Machine element or mechanism – Gearing – Directly cooperating gears
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-16
2001-03-27
Fenstermacher, David (Department: 3682)
Machine element or mechanism
Gearing
Directly cooperating gears
C074S60600R
Reexamination Certificate
active
06205877
ABSTRACT:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims the priority of German Patent Application Serial No. 198 17 936.7, filed Apr. 17, 1998, the subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates, in general, to a drive system, and more particularly to a set of modular elements for the construction of a drive system, including at least one main transmission, a motor unit, and a stepped sequence of subtransmissions mounted between the main transmission and the motor unit.
It is generally known to construct drive systems from transmissions and motors which are part of a modular kit, whereby the transmission may be composed of a main transmission and a subtransmission. Reference is made, for example, to an article in German publication VDI-Z, volume 114 (1972), No. 2, pages 122-129 and entitled “Stand und Entwicklungstendenzen bei der Konstruktion und Anwendung von Getriebemotoren” (
State and Tendencies in Development Relating to the Construction and Application of Geared Motors
). Although such a modular set allows construction of a great number of drive systems in a cost-efficient manner, the use of only relative few elements poses a problem when it comes to covering a wide range with respect to speed and torque.
German publication DE-OS 201 94 34 describes the combination of single transmissions in stretched arrangement, whereby a transmission is placed before a second transmission, i.e. to use two transmissions in series. Both transmissions typically include completely closed gear cases. Such an interconnection of separate single transmissions is cumbersome and expensive.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is thus an object of the present invention to provide an improved drive system, obviating the afore-stated drawbacks.
In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved set of modular elements for the construction of a drive system, which is cost-efficient and covers with few elements a wide speed range and torque range, and thus enable a great number of combination possibilities.
These objects, and others which will become apparent hereinafter, are attained in accordance with the present invention by providing a modular drive system which includes at least one main transmission, a motor unit, and a stepped sequence of subtransmissions mounted between the main transmission and the motor unit, wherein the subtransmissions are so configured that each subtransmission is connectable to at least one of a next smaller and next greater subtransmission.
In accordance with the present invention, the subtransmission of the set can be combined amongst each other such that a sequence of subtransmissions can be realized in end-to-end disposition, to thereby construct together with a main transmission a gear train which satisfies the desired speed range and torque range.
Suitably, each subtransmission is of single-step configuration to ensure a great number of combinations, whereby each subtransmission includes a single gear shaft. This simplifies the construction. The variety of combinations can be further enhanced when aligning the gear shafts of all combined subtransmissions in a common plane in parallel relationship.
According to another feature of the present invention, the subtransmissions are mounted to one another in end-to-end disposition.
According to still another feature of the present invention, the drive system can be further simplified when the motor unit has an output shaft which extends in a common plane in parallel relationship to the gear shafts of the subtransmissions.
The use of a multiplicity of interconnected subtransmissions is especially simple when each subtransmission is connectable with a corresponding one of the stepped motor units, and when the output pinion of this motor unit and the output pinion of the subtransmission of the next smaller step are of a same size and occupy a same location when being installed.
The combination of drive system components can be simplified when designing the cases of the motor units, main transmissions and subtransmissions with complementary abutting end faces. Assembly can be further simplified when the interconnected cases of the subtransmission and the main transmission form a common gear case which defines a common interior space whereby the lateral attachment of a motor unit closes the interior space in the form of a lid. In this manner, a sealing of the gear case is simple to implement.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1785798 (1930-12-01), Weiss
patent: 4811616 (1989-03-01), Henderson
patent: 4951527 (1990-08-01), Klazura
patent: 5724865 (1998-03-01), Boone
patent: 20 19 434 (1971-11-01), None
patent: OS 20 19 434 (1971-11-01), None
patent: 24 03 504 (1975-07-01), None
patent: 26 49 949 (1977-11-01), None
German publication VDI-Z, vol. 114 (1972), No. 2, pp. 122-129, entitled: “State and Tendencies in Development Relating to the Construction and Application of Geared Motors”.
Feiereisen Henry M.
Fenstermacher David
Mannesmann AG
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