TRANSMISSION HAVING A FAN ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A transmission includes a fan assembly, including a fan wheel, a hood, and a guard. The fan wheel is connected to the driving shaft of the transmission for conjoint rotation, and the hood is attached to a, e.g., multi-piece retaining frame fastened to the housing of the transmission. The guard is formed of two guard parts, and the first parting line thereof is a straight segment or formed of two straight segments in alignment with each other. The hood is formed from two hood parts, and the second parting line thereof is a flat curve including straight line segments.

Claims

1-15. (canceled)

16. A transmission, comprising: a fan assembly including a fan wheel connected to a driving shaft of the transmission for conjoint rotation, a hood attached to a retaining frame fastened to a housing of the transmission and formed of a first hood part and a second hood part, and a guard; and a cover part adjacent to the first hood part and supported and/or retained by at least one tab connected to the housing of the transmission and/or attached to the housing of the transmission; wherein a region covered by the cover part in an axial direction is spaced apart from a region covered by the first hood part in the axial direction or is adjacent thereto; wherein the axial direction is a direction of an axis of rotation of the driving shaft; wherein the hood and the cover part are arranged such that a portion of an air stream transported by the fan wheel is guided between the housing of the transmission and the cover part by the hood and the cover part; wherein a circumferential angle range covered by a first guard part in a circumferential direction is adjacent to, but not overlapping, a circumferential angle range covered by a second guard part in the circumferential direction; wherein a circumferential angle range covered by the first hood part in the circumferential direction is adjacent to, but not overlapping, a circumferential angle range covered by the second hood part in the circumferential direction; and wherein a circumferential angle range covered by the first guard part in the circumferential direction overlaps the circumferential angle range covered by the first hood part.

17. The transmission according to claim 16, wherein the hood is arranged as a fan hood, and the retaining frame is arranged as a multi-piece retaining frame.

18. The transmission according to claim 16, wherein the guard includes the first guard part and the second guard part, each of the first guard part and the second guard part connected to each of the two hood parts.

19. The transmission according to claim 18, wherein each of the first guard part and the second guard part is screw-connected to each of the two hood parts, the first guard part is connected to both the first hood part and the second hood part, and the second guard part is connected to both the first hood part and the second hood part.

20. The transmission according to claim 16, wherein a surface region of the housing of the transmission connected to the tab is flat and is encompassed by a first plane, a connecting region of the cover part contacting the tab or adjacent to the tab is flat and is encompassed by a second plane, and the first plane and the second plane are not aligned parallel to each other.

21. The transmission according to claim 16, wherein the tab is arranged as a stamped, bent part.

22. The transmission according to claim 21, wherein the tab is connected to the cover part by a screw including a screw head that presses the cover part and the tab against a nut into which the screw is threaded.

23. The transmission according to claim 21, wherein the tab is integral to the cover part and/or the tab is arranged as an integral bent region on the cover part.

24. The transmission according to claim 16, wherein a screw head of a screw threaded into a threaded hole of the housing presses the tab against the housing.

25. The transmission according to claim 16, wherein the cover part is connected to the first hood part.

26. The transmission according to claim 16, wherein each guard part is arranged as a polygon, a contact surface between each guard part and a corresponding hood part including flat surface pieces.

27. The transmission according to claim 16, wherein a first parting line between the guard parts is arranged as a straight line or as two straight lines aligned with each other, a second parting line between the first hood part and the second hood part is arranged as a flat curve including straight line segments, the first parting line and an axis of rotation of the driving shaft defining a first plane, the second parting line and the axis of rotation of the driving shaft defining a second plane, the second plane is oriented perpendicular or at an angle between 30° and 90° to the first plane.

28. The transmission according to claim 16, wherein the hood includes an axially penetrating cutout.

29. The transmission according to claim 28, wherein the cutout is arranged centered relative to the driving shaft.

30. The transmission according to claim 28, wherein a tab region protruding into the cutout is arranged on each of the hood parts produced from sheet metal as stamped, bent parts, to which the first guard part or the second guard part is attached.

31. The transmission according to claim 30, wherein the first guard part or the second guard part is connected to the tab region by screws, each tab region including a welded nut including threaded holes for the screws.

32. The transmission according to claim 28, wherein a frame part welded onto an inner side of the corresponding hood part protrudes into the cutout on each of the hood parts produced from sheet metal as stamped, bent parts, to which the first guard part or the second guard part is attached.

33. The transmission according to claim 32, wherein the first guard part or the second guard part is connected to the frame part by screws, the frame part including welded nuts including threaded holes for the screws.

34. The transmission according to claim 28, wherein the cutout is fully covered by the guard, and/or by the first guard part and the second guard part.

