Spatially elastic coupling and coupling arrangement

Abstract

The invention lies in the technical fields of mechanical engineering and coupling technology and relates to a spatially elastic coupling and a coupling arrangement formed from spatially elastic couplings. A drawback in the prior art is that elastic couplings are complicated, material-intensive and expensive and the compensation behaviour, in particular in the case of an angular and radial offset, is insufficient and the wear is high on account of the multidimensional stress. According to the invention, a spatially elastic coupling for the connection of a driving unit and a driven unit is provided, having at least one first and second attachment element extending radially with respect to the axis of rotation, and at least one rotationally symmetric torsionally elastic and flexible stiffness module, wherein the first and second attachment elements are arranged coaxially with one another and are connected by the torsionally elastic and flexible stiffness module, and the torsionally elastic and flexible stiffness module extends coaxially with the axis of rotation of the coupling. The coupling can be used between two shafts to be connected or in cooperation with other types of coupling.

Description

[0001] Spatially elastic coupling and coupling arrangement

[0002] The invention relates to the technical fields of mechanical engineering and coupling technology and concerns a spatially flexible coupling and a coupling assembly formed from spatially flexible couplings, which can be used to transmit torque from a drive side to an output side between two machine parts. The spatially flexible coupling can be used, for example, between two shafts to be connected, but also in conjunction with a gear coupling, flange coupling, ring disc coupling, link coupling, all-metal coupling, diaphragm coupling, multi-disk coupling, friction clutch, or combination clutches, for example in vehicle drives, particularly rail vehicle drives.

[0003] Couplings are well known in the art. They are used to transmit torque from one shaft to another. Such couplings can be rigid or flexible, or switchable or non-switchable. Couplings also serve to provide a rigid, torsionally rigid, elastic, torsionally flexible, and / or movable connection between two shafts, whereby the couplings can compensate for torque surges and / or angular misalignments between the shafts.

[0004] DE 20 2015 008 453 U1 discloses a wedge-shaped ring for couplings with two coupling parts. The ring comprises at least several fastening elements arranged circumferentially and directed toward the ring axis of the wedge-shaped ring, each with at least one through-bore directed exclusively radially toward the ring axis. The bores serve for at least one exclusively radially directed screw connection, which can be executed from the outer area of ​​the ring, for fastening the fastening elements to two adapted coupling parts for connecting the two coupling parts.Between each adjacent fastening element, there is an elastic spring element, which is vulcanized to the adjacent fastening elements in a simultaneous vulcanization process, so that an alternating arrangement of the fastening elements and the elastic spring elements forms the wedge-shaped ring, which can be screwed radially onto the two adapted coupling parts to connect the two coupling parts. The wedge-shaped ring is formed and divided from at least two one-piece ring segments consisting of an alternating arrangement of the fastening elements and the spring elements.

[0005] DE 1 286 831 B discloses an elastic coupling for large pivot angles. It comprises a plurality of torque-transmitting sheet steel discs arranged in pairs, which are connected to adjacent pairs at the outer or inner periphery and freely oscillating at the other periphery. The sheet steel discs are provided with a plurality of substantially radial slots along one periphery, preferably along the inner periphery. The trapezoidal tongues formed by the slots, which are opposite one another in the pairs, are firmly connected to one another at their free ends.

[0006] Furthermore, EP 0 498 235 B1 discloses a diaphragm coupling with perforated contour diaphragms for the torsionally rigid, flexurally elastic connection of torque-carrying drive elements with at least one compensation plane and at least one diaphragm between the connecting parts. The thickness of the elastic diaphragm area decreases toward the outside, with openings and / or beads arranged in the elastic diaphragm area.

[0007] The prior art solutions have the disadvantage that the flexible couplings are complex, material-intensive, and expensive. Another disadvantage is that the compensation behavior is inadequate, especially in the case of angular and radial misalignment, and wear is high due to the multidimensional stress.

