Compensating coupling for connecting two shafts with offset compensation

Abstract

Compensating coupling (1) for connecting two shafts in a misalignment-compensating manner, comprising a first connecting flange (2), a second connecting flange (3), a first elastic compensating element (4), a second elastic compensating element (5) and a rigid intermediate piece (6), wherein the first connecting flange (2) serves for attachment to a first shaft and is connected to the first elastic compensating element (4), which is also connected to the second elastic compensating element (5) via the intermediate intermediate piece (6), wherein the second elastic compensating element (5) is connected to the second connecting flange (3), which serves for attachment to a second shaft, wherein the intermediate piece (6) is connected by two intermediate piece elements (18, 19;36) is formed, which are detachably attached to one another about an axis of rotation (34) to form the central piece (6) and are centered on each other at their facing end faces (25) via first interlocking sections (26; 37) and second interlocking sections (27; 38), wherein the first interlocking sections (26; 37) and the second interlocking sections (27; 38) are designed as counterparts to each other and fit into each other in pairs, characterized in that the individual interlocking section (26; 27; 37; 38) is designed to project from the respective end face (25) of the individual central piece element (18, 19; 36) and is formed by a projection (28; 29; 44; 45) and a recess (30; 31; 43; 46), each radially adjacent to the projection (28; 29; 44; 45) and is designed to be recessed relative to each of the projections (28; 29; 44; 45), and that in the case of the individual form-fitting section (26; 27; 37;38) a respective transition (32; 33; 47; 48) of each projection (28; 29; 44; 45) into each depression (30; 31; 43; 46) is made along each circular arc, the radius of which has a center point lying on the axis of rotation (34).

Description

The invention relates to a compensating coupling for connecting two shafts with offset compensation, in particular for use in a drive train of a rail vehicle, comprising a first connecting flange, a second connecting flange, a first elastic compensating element, a second elastic compensating element and a rigid intermediate piece, wherein the first connecting flange serves for attachment to a first shaft and is connected to the first elastic compensating element, which is also connected to the second elastic compensating element via the intermediate intermediate piece, wherein the second elastic compensating element is connected to the second connecting flange, which is provided for attachment to a second shaft, wherein the intermediate piece is formed by two intermediate piece elements.The elements forming the central section are detachably attached to one another in a manner rotated about an axis of rotation and are centered on their facing end faces by means of first and second positive locking sections, wherein the first and second positive locking sections are designed as counterparts to each other and fit into one another in pairs, and wherein the first and second positive locking sections are arranged successively on the individual central section element in the circumferential direction. Furthermore, the invention relates to a drive train of a rail vehicle with a aforementioned compensating coupling. In the drive trains of rail vehicles, the use of compensating couplings is known to compensate for misalignments between the drive shaft of a (usually electric) traction motor and the input shaft of a wheelset gearbox. The reason for these misalignments is typically that the traction motor is usually suspended from a sprung bogie in the drive train, while the wheelset gearbox, as an axle-mounted gearbox, is usually supported directly on an unsprung axle shaft. This can lead to relative movements between the sprung traction motor and the unsprung wheelset gearbox during operation of the rail vehicle. To compensate for these misalignments, the compensating coupling is installed between the drive shaft and the gearbox input shaft.The connection between the elastic compensating elements of the respective compensating coupling is often established via an intermediate, rigid center piece, which is sometimes also made up of multiple parts. To reduce manufacturing costs, the center piece elements are also identical, with positive-locking connections between the center piece elements sometimes being implemented to hold them securely together and to relieve the load on the fastenings, which are usually designed as bolts. German patent DE 10 2020 203 864 A1 discloses a compensating coupling for connecting two shafts with offset compensation. This coupling comprises two connecting flanges and two elastic compensating elements, as well as a rigid center piece. This center piece connects the elastic compensating elements. The center piece consists of two identical, disc-shaped elements that are detachably connected to each other in a twisted position. This detachable connection is achieved via center piece screws, each of which fastens both center piece elements to one of the elastic compensating elements. Furthermore, when fastened, the compensating elements are positively centered relative to each other by means of interlocking