Drive unit for driving agricultural implements or for effecting the drive in agricultural implements

US5408887A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• GKN Walterscheid GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Andreas Roth · Karlsruhe, DE
• Hans Langen · Frechen, DE
• Hubert Grosse-Entrup · Lohmar, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 8, 1993
• Grant date: Apr 25, 1995
• Expiry date: Nov 8, 2013

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F16H59/16
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A drive unit 1 for driving agricultural implements or effecting the drive in agricultural implements, has an input shaft 4 and at least one output shaft 10, 10a and a torque measuring device associated with at least one of the shafts 4 or 10, 10a. The shafts 4, 10, 10a are rotatably held in two spaced bearings 5, 6, 13, 14. To determine shaft twisting as representative of the shaft torque, strain gauges 32, 32a are provided and associated with the first shaft 4. The gauges 32, 32a are attached to the outer face 19 of the first shaft 4 between its bearings 5, 6. An electronic measuring unit 31 is arranged and protected in a transverse bore 26 of the shaft 4. Slip rings, which serve to transmit values and energy, are arranged in a separate, sealed receiving space 33 outside the drive housing filled with lubricant, towards the connecting journal 7 of the first shaft 4. By arranging the electronic measuring unit 31 in a transverse bore 26 it is ensured that even at higher speeds, no rotational out-balance occurs. Furthermore, the measuring unit 31 is protected.