35. The transmission according to claim 34, wherein an axially inflowing air stream passes through the guard.

36. The transmission according to claim 16, wherein the first guard part and the second guard part make contact along a first parting line or have a distance from each other of less than 5 mm.

37. The transmission according to claim 16, wherein the first guard part and the second guard part make contact along a second parting line or have a distance from each other of less than 5 mm.

38. The transmission according to claim 16, wherein an air stream transported by the fan wheel exits between the housing of the transmission and/or flows along the housing of the transmission.

39. The transmission according to claim 16, wherein the hood includes an end face shaped as an irregular polygon in a circumferential direction and/or a radially outer circumference of the end face of the hood is shaped as an irregular polygon.

40. The transmission according to claim 16, wherein the first hood part, the second hood part, the first guard part, and/or the second guard part is arranged as a stamped, bent part.

41. The transmission according to claim 16, wherein a hand guard is attached to each hood part and/or on the inner wall of each hood part, and is disposed between the hood part and the housing of the transmission, the hand guard including penetrating guard openings permeated by an airflow transported by the fan wheel.

42. The transmission according to claim 16, wherein each hood part includes radially penetrating cutouts formed as a slit, elongated hole, or ellipse, a longest extent of each cutout being aligned in an axial direction.

43. The transmission according to claim 16, wherein each guard part includes a uniform and/or regular, flat grid of hexagonal cutouts and/or grid openings, axially penetrating through the guard part.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0046] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a transmission.

[0047] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a transmission.

[0048] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a transmission.

[0049] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a transmission.

[0050] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a transmission.

[0051] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of one of two pieces of a mounting frame.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0052] A transmission according to an example embodiment of the present invention having a fan disposed on the input side is illustrated in a perspective view in FIG. 1.

[0053] In contrast to FIG. 1, a first hood part 1 and a second guard part 4 are not illustrated in FIG. 2.

[0054] In contrast to FIG. 2, the components of the fan disposed outside of the housing 5 of the transmission are illustrated in an exploded view in FIG. 3, in which a mounting frame having two parts is illustrated.

[0055] In contrast to FIG. 1, the components of the fan disposed outside of the housing 5 of the transmission are illustrated in an exploded view in FIG. 4.

[0056] A transmission is illustrated in a perspective view in FIG. 5.

[0057] One of the two pieces of the mounting frame 32 is illustrated in a perspective view in FIG. 6.

[0058] As illustrated, the transmission has an input shaft 6 rotatably supported by bearings in a housing 5 of the transmission.

[0059] A fan wheel 20 is connected to the driving shaft 6 of the transmission for conjoint rotation and is enclosed by a hood assembly attached to a retaining frame 32 on the housing 5 of the transmission. The retaining frame 32 is implemented in a plurality of parts, e.g., two parts, and is attached to the housing 5 by fastening screws.

[0060] The hood assembly includes a first hood part 1 and a second hood part 2 both screwed on the retaining frame 32 by screws.

[0061] Each of the two hood parts 1, 2 covers a circumferential angle of 180° relative to the axis of rotation of the driving shaft 6. The parting line between the two hood parts 1, 2 extends vertically, for example.

[0062] The two hood parts 1, 2 thus form a fan hood for guiding the air stream transported by the fan wheel 20, so that the stream flows out of the fan hood 20 along the housing 5. The housing 5 of the transmission is roughly cuboid in shape. Because the fan wheel 20 is round, however, the fan hood formed by the two hood parts 1, 2 contacting each other or at least disposed very close to each other has a polygonal circumference. The air stream flowing out between the fan hood and housing 5 is thus as independent as possible of the circumferential angle. In other words, the air stream exiting the fan hood is distributed as uniformly as possible about the circumferential direction. An optimal cooling effect can thereby be achieved. The round fan wheel 20, for example, does not protrude past the corners of the cuboid, but rather only at the straight lateral surfaces. The fan hood does also protrude past the corners and thus guides an exiting air stream out to the corner regions of the cuboid as well.

[0063] Each hood part 1, 2 is implemented as a stamped, bent part, e.g., such that the circumference thereof includes a region having cutouts and is thus air-permeable, allowing an air stream coming from the radial direction to enter the fan hood.

[0064] The radial direction relates to the axis of rotation of the driving shaft.

[0065] The hood formed of the two hood parts 1, 2 is formed such that the hood includes an axially penetrating cutout, disposed at the center. Tab regions protruding into the cutout are also formed on the hood parts 1, 2 made of sheet metal as stamped, bent parts, on which a first or a second guard part 3, 4 is attached, e.g., attached by screws.

