Coupling

Abstract

The present invention relates to a coupling comprising: an elastic body; the first connecting piece covers and is connected to the first side of the elastic body; the second connecting piece covers and is connected to the second side of the elastic body, and the second side is opposite to the first side; the first connecting piece and / or the second connecting piece cover the surface of the elastic body and are / is matched with the elastic body in a concave-convex mode.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of mechanical transmission, and in particular to a coupling. Background Art

[0002] In the fields of ships, power generation, etc., couplings are usually used to connect the rotating shafts between large mechanical equipment to ensure that the shafts can rotate synchronously and enable the equipment to work in conjunction.

[0003] Typically, the driving and driven shafts connected by a coupling have the same rotational speed. However, due to the complex working environment, the transmission process may experience anomalies, causing the driving shaft's speed to fluctuate and generate high torque. If this high torque is transmitted to the driven shaft, it may damage the working mechanism connected to the driven shaft.

[0004] Furthermore, some existing couplings incorporate a rubber layer to enhance radial centering capabilities. This rubber layer is typically connected to the flange through vulcanization. During long-term, high-power rotation, the vulcanized surface between the flange and the rubber layer is subjected to significant stress, making it susceptible to detachment and potentially damaging the coupling.

[0005] The above situations may cause the mechanical equipment to not operate normally and increase maintenance costs. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In view of the above problems, the present invention proposes a coupling, which can be used to solve at least one of the above problems.

[0007] The present invention proposes a coupling, comprising: an elastomer; a first connecting member covering and connected to a first side of the elastomer; and a second connecting member covering and connected to a second side of the elastomer, the second side being opposite to the first side; wherein the first connecting member and / or the second connecting member covers the surface of the elastomer and is concave-convexly matched with the elastomer.

[0008] The concave-convex fit between the elastomer and the first and / or second connectors enables torque transmission during coupling rotation. In this case, torque transmission between the elastomer and the first and / or second connectors does not require (or at least does not require complete) vulcanization or other bonding methods, thereby minimizing shear stress between the elastomer and the first and / or second connectors. This effectively prevents the first and / or second connectors from falling off the elastomer, thereby ensuring the structural stability of the coupling and extending its service life.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment, a connecting protrusion is provided on the surface of the first connecting member and / or the second connecting member covering the elastomer, and an elastic groove matching the connecting protrusion is provided on the elastomer, so that the concave-convex matching is achieved by the connecting protrusion and the elastic groove.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, a connecting groove is provided on the surface of the first connecting member and / or the second connecting member covering the elastomer, and an elastic protrusion is provided on the elastomer to cooperate with the connecting groove, and the concave-convex cooperation is achieved by the connecting groove and the elastic protrusion.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the connecting protrusion and / or the connecting groove has a circular, elliptical, triangular or rectangular contour, and the elastic groove and / or the elastic protrusion has a matching contour.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the top surface of the elastic protrusion and / or the bottom surface of the elastic groove is configured as a flat surface, a serrated surface or an arc surface.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the coupling further includes a first flange member and a second flange member, the second connecting member extends between the first flange member and the second flange member, and a metal diaphragm is provided on the side of the second flange member facing away from the second connecting member; the first flange member, the second flange member and the metal diaphragm are connected together by adjusting bolts, and the second connecting member is maintained between the first flange member and the second flange member.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, a disc spring is provided on a side of the first flange member facing away from the second connecting member, and the adjusting bolt passes through the disc spring for connection.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the disc spring covers the entire circumference of the first flange member, and the coupling also includes an auxiliary flange member arranged on the side of the disc spring facing away from the first flange member, and a plurality of adjusting bolts are evenly distributed on the circumference and pass through the auxiliary flange member, the disc spring, the first flange member and the second flange member.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the metal diaphragm is used to connect to the passive shaft; the first connecting member is constructed as a metal plate, used to connect to the active shaft.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, a friction plate is provided between the second connecting member and the first flange member and the second flange member, so that when the rotational speed of the second connecting member exceeds a threshold value, the second connecting member can slide relative to the first flange member and the second flange member; wherein the threshold value is adjusted by rotating the adjusting bolt. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0019] Figure 1 Shows a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a coupling according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 2 Shows Figure 1 A schematic enlarged view of part A in FIG;

