Coupling hub, shaft coupling, and method

Abstract

The invention relates to a coupling hub (10) for a shaft coupling for rigidly coupling two rotating shafts, comprising a main body (12) and multiple teeth (20) which extend axially from the end face of the main body (12), are mutually spaced in the circumferential direction, and extend radially from the outside towards a central axis (2) of the coupling hub, the teeth each having two flanks (22) extending substantially in parallel with the axial direction, and having a head (24) interconnecting the flanks (22), and the transition (26) from the flanks (22) to the head (24) being rounded.

Description

[0001] / -

[0002] Manfred Obermeier's legal file:

[0003] Cathedral Rock 5 0328-0031 PCT-1

[0004] 39104 Magdeburg

[0005] Germany Date:

[0006] July 29, 2025

[0007] Coupling hub, shaft coupling and process

[0008] The invention relates to a coupling hub for a shaft coupling for the torsionally rigid connection of two rotating shafts, and to a shaft coupling with such a coupling hub. The coupling hub has a base body and a plurality of teeth extending axially from the end face of the base body and spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction. These teeth extend radially from the outside towards a central axis of the coupling hub, each tooth having two flanks extending substantially parallel to the axial direction and a head connecting the flanks. The invention also relates to a method for the positive locking connection of two axially spaced shafts.

[0009] A variety of shaft couplings for the torsionally rigid connection of rotating shafts are known from the prior art. For example, a jaw coupling can be used for this purpose. In this coupling, the coupling hubs have a circular carrier and a multitude of teeth extending axially from the carrier at their ends. The flanks of the teeth are arranged parallel to the central axis of the carrier. A disadvantage of jaw couplings is that during assembly and connection of the rotating shafts to be joined, the teeth of one coupling hub may come into contact with the teeth of the other coupling hub, instead of sliding into the spaces between the teeth of the other coupling hub, as is necessary to create a positive-locking connection. This position is also called the tooth-on-tooth position.A self-locking coupling type from the prior art is the Hirth coupling, which is used for the positive-locking connection of rotating shafts. In this coupling, the coupling hubs each have a face-mounted splined connection. A disadvantage of face-mounted splines is that an axial preload is required for a permanently torsionally rigid connection of the rotating shafts, because otherwise the face-mounted splines will disengage during rotation of the shafts due to the axial force component applied to the other coupling hub via the splines. Especially at high torques, a larger design of the coupling components is therefore necessary, so that the required installation space is also significantly greater than with other coupling types.

[0010] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a coupling hub, a shaft coupling and a method for positively connecting two axially spaced shafts, with which these disadvantages can be reduced or avoided.

[0011] According to the invention, this problem is solved by a coupling hub with the features of the main claim, by a shaft coupling with the features of the first dependent claim, and by a method for positively connecting two axially spaced-apart shafts with the features of the second dependent claim. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims, the description, and the figures.

[0012] The coupling hub for a shaft coupling for the torsionally rigid connection of two rotating shafts comprises a base body and a plurality of teeth extending axially from the end face of the base body and spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction. These teeth extend radially from the outside towards a central axis of the coupling hub, each tooth having two flanks extending substantially parallel to the axial direction and a head connecting the flanks. The hub is characterized by a rounded transition from the flanks to the head. This design allows tooth-to-tooth engagement to be achieved simply by applying an axial force to the coupling hub, causing the teeth to slide into the spaces between the teeth of an opposing coupling hub.At the same time, with a positive-locking connection between the coupling hub and another identically designed coupling hub, no axial forces occur during rotation of the shafts to be connected due to the tooth flanks being oriented parallel to each other and to the central axis, so that no axial preload of the coupling hubs is required. When the hubs are brought together, both always have a self-centering effect. In some designs, misalignment or deflection error between the shafts to be connected and / or a radial offset between them can also be compensated for. Rounding is not only considered to be geometrically predefined, specific radii at the tooth tips, but also developed curves for engagement and disengagement or radius profiles that ensure good sliding and centering of the teeth in the grooves between the teeth.The opposing teeth are arranged and designed in such a way that the teeth can always self-center in the gaps between the teeth.

[0013] Preferably, the head is rounded across the entire width of the tooth to further improve the self-alignment of the coupling hub. In this design, the rounding extends across the entire width of the tooth. The applied radius tapers from the outside to the inside.

