DRIVE DEVICE WITH SPEED MODULATION GEARBOX

Abstract

A drive device includes a speed modulation gearbox having a planetary gear mechanism and a casing, a main drive machine which is connected to an input shaft of the speed modulation gearbox, two auxiliary drives, each connected to the planetary gear mechanism via a drive connection. An output shaft of the speed modulation gearbox can be connected to a working machine. The planetary gear mechanism includes a ring gear, a sun gear, a planet carrier and several planet gears. For each auxiliary drive, an additional drive connection with a constant transmission ratio exists between the auxiliary drives and the input shaft or between the auxiliary drives and a driven shaft of the planetary gear mechanism. The additional drive connections can each be engaged or disengaged by a respective switching clutch, wherein the drive connections from the auxiliary drives to the speed modulation gearbox remain engaged in any case.

Claims

1-13. (canceled)

14. A drive device, comprising: a speed modulation gearbox having an input shaft, a planetary gear mechanism, a casing and an output shaft to be connected to a working machine; a main drive machine connected to said input shaft of said speed modulation gearbox, two auxiliary drives each connected to said planetary gear mechanism via a drive connection; said planetary gear mechanism including a ring gear, a sun gear, a planet carrier and a plurality of planet gears; for each of said two auxiliary drives, an additional drive connection with a constant transmission ratio connected between said auxiliary drive and said input shaft or between said auxiliary drives and a driven shaft of said planetary gear mechanism; said additional drive connections being configured to each be engaged or disengaged by way of a respective switching clutch, wherein said drive connections from said auxiliary drives to said speed modulation gearbox remain engaged in any case.

15. The device according to claim 14, wherein the respective said additional drive connection acts via an auxiliary drive gear, and via an intermediate shaft with two intermediate gears or with a stepped intermediate gear on a respective said spur gear, and via said spur gear on a common spur gear on said input shaft, wherein said switching clutch is arranged on the respective said intermediate shaft and said switching clutch us configured to selectively disengage or engage the respective said spur gear.

16. The device according to claim 14, wherein the respective said additional drive connection acts via a respective auxiliary gear on said auxiliary drive shaft and via a respective said spur gear on a common spur gear on said input shaft, wherein said switching clutch is arranged on the respective said auxiliary drive shaft and said switching clutch is configured to selectively disengage or engage the respective said auxiliary gear.

17. The device according to claim 14, wherein said switching clutches are arranged on a free shaft end.

18. The device according to claim 14, wherein a driven shaft of said planetary gear mechanism forms said output shaft of said speed modulation gearbox.

19. The device according to claim 14, which comprises a spur gear stage connected between a driven shaft of said planetary gear mechanism and said output shaft, thus forming an axial offset between said input shaft and said output shaft.

20. The device according to claim 14, wherein said first and second auxiliary drives are arranged at different height levels in a z-direction.

21. The device according to claim 14, wherein said main drive machine can be operated only at constant rotation speed, and said auxiliary drives are configured for operation with regulated rotation speed.

22. The device according to claim 14, wherein said input shaft is connected to said ring gear, said driven shaft and hence the output shaft are connected to said sun gear, and said auxiliary drives are connected to said planet carrier via a drive connection with constant transmission ratio.

23. The device according to claim 14, wherein said two auxiliary drives are coupled to said planetary gear mechanism via a respective auxiliary drive gear and via a respective intermediate shaft each with two intermediate gears or via a respective stepped intermediate gear.

24. The device according to claim 14, wherein said two auxiliary drives are arranged on a side of said main drive machine.

25. The device according to claim 14, wherein said casing is configured to be separable via a separation joint and said casing comprises a casing cover and a casing lower part.

26. The device according to claim 25, wherein said two auxiliary drives are disposed on said casing cover and said speed modulation gearbox and said separation joint are configured such that said casing cover with said two auxiliary drives is removable, while said casing lower part with said main drive machine, planetary gear mechanism and driven shaft may remain installed.

