FAN COVER ASSEMBLY FOR A GEARBOX, METHOD FOR PRODUCING SAME, ASSEMBLY AND A MODULAR SET

Abstract

Disclosed are a fan cover assembly for a gearbox, a method for producing same, an assembly and a modular set, the gearbox having a rotatable shaft and a fan mounted on the rotatable shaft, the fan cover assembly comprising: a fan cover with a first aperture for receiving the rotatable shaft and a shielding member with a second aperture for receiving the fan cover

wherein the fan cover is arrangeable in the second aperture with at least a first orientation defining a first position of the first aperture relative to the shielding member and with a second orientation defining a second position of the first aperture relative to the shielding member.

Claims

1. A fan cover assembly for a gearbox, the gearbox having a rotatable shaft and a fan mounted on the rotatable shaft, the fan cover assembly comprising: a fan cover with a first aperture for receiving the rotatable shaft; and a shielding member with a second aperture for receiving the fan cover; wherein the fan cover is arrangeable in the second aperture with at least a first orientation defining a first position of the first aperture relative to the shielding member and with a second orientation defining a second position of the first aperture relative to the shielding member.

2. The fan cover assembly of claim 1, wherein a distance (D) between the first and second position of the first aperture is at least 5 cm and/or wherein the first aperture is offset from a geometric center of the fan cover.

3. The fan cover assembly according to claim 1, wherein the fan cover comprises at least two fan cover parts that are connectable to one another, wherein when the at least two fan cover parts are connected to one another each fan cover part confines at least a section of the first aperture.

4. The fan cover assembly of claim 3, wherein the fan cover parts are connectable to one another along an elongated and preferably linear first joint.

5. The fan cover assembly according to claim 1, wherein the shielding member comprises at least two shielding parts that are connectable to one another, wherein when the at least two shielding parts are connected to one another each shielding part confines at least a section of the second aperture.

6. The fan cover assembly of claim 5, wherein the shielding parts are connectable to one another along an elongated and preferably linear second joint.

7. The fan cover assembly of claim 4, wherein the first and second joint are aligned with one another when the fan cover is arranged in the second aperture with any of the first and second orientation.

8. The fan cover assembly according to claim 1, wherein the fan cover is rotatable about an axis of rotation for changing between the first and second orientation and wherein the fan cover has a plurality fixing portions that are rotation-symmetrically arranged with respect to said axis of rotation.

9. The fan cover assembly according to claim 1, wherein the shielding member also has a plurality of fixing portions that are configured to be aligned with the fixing portions of the fan cover in both orientations of said fan cover.

10. A modular set for producing a fan cover assembly according to claim 1, the modular set comprising at least one of: at least a first shielding member and a second shielding member; or plurality of shielding parts which are combinable to provide at least a first shielding member and a second shielding member, each combination including at least selected ones of said plurality of shielding parts; wherein the first shielding member and second shielding member have different shapes and/or dimensions and wherein the modular set further comprises a fan cover that is arrangeable in the first shielding member to provide a fan cover assembly according to a first configuration, and that is arrangeable in the second shielding member to provide a fan cover assembly according to a second configuration.

11. The method for producing a fan cover assembly according to claim 9, comprising: providing a fan cover with a first aperture for receiving the rotatable shaft; providing a shielding member with a second aperture for receiving the fan cover; and arranging the fan cover in the second aperture with one out of a plurality of possible orientations with which the fan cover is arrangeable in the second aperture the selected orientation.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein providing the shielding member comprises: selecting one out of at least a first shielding member and a second shielding member; or combining at least selected ones out of a plurality of shielding parts to provide one of at least a first shielding member and a second shielding member, the first and second shielding member being producible from combinations of said shielding parts; wherein the first and second shielding member have different shapes and/or dimensions.

13. An assembly, comprising: a gearbox housing that is configured to receive a rotatable shaft with a fan mounted on the rotatable shaft; and a fan cover assembly according to claim 1,that is coupled to the gearbox housing; wherein the shielding member of the fan cover assembly comprises at least a first section and a second section that extend along different sides of the gearbox housing.

14. The assembly according to claim 13, wherein the gearbox housing comprises a first predetermined section for receiving the rotatable shaft to provide a first configuration of the assembly; and at least second predetermined section for receiving the rotatable shaft to provide a second configuration of the assembly, wherein the second aperture of the shielding member covers an area of the gearbox housing including both of the first and second predetermined section.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0063] FIG. 1 shows a fan cover assembly mounted to a gearbox according to a first embodiment.