[0014] The rounding and / or transition is preferably formed by at least one curved surface and / or faceted by flat surfaces. In one embodiment, at least one curved surface has a non-constant radius. The radius can become narrower towards the inside. For example, at least one curved surface can correspond in cross-section to a cycloid or a partial section of a cycloid. This allows the teeth to slide particularly easily and with low friction into the spaces between the teeth of an opposing coupling hub. Alternatively or additionally, at least one curved surface can have a constant radius. The shape of the teeth and the transition to the head can also differ in their course when the opposing coupling hub, i.e., the counterpart in the drive train, is engaged; the transition can even be rectangular if the drive is engaged while stationary.The orientation of the teeth's flanks on the mating part corresponds to that of the coupling hub, as does the shape tapering towards the central axis. The radii can also be realized in any other shape. The height and width of the teeth can be manufactured differently according to requirements. A coupling hub can have 12 teeth around its circumference, but also 20 or more teeth, or as few as four. The choice of material also plays a significant role in determining the number of teeth. The teeth can be heat-treated, coated, or similarly tempered, with the width, height, material selection, and tempering determined on a case-by-case basis. The teeth can be made of different materials or multiple materials, and they can also be made of a material different from the base body to create customized mechanical properties for the specific application.The material can also be non-metallic, particularly to enable use in explosion-proof environments. The teeth can be formed separately and fixed to the base body by positive locking and / or friction locking, for example by appropriate linear guides and / or screws.

[0015] Preferably, the teeth are arranged radially spaced from the central axis to ensure coupling of the coupling hub with an identical coupling hub. Preferably, all teeth are arranged at the same radial distance from the central axis.

[0016] A further development of the invention is characterized in that the base body has an axial recess on its end face, and the teeth extend radially from the outside to the recess. In this case, an axial misalignment of the rotating shafts to be connected can be more easily compensated for. Furthermore, this design contributes to damping vibrations and allows for a lighter coupling construction. The recess is preferably arranged concentrically in the base body to avoid imbalance.

[0017] Preferably, the radius of curvature of the transition decreases radially from the outside to the inside to enable or improve the self-alignment of the coupling and, in particular, to ensure a stress-reducing contact geometry even with radial or axial misalignment and in the case of tooth-to-tooth contact, especially with teeth that widen radially outwards. The radially inward-facing outer lines of the teeth always converge on the center point or central axis.

[0018] A further development of the invention provides that the height of the transition is at least 20% and / or at most 50% of the height of the teeth. This ensures that the teeth of the coupling hubs slide particularly easily from a tooth-to-tooth position into the spaces between the teeth of the opposing coupling hub, while simultaneously providing sufficient stability for high torques of the shafts to be connected.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment, the head is rounded across the entire width of the tooth. An advantage of this embodiment is that the risk of tooth-on-tooth misalignment is further reduced, thus ensuring the self-alignment of the coupling. A coupling with coupling hubs designed in this way can be engaged without applying torque to either coupling hub, i.e., in particular, solely by applying an axial force to at least one coupling hub, even if the teeth of the opposing coupling hubs are in a tooth-on-tooth position. The hubs automatically rotate into their centered position.

[0020] Preferably, the head and / or the tooth is curved along the radial direction so that, upon initial contact between the teeth of opposing coupling hubs during connection, only a point contact of the tooth surfaces on the head occurs instead of line contact. Alternatively, the head and / or the tooth is designed to be straight along the radial direction, resulting in only line contact between the tooth surfaces. Overall, such a design facilitates a clean and easy sliding of the teeth into the opposing inter-tooth space.

[0021] The teeth are preferably arranged equidistantly around the circumference to prevent uneven load distribution, imbalances, and vibrations. Furthermore, all teeth can be engaged in all grooves of the opposing coupling hub, simplifying assembly and ensuring self-centering. The overall appearance must always be 360°, regardless of the tooth configuration. Preferably, the coupling hub has an even number of teeth. For example, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, or 20 teeth, or more, are arranged equidistantly around the circumference. However, it is also possible to provide other, and especially odd, numbers of teeth.