sections, which fit together in pairs.In interlocking form-fitting sections, one section serves as the first form-fitting section, which forms a counterpart to a second form-fitting section. These form-fitting sections are designed as matching pins and countersinks or as recesses and projections. To enable the identical center piece elements to be attached to each other in a twisted manner, the form-fitting sections of each center piece element are arranged alternately in the circumferential direction as the first and second form-fitting sections. Starting from the prior art described above, the object of the present invention is to create a compensating coupling in which a central piece is formed by identically constructed central piece elements, whereby on the one hand a reliable centering of the central piece elements relative to each other should be achievable and on the other hand the compensating coupling should be able to be disassembled as simply as possible in the area of ​​the central piece formed by the central piece elements. This problem is solved starting from the preamble of claim 1 in conjunction with its characterizing features. The subsequent dependent claims each describe advantageous embodiments of the invention. Furthermore, claim 13 relates to a drive train of a rail vehicle with a compensating coupling according to the invention. According to the invention, a compensating coupling comprises a first connecting flange, a second connecting flange, a first elastic compensating element, a second elastic compensating element, and a rigid central piece. The first connecting flange serves for attachment to a first shaft and is connected to the first elastic compensating element, which is also connected to the second elastic compensating element via the intermediate central piece. The second elastic compensating element is connected to the second connecting flange, which is provided for attachment to a second shaft. Furthermore, the central piece comprises two central piece elements that are detachably attached to one another about an axis of rotation to form the central piece, and are positively centered relative to each other at their facing end faces by means of first positive locking sections and second positive locking sections.The first and second interlocking sections are designed as counterparts to each other and fit into each other in pairs, with the first and second interlocking sections being designed consecutively in the circumferential direction on the individual central element. The compensating coupling according to the invention is specifically designed to create an offset-compensating connection between the first shaft, which is attached to the first connecting flange, and the second shaft, which is attached to the second connecting flange, when installed. The compensating coupling according to the invention is particularly preferably designed for use in the drive train of a rail vehicle, wherein the first shaft is in particular a drive shaft of a drive motor of the drive train and the second shaft is preferably a gearbox input shaft of a wheelset gearbox of the drive train. The compensating coupling is preferably capable of compensating for axial and radial displacements, as well as angular displacements, between the two shafts to be connected and thus between the connecting flanges when a torque is transmitted between them. This is achieved by corresponding elastic deformations of one or both elastic compensating elements. Within the compensating coupling according to the invention, the first elastic compensating element couples the first connecting flange to the rigid central piece, whereby axial and radial displacements as well as angular displacements between the central piece and the first connecting flange are enabled by elastic deformations of the first compensating element. The central piece is also coupled to the second connecting flange, this coupling being effected via the intermediate, second elastic compensating element, which can realize axial and radial displacements as well as angular displacements between the central piece and the second connecting flange through elastic deformation. This allows even larger displacements between the two shafts connected via the compensating coupling to be easily accommodated when transmitting torque.Within the scope of the invention, the individual elastic compensating element can be designed as a thread-reinforced elastomer disc. The central section of the compensating coupling according to the invention is rigidly designed, meaning that torque transmission between the two elastic compensating elements coupled via the central section occurs with negligible deformation of the central section. Furthermore, the central section is multi-part, consisting of two central section elements. These two central section elements are preferably each disc-shaped, meaning that each central section element has at least the essential shape of a disc. Preferably, the two central section elements are made of a metallic material and are thus essentially rigid in order to jointly form the rigid central section. Most preferably, the individual central section element can be a forged part that has been precision machined in the relevant areas. To form the central section, the two central section elements are detachably fastened together, whereby the two central