[0064] FIG. 2 shows the gearbox of FIG. 1 with the fan cover assembly being removed.

[0065] FIG. 3 shows the fan cover assembly of FIG. 1 with the fan cover having a first orientation.

[0066] FIG. 4 shows the fan cover assembly of FIG. 1 with the fan cover having a second orientation.

[0067] FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of the presently proposed modular set.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0068] A gearbox 1 comprising a gearbox housing 10 to which a fan cover assembly 12 is attached is shown in FIG. 1. The gearbox housing 10 and fan cover assembly 12 form an assembly 100 according to an embodiment of this disclosure. The gearbox 1 is an industrial gearbox whose inner components (e.g. inner gear stages) are not visible in FIG. 1.

[0069] FIG. 2 depicts the gearbox 1 of FIG. 1 with the fan cover assembly 12 being removed. In the following, both of FIGS. 1 and 2 are discussed simultaneously, while some reference signs may be included in only one of said figures but equally apply to the other one. In both FIGS. 1 and 2, a vertical axis corresponds to a vertical axis in space which, however, is not mandatory. Positional references such as a bottom or top may refer to this vertical axis.

[0070] First referring to FIG. 2, the gearbox housing 10 has an exemplary box-like or cuboid shape. It has a front face 14 facing the viewer and a rear face 16 extending in parallel to but facing away from the front face 14. Further pairs of parallel faces are shown, one pair comprising a top face 18 and bottom face 20, another comprising two side faces 22. The front face 14 extends substantially orthogonal to the top and bottom face 18, 20 as well as to the side faces 22, whereas the side faces 22 extend substantially orthogonal to the top and bottom face 18, 20.

[0071] At the front face 14, an input shaft 24 is arranged which extends into the gearbox housing 10. The input shaft 24 can be driven by a mechanically connected device. A fan 26 is mounted on the input shaft 24 so as to jointly rotate therewith about an axis of rotation R. The fan 26 is configured to generate an airflow that contributes to the cooling of the gearbox 1. For example, the airflow generated by the fan 26 may flow along the gearbox housing 10.

[0072] In FIGS. 1 and 2, the input shaft 24 is depicted in a first position relative the gearbox housing 10 and generally assumes a first position within the gearbox 1. To that end, the gearbox housing 10 comprises a first predetermined section 29 for receiving the input shaft 24, said section 29 being concealed by the fan 26 in FIG. 2 and comprising a through hole for receiving the input shaft 24.

[0073] Yet, in the embodiment depicted here, the gearbox 1 and especially the gearbox housing 10 are configured to receive the shaft 24 also in a predetermined second position 30. A need to arrange the input shaft 24 at a specific one of the first and the second position may result from a specific inner configuration and/or number of gear stages of the gearbox 1. With the solution illustrated here, one and the same gearbox housing 10 can be used for both positions of the rotatable shaft 24. The second position of the input shaft 24 is indicated by a resulting alternative extension of the rotation axis R2 when the input shaft 24 is arranged in said second position.

[0074] Further, the location of the second predetermined section 30 in or at which the input shaft 24 can be received for arranging it in the second position is indicated in FIG. 2. Again, the second predetermined section 30 comprises a through-hole which, as in the embodiment depicted here, may be covered or blocked when not in use.

[0075] FIG. 2 also shows a number of spacers 32 at the front face 14. The fan cover assembly 12 and specifically its shielding member 40 and fan cover 42 discussed below are configured to be spaced apart from the front face 14 by said spacers 32. For example, the fan cover assembly 12 can be fixed to said spacers 32. To that end, the spacers 32 may comprise threaded portions, for example. The spacers 32 create a free space between the front face 14 and the fan cover assembly 12 which forms a channel for the airflow generated by the fan 26.

[0076] Referring to FIG. 1 in the following, the fan cover assembly 12 comprises the shielding member 40. Positions at which the shielding member 40 is fixed to the spacers 32 of FIG. 2 are indicated by bolt heads 44.

[0077] The shielding member 40 comprises an aperture 46 (herein referred to as second aperture 46) in which the fan cover 42 is received. The shielding member 40 has a front 100 extending substantially in parallel to the front face 14 of the gearbox housing 10. Further, the shielding member 40 comprises optional sections 102, 104 extending at an angle and typically orthogonally to the front 100. The number and orientation of said sections 102, 104 may vary.