[0066] The cutout is thus completely covered by the guard parts 3 and 4. The axially inflowing air stream passes through the fan guard.

[0067] For providing a threaded hole for screws connecting the guard parts 3, 4 to the tab regions of the hood parts 1, 2, nuts are welded on the tab regions. The guard parts 3, 4 can thus be screwed on by the screws passing axially through a cutout of the corresponding tab region and threaded into the nuts, the screw heads thereof pressing against the corresponding tab region.

[0068] The two guard parts 3 and 4 contact each other along a straight line or are spaced apart by less than 5 mm along a straight line. The line is also referred to as the first parting line.

[0069] The first parting line and the axis of rotation of the driving shaft define a first plane.

[0070] The first hood part 1 contacts the second hood part 2 along a flat curve or is spaced apart by less than 5 mm along a flat curve. The flat curve is also referred to as the second parting line.

[0071] The second parting line is made of straight line segments.

[0072] The second parting line and the axis of rotation of the driving shaft define a second plane.

[0073] The second plane is not parallel to the first plane, but rather, for example, is aligned perpendicular thereto or at an angle at least between 30° and 90°.

[0074] Increased stability is thus achieved, because the hood parts 1, 2 and the guard parts 3, 4 are produced as stamped, bent sheet metal parts. The angle thus reduces or prevents the risk of a resonance vibration.

[0075] The guard parts 3, 4 each include a, e.g., regular mesh of penetrating cutouts. An air stream can thereby pass through axially and be drawn to the fan.

[0076] A hand guard 31 is disposed at the inner side of the first hood part 1, through which the air stream transported by the fan exits and flows out guided by the first hood part 1 such that the stream flows along the outer side of the transmission.

[0077] The first hood part 1 further includes a semicircular cutout, so that a bearing cover segment of a bearing cover covering the driving shaft protruding axially toward the cutout has a sufficiently large distance from the hood part 1, so that the air drawn in by the fan enters as uniformly as possible at the circumference through the cutout and thus also exits as uniformly as possible at the circumference of the fan hood, and the housing 5 is thus uniformly cooled.

[0078] A hand guard 31 is mounted on the cover part 30. Alternatively, a hand guard 31 can be attached at the inner side of the second hood part 2, through which the air stream transported by the fan exits and flows out guided by the second hood part 2 such that the stream flows along the outer side of the transmission.

[0079] As illustrated, the second hood part 2 further includes a semicircular cutout, so that a bearing cover segment of a bearing cover covering the driving shaft protruding axially toward the cutout has a sufficiently large distance from the second hood part 2, so that the air drawn in by the fan enters as uniformly as possible at the circumference through the cutout and thus also exits as uniformly as possible at the circumference of the fan hood, and the housing 5 is thus uniformly cooled.

[0080] The fan hood can also be affixed to a different transmission, in which the round bearing cover segment is not present or is disposed at a further distance. In this instance, the cutout on the first hood part 1 is closed off by mounting a cover part 30 and thus the air stream is guided better and more uniformly along the housing 5. Also in this instance, the cutout on the second hood part 2 is closed off by mounting a cover part 30 and thus the air stream is guided better and more uniformly along the housing 5.

[0081] When a coupling or an electric motor is connected to the driving shaft and is disposed axially near the fan hood, such that that no air can flow axially, that is, through the guard parts 3 and 4, it is nevertheless possible for air to flow to the fan radially through the hood parts 1 and 2.

[0082] Inflow of the air stream drawn in by the fan wheel is thus made possible from the radial and axial direction by the cutouts of the corresponding air-permeable region of the hood part 1, 2 and by the guard parts 3, 4.

[0083] The end face of the fan hood formed as an irregular polygon not only provides for uniformly distributing the air stream in the circumferential direction, but also provides for simple production of the two-part fan hood as stamped, bent parts. The bottom side of the transmission acts as a base surface or stand surface and is not permeated by the air stream.

[0084] The polygonal shape of the fan hood also, however, provides for flat tab regions to be formed, disposed on each hood part and bent away from the same, providing for simple attaching of the also polygonal guard parts 3, 4.

[0085] The cutouts of the air-permeable region on the guard parts 3 and 4 are also implemented as a hexagon and spaced uniformly apart from each other. The air-permeable region thus includes a flat, regular mesh of cutouts implemented as hexagons and penetrating axially through each guard part 3, 4. Optimized utilization of the mesh surface is thus made possible, e.g., retaining high stability despite as much air permeability as possible.