section elements are rotated relative to each other about an axis of rotation and, during fastening, are positively centered at their facing end faces. In particular, this positive-locking centering prevents transverse movements of the central section elements relative to each other, thereby relieving the load on separate, detachable fasteners in the transverse direction of the central section elements. The positive locking mechanism is achieved through first and second positive locking sections, with the first positive locking sections being counterparts to the second positive locking sections and vice versa. In the relative position of the two center piece elements, the first and second positive locking sections fit into each other in pairs, so that their interaction creates the positive locking mechanism. To achieve this positive locking mechanism, each first positive locking section on one center piece element interacts with each second positive locking section on the other center piece element. The individual center piece element is equipped with first and second interlocking sections, wherein the individual center piece element has at least one first interlocking section and at least one second interlocking section. Preferably, however, the individual center piece element has several first interlocking sections and several second interlocking sections. In order to achieve the interlocking centering as simply as possible when joining the two center piece elements, the interlocking sections of the individual center piece element can be arranged consecutively in the circumferential direction as first and second interlocking sections, so that when the two center piece elements are rotated relative to each other, a pairwise interlocking fit is achieved, with one first interlocking section of one center piece element and one second interlocking section of the other center piece element fitting together. Particularly preferably, the first and second positive locking sections on the individual center piece element alternate in the circumferential direction, so that in the circumferential direction on the individual center piece element, a first positive locking section is followed by a second positive locking section and vice versa. The invention now comprises the technical teaching that the individual form-fitting section is designed to project from the respective end face of the individual center piece element and is formed by a projection and a recess, each of which is radially adjacent to the respective projection and recessed relative to the respective projection. Furthermore, in the individual form-fitting section, a transition from each projection to each recess is provided along a circular arc, the radius of which has a center point located on the axis of rotation. In other words, the respective interlocking section projects from the respective end face where the respective center piece element is to be attached to the respective other center piece element. Each interlocking section consists of a projection and a recess, which are radially adjacent to each other. The recess is set back from the projection, meaning it projects less far from the respective end face. The transition where the projection and recess merge is arc-shaped, with the radius of this arc centered on the axis of rotation around which the center piece elements are rotated relative to each other. This design of the respective positive-locking section has the advantage that, firstly, a positive-locking centering of the two center-piece elements can be reliably achieved when the center-piece elements are connected. Secondly, because the transitions between the projections and the recesses of the opposing positive-locking sections are also circular arcs, with the centers of these arcs lying on the axis of rotation, the center-piece elements can be rotated relative to each other after the fastening is released. This rotation of the positive-locking sections can then eliminate the centering. Consequently, transverse movements of the two center-piece elements relative to each other can also occur, allowing the compensating coupling according to the invention to be easily separated and thus disassembled in the area of ​​the center piece. While it is possible to demonstrate that the compensating coupling of DE 10 2020 203 864 A1 can also be separated by moving the center piece elements axially apart, thereby also releasing the paired interlocking of the positive-locking sections, this requires a corresponding axial movement of the center piece elements relative to each other. Therefore, depending on the installation situation, disassembly of the compensating coupling of DE 10 2020 203 864 A1 may be difficult. In each individual interlocking section, the projection and recess are radially adjacent to one another. In the first interlocking sections, the projections are radially inward and the recesses radially outward, while in the corresponding second interlocking sections, the projections are radially outward and the recesses radially inward. Accordingly, the pairwise interlocking of the first and second interlocking sections is achieved in the correspondingly rotated position of the center piece elements by having the projections of each first and second interlocking section axially overlap and radially opposite each other.In terms of area, the