[0021] Figure 3 Shows Figure 1 An exploded view of the partial structure of the coupling;

[0022] Figures 4 to 9 Shows Figure 3 Several illustrative embodiments of the elastomer in;

[0023] Figure 10 Another illustrative embodiment of a coupling is shown.

[0024] In the drawings, like parts are given like reference numerals, but the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0026] Figure 1 An embodiment of a coupling 100 according to the present invention is schematically shown. The coupling 100 can be used to connect between a driving shaft and a driven shaft (not shown) so that the driven shaft can rotate together with the driving shaft.

[0027] like Figure 1 As shown, the coupling 100 includes a first connecting member 110 and a second connecting member 130 in the form of a plate, and an elastomer 120 sandwiched between the first connecting member 110 and the second connecting member 130. The first connecting member 110, the second connecting member 130 and the elastomer 120 are constructed as coaxial annular structures to allow the active shaft and the passive shaft to pass through them. The first connecting member 110 covers one end face of the elastomer 120 and is vulcanized to the end face. The second connecting member 130 covers the other end face of the elastomer 120 and is vulcanized to the end face. As needed, other bonding methods or similar methods can also be used to connect the first connecting member and the second connecting member 130 to the corresponding end faces of the elastomer 120.

[0028] The first connecting member 110 can be constructed as a metal plate. A plurality of first connecting holes 112 (see Figure 3The annular drive shaft flange 111 can be connected by bolts passing through the first connecting hole 112. The drive shaft flange 111 is used to connect to the drive shaft. If needed, the first connecting member 110 and the drive shaft flange 111 can also be connected using other connection methods or directly constructed as an integral whole.

[0029] The elastic body 120 can be made of rubber. As needed, the elastic body 120 can also be made of other elastic materials.

[0030] The second connecting member 130 can also be constructed as an annular metal plate. The second connecting member 130 can be connected to the metal diaphragm 150 through the flange group 140. Figure 1 As shown, the metal diaphragm 150 is also constructed as an annular sheet and is coaxially stacked with the second connecting member 130. For example, the thickness of the metal diaphragm 150 can be between 0.1 mm and 2 mm, preferably approximately 1 mm. A passive shaft flange 151 is connected to the inner side of the metal diaphragm 150 for connection to the passive shaft. As needed, the passive shaft flange 151 and the metal diaphragm 150 can be connected using bolts or other connection methods, or they can be directly constructed as a single piece.

[0031] The elastomer 120 has a certain degree of deformation and relatively low tangential stiffness. Therefore, the configuration of the elastomer 120 provides the coupling 100 with the ability to compensate for radial misalignment. The metal diaphragm 150 is susceptible to axial deformation, so the configuration of the metal diaphragm 150 also provides the coupling 100 with the ability to compensate for axial and angular misalignment. The combined configuration of the elastomer 120 and the metal diaphragm 150 ensures that the driving and driven shafts connected by the coupling 100 are as coaxial as possible, maintaining this coaxiality even when subjected to various vibrations during operation. This effectively ensures the long-term, stable operation of the entire system comprising the driving and driven shafts, ensuring a long service life. Furthermore, the elastomer 120 has a high damping capacity, which reduces system vibration. Furthermore, only the connection between the driven shaft and the second connector 130 includes the metal diaphragm 150, while the connection between the first connector 110 and the driving shaft does not. As a result, even if the load on the driving shaft is very high, fatigue or even damage to the connection structure will not occur.