[0022] Preferably, gaps or grooves formed between the teeth correspond to the teeth. This facilitates the meshing of the teeth of two opposing coupling hubs and reduces wear. Preferably, the width of the teeth at a given radial distance from the central axis of the coupling hub corresponds essentially to the width of the gaps at that radial distance from the central axis.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment, the flanks of a tooth and the opposing flanks of two adjacent teeth are arranged at an acute angle to each other. The angle enclosed between the flanks is preferably between 10° and 25°, particularly between 12° and 20°, preferably 15°; however, in principle, all angles are permissible and possible as long as they are designed such that the outer lines or tooth flanks converge on the center point or central axis. Due to these specifications and angular divisions, the coupling always has self-centering properties. The number of teeth is usually even and not prime, although a prime number also offers the possibility of shifting at standstill. The number of teeth depends, among other things, on the torques to be transmitted. The inner diameter, outer diameter, inner and outer tooth length, tooth thickness, tooth height, and tooth geometry must be taken into account.In one embodiment, the tooth height is dimensioned such that the base body is inserted axially against a stop or with axial play onto the opposite coupling hub. With small axial play, a slight deflection of, for example, <0.5° and axial displacement, depending on the tooth length, of, for example, <0.2 mm, are possible. Likewise, a larger radial extension in both directions is also possible. Preferably, each flank of the coupling hub forms a flat surface tangentially aligned to a line extending radially outward from a central axis of the coupling hub. The surfaces formed by the flanks therefore lie in planes that intersect at the central axis of the coupling hub.All flanks are advantageously aligned with the center point of the hub and pass through or form the central axis, taking into account the manufacturing inaccuracies typical in mechanical engineering and allowing for minor deviations. In this way, the self-centering of the coupling hubs relative to each other can be achieved very precisely.

[0024] The teeth are preferably arranged on the base body in a replaceable manner. Preferably, the teeth are arranged on the base body in a form-fitting manner and / or via fasteners, a tongue-and-groove connection, and / or a dovetail joint. This allows for quick and cost-effective adaptation of the coupling to different applications. For example, the teeth can be replaced if the coupling needs to withstand higher torque or compensate for a greater axial misalignment. At the same time, maintenance costs are reduced because the teeth can be replaced individually when worn. Alternatively, the teeth are formed integrally with the base body. Preferably, a rounded lower transition is formed between the teeth and the end face of the base body from which the teeth extend axially. This reduces the notch effect.

[0025] The teeth and / or the body can be made of a metal, in particular steel or bronze, or of a plastic. The teeth and / or the body can be heat-treated, coated, hardened, and / or tempered in other ways. This results in improved interlocking properties between the teeth during the formation of the positive-locking connection. The maximum possible torque transmission depends in particular on the tooth thickness, the material, and the number of teeth.

[0026] Preferably, the teeth and / or the base body have a sliding coating, in particular a diamond-like carbon coating (DLC coating) or a polytetrafluoroethylene coating (PTFE coating), and / or a hardened, in particular ion-nitrided, surface. In this configuration, the teeth and / or the base body exhibit higher wear resistance and improved toughness, thereby further increasing the service life of the clutch hubs. Furthermore, improved running properties can be achieved.

[0027] Preferably, a connecting section is arranged on the rear side of the base body for rigidly connecting the coupling hub to a shaft. This connecting section preferably includes a keyway, a keyed pin, a dovetail groove, a dovetail stud, a blind hole thread, and / or a through thread. The coupling hub can also be rigidly connected to an end face of a shaft, for example, via a screw connection through the base body of the coupling hub. The connecting section thus allows, for example, the coupling hub to be mounted on a torsionally rigid or flexible drive or on other torque transmission elements. It is also possible to form the coupling hub integrally with a drive element, such as a shaft, or another torque transmission element.The coupling end can be flanged to any desired torsionally rigid or flexible drives or other elements for torque transmission as a standard version, or it can be manufactured as a single unit.

[0028] The connecting section is preferably formed integrally with the base body. Alternatively, the connecting section is positively locked, force-locked, and / or material-locked to the base body.

[0029] According to a second aspect, the invention solves the problem by means of a shaft coupling for the torsionally rigid connection of two rotating shafts, comprising a first coupling hub according to the invention, which is torsionally rigidly connectable to a first shaft, and a second coupling hub, particularly according to the invention, which is torsionally rigidly connectable to a second shaft. Besides identical configurations of the two coupling hubs, one of the coupling hubs can also have a different geometry at the transition, in particular a transition of any shape, for example, an angular one. Preferably, the shaft coupling has a cross-shaft coupling. The cross-shaft coupling allows the shaft coupling to compensate for a larger axial misalignment.The cross-shaft coupling preferably has a first connecting disk for the first shaft and a second connecting disk for the second shaft and an intermediate disk arranged between the connecting disks, which is connected to the first connecting disk and the second connecting disk via a radial groove-rib connection, wherein the two groove-rib connections are arranged at 90° to each other and the respective groove has a resulting contour of a partial circular cylinder, against which the associated rib with at least partially corresponding contour sections abuts and the rib is attached to the first connecting disk, the intermediate disk or the second connecting disk by means of fastening means by axial pressure and is movable back and forth in the associated groove in the longitudinal direction of the groove and is rotatably slidably mounted in the groove about its longitudinal axis through an angular range.Preferably, the web projects into an axial recess in the supporting disc or hub and rests along its length against the edges of the recess for positive torque transmission. Preferably, the coupling hub is part of the cross-shaft coupling. This allows the coupling design to be compact. Preferably, the first or second coupling hub forms the first or second connecting disc of the cross-shaft coupling. In this case, the respective coupling hub can be slid onto the intermediate disc via a groove-web connection, thus enabling easy assembly of the shaft coupling.

