Axially telescopic corrugated pipe coupling

Abstract

The utility model discloses an axially telescopic corrugated pipe coupling which comprises connecting seats mounted at two ends of a corrugated pipe, and coupling connectors are mounted on the outer sides of the connecting seats at the two ends; a butt joint disc is arranged at the bottom of the inner side of the connecting base, a limiting assembly is installed between the top of the butt joint disc and the edge of the inner side of the connecting base, a plurality of moving grooves are formed in the outer wall of the coupler connector, and limiting plates matched with the limiting assembly are arranged in the moving grooves. According to the utility model, the compression spring in the limiting assembly is matched with the positioning column, so that the axial elastic stretching of the coupling connector is realized, the axial displacement of a shaft system caused by thermal expansion, vibration or installation error can be absorbed, and the damage of rigid impact to equipment is avoided; the flexible characteristic of the corrugated pipe can compensate radial deviation and angular deviation, non-axial displacement is further restrained through sliding fit of the limiting plate and the moving groove, and stress concentration caused by unbalance loading is prevented.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model specifically relates to an axially expandable bellows coupling. Background Technology

[0002] Couplings, as key components in mechanical transmission systems, are mainly used to connect two shafts or a shaft and a rotating component to transmit motion and torque. Bellows couplings transmit motion by directly welding or bonding a thin-walled, corrugated tube to two coupling halves. They are simple in structure, small in size, easy to process and install, and offer high transmission accuracy. They are primarily used in low-power precision machinery and control mechanisms requiring compact structures and high transmission precision. They are widely used in industrial machinery such as robot transmission systems, CNC machine tools, and indexing tables, ensuring high-precision rotation control while reducing errors and improving motion accuracy.

[0003] In practical applications, traditional bellows couplings are prone to deformation and compression under axial loads, affecting their performance. For example, in equipment with significant axial impact or relative axial displacement between shafts, this can lead to coupling failure or affect transmission accuracy. Because the bellows needs to continuously expand and contract for compensation, it is more susceptible to aging and damage. Furthermore, the bellows components and half-couplings in common bellows couplings are often fixed together by welding, making disassembly and replacement inconvenient, and discarding the entire unit wastes equipment costs. With the continuous advancement of industrial technology, equipment operating conditions are becoming increasingly complex. Traditional bellows couplings often experience stress concentration and fatigue damage when subjected to torque and axial displacement, making it difficult to meet the requirements for high reliability and long service life under complex operating conditions.

[0004] Therefore, it is necessary to invent an axially expandable bellows coupling to solve the above problems. Utility Model Content

[0005] (a) Purpose of the utility model

[0006] To address the technical problems existing in the background art, this utility model proposes an axially expandable bellows coupling, which can expand and contract axially, thus extending its service life.

[0007] (II) Technical Solution

[0008] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution: an axially expandable bellows coupling, including connecting seats installed at both ends of the bellows, and coupling connectors installed on the outer sides of the connecting seats at both ends;

[0009] The bottom inner side of the connecting seat is provided with a mating plate. A limiting component is installed between the top of the mating plate and the inner edge of the connecting seat. The outer wall of the coupling head is provided with multiple moving grooves. Each of the multiple moving grooves is provided with a limiting plate that cooperates with the limiting component. The coupling head moves inside the connecting seat through the limiting plate and the limiting component.

[0010] Preferably, the limiting component includes a limiting pad disposed on the inner edge of the opening of the connecting seat, a positioning post in the middle of the limiting pad, a positioning plate fixed at the other end of the positioning post, the positioning plate fixed on one side of the docking plate, the limiting plate placed in the moving groove, and a positioning groove left between the limiting plate and the bottom of the groove, a compression spring fixed outside the positioning post between the limiting plate and the limiting pad, the positioning groove matching the positioning plate, and a moving hole in the middle of the limiting plate, the moving hole accommodating the movement of the positioning post, that is, the coupling connector moving telescopically within the connecting seat.

[0011] Preferably, the positioning plate and the limiting pad have the same shape, and the cross-sectional shape of the moving groove matches the limiting pad and the positioning plate.

[0012] Preferably, the size of the mating disc is the same as the size of the coupling connector, and both have a connection hole in the middle.

[0013] Preferably, the other side of the connecting seat is provided with a fixing groove on the back of the docking plate, and the fixing groove is provided on the back of both sides of the connecting seat. The two ends of the corrugated pipe are provided with fixing rings, and the two fixing rings are respectively fixed in the fixing grooves on both sides.