[0032] Therefore, the coupling 100 is particularly suitable for situations where large torque fluctuations may occur. For example, when a generator connected to the driving shaft short-circuits, a large electromagnetic torque is generated. The coupling 100 can prevent this large torque from being transmitted to the driven shaft.

[0033] Figure 2 The structure of connecting the second connecting member 130 and the metal diaphragm 150 together through the flange assembly 140 is shown in detail by partially enlarging the A portion. Figure 2 As shown, the flange group 140 includes a first flange member 141 and a second flange member 142. The first flange member 141 and the second flange member 142 are respectively arranged on both sides of the second connecting member 130. The first flange member 141 is generally constructed in an annular shape and is coaxially arranged with the second connecting member 130. The first flange member 141 includes a covering portion 141A arranged parallel to the second connecting member 130, and a connecting portion 141B extending vertically from the outer side of the covering portion 141A toward the second flange member 142. The second flange 142 is constructed as an annular flat plate and is coaxially arranged with the first flange member 141. An accommodating space is formed between the covering portion 141A and the connecting portion 141B of the first flange member 141 and the second flange member 142. As shown Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the outer side of the second connecting member 130 forms a narrowed platform 131. The outer side of the second connecting member 130 extends into the above-mentioned accommodation space, and the platform 131 is completely in the accommodation space.

[0034] like Figure 2 As shown, friction plates 160 are provided on the upper and lower end surfaces of the platform 131. A second connecting hole 132 is provided on the platform 131. The friction plate 160 is configured with mounting holes corresponding to the second connecting holes 132. The second connecting member 130 and the friction plate 160 can be fixedly connected together by means of rivets, pins, or bolts inserted through the mounting holes and the second connecting holes 132. Bolt holes are provided at corresponding locations between the connecting portion 141B of the first flange 141 and the second flange 142. Adjusting bolts 143 can be inserted through the bolt holes to connect the first and second flanges 141, 142 together, tightly sandwiching the platform 131 of the second connecting member 130 and the friction plate 160 between the covering portion 141A of the first flange 141 and the second flange 142. Furthermore, the adjusting bolt 143 passes through the metal diaphragm 150 disposed on the other side of the second flange 142, thereby securely connecting the metal diaphragm 150 to the second flange 142 and the first flange 141. Inner sealing rings 170A are also disposed between the covering portion 141A of the first flange 141 and between the second flange 142 and the second connecting member 130.

[0035] In this state, static friction is generated between the friction plate 160 and the covering portion 141A of the first flange 141 and the second flange 142, causing the first and second flanges 141, 142 to rotate along with the second connecting member 130. However, when the rotational speed of the second connecting member 130 is excessive, exceeding a threshold, the first and second flanges 141, 142 slip relative to the friction plate 160, preventing the rotational speed of the metal diaphragm 150 and the driven shaft, to which they are fixed, from exceeding the threshold. This protects the driven shaft and other connected devices from damage due to the instantaneous excessive rotational speed.

[0036] For example, the friction plate 160 may be made of copper-based powder metallurgy, or made of a resin-based composite friction material.

[0037] By turning the adjusting screw 143, the threshold value can be adjusted. Figure 2 In the embodiment shown, a disc spring 144 adapted to a single adjusting bolt 143 is provided on the side of the first flange 141 facing away from the second flange 142 (or the second connecting member 130). The provision of the disc spring 144 can increase the adjustment range of the threshold.

[0038] Additionally, an outer sealing ring 170B is provided between the connecting portion 141B of the first flange 141 and the second flange 142. This creates a sealed space, preventing foreign matter (e.g., dust, rainwater, etc.) from entering the space and affecting the friction interface, thereby effectively ensuring the stability of the friction threshold.

[0039] Furthermore, a wear-resistant ring 180 is provided on the inner side of the connecting portion 141B of the first flange 141. Wear-resistant ring 180 prevents direct contact and wear between the outer side of the second connecting member 130 and the connecting portion 141B. Wear-resistant ring 180 also radially positions the second connecting member 130 and wear-resistant ring 180 within the receiving space. Wear-resistant ring 180 can be made of polyurethane.