Description

[0028] Further advantageous forms of the invention are explained below with reference to exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings. The features described may advantageously be implemented not only in the combination shown but also combined individually with each other. The figures show in detail:

[0029] FIG. 1 a drive device according to the invention

[0030] FIG. 2 a further drive device according to the invention

[0031] FIG. 3 yet a further drive device according to the invention

[0032] FIG. 4 yet a further drive device according to the invention

[0033] FIG. 5 drive devices according to the invention with auxiliary drives offset in height (front view)

[0034] The figures are explained in more detail below. The same reference signs always refer to the same or similar components or elements.

[0035] FIG. 1 shows in top view a drive device according to the invention which is connected via the output shaft 11 to the working machine 2. The working machine 2 may for example be a pump, a compressor, a fan or a blower. It may also be a conveyor belt drive or a mill or similar machine. In particular, it is a high-power working machine 2 in which it is particularly important to have a drive with high efficiency. Because of the size of the drive, it is then also decisive that the required installation space is not over-large.

[0036] The speed modulation gearbox 18 present in the drive device has a casing 8 and comprises a planetary gear mechanism 6. The driven shaft 5 from the planetary gear mechanism is here simultaneously the output shaft 11 of the speed modulation gearbox. The input shaft 4 connects the main drive machine 1 to the ring gear 6.1 of the planetary gear mechanism, and the driven shaft 5 is connected to the sun gear 6.2. The drive connection between the ring gear 6.1 and sun gear 6.2 takes place via the planet carrier 7 with several planet gears 6.3. In addition, the two auxiliary drives 3.1, 3.2 act on the planet carrier 7.

[0037] The advantage of connecting the auxiliary drives to the planetary gear mechanism 6 by a respective separate drive connection is that the necessary gear stages and components may be dimensioned smaller than if both auxiliary drives 3.1, 3.2 were connected via a common gear stage. The drive connection in this embodiment takes place via a respective auxiliary drive gear 9.1, 9.2 which sits on the auxiliary drive shaft 13.1, 13.2, and via a respective intermediate shaft 10.1, 10.2 each with two intermediate gears, one of which engages in the external toothing on the planet carrier 7 which is formed as a main gear or is connected to a main gear. A particularly preferred alternative for the intermediate shaft is for the drive connection to take place via a stepped intermediate gear 10.1, 10.2. An advantage of the design of the drive connections described here is that highly variable transmission ratios are possible and despite this, many components, in particular the casing components, may be kept the same.

[0038] Furthermore, additional switchable drive connections are present between the auxiliary drives 3.1, 3.2 and the input shaft 4 or driven shaft 5, and serve for example to start the drive device by means of the auxiliary drives 3.1, 3.2 when the main drive machine 1 has stopped, or operate this at low rotation speed, or allow a controlled emergency operation or controlled shut-down on failure of the main drive machine 1.

[0039] In all embodiments, the drive connection between the auxiliary drives and the planet carrier remains engaged irrespective of whether the switching clutches are engaged or disengaged.

[0040] Connected via the respective switching clutch 16.1, 16.2, a spur gear 15.1, 15.2 sits on each extended intermediate shaft 10.1, 10.2 and engages in the spur gear 17a on the input shaft. The switching clutches 16.1, 16.2 are actuated to switch these additional drive connections between the auxiliary drives 3.1, 3.2 and the input shaft 4. In normal operation, the switching clutches 16.1, 16.2 are disengaged. In emergency operation, on controlled emergency stoppage, or on operation at low rotation speed or for start-up, the switching clutches may be closed so that the additional drive connections come into engagement. Depending on requirements, only one auxiliary drive may also be engaged.

[0041] Because this additional drive connection is also present separately for each auxiliary drive 3.1, 3.2, again the switching clutches and further components may be designed smaller and hence cheaper, and take up less installation space.

[0042] In the embodiment shown, the switching clutches 16.1, 16.2 are arranged on the free shaft ends of the extended intermediate shafts 10.1, 10.2. This offers the advantage that the oil supply for the switching clutches can take place very easily via axial bores in the intermediate shaft 10.1, 10.2.

[0043] In the variant shown in FIG. 2, the switching clutches 16.1, 16.2 sit directly on the respective auxiliary drive shafts 13.1, 13.2. The auxiliary gears 14.1, 14.2 connected to the switching clutches 16.1, 16.2 each engage in the respective intermediate gear 15.1, 15.2 which acts on the common spur gear 17a on the input shaft 4. The advantage of this design is, amongst others, that no extended intermediate shafts are required, but the input shaft 4 may be influenced directly via simple spur gear stages.