[0078] An upper top section 104 extends along the top face 18 of the gearbox housing 10 but remains at a distance thereto. This creates an air gap or air channel, so that part of the airflow generated by the fan 26 is guided along said top face 18. This may locally increase cooling at the top face 18. In the example depicted here, this may contribute to the cooling of an input gear stage positioned close to the top face 18 within the gearbox housing 10 or, more precisely, to the cooling of oil that is present at and/or heated up by said input gear stage.

[0079] Differently put, the air that is guided over the top face 18 helps to indirectly cool down the oil inside the gearbox 1 by directly cooling down the gearbox housing 10. Typically, a thermal limit of the oil is a limiting factor of the power that the gearbox 1 may transmit. During operation, the oil inside the gearbox 1 often tends to accumulate around the fast spinning input gear stage. Thus, improving at least indirect cooling of the oil in this area may allow the maximum power which may be transmitted by the gearbox 1 to be increased.

[0080] The further angled section 102 equally creates air gap and guides part of the airflow along the adjacent side face 22 of the gearbox housing 10.

[0081] As a mere example, two further angled sections 106, 108 of the shielding member 40 are depicted (see also FIG. 5). These serve to reduce the gap between the front 100 of the shielding member 40 and the front face 14 of the gearbox housing 10. This promotes the air flow flowing or streaming through the dedicated air channels created by the sections 102, 104.

[0082] The sections 102, 104, 106, 108 may additionally shield the fan 26 from objects. For example, it is not possible to reach behind the front 100 from outside. As is further evident from the subsequent discussion of FIG. 5, the shielding member 42 comprises two shielding parts 45. These are connected to one another along an elongated linear joint 48. The connection is formed by rivets for which rivet holes 50 are provided in the shielding parts 45 (not all of which being marked with a reference sign in FIG. 1).

[0083] The fan cover 42 is a planar plate-shaped member whose outline matches the shape of the second aperture 46. It comprises an aperture 52 (herein referred to as first aperture 52) for receiving the input shaft 24 (see also FIGS. 3 and 4). The first aperture 52 is arranged at a center of a circular grid-like arrangement or pattern 54 of smaller apertures acting as vents. Air is drawn in by the fan 26 through said pattern 54.

[0084] The pattern 54 as well as the first aperture 52 are positioned off-center within the fan cover 40. That is, they are not concentrically arranged with respect to a geometric center positioned at half of the length L and half the height H of the fan cover 42, said geometric center not being specifically marked in FIG. 1.

[0085] Fixing the fan cover 42 and shielding member 40 to one another is discussed with reference to the subsequent figures in further detail.

[0086] In the embodiment depicted here, the fan cover 42 comprises two fan cover parts 56. These are joined to one another along a (second) linear joint 49. Again, this may be done by means of rivets for which rivet holes 50 are provided (not all of which being marked by reference signs). This linear joint 49 is aligned with the linear joint 48 along which the shielding parts 45 of the shielding member 40 are joined.

[0087] FIGS. 3 and 4 show the fan cover assembly 42 of FIG. 1 in different configurations. In FIG. 3, the fan cover 12 is arranged and oriented within the second aperture 46 according to the configuration depicted in FIG. 1. The first aperture 52 of the fan cover 12 displaced to the right with respect to the (not specifically indicated) geometric center of the fan cover 12.

[0088] In FIG. 4, the fan cover 42 is arranged within the second aperture 46 with a second different orientation. In this case, the first aperture 52 is displaced with respect to the (not specifically indicated) geometric center of the fan cover 42 to the left. In FIG. 3, a former center of the first aperture 52 is indicated at position M. Further, a distance D between said position M and the current position of the center of the first aperture 52 is indicated. Said distance D may amount to several centimeters, e.g. between 3 cm and 25 cm.

[0089] As evident from FIGS. 3, 4, changing the orientation of the fan cover 42 also means that a position of the first aperture 52 changes relative to the shielding member 40.

[0090] In order to switch between the different orientations depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4, the fan cover 42 can be rotated in a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction. The respective rotational axis thus extends orthogonally to a plane of the fan cover 42 depicted in FIGS. 3, 4 and/or in parallel to the rotation axis R of FIG. 1. Alternatively, the fan cover 42 can be rotated or flipped about a vertical rotational axis extending within the plane of the FIGS. 3, 4.