[0008] The object of the present invention is to provide a flexible coupling that is weight-optimized, simple and cost-effective to manufacture, and exhibits improved compensation behavior, particularly with regard to angular, axial, and radial misalignment, while exhibiting low wear. This object is achieved by the invention specified in the claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0009] The solution according to the invention provides a spatially elastic coupling which is weight-optimized and easy and cost-effective to manufacture and enables improved compensation behavior, in particular when angular, axial and radial misalignment occurs between a driving unit and a driven unit or coupling, with low wear behavior.

[0010] According to the invention, a spatially elastic coupling is provided for connecting a driving unit and a driven unit, comprising at least a first and second connecting element extending radially to the axis of rotation, and at least one rotationally symmetrical torsional and flexurally elastic stiffness module, wherein the first and second connecting elements are arranged coaxially to one another and are connected by the torsional and flexurally elastic stiffness module, and wherein the torsional and flexurally elastic stiffness module extends coaxially to the axis of rotation of the coupling and radial, axial and / or angular offset between a driving and / or driven unit or another spatially elastic coupling can be compensated.

[0011] Advantageously, the torsional and flexurally elastic stiffness module is formed from a plurality of webs and / or columns in a single or multiple monopterous arrangement or as a cylindrical lattice structure, which coaxially connect the first and second connecting element and are arranged rotationally symmetrically, wherein in particular the webs and / or columns are arranged in parallel, V-shaped, X-shaped, meandering and / or multiply crossed.

[0012] In an advantageous embodiment, the webs and / or columns are manufactured in a sandwich construction, and the core is formed with a honeycomb structure, foam structure, and / or meandering support structure. Furthermore, it is advantageous if at least one torsional and flexurally elastic stiffness module has a cross-sectional taper or cross-sectional widening in at least one partial section.

[0013] It is also advantageous if at least the torsional and flexural stiffness modulus is made of steel, titanium, elastomer, plastic and / or a fiber composite material.

[0014] Advantageously, it can be provided that the first and second connecting elements and at least one torsionally and flexurally elastic stiffness module are formed from the same material.

[0015] It is also advantageous if the coupling is designed in one piece

[0016] In an advantageous embodiment, the coupling is connected to a tooth coupling, flange coupling, ring disc coupling, plate coupling, diaphragm coupling, multi-disk coupling, friction clutch and / or to two shaft sections.

[0017] Also advantageously, at least one connecting element is designed as a membrane element with a radially tapered material cross-section.

[0018] Advantageously, the first and / or second connecting element is disc-shaped, lamellar, rod-shaped or star-shaped.

[0019] Furthermore, at least one connecting element advantageously has axially extending recesses and / or openings.

[0020] According to the invention, a coupling arrangement is provided comprising at least two spatially elastic couplings that are axially aligned in series and connected by force, form, and / or material connection. A particular technical advantage of the spatially elastic coupling according to the invention is that, in particular, the torsional and flexural rigidity of the coupling can be easily adapted and optimized to the intended operating conditions by adjusting material and design parameters in different areas of the coupling.

[0021] The aforementioned technical advantages and effects are achieved by a spatially elastic coupling which has at least a first and second connection element and at least one torsional and flexurally elastic stiffness module.

[0022] The first and second connecting elements are arranged coaxially to each other and can be connected by the elastic stiffness modulus in a force-fitting, material-fitting and / or form-fitting manner.

[0023] Within the scope of the invention, a torsional and flexurally elastic stiffness module is understood to be a complex and spatially formed structure composed of several three-dimensional elements arranged between and connecting the first and second connecting elements. This structure extends coaxially to the rotational axis of the coupling and can compensate for at least one radial, axial, and / or angular offset between the driving and / or driven unit or another coupling. The torsional and flexurally elastic stiffness module can be connected to the first and / or second connecting element in an exchangeable and detachable manner.

[0024] The spatially flexible coupling is designed to connect a driving unit and a driven unit. A driving or driven unit can be, for example, a gear or motor unit, or two shafts connected by the spatially flexible coupling.