[0040] Figure 10Another embodiment of the structure of the flange group 140 is shown. As an alternative to the disc spring 144, a disc spring 144' covering the entire circumference of the first flange member 141 is provided on the side of the first flange member 141 facing away from the second flange member 142 (or facing away from the second connecting member 130). An auxiliary flange member 145 covering the entire disc spring 144' is also provided on the side of the disc spring 144' facing away from the first flange member 141. A plurality of adjusting bolts 143' and 143" pass through the auxiliary flange member 145 and the disc spring 144' and pass through the first flange member 141, the second flange member 142 and the metal diaphragm 150 in turn for connection. This is conducive to making the load uniform and free of unbalanced load, and is conducive to increasing the adjustment range of the threshold. Therefore, this arrangement is also very beneficial for working conditions with large torque fluctuations.

[0041] like Figure 3 As shown, a connecting protrusion 113 may also be provided on the surface of the first connecting member 110 facing and covering the elastomer 120. Accordingly, an elastic groove (not shown due to obscuration) corresponding to the connecting protrusion 113 is provided on the elastomer 120. A connecting protrusion 133 is provided on the surface of the second connecting member 130 facing and covering the elastomer 120. An elastic groove 123 corresponding to the connecting protrusion 133 is provided on the elastomer 120. When the first and second connecting members 111 and 130 are connected to the elastomer 120, the connecting protrusions 113 and 133 are inserted into the elastic groove 123. During rotation, torque transmission between the first and second connecting members 110, 130, and elastomer 120 is achieved through the cooperation between the connecting protrusions 113 and 133 and the elastic groove 123. This effectively ensures torque transmission while preventing vulcanization or other bonding failure between the first and second connecting members 110, 130, and elastomer 120, thereby helping to extend the service life of the coupling 100. In addition, this structure is more conducive to applying the coupling 100 to working conditions with larger torque thresholds and torque fluctuations.

[0042] like Figure 4 As shown, the bottom surface 123A of the elastic groove 123 can be a plane.

[0043] like Figure 5 As shown, the bottom surface 123A of the elastic groove 123 can be a serrated surface or a wavy surface.

[0044] like Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the bottom surface 123A of the elastic groove 123 can be a convex or concave arc surface.

[0045] exist Figure 3In the illustrated embodiment, the connecting protrusions 113, 133 and the elastic groove 123 all have rectangular profiles. However, as required, the connecting protrusions 113, 133 and the elastic groove 123 may also have circular, elliptical, triangular or other shaped profiles.

[0046] like Figure 8 As shown, the profile of the elastic groove 123 may be an inverted trapezoid.

[0047] like Figure 9 As shown, the profile of the elastic groove 123 may be trapezoidal.

[0048] The ability of the elastic body 120 to transmit torque can be adjusted by adjusting the profile of the elastic groove 123 .

[0049] The depth of the elastic groove 123 can be determined according to the torque to be transmitted and the thickness of the elastic body 120 .

[0050] Furthermore, in another alternative embodiment, the connecting protrusions 113, 133 on the first connecting member 110 and / or the second connecting member 130 may also be replaced with connecting grooves. In this case, the elastic grooves on the elastic body 120 are correspondingly replaced with elastic protrusions. The elastic protrusions and the connecting grooves cooperate with each other.

[0051] Other concave-convex matching forms may also be adopted between the first connecting member 110 and / or the second connecting member 130 and the elastic body 120. For example, the entire surface of the elastic body 120 and the corresponding entire surface of the first connecting member 110 and / or the second connecting member 130 may also be configured as a wave shape.

[0052] In addition, when the elastic body 120 has a larger diameter, the elastic body 120 can be formed by splicing multiple elastic elements in the circumferential direction to form a complete ring, which is conducive to convenient processing.