individual form-fitting section can be divided evenly or unevenly between the one projection and the one recess. According to one embodiment of the invention, in the individual central element, spaces are formed circumferentially between the aforementioned form-fitting sections, the circumferential extent of which is greater than the circumferential extent of the projections of the form-fitting sections. Thus, between the aforementioned form-fitting sections, recessed areas are formed as spaces, the circumferential extent of which is greater than the extent of the projections of the form-fitting sections.This has the advantage that, after loosening the fastening and rotating the center piece elements relative to each other, the projections of the positive-locking sections of one center piece element can each engage in a gap of the other center piece element, allowing the center piece elements to be slid past each other transversely. This further simplifies the disassembly of the compensating coupling. In a further development of the invention, each individual form-fitting section has a circular cross-section. This allows the individual form-fitting section to be manufactured in a simple manner. Alternatively, within the scope of the invention, it is also conceivable that each individual form-fitting section has a cross-section defined by a section of a radial outer circumference, a section of a radial inner circumference, and two chords connecting these sections. Preferably, the connecting chords run essentially parallel to each other. According to one embodiment of the invention, each individual positive-locking section of the respective central element is designed with a circumferentially overlapping fastening point, at which a detachable fastening of the respective central element to the other central element is made. This allows the respective positive-locking centering to be realized surrounding each fastening point, at which the central elements are fastened to one another. In a further embodiment of the invention, the individual center element has an at least approximately polygonal shape, with a fastening point at each of its vertices, wherein each fastening point secures the respective center element to the other center element. Particularly preferably, the individual center element has the shape of a hexagon, with the two center elements then preferably being attached to each other rotated by an angle of 60° to form the center element. In addition to the fastening points located at the vertices, a positive-locking section is also preferably formed at each vertex, so that positive-locking centering is also achieved at these vertices when the center elements are rotated relative to each other. According to one embodiment of the invention, the first elastic compensating element is connected to the center piece via first center piece screw connections, which is further connected to the second elastic compensating element via second center piece screw connections. Advantageously, this allows for detachable connections between the center piece and the elastic compensating elements. In a further development of this embodiment, fastening points, at which each intermediate element is fastened via one of the intermediate element screws, follow one another circumferentially on each intermediate element and are designed alternately as through holes and as threaded holes. This allows for a suitable design of the compensating coupling in which the two intermediate elements are fastened to each other via the respective intermediate element screws by passing a screw from the respective compensating element through the respective fastening point of one intermediate element (designed as a through hole) and screwing it into the respective fastening point of the other intermediate element, for which purpose the respective fastening point of the other intermediate element is designed as a threaded hole.Preferably, each elastic compensating element can be equipped with a bushing at its respective screw-in point. In addition to a screw, a washer and / or locking washer can also be provided for each center piece screw connection. According to the invention, the center piece elements are detachably fastened to one another via the first center piece screws and / or the second center piece screws, wherein the fastening of the center piece elements to one another is effected in particular via both the first center piece screws and the second center piece screws. Particularly preferably, when fastened to one another, the center piece elements are in contact with each other at the positive-locking sections projecting from the end faces and are thereby preloaded against each other via the first center piece screws and / or the second center piece screws, wherein a contact area between the center piece elements, defined by the contact of the positive-locking sections, is designed to be large enough that, during preloading, a nominal torque to be transmitted by the compensating coupling can be frictionally transmitted between the center piece elements.This has the advantage that the respective screw connections are subjected primarily to tensile forces and not shear forces. In particular, the center piece elements are predominantly or completely coupled to each other by friction in the direction of rotation. According to one embodiment of