[0091] By changing an orientation of the fan cover 42 as explained above, the input shaft 24 can be received within the first aperture 52 when said input shaft 24 is arranged in any of its possible positions explained with respect to FIG. 2 and indicated by means of the rotational axes R, R2 in said FIG. 2.

[0092] FIG. 3 also shows that the fan cover parts 56 comprise a number of fixing portions 57 (not each of which is marked by a respective reference sign). The fixing portions 57 are configured as through holes for receiving rivets in order to fix the fan cover 42 to the shielding member 40. The fixing portions 57 form a rotation-symmetrical arrangement. As a result and as evident from a comparison of FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the arrangement of fixing portions 57 relative to the shielding member 40 does not change when altering the orientation of the fan cover 42. Differently put, regardless of said orientation, there are always fixing portions 57 at the same positions. Thus, corresponding fixing portions 59 (e.g. through holes for receiving rivets) of the shielding member 40, as discussed with respect to FIG. 5 below, can be used independently of the orientation of the fan cover 42. Specifically, these fixing portions 59 are always aligned with a fixing portion 57 of the fan cover 42 regardless of the fan cover's 42 orientation.

[0093] FIG. 5 shows a modular set 200 from which a plurality of possible fan cover assemblies 12 can be produced. Thus, depending on a currently provided gearbox 1, the components of said modular set 200 can be selected and combined to produce a fan cover assembly 12 whose dimensions and/or shape matches that of the gearbox 1. This includes for example selecting an orientation and/or position of the fan cover 12 so that its first aperture 52 matches a given position of the input shaft 24.

[0094] As a mere example, the modular set 200 comprises two fan cover parts 56 and four shielding parts 45. Any two of the shielding parts 45 may be combined to form a shielding member 40. Note that the orientation of the shielding parts 45 can be chosen differently from what is depicted in FIG. 5 (see different orientation of section 108 compared to section 108 in FIG. 1)

[0095] In FIG. 5, the above-mentioned section 108 of two of the shielding parts 45 can be seen particularly well. Further, connection sections 90 for connecting two shielding parts 45 are shown at some of the shielding parts 45. Said connection sections 90 from lower edge portions that are set back with respect to the front faces of the shielding parts 45. Thus, they slide behind a shielding part 45 with which a connection is supposed to be formed an e.g. contact a rear or inner side thereof. The connection sections 90 comprise though holes e.g. for receiving the previously discussed rivets.

[0096] As illustrated in the figures, at least one fan cover parts 56 may comprise a similar connection section 90 for connecting with the other fan cover part 56. The shielding parts 45 may also comprise set back connection sections 92 at the circumference of the second aperture 46. When the fan cover 42 is placed in said second aperture 46, it rests against these connection sections 92 and is typically flush with an outer front face of the shielding parts 45.

[0097] Further, said connection sections 92 comprise the fixing portions 49 that are aligned with the fixing portions 47 of the fan cover 42 when the latter is received in the second aperture 52 with any out of the possible plurality of orientations.

[0098] FIGS. 1-4 are drawn to scale, although other relative dimensions may be used. Further, FIGS. 1-4 show example configurations with relative positioning of the various components. If shown directly contacting each other, or directly coupled, then such elements may be referred to as directly contacting or directly coupled, respectively, at least in one example. Similarly, elements shown contiguous or adjacent to one another may be contiguous or adjacent to each other, respectively, at least in one example. As an example, components laying in face-sharing contact with each other may be referred to as in face-sharing contact. As another example, elements positioned apart from each other with only a space there-between and no other components may be referred to as such, in at least one example. As yet another example, elements shown above/below one another, at opposite sides to one another, or to the left/right of one another may be referred to as such, relative to one another. Further, as shown in the figures, a topmost element or point of element may be referred to as a “top” of the component and a bottommost element or point of the element may be referred to as a “bottom” of the component, in at least one example. As used herein, top/bottom, upper/lower, above/below, may be relative to a vertical axis of the figures and used to describe positioning of elements of the figures relative to one another. As such, elements shown above other elements are positioned vertically above the other elements, in one example. As yet another example, shapes of the elements depicted within the figures may be referred to as having those shapes (e.g., such as being circular, straight, planar, curved, rounded, chamfered, angled, or the like). Further, elements shown intersecting one another may be referred to as intersecting elements or intersecting one another, in at least one example. Further still, an element shown within another element or shown outside of another element may be referred as such, in one example.