[0053] When the elastic body 120 is spliced by multiple sections of elastic elements, the elastic groove is formed by leaving gaps between the elastic elements. In this case, the elastic groove runs through the entire elastic body 120 in the axial direction. The connecting protrusion can extend into the elastic groove that runs through.

[0054] While the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, various modifications may be made and equivalent components may be substituted without departing from the scope of the present invention. In particular, the various technical features described in the various embodiments may be combined in any manner, provided no structural conflicts exist. The present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, but encompasses all technical solutions within the scope of the claims.

[0055] Reference Signs List

[0056] 100 Coupling

[0057] 110 first connecting piece

[0058] 111 driving shaft flange

[0059] 112 First connection hole

[0060] 113 connection protrusion

[0061] 120 elastomer

[0062] 123 elastic groove

[0063] 123A bottom

[0064] 130 Second connecting piece

[0065] 131 stage

[0066] 132 Second connection hole

[0067] 133 connection protrusion

[0068] 140 flange set

[0069] 141 First flange

[0070] 141A Coverage

[0071] 141B connection part

[0072] 142 Second flange

[0073] 143, 143', 143" adjusting bolts

[0074] 144, 144' disc spring

[0075] 145 Auxiliary flange

[0076] 150 Metal Diaphragm

[0077] 151 Passive shaft flange

[0078] 160 friction plate

[0079] 170A inner seal

[0080] 170B outer seal

[0081] 180 wear ring

Claims

1. A coupling comprising: Elastomers; a first connecting member covering and connected to a first side of the elastic body; as well as a second connecting member covering and connected to a second side of the elastic body, the second side being opposite to the first side; Wherein, the first connecting member and / or the second connecting member covers the surface of the elastomer and has a concave-convex fit with the elastomer.

2. The coupling according to claim 1, characterized in that A connecting protrusion is provided on the surface of the first connecting member and / or the second connecting member covering the elastic body, and an elastic groove matching with the connecting protrusion is provided on the elastic body, and concave-convex matching is achieved by the connecting protrusion and the elastic groove.

3. The coupling according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: A connecting groove is provided on the surface of the first connecting member and / or the second connecting member covering the elastic body, and an elastic protrusion is provided on the elastic body to match the connecting groove, and concave-convex matching is achieved through the connecting groove and the elastic protrusion.

4. The coupling according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The connecting protrusion and / or the connecting groove have a circular, elliptical, triangular or rectangular contour, and the elastic groove and / or the elastic protrusion have a matching contour.

5. The coupling according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The top surface of the elastic protrusion and / or the bottom surface of the elastic groove are configured as a flat surface, a serrated surface or an arc surface.

6. The coupling according to claim 1, wherein: The coupling also includes a first flange and a second flange, the second connecting member extends between the first flange and the second flange, and a metal diaphragm is provided on the side of the second flange facing away from the second connecting member; the first flange, the second flange and the metal diaphragm are connected together by adjusting bolts, and the second connecting member is maintained between the first flange and the second flange.

7. The coupling according to claim 6, characterized in that A disc spring is provided on a side of the first flange facing away from the second connecting member, and the adjusting bolt passes through the disc spring for connection.

8. The coupling according to claim 6, characterized in that The disc spring covers the entire circumference of the first flange member, and the coupling also includes an auxiliary flange member arranged on the side of the disc spring facing away from the first flange member. Multiple adjusting bolts are evenly distributed on the circumference and pass through the auxiliary flange member, disc spring, first flange member and second flange member.

9. The coupling according to claim 6, characterized in that The metal diaphragm is used to connect with the passive shaft; the first connecting member is constructed as a metal plate and is used to connect with the active shaft.

10. The coupling according to claim 6, wherein: A friction plate is provided between the second connecting member and the first flange member and the second flange member, so that when the rotation speed of the second connecting member exceeds a threshold value, the second connecting member can slide relative to the first flange member and the second flange member; The threshold is adjusted by rotating the adjusting bolt.

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