the invention, the first connecting flange is connected to the first elastic compensating element via first flange connections, and the second elastic compensating element is connected to the second connecting flange via second flange connections. This also allows each individual connecting flange to be detachably attached to its respective elastic compensating element. In a load-free state of the compensating coupling according to the invention, and thus in an undeformed state of the two compensating elements, each flange connection is preferably at least approximately aligned with each of the center piece connections. In a further development of the invention, the center piece elements are designed identically to each other, i.e., the center piece elements have the same shape. This has the advantage that the center piece elements can thus be used as identical parts in the compensating coupling, thereby reducing the manufacturing effort for the compensating coupling. The invention further relates to a drive train of a rail vehicle, wherein a compensating coupling according to one or more of the variants described above is provided in this drive train. Particularly preferably, the compensating coupling connects a drive shaft of a drive motor to a transmission input shaft of a gearbox. The drive motor is, in particular, suspended from a sprung bogie in the drive train, while the gearbox is preferably located as an axle-mounted gearbox directly on an unsprung axle shaft. The compensating coupling according to the invention compensates for misalignments between the drive shaft and the transmission input shaft, which may be caused by relative movements due to the sprung arrangement of the drive motor with respect to the unsprung gearbox. Advantageous embodiments of the invention, which are explained below, are illustrated in the drawings. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a compensating coupling according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 shows a perspective close-up view of a central element of the compensating coupling from Figure 1, according to a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 3 shows a perspective view of an arrangement of two central elements configured according to Figure 2 for forming a central element of the compensating coupling from Figure 1; and Figures 4 and 5 show perspective close-up views of a central element according to an alternative, second embodiment of the invention. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a compensating coupling 1, which is designed according to a preferred embodiment of the invention and is intended for use in a drive train of a rail vehicle. The compensating coupling 1 comprises two rigid connecting flanges 2 and 3, two elastic compensating elements 4 and 5, and a rigid central piece 6. Of the two connecting flanges 2 and 3, one connecting flange 2 is provided for a rotationally fixed connection with a first shaft, while the other connecting flange 3 serves for a rotationally fixed connection with a second shaft.When the compensating coupling 1 is used in a drive train of a rail vehicle, the first shaft is preferably a drive shaft of a drive machine, in particular an electric machine, whereas the second shaft is preferably a gearbox input shaft of a wheelset gearbox coupled to the drive machine via the compensating coupling 1. The connecting flange 2 is detachably connected to the elastic compensating element 4 via flange fittings 7. For this purpose, the connecting flange 2 is equipped with threaded bores 8 into which fastening screws 9 of the flange fittings 7 are screwed from the side of the compensating element 4. The fastening screws 9 are guided through bushings in the compensating element 4 (not visible in this illustration) and their heads rest on a side of the compensating element 4 facing away from the connecting flange 2. In addition to the detachable connection to the connecting flange 2, the compensating element 4 is also detachably fastened to the center piece 6 by means of center piece screw connections 10. Each center piece screw connection 10 also comprises a fastening screw 11, which passes through a bushing 12 that is received in the compensating element 4. The fastening screw 11 of each center piece screw connection 10 is screwed into the center piece 6 and rests with its screw head on the compensating element 4 on the side facing away from the center piece 6, so that the compensating element 4 is fastened to both the connecting flange 2 and the center piece 6. As can also be seen in Fig. 1, the center piece 6 couples the compensating element 4 to the compensating element 5 by means of center piece screws 13. Each of these center piece screws 13 has a fastening screw 14 passing through a bushing of the compensating element 5 (not visible in Fig. 1) and screwed into the center piece 6, with the head of each fastening screw 14 resting on a side of the compensating element 5 facing away from the center piece 6. The compensating element 5 is also connected to the connecting flange 3 by fastening the compensating element 5 to the connecting flange 3 via flange screws 15.Each individual flange connection 15 has a fastening screw 16, which passes through a bushing 17 received in the compensating element 5. The respective fastening screw 16 is then screwed into a threaded bore (not visible in the