Lubrication – Systems – Gearing
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-03
2001-08-14
Bucci, David A. (Department: 3682)
Lubrication
Systems
Gearing
C475S011000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06273214
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to lubricant supply to a gear arrangement for driving or drives in agricultural equipment.
Planetary gears are generally used for converting rotational movement into a translatory movement. Ordinarily, the design includes a rotor with a large diameter, into which a crank is inserted. A pumping effect is created due to the vibration produced by the moved masses. The vibrations can lead to leaks in the gearbox. Due to the vibration, the use of a gearbox with gears running in an oil bath is nearly impossible. This is especially true since leaks are rarely noticed when using a gearbox in agricultural equipment. Thus, the gearbox runs hot and is damaged or even destroyed. Up-to-now trials to seal the interior space of a gearbox, which is filled with lubricant oil, to the outside, have failed. Thus, gearboxes are lubricated with a lubricant which is more viscid than oil.
To drive a horizontally running planetary gear by vertically running drives, as for example a V-belt, cog belt or a chain, an angle drive is arranged in front of the planetary gear. This is appropriately arranged together with the planetary gear in a casing. Due to this design, the problem arises as to how to supply the lubricant to each stressed part of both gearbox parts, without arranging a plurality of connectors to lubricate the gearbox. A further problem is that the user does not know what amount of lubricant the gear arrangement requires. This can lead to an excess of lubricant in the gearbox. Excess lubricant again leads to overheating of the gear arrangement which, in turn, attacks the seals. Because of the excess, the lubricant exits the gearbox at undesired places.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a gear arrangement comprising two gearboxes and a lubricant supply, which is simple in design. The design enables lubrication of all the moving parts and prevents undesired exiting of lubricant.
According to the invention, a gear arrangement has a first gearbox. The first gearbox has a first casing portion delimiting a first interior space. The first gear box also includes at least a first shaft with a first gear. The first shaft has an end which projects from the first casing portion. The first gearbox, as well, has a second gear. A second gearbox has a second casing portion, delimiting a second interior space. The second gearbox has at least a second shaft. The second shaft has one end projecting into the first interior space of the first casing portion. The second gear of the first gearbox is connected to the second shaft. A third shaft is present with a third gear and a fourth gear. A connecting channel is in the second shaft to couple the first interior space with the second interior space. A connecting mechanism selectively feeds lubricant into the first interior space of the first casing portion. An air-venting unit communicates with the first interior space and with the ambient environment. The first casing portion is arranged above the second casing portion and is filled at least up to a minimum filling level with a pasty lubricant. The air-venting unit is arranged above the minimum filling level of the first casing portion. Also, an inlet opening of the connecting channel is in the first interior space arranged at the height of the minimum filling level.
An advantageous event in this embodiment is that the lubricant of the first interior space passes into the second interior space through the connecting channel. The inlet opening of the connecting channel is arranged in the first gearbox in such a way that a predetermined minimal amount of lubricant is always present in the first gearbox. Only the first gearbox is lubricated in predetermined intervals. The amount of lubricant which exceeds the minimum filling level, reaches the second gearbox through the connecting channel. The second gearbox is below the first and is supplied with lubricant through said connecting channel. The air-venting unit presents an effective pressure compensation between the ambient environment of the gearbox and the interior space. The air-venting unit prevents an excess pressure in the first interior space when it is freshly refilled with lubricant. The lubricant is pressed directly and unmeasured through the connecting channel into the second gearbox.
According to a further embodiment, the connecting channel, which connects the first interior space of the first gearbox with the second interior space of the second gearbox, is formed as a throughbore in the second shaft. The second shaft has a front face which is arranged in the first interior space. The inlet opening of the throughbore is arranged in the front face of the second shaft. The inlet opening is arranged in the first interior space. The throughbore opens to the second interior space. The front face of the second shaft is arranged above the engagement area of the first gear with the second gear. As the first gear box is refilled with lubricant, the filling level rises above the front face of the second shaft. Thus, the lubricant can pass into the throughbore, and flows into the second interior space of the second gearbox.
In a further improvement, the air-venting unit comprises a channel. The channel communicates with the first interior space of the first gearbox and with the ambient environment. A filter element is inserted from the outside into the opening of the channel which opens to the ambient environment. The opening of the channel to the ambient environment is arranged to point vertically downwards. The opening of the channel to the gearbox is arranged above the minimum filling level of the lubricant. This embodiment prevents rain, water or dirt from entering the angle drive. Also, it prevents the lubricant from exiting from the first interior space, through the channel, to the ambient environment.
The first casing also has a cowl in the form of a pyramid frustum. The connecting mechanism, which supplies lubricant to the gear arrangement is in the pyramid. This design provides many variation possibilities for the attachment of a connecting mechanism, depending on the installation environment of the gearbox. Further, the cowl and the air-venting unit may form part of the cover. The cover is stationarily connected to the first casing portion.
In a realization of the invention, the first gearbox is formed as an angle drive. In the second gearbox is in the form of a planetary drive. The first gearbox and the second gearbox form a unit. Thus, this embodiment provides a horizontal rotational movement which can be converted into a translatory horizontal movement.
From the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and subjoined claims, other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art.
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Bucci David A.
Eichelhardter Werkzeug-und Maschienenbau GmbH
Harness & Dickey & Pierce P.L.C.
Kim Chong H.
LandOfFree
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