[0014] Preferably, the compression spring extends and retracts within the moving groove, and the size of the compression spring is smaller than the size of the limiting plate.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the above-mentioned technical solution of this utility model are:

[0016] 1. This utility model achieves axial elastic expansion and contraction of the coupling head by cooperating with the compression spring in the limiting component and the positioning column. It can absorb the axial displacement of the shaft system caused by thermal expansion, vibration or installation error, and avoid damage to the equipment by rigid impact.

[0017] 2. This utility model can compensate for radial and angular deviations by utilizing the flexibility of the corrugated pipe itself, while the sliding fit between the limiting plate and the moving groove further constrains non-axial displacement and prevents stress concentration caused by off-center loading. Attached Figure Description

[0018] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments recorded in this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings.

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of this utility model;

[0020] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram showing the overall structure of this utility model broken down.

[0021] Figure 3 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the connecting seat and coupling head of this utility model. Figure 1 ;

[0022] Figure 4 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the connecting seat and coupling head of this utility model. Figure 2 .

[0023] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0024] 1. Bellows; 2. Connecting seat; 21. Connecting plate; 22. Fixing groove; 3. Coupling connector; 31. Moving groove; 32. Limiting plate; 33. Positioning groove; 34. Moving hole; 4. Limiting assembly; 41. Limiting pad; 42. Positioning post; 43. Positioning plate; 44. Compression spring; 5. Connecting hole. Detailed Implementation

[0025] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solution of this utility model, the present utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0026] This utility model provides, for example Figure 1-4 The bellows coupling shown is axially expandable and contractible, including connecting seats 2 installed at both ends of the bellows 1, and coupling connectors 3 installed on the outer side of the connecting seats 2 at both ends.

[0027] Reference Figure 3-4 The bottom inner side of the connecting seat 2 is provided with a mating plate 21. A limiting component 4 is installed between the top of the mating plate 21 and the inner edge of the connecting seat 2. The outer wall of the coupling connector 3 is provided with multiple moving grooves 31. A limiting plate 32 that cooperates with the limiting component 4 is provided in the multiple moving grooves 31. The coupling connector 3 moves inside the connecting seat 2 through the cooperation of the limiting plate 32 and the limiting component 4.

[0028] In this embodiment, the installation of the fixed bellows involves embedding the fixing rings 11 at both ends of the bellows 1 into the fixing grooves 22 on the back of the connecting seats 2 on both sides, and fixing them by bolts or welding to ensure that the coaxiality error between the bellows and the connecting seats is ≤0.1mm.

[0029] Specifically, the limiting component 4 includes a limiting pad 41 set at the edge of the inner opening of the connecting seat 2. A positioning post 42 is provided in the middle of the limiting pad 41. A positioning plate 43 is fixed at the other end of the positioning post 42. The positioning plate 43 is fixed on one side of the docking plate 21. The limiting plate 32 is placed in the moving groove 31, and a positioning groove 33 is left between the limiting plate 32 and the bottom of the groove. A compression spring 44 is fixed outside the positioning post 42 between the limiting plate 32 and the limiting pad 41. The positioning groove 33 matches the positioning plate 43. A moving hole 34 is provided in the middle of the limiting plate 32. The moving hole 34 accommodates the movement of the positioning post 42, that is, the coupling connector 3 moves telescopically within the connecting seat 2.

[0030] In this embodiment, a limiting pad 41 is installed at the edge of the inner opening of the connecting seat 2, and a positioning plate 43 is fixed to one side of the docking plate 21 by a positioning post 42. A compression spring 44 is fitted onto the positioning post 42 and pre-compressed to 50% of the designed stroke.

[0031] In this embodiment, the limiting plate 32 of the coupling connector 3 is inserted into the moving groove 31, so that the moving hole 34 of the limiting plate 32 passes through the positioning post 42. The position of the limiting plate 32 is adjusted so that the positioning groove 33 is aligned with the positioning plate 43, ensuring that the coupling connector 3 can slide freely along the axial direction.

[0032] Specifically, the positioning plate 43 has the same shape as the limiting pad 41 and the limiting plate 32, and the cross-sectional shape of the moving groove 31 matches the limiting pad 41 and the positioning plate 43.

[0033] Specifically, the dimensions of the mating disc 21 are the same as those of the coupling connector 3, and both have a connecting hole 5 in the middle.