present illustration) on the side of the connecting flange 3 and rests with its screw head on a side of the compensating element 5 facing away from the connecting flange 3. The elastic compensating elements 4 and 5 and the central piece 6 enable torque transmission between the connecting flange 2 and the connecting flange 3, whereby the two compensating elements 4 and 5 can allow axial offsets, radial offsets and angular offsets between the connecting flanges 2 and 3 and thus also between the shafts connected hereto in a rotationally fixed manner by means of elastic deformations. As can be seen in Fig. 1, in an unloaded state of the compensating coupling 1 and thus also in undeformed states of the compensating elements 4 and 5, one of the center piece screw connections 13 is essentially aligned with one of the flange screw connections 7, while one of the center piece screw connections 10 is at least largely aligned with one of the flange screw connections 15. The rigid center piece 6 comprises two rigid center piece elements 18 and 19, which are identical in design and each correspond to a first embodiment of the invention. As can be seen from the perspective view of center piece element 18 in Fig. 2, the respective center piece element 18 or 19 is disc-shaped and equipped with several fastening points 20 and 21, of which the fastening points 20 each serve to guide the fastening screws 11 of the center piece screw connections 10 through, while the fastening points 21 each provide for screwing in the fastening screws 14 of the center piece screw connections 13. For this purpose, the fastening points 20 are designed as through holes 22, whereas the fastening points 21 each have threaded holes 23.In this case, the middle piece element 18 is extended on the sections forming the through holes 22 compared to the sections forming the threaded holes 23. The six fastening points 20 and 21 are equidistant from each other along the circumference of the central element 18, which, together with the design of an inner circumference 24, gives the central element 18 a polygonal shape in the form of a hexagon. One of the fastening points 20 and one of the fastening points 21 are located at each vertex of the hexagon. On an end face 25 of the central element 18, interlocking sections 26 and 27 are formed, each projecting from the end face 25 relative to the remaining central element 18. Interlocking sections 26 and 27 are each formed by a projection 28 or 29 and a recess 30 or 31, respectively, which is recessed relative to the projection 28 or 29. In interlocking sections 26, the projection 28 is radially internal to the recess 30, while in interlocking sections 27, the projection 29 is radially external to the recess 31. A transition 32 or 33, through which the projection 28 or 29 of the interlocking section 26 or 27 transitions into the recess 30 or 31, and vice versa, is circularly arc-shaped.The circular arcs of the transitions 32 and 33 are each designed with essentially the same radius, the center of which lies on a rotation axis 34 of the middle section 18. The interlocking sections 26 and 27 each have a circular cross-section and, like the fastening points 20 and 21, are each located at one of the vertices of the hexagon. Thus, the interlocking sections 26 and 27 each overlap one of the fastening points 20 and 27 in the circumferential direction, with the fastening points 20 and 27 specifically located at the center point of the respective circular cross-section of the interlocking section 26 and 27, respectively. Furthermore, each interlocking section 26 or 27 is divided approximately equally into the respective projection 28 or 29 and the respective recess 30 or 31. In the central element 18, the interlocking sections 26 and 27 are arranged alternately along the circumference, so that an interlocking section 26 always alternates with an interlocking section 27 in the circumferential direction. Furthermore, due to its design, each interlocking section 26 forms a counterpart to each interlocking section 27, and vice versa. The description of the central element 18 in Fig. 2 also applies to the central element 6 due to the identical design of the central element 19. In Fig. 3, the two center piece elements 18 and 19 are shown together without the remaining components of the compensating coupling 1. The two center piece elements 18 and 19 are rotated 60° relative to each other about their respective axes of rotation 34 into a position in which they can be assembled to form the center piece 6. In this position, a fastening point 20 of center piece element 18 or 19 aligns with a fastening point 21 of center piece element 19 or 18, respectively, so that the fastening screws 11 or 14 of the respective center piece screw connection 10 or 13 can each be passed through the respective through-hole 22 and screwed into the respective threaded hole 23. Furthermore, in this position, each positive-locking section 26 of one center piece element 18 or 19 is opposite a positive-locking section 27 of the other center piece element 19 or 18, so that the respective positive-locking sections 26 and 27, designed as counterparts to each other, fit into each other in pairs. This positively centers the center piece elements 18 and 19 relative to each other, whereupon the axes of rotation 34 of the center piece elements 18 and 19 are coaxial with