roller bearing  209   b  form an arrangement in an O-configuration. 
     INDEXES 
     
         
           101  First transmission 
           103  Input shaft 
           105  Housing 
           107  Supporting structure 
           109   a  First ball bearing 
           109   b  Second ball bearing 
           111  Cover 
           113  First step of the supporting structure 
           115  First step of the input shaft 
           117  Groove 
           119  Second step of the supporting structure 
           120  Second step of the input shaft 
           201  Second transmission 
           203  Input shaft 
           205  Housing 
           207  Supporting structure 
           209   a  First conical roller bearing 
           209   b  Second conical roller bearing 
           211  Cover 
           213  First step of the supporting structure 
           215  Adjusting nut 
           217  Groove 
           219  Second step of the supporting structure 
           220  Step of the input shaft