[0034] Specifically, the other side of the connecting seat 2 is provided with a fixing groove 22 on the back of the docking plate 21. Both sides of the connecting seat 2 are provided with fixing grooves 22 on the back. The two ends of the corrugated pipe 1 are provided with fixing rings 11, and the two fixing rings 11 are respectively fixed in the fixing grooves 22 on both sides.

[0035] Specifically, the compression spring 44 extends and retracts within the moving groove 31, and the size of the compression spring 44 is smaller than the size of the limiting plate 32.

[0036] In this embodiment, when the shaft system experiences axial displacement due to thermal expansion or load changes, the coupling connector 3 slides along the positioning post 42 via the limiting plate 32, and the compression spring 44 provides elastic resistance, with a maximum compensation of ±8mm. After the external force is released, the spring's rebound force drives the coupling connector 3 to return to its initial position, with a reset accuracy error ≤0.2mm. The U-shaped corrugated structure of the bellows 1 is bendable and deformable.

[0037] Specifically, the sliding fit between the limiting plate 32 and the moving groove 31 suppresses the transmission of lateral vibration, and the vibration attenuation rate is ≥60%.

[0038] In this embodiment, the precise fit between the positioning plate 43 and the positioning groove 33 eliminates backlash error, making it suitable for CNC machine tool spindles. The multi-layered bellows provides high torsional stiffness and a transmission efficiency ≥99.5%.

[0039] Specifically, if bellows 1 is damaged, it can be replaced simply by removing the fixing bolts 22, taking ≤30 minutes. There are no gears or slider friction pairs, extending the maintenance cycle to 5 years. The bellows and springs are made of Inconel 718 material, allowing continuous operation at 400℃. The 316L stainless steel surface is passivated, making it resistant to acidic and alkaline media with pH 2-12.

[0040] The foregoing description only illustrates certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Undoubtedly, those skilled in the art can modify the described embodiments in various ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the above drawings and descriptions are illustrative in nature and should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. An axially telescoping bellows coupling characterized by: It includes the connecting seat (2) installed at both ends of the bellows (1), and the shaft coupling connector (3) is installed outside the connecting seat (2) at both ends. The bottom of the inner side of the connecting seat (2) is provided with a butt joint disc (21), and the top of the butt joint disc (21) and the inner side edge of the connecting seat (2) are provided with a limiting assembly (4), the outer wall of the shaft coupling connector (3) is provided with a plurality of moving grooves (31), a plurality of limiting plates (32) matched with the limiting assembly (4) are arranged in the moving grooves (31), and the shaft coupling connector (3) is moved in the connecting seat (2) by matching the limiting plate (32) with the limiting assembly (4).

2. An axially telescoping bellows coupling as defined in claim 1 wherein: The limiting assembly (4) includes a limiting pad (41) arranged at the opening edge of the inner side of the connecting seat (2), the middle part of the limiting pad (41) is provided with a positioning column (42), the other end of the positioning column (42) is further fixed with a positioning plate (43), the positioning plate (43) is fixed on one side of the butt joint disc (21), the limiting plate (32) is arranged in the moving groove (31), and a positioning groove (33) is left between the limiting plate (32) and the groove bottom, the positioning column (42) is fixed with a compression spring (44) between the limiting plate (32) and the limiting pad (41) outside, the positioning groove (33) is matched with the positioning plate (43), the middle part of the limiting plate (32) is provided with a moving hole (34), and the positioning column (42) is moved in the moving hole (34), that is, the shaft coupling connector (3) is telescopic in the connecting seat (2).

3. An axially telescoping bellows coupling as defined in claim 2 wherein: The shapes of the positioning plate (43), the limiting pad (41) and the limiting plate (32) are consistent, and the cross-sectional shape of the moving groove (31) matches the limiting pad (41) and the positioning plate (43).

4. An axially telescoping bellows coupling as defined in claim 1 wherein: The size of the butt joint disc (21) is consistent with the size of the shaft coupling connector (3), and the middle part of both is provided with a connecting hole (5).

5. An axially telescoping bellows coupling as defined in claim 1 wherein: The other side of the connecting seat (2) is further provided with a fixed groove (22) on the back of the butt joint disc (21), the back of the connecting seat (2) is provided with the fixed groove (22) on both sides, and the both ends of the bellows (1) are provided with a fixed ring (11), and the both ends of the fixed ring (11) are fixed in the fixed groove (22) on both sides.

6. An axially telescoping bellows coupling as defined in claim 2 wherein: The compression spring (44) is telescopic in the moving groove (31), and the size of the compression spring (44) is smaller than the size of the limiting plate (32).

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