[0025] In an advantageous embodiment, the spatially elastic coupling can be connected to another coupling via the first and / or second fastening element, thus enabling the coupling to be used, for example, as a double-cardanic coupling. The first and second connection elements are spaced apart from one another and arranged coaxially to one another and connected by at least one torsionally and flexurally elastic stiffness module, whereby the coupling is drum-shaped.

[0026] In an advantageous embodiment of the coupling according to the invention, it can be provided that the torsionally and flexurally elastic stiffness module is formed from a plurality of webs or columns in a single or multiple monopterous arrangement or as a cylindrical lattice structure, which connect the first and second connecting elements and are arranged rotationally symmetrically between them.

[0027] If the torsional and flexurally elastic stiffness module is designed with a plurality of webs or columns in a single or multiple monopterous arrangement, the rotationally symmetrical and equally spaced webs or columns can be arranged in parallel, V-shaped, X-shaped, and / or multiple crossed configurations. The formed monopterous can be provided in a simple circular arrangement or as a multiple coaxial circular arrangement, which allows the radial or angular compensation capacity as well as the stiffness of the spatially elastic coupling to be easily designed.

[0028] It is also conceivable for individual or all webs and / or columns to be constructed using a sandwich construction, with their core being designed as a honeycomb structure, foam structure, and / or meandering support structure. The core can be made of a different material than the inner and outer cylinders of the columns or the inner and outer sandwich panels of the webs. The structural design of the webs and columns allows for a targeted influence on the stiffness of the elastic stiffness moduli, thus compensating for radial misalignment as well as torsional loads.

[0029] It is also conceivable that at least one or all of the torsional and flexurally elastic stiffness moduli have a cross-sectional taper or cross-sectional widening in at least one partial section in order to optimize the applied load collective and the associated mechanical load capacity of the stiffness modulus or the elastic stiffness moduli.

[0030] In an advantageous embodiment of the spatially elastic coupling, it can be provided that, for example, the first or second connecting element is connected to a tooth coupling, flange coupling, ring disc coupling, plate coupling, diaphragm coupling, multi-disk coupling or friction clutch.

[0031] It is also conceivable that, in order to compensate for any radial, axial and / or angular misalignment that occurs, the spatially elastic coupling is arranged between two shafts and is connected, for example, via an additional spur gear to the shaft ends of the two shafts in a form-fitting and force-fitting manner as a cardanic joint.

[0032] In an advantageous embodiment of the spatially elastic coupling, at least the torsional and flexurally elastic stiffness module(s) can be made of steel, titanium, an elastomer, a plastic, and / or a fiber composite material. It is conceivable that, when low torsional stresses occur, at least the torsional and flexurally elastic stiffness modules are made of plastic or a glass-fiber-reinforced or carbon-fiber-reinforced composite material.

[0033] It is also conceivable that at least the elastic stiffness modulus is made of an elastomer and can thus advantageously compensate for axial misalignment in addition to compensating for radial and angular misalignment.

[0034] With regard to additive manufacturing of the spatially elastic coupling, it can advantageously be provided that the first and second connecting elements and the at least one torsional and flexurally elastic stiffness modulus are made of the same material and / or that the coupling is manufactured in one piece. This enables cost- and time-saving production, for example, using 3D printing processes.

[0035] To provide material-independent axial compensation behavior as well as optimized stiffness and flexion capacity of the spatially elastic coupling, at least one of the connecting elements can have a radially extending, tapered material cross-section that functions as an additional elastic region. Axially extending recesses and / or openings can also be provided at least in the connecting element. The aforementioned radial change in the material cross-section or the provision of recesses or openings represent geometric or structural elements in the design of the spatially elastic coupling, with which, in particular, the flexural elasticity and the axial displacement capacity of the coupling can be easily influenced.

[0036] To achieve a double-cardanic coupling behavior, two or more of the previously described spatially elastic couplings can be arranged and connected in series in axial alignment. The couplings can be connected by force, form, or material connection via the respective connecting elements.

[0037] The invention is explained in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment.