each other. Due to the arc-shaped design of the transitions 32 and 33 of the positive-locking sections 26 and 27 with the same radius, the center piece elements 18 and 19 can be rotated relative to each other about the axes of rotation 34 if neither of the fastening screws 11 and 14 is screwed into the respective threaded bore 23. This allows the center piece elements 18 and 19 to be rotated relative to each other to such an extent that the positive-locking sections no longer interlock. As can be seen in Fig. 2 with reference to the center piece element 18, the circumferentially defined gaps 35 between the positive-locking sections 26 and 27 are each chosen to be larger in the circumferential direction than the circumferential extensions 28 and 29 of the positive-locking sections 26 and 27. As a result, the positive-locking sections 26 and 27, beyond a certain rotation, are no longer interlocked as shown in Fig.The three positions shown allow the center pieces 18 and 19 to move past each other, thus enabling them to be moved laterally relative to one another. This then makes it possible to disassemble the compensating coupling 1 in the area of ​​the center piece 6 by separating the center piece elements 18 and 19. When the center pieces 18 and 19 are fastened to one another via the center piece screws 10 and 13, the center pieces 18 and 19 are in contact with each other at their end faces via the paired interlocking and adjacent positive-locking sections 26 and 27. A preload is thereby created between the center piece screws 10 and 13, so that a frictional transmission of a required nominal torque can take place between the center pieces 18 and 19 at a contact surface formed by the adjacent positive-locking sections 26 and 27. As a result, the fastening screws 11 and 14 of the center piece screws 10 and 13 are then subjected essentially only to tensile forces. Furthermore, Figures 4 and 5 show perspective views of a central element 36, which is designed according to a further embodiment of the invention and can be used in duplicate in place of the central elements 18 and 19 in the compensating coupling 1 in Figure 1. The central element 36 essentially corresponds to the central elements 18 and 19 from Figures 2 and 3, except that the central element 36 differs from the central elements 18 and 19 with regard to the design of the positive-locking sections 37 and 38. The positive-locking sections 37 and 38 each have a cross-section defined by a section of a radially outer circumference 39, a section of a radially inner circumference 40, and two chords 41 and 42 connecting the respective sections, as indicated in Figure 4 for a positive-locking section 37. Furthermore, in the form-fitting sections 37, each radially outer recess 43 constitutes a smaller area of ​​the respective form-fitting section 37 than each radially inner projection 44. Similarly, in the form-fitting sections 38, each radially outer projection 45 represents a smaller area of ​​the respective form-fitting section 38, while each radially inner recess 46 represents a larger area of ​​the respective form-fitting section 38. This is because the respective arc-shaped transitions 47 and 48 are now located radially further outwards on the central element 36 compared to the variant shown in Figures 2 and 3. Otherwise, the configuration shown in Figures 4 and 5 corresponds to the variant shown in Figures 2 and 3, and reference is made to the descriptions provided therein. By means of the embodiments according to the invention, a compensating coupling can thus be created in which a central piece is formed by identically constructed central piece elements, whereby, with reliable centering of the central piece elements on each other, it is also possible to disassemble the compensating coupling as simply as possible. Reference sign 1 Compensating coupling 2 Connecting flange 3 Connecting flange 4 Compensating element 5 Compensating element 6 Center piece 7 Flange fitting 8 Threaded hole 9 Mounting screw 10 Center piece fitting 11 Mounting screw 12 Bushing 13 Center piece fitting 14 Mounting screw 15 Flange fitting 16 Mounting screw 17 Bushing 18 Center piece element 19 Center piece element 20 Mounting point 21 Mounting point 22 Through hole 23 Threaded hole 24 Inner circumference 25 End face 26 Positive locking section 27 Positive locking section 28 Projection 29 Projection 30 Recess 31 Recess 32 Transition 33 Transition 34 Axis of rotation 35 Gap 36 Center piece element 37 Positive locking section 38 Positive locking section 39 Circumference 40 Circumference 41 Chord 42 Chord 43 Recess 44 Projection 45 Projection 46 Recess 47 Transition 48 Transition

Claims

