GB2237096A

GB2237096A - Casing for coupling

Info

Publication number: GB2237096A
Application number: GB9021832A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gerd Ehrich; Joachim Mayer
Original assignee: Mannesmann AG
Current assignee: Vodafone GmbH
Priority date: 1989-10-11
Filing date: 1990-10-08
Publication date: 1991-04-24
Also published as: DE3934402A1; GB9021832D0; FR2652838A1; DE3934402C2

Abstract

A coupling (10) between a drive engine and the pump distributor gear of a functional unit is enclosed by a spacer element (5) firmly attached to the engine and gear casings respectively. The element has at least one access opening (7) to facilitate inspection and removal of the coupling (10) after disconnection. <IMAGE>

Description

1 COUPLING ASSEMBLY BETWEEN A DRIVE ENGINE AND A PUMP DISTRIBUTOR GEAR The

invention relates to a coupling arrangement between a drive engine and a pump distributor gear of an excavator or similar implement. Two known such arrangements are briefly described below.

In one known type of connection between the engine and the pump distributor gear in heavy construction machinery, the gear and the engine are directly connected together via a casing (the SAE casing), in which the coupling is also arranged. The complete coupling can only be replaced after the engine and gear have been separated and moved. Sufficient mobile crane capacity is required to move the heavy components. Connection parts on the engine and gear, such as hydraulic tubing, exhaust-gas pipes, etc., have to be disassembled beforehand. It is difficult to inspect and check the coupling without separating the engine and gear. As a consequence, repair and maintenance of this type of system necessitate substantial down time of the implement and production losses which these entail, in addition to any repair costs.

In another known type of connections the gear and engine are not connected together, being instead mounted separately on a steel structure. Power flows from the engine into the gear via a coupling and an articulated shaft. The articulated shaft compensates for machining allowances and vibrations of flexibly mounted components.

In this case simple inspections and disassembly of the coupling are guaranteed. However, the articulated shaft is an additional component which increases manufacturing costs and the overall length of the assembly and can therefore determine the length or width, according to the arrangement, of the machine as a whole.

The present invention is directed at a coupling assembly between an engine and a pump distributor hear which can be of short overall length, but nevertheless 2 facilitates easy assembly and maintenance. Such an assembly according to the invention comprises a spacer element firmly attached to the engine casing and the pump distributor gear casing, and a coupling extending within the element and connected to engine and distributor gear shafts by respective flanges, the spacer element being formed with at least one access opening with dimensions greater than the external dimensions of the coupling, whereby the coupling is visible and removable through the opening. The distributor is typically that of a functional unit such as an excavator. This design of assembly is highly compact, and the coupling can be easily removed through the opening in the spacer element after the coupling flanges have been detached from the gear and the engine. The coupling may also be visually checked through the assembly opening.

In assemblies of the invention the spacer element may be part of one of the engine casing or pump distributor gear casing, and have a flange at its distal.

end for securement. to the other casing. For example it may be formed with bores for sctews. The element is typically of annular cross section and can have opposite upper and lower openings facilitating removal of the coupling by means of a hoisting device after it has been disconnected. The coupling will normally be axially flexible to minimise the risk of binding at either connection.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a side view of the pump unit of an excavator; Figure 2 is an enlarged partially sectional elevation showing the coupling between an engine casing and a pump distributor gear casing shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a section view taken on line III of Figure 2; i5 3 Figure 4 is a partial elevation on arrow X in Figure 3; and Figure 5 is a plan view of the coupling assembly of Figure 3.

An engine casing 1 with a fan la is secured to one side of a coupling 10 and a pump distributor gear casing 3 to the other side on the frame 13 of an excavator via elastic shims 14. The coupling 10, which is provided with flanges 11, connects an engine shaft flange 2 to a flange 4 of thegear input shaft and is arranged in a spacer element 5, which is part of the pump,distributor gear casing'-3. The spacer element 5 has a flange 6 for attachment to the engine casing 2 by means of screws 12, and upper and lower openings 7, 8, through which a hoisting device can enter the coupling chamber and lift the coupling 10 to remove it after the screws 12 have been withdrawn, with the axial spacing between the flanges 11 being reduced slightly as soon as binding occurs. A further purpose of the openings 8 and 8, which are provided at the edge with reinforcement strips 9, is to enable the coupling 10 to be visually checked, so that irregularities which may cause breakdowns can be quickly detected.

4

Claims

1. A coupling assembly connecting a drive engine and the pump distributor gear of a functional unit, comprising a spacer element firmly attached to the engine casing and the pump distributor gear casing, and a coupling extending within the element and connected to engine and distributor gear shafts by respective flanges, the spacer element being formed with at least one access opening with dimensions greater than the external dimensions of the coupling, whereby the coupling is visible and removable through the opening.

2. A coupling assembly according to Claim 1 wherein the spacer element is a part of one of the engine or pump distributor gear casings and has a flange at its distal end for securement to the other casing.

3. A coupling assembly according to Claim I or Claim 2 wherein the spacer element has an annular cross section.

4. A coupling assembly according to any preceding Claim wherein the spacer element has two openings on opposite sides-of the coupling.

5. A coupling assembly according to any preceding Claim wherein the edges of said at least one opening 25 comprise reinforcement strips.

6. A coupling assembly according to any preceding Claim wherein the coupling is flexible.

7. A coupling assembly according to Claim 6 wherein the coupling flanges are axially movable relative 30 to one another.

S. A coupling assembly connecting a drive engine and the pump distributor gear of a functional unit substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Published 1991 atThe Patent OlIke. State House. 66/71 High Holbom. London WCIR4TP. Further copies may be obtained from Sales Branch. Unit 6. Nine Mile Point, Cwrnfelinfach. Cross Keys, Newport. NPI 714Z. Printed by Multiplex techniques ltd. St Mary Cray. Kent.

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