[0038] Figure 1 shows a spatially elastic coupling in perspective view and

[0039] Figure 2 shows a spatially elastic coupling in cross section.

[0040] Example

[0041] 1 and 2 show a spatially elastic coupling 1 which is made in one piece and from the same material from steel and is intended for use in a rail vehicle. The spatially elastic coupling 1 has a first disc-like connecting element 3 with circumferential bores directed axially to the ring axis, via which a driving unit (not shown) can be flange-mounted and connected by means of screws. The first disc-like connecting element 3 has a tapered material cross-section in a partial area through which a diaphragm element 5 is formed. A second disc-like connecting element 4 is connected to a sleeve of a toothed coupling. The sleeve has internal teeth which engage with the external teeth of a hub.The first and second connecting elements 3 and 4 are connected by the coaxially arranged torsional and flexurally elastic stiffness module, wherein the stiffness module is formed from a plurality of rods that are arranged in an X-shape with rotational symmetrical relationship between the first and second connecting elements 3 and 4 and extend parallel to the rotational axis of the coupling 1. When a torque is applied and a radial and axial offset of the driving unit occurs relative to the oppositely arranged tooth coupling and a downstream driven unit, the X-shaped rods dampen the torsional load and compensate for the radial offset and the resulting angular offset, wherein axial movements are dampened and compensated via the generated diaphragm contour of the first connecting element.

[0042] List of reference symbols Coupling Torsional and flexural stiffness modulus First connection element Second connection element Membrane element

Claims

Patent claims 1. Spatially elastic coupling (1) for connecting a driving unit and a driven unit, comprising at least a first and second connecting element (3, 4) extending radially to the axis of rotation, and at least one rotationally symmetrical torsional and flexurally elastic stiffness module (2), wherein the first and second connecting elements (3, 4) are arranged coaxially to one another and are connected by the torsional and flexurally elastic stiffness module (2), and wherein the torsional and flexurally elastic stiffness module (2) extends coaxially to the axis of rotation of the coupling and radial, axial and / or angular offset between a driving and / or driven unit or another spatially elastic coupling (1) can be compensated.

2. Coupling according to claim 1, wherein the torsionally and flexurally elastic stiffness module (2) is formed from a plurality of webs and / or columns in a single or multiple monopterous arrangement or as a cylindrical lattice structure, which coaxially connect the first and second connecting element and are arranged rotationally symmetrically.

3. Coupling according to claim 2, wherein the webs and / or columns are arranged in parallel, V-shaped, X-shaped, meandering and / or multiply crossed.

4. Coupling according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the webs and / or columns are manufactured in sandwich construction and the core is formed with a honeycomb structure, foam structure and / or meander-shaped support structure.

5. Coupling according to claim 1, in which at least one torsionally and flexurally elastic stiffness module (2) has a cross-sectional taper or cross-sectional widening at least in one partial section.

6. Coupling according to claim 1, wherein at least the torsional and flexurally elastic stiffness module (2) is made of steel, titanium, elastomer, plastic and / or a fiber composite material.

7. Coupling according to claim 1, wherein the first and second connecting elements (3, 4) and at least one torsionally and flexurally elastic stiffness module (2) are formed from a single material.

8. Coupling according to claim 1, wherein the coupling (1) is formed in one piece.

9. Coupling according to claim 1 , which is provided with a tooth coupling, flange coupling, Ring disc coupling, plate coupling, diaphragm coupling, Multi-plate clutch, friction clutch and / or connected to two shaft sections.

10. Coupling according to claim 1, wherein at least one connecting element (3,4) is designed as a membrane element (5) with a radially tapered material cross-section.

11. Coupling according to claim 1, wherein the first and / or second connecting element (3, 4) is disc-shaped, lamellar, rod-shaped or star-shaped.

12. Coupling according to claim 1, wherein at least one connecting element (3,4) has axially extending recesses and / or openings.

13. Coupling arrangement, comprising at least two spatially elastic couplings (1 ) claimed according to claim 1, which are connected in series in axial alignment and are connected by force, form and / or material fit.

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