[0044] FIG. 3 shows an embodiment according to the invention in which the additional switchable drive connections are present between the auxiliary drives 3.1, 3.2 and the driven shaft 5 of the planetary gear mechanism. As in the first exemplary embodiment, the switching clutches 16.1, 16.2 sit on the extended intermediate shafts 10.1, 10.2, but this time on the free shaft end pointing towards the power output side. The spur gears 15.1, 15.2 are connected to the switching clutches. The drive connections act on a common spur gear 17b on the driven shaft via a respective further spur gear 15.3, 15.4.

[0045] FIG. 4 shows a further variant with additional drive connection between the auxiliary drives 3.1, 3.2 and the driven shaft 5 of the planetary gear mechanism.

[0046] The switching clutches 16.1, 16.2 each sit on the extended auxiliary drive shaft 13.1, 13.2 and each carry an auxiliary gear 14.1, 14.2 which engages in the common spur gear 17b on the driven shaft 5. Here too, the switching clutches 16.1, 16.2 sit on the free shaft end, which allows an uncomplicated supply of lubricating oil.

[0047] This design is particularly suitable for applications in which the working machine 2 is operated at rotation speeds which are not too high.

[0048] In the front view of FIG. 5, the compactness of the design can be clearly seen. The casing 8 is divided by a separation joint 8.3 into a casing cover 8.1 and a casing lower part 8.2. The auxiliary drives 3.1, 3.2 are both arranged on the casing cover 8.1. This offers advantages for installation and also construction, since the casing cover 8.1 with components mounted therein can always be designed the same irrespective of the desired axial offset.

[0049] In this preferred embodiment, the second auxiliary drive 3.2 is positioned lower in the z-direction than the first auxiliary drive 3.1. The first auxiliary drive is present on the side at which the axial offset of the output shaft 11 is provided. Due to the axial offset, there is sufficient space to lower the second auxiliary drive 3.2 advantageously. In a further option, the second auxiliary drive 3.2 may also be arranged on the casing lower part 8.2.

[0050] Again, the separate drive connections via the gearwheels 9.1, 10.1 and 9.2, 10.2 between the auxiliary drives 3.1, 3.2 and the planet carrier 7 formed as a main wheel or connected to a main wheel are clearly evident. The further components of the planetary gear mechanism 6 and the spur gear stage 12, and the output shaft 11 are not shown.

[0051] Although not explicitly shown, nonetheless for all embodiments a spur gear stage may be provided which is formed by two spur gears and which connects the driven shaft 5 of the planetary gear mechanism to the output shaft 11 of the drive device. Because of the spur gear stage, an axial offset between the input shaft 4 and the output shaft 11 may be designed very flexibly according to requirements. The axial offset may exist not only in the x-direction but also within limits in the z-direction. Thus the drive device may be adapted well to existing conditions, for example for aftermarket fitting in existing systems.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0052] 1 Main drive machine [0053] 2 Working machine [0054] 3.1, 3.2 First and second auxiliary drives [0055] 4 Input shaft [0056] 5 Driven shaft [0057] 6 Planetary gear mechanism [0058] 6.1 Ring gear [0059] 6.2 Sun gear [0060] 6.3 Planet gears [0061] 7 Planet carrier [0062] 8 Casing [0063] 8.1 Casing cover [0064] 8.2 Casing lower part [0065] 8.3 Separation joint [0066] 9.1, 9.2 First and second auxiliary drive gear [0067] 10.1, 10.2 First and second intermediate shaft with intermediate gears (or first and second stepped intermediate gear) [0068] 11 Output shaft [0069] 12 Spur gear stage [0070] 13.1, 13.2 First and second auxiliary drive shaft [0071] 14.1, 14.2 First and second auxiliary gear [0072] 15.1, 15.2 First and second spur gear [0073] 15.3, 15.4 Further spur gears [0074] 16.1, 16.2 First and second switching clutch [0075] 17a Spur gear on input shaft [0076] 17b Spur gear on driven shaft [0077] 18 Speed modulation gearbox [0078] x Width [0079] y Length [0080] z Height direction