[0086] The hood parts 1 and 2, in contrast, include cutouts formed as a slit, elongated hole, or ellipse and penetrating radially, the greatest extent thereof being aligned in the axial direction. Because the cutouts are disposed in the end region of the hood parts 1, 2 adjacent to or facing toward each of the guard parts 3, 4, the elongated shape brings about as low a flow resistance as possible for radially inflowing air and sufficient stability for receiving and for supporting the guard parts 3, 4 by the hood parts 1, 2.

[0087] The hood parts 1 and 2 are expanded as little as possible for increasing stability. In order to allow the air stream to flow as efficiently as possible in the axial direction on the housing of the transmission, however, a cover part 7 is adjacent to the hood part 1 for guiding the air stream. The cover part 7 extends along the housing and is also attached to the housing by tabs 9.

[0088] The cover part 7, like the hood part 1, is produced as a stamped, bent part, e.g., as a sheet metal part. Tabs 9 also produced as stamped, bent parts, serve for attaching the cover part 7 to the housing. The, the connecting region of the cover part 7, e.g., such region of the cover part 7 to which the tabs 9 are connected and/or make contact, is flat in configuration. The connecting region of the cover part 7 is thus disposed in a plane not parallel to, e.g., not at a negligible angle to, a flat surface region of the housing of the transmission. The connecting region thus does not contact the surface region of the housing of the transmission in a flat manner, but only linearly, when the two parts contact each other. The tabs 9 therefore bridge the non-negligible angle present between the surface region and the connecting region.

[0089] The retaining frame 32 is implemented in two pieces, in which each of the pieces is implemented as a stamped, bent part. The retaining frame 32 is attached to the housing 5 on one side, e.g., by screws threaded into threaded holes, the screw heads thereof pressing the corresponding piece against the housing 5. On the other side, both hood parts 1, 2 are connected to each of the pieces. The hood parts 1, 2 are thus supported, e.g., retained, by the retaining frame 32 attached to the housing 5.

[0090] Each piece of the retaining frame 32 also includes an air guiding region protruding in the axial direction and thus guiding the air stream transported by the fan at least partially between the piece and the housing 5. A portion of the air stream thus flows through between the air guiding region of the piece and the housing 5. The retaining frame 32 is attached to the housing 5 and the air guiding region is thus retained in a self-supporting manner.

[0091] The cover part 7, in contrast, is attached to the housing 5 by the tabs 9.

[0092] A sheet metal part 50 is attached to the hood parts 1, 2, so that the transported air stream can be guided along the housing 5 in a directed manner.

[0093] For example, the tabs 9 are formed on the cover part 7 itself, in that the tabs are implemented as a bent region of the cover part 7. The tabs 9 thus need not be connected to the cover part 7, as the tabs are integrally formed, e.g., as a single part, on the cover part 7 itself and are bent such that the tabs contact the surface region of the housing of the transmission in a flat manner. Each tab 9 is pressed against the housing of the transmission by a screw head of a screw threaded into a threaded hole of the housing. A simple and inexpensive connection is thus achieved, although the region of the cover part 7 adjacent to the tab 9 is not aligned parallel to the surface region of the housing receiving the threaded hole.

[0094] The surface region is illustrated as a flat surface piece 10.

[0095] For the elliptical arrangement, the major axis of each ellipse is aligned in the axial direction.

[0096] For example, the fan hood is implemented as a plurality of parts rather than two parts.

[0097] For example, no tab regions are formed at the inner side of the hood parts 1, 2, but rather a polygonally shaped frame part is welded to each of the hood parts 1, 2. The perpendicular projection of the frame part in the axial direction is similar to a partial region of a polygon. The originally flat frame part is bent at each corner of the partial region of the polygon, so that each side of the frame part disposed between two adjacent corners of the polygon is flat and is aligned perpendicular to the hood part. The normal direction of the plane receiving the polygon is aligned in the axial direction. The corresponding hood part 1, 2 is thereby stabilized. For providing a threaded hole for screws connecting the guard parts 3, 4 to the hood parts 1, 2, nuts are welded on the frame parts. The guard parts 3, 4 can thus be screwed on by the screws passing axially through a cutout of the corresponding frame part and threaded into the nuts, the screw heads thereof pressing against the corresponding frame part.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0098] 1 First hood part [0099] 2 Second hood part [0100] 3 First guard part [0101] 4 Second guard part [0102] 5 Housing [0103] 6 Driving shaft [0104] 7 Cover part [0105] 8 Bearing cover [0106] 9 Tab [0107] 10 Flat surface piece [0108] 20 Fan wheel [0109] 30 Cover part [0110] 31 Hand guard [0111] 32 Retaining frame [0112] 50 Sheet metal part [0113] 60 Air guiding region of a part of the retaining frame 32