Compensating coupling (1) for connecting two shafts in a misalignment-compensating manner, comprising a first connecting flange (2), a second connecting flange (3), a first elastic compensating element (4), a second elastic compensating element (5) and a rigid intermediate piece (6), wherein the first connecting flange (2) serves for attachment to a first shaft and is connected to the first elastic compensating element (4), which is also connected to the second elastic compensating element (5) via the intermediate intermediate piece (6), wherein the second elastic compensating element (5) is connected to the second connecting flange (3), which serves for attachment to a second shaft, wherein the intermediate piece (6) is connected by two intermediate piece elements (18, 19;36) is formed, which are detachably attached to one another about an axis of rotation (34) to form the central piece (6) and are centered on each other at their facing end faces (25) via first interlocking sections (26; 37) and second interlocking sections (27; 38), wherein the first interlocking sections (26; 37) and the second interlocking sections (27; 38) are designed as counterparts to each other and fit into each other in pairs, characterized in that the individual interlocking section (26; 27; 37; 38) is designed to project from the respective end face (25) of the individual central piece element (18, 19; 36) and is formed by a projection (28; 29; 44; 45) and a recess (30; 31; 43; 46), each radially adjacent to the projection. (28; 29; 44; 45) and is designed to be recessed relative to each of the projections (28; 29; 44; 45), and that in the case of the individual form-fitting section (26; 27; 37;38) a respective transition (32; 33; 47; 48) of each projection (28; 29; 44; 45) into each depression (30; 31; 43; 46) is made along each circular arc, the radius of which has a center point lying on the axis of rotation (34). Compensating coupling (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that in the individual central element (18, 19; 36) gaps (35) are formed in the circumferential direction between the aforementioned form-fitting sections (26, 27; 37, 38), the respective extent of which in the circumferential direction is greater than the extents of the projections (28, 29; 44, 45) of the form-fitting sections (26, 27; 37, 38) in the circumferential direction. Compensating coupling (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the individual positive locking section (26, 27) each has a circular cross-section. Compensating coupling (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the individual positive locking section (37, 38) each has a cross-section which is defined by a section of a respective radial outer circumference (39), a section of a respective radial inner circumference (40) and two chords (41, 42) connecting these sections. Compensating coupling (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the individual positive locking section (26; 27; 37; 38) is designed on the respective central piece element (18, 19; 36) in a circumferentially overlapping manner with a fastening point (20, 21) at which a releasable fastening of the respective central piece element (18; 19; 36) to the respective other central piece element (19; 18; 36) is made. Compensating coupling (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the respective center piece element (18; 19; 36) has an at least approximately polygonal shape, at each of whose corner points there is a fastening point (20, 21), wherein at each of the fastening points (20, 21) a fastening of the respective center piece element (18; 19; 36) to the respective other center piece element (19; 18; 36) is made. Compensating coupling (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first elastic compensating element (4) is connected to the center piece (6) via first center piece screw connections (10), which is also connected to the second elastic compensating element (5) via second center piece screw connections (13). Compensating coupling (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that fastening points (20, 21), at which each fastening of the respective center piece element (18; 19; 36) is made via each of the center piece screw connections (10; 13), follow one another in the circumferential direction of the respective center piece element (18; 19; 36) and are designed alternately as through holes (22) and as threaded holes (23). Compensating coupling (1) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the center piece elements (18, 19; 36) are detachably fastened to one another via the first center piece screw connections (10) and / or via the second center piece screw connections (13). Compensating coupling (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the center piece elements (18, 19; 36) are in contact with each other at the positive locking sections (26, 27; 37, 38) projecting from the end faces when fastened together and are preloaded against each other via the first center piece screw connections (10) and / or via the second center piece screw connections (13), wherein a contact area defined by the contact of the positive locking sections between the center piece elements (18, 19; 36) is designed to be so large that, during preloading, a nominal torque to be transmitted by the compensating coupling (1) can be transmitted frictionally between the center piece elements (18, 19; 36). Compensating coupling (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first connecting flange (2) is connected to the first elastic compensating element (4) via first flange screw connections (7), wherein the second elastic compensating element (5) is connected to the second connecting flange (3) via second flange screw connections (15). Compensating coupling (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the center piece elements (18, 19; 36) are designed identically to each other. Drive train of a rail vehicle comprising a compensating coupling according to one or more of claims 1 to 12.

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