[0030] In one embodiment, the shaft coupling has a cover arranged radially on the outside of at least one coupling hub and / or the cross-shaft coupling. The cover can, in particular, improve the stability of the shaft coupling. Preferably, the cover extends at least partially, but more preferably completely, beyond the webs of the cross-shaft coupling. This prevents the sliding webs from falling out of the cross-shaft coupling.

[0031] The cover can be held in place by positive locking, friction locking, and / or material locking in the assembled state. Preferably, the at least one coupling hub and / or the cross-shaft coupling has a radially external stop against which the cover rests in the assembled state. This makes positioning the cover particularly easy and ensures it is correctly oriented. The cover also protects against contamination.

[0032] Preferably, the cover extends at least partially beyond a coupling hub and / or the cross-shaft coupling, forming a radial distance that is preferably at most 10 mm, more preferably at most 5 mm, more preferably at most 2 mm or at least 0.5 mm, preferably at least 1 mm.

[0033] Preferably, the teeth of the first coupling hub have a greater height than the teeth of the second coupling hub, or vice versa. Preferably, the teeth of one coupling hub have a height at least 0.1 mm, more preferably at least 0.5 mm, more preferably at least 1 mm, more particularly at least 2 mm, and / or at most 5 mm, more preferably at most 2 mm, more particularly at most 1 mm, greater than the teeth of the other coupling hub. In this way, axial play is achieved between the end faces of the base bodies from which the teeth extend axially, so that slight bending, axial displacement, and / or radial misalignment between the coupling hubs can be compensated for. It is also possible to arrange a stop on one coupling hub to achieve the axial play between the end faces of the base bodies.Even if no different tooth heights or a stop for axial play is provided, the coupling hubs can be used either at a stop or with axial play, for example by selectively axially shifting one coupling hub to the other coupling hub.

[0034] According to a third aspect, the invention solves the problem by a method for positively connecting two axially spaced shafts with a shaft coupling according to the invention, comprising the steps of: a. connecting the first shaft to the first coupling hub in a circumferential force-transmitting manner, wherein the teeth of the coupling hub are directed towards the second shaft; b. arranging the second coupling hub axially displaceably with respect to a second shaft axially spaced from the first shaft, wherein the teeth of the coupling hub are directed towards the first shaft; c. axially displacing the second coupling hub towards the first coupling hub until the tooth flanks at least partially overlap each other; d. axially fixing the second coupling hub to the second shaft.

[0035] Preferably, the second coupling hub is arranged to be axially displaceable on the second shaft. Alternatively, a further coupling element can be arranged to be axially displaceable on the second shaft, with the second coupling hub preferably being attached to the further coupling element in a way that transmits circumferential forces.

[0036] Preferably, the second coupling hub is axially fixed to the second shaft. Alternatively, the second coupling hub can be axially fixed to the further coupling element, with the second coupling hub preferably being axially fixed to the further coupling element.

[0037] The additional coupling element can be, for example, a cross-shaft coupling and / or an adapter sleeve.

[0038] Preferably, the second coupling hub is coupled to the second shaft before axial displacement or axial fixing, transmitting circumferential forces.

[0039] In a preferred embodiment, the second coupling hub is attached to the second shaft via a cross-shaft coupling and / or an adapter sleeve with polygon teeth.

[0040] An embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying figures. These show...

[0041] Figure 1 - a perspective view of a coupling hub according to a first embodiment, Figure 2 - a side view of the coupling hub according to Figure 1 ,

[0042] Figure 3 - a perspective view of a coupling hub according to a second embodiment,

[0043] Figure 4 - a side view, a top view and a sectional view of the coupling hub according to Figure 2,

[0044] Figure 5 - a perspective view of a shaft coupling in the decoupled state,

[0045] Figure 6 - a sectional view through the shaft coupling according to Figure 5 in the decoupled state,

[0046] Figure 7 - a sectional view through the shaft coupling according to Figure 5 in the coupled state,

[0047] Figure 8 - a schematic representation of the first five steps for assembling a shaft coupling,

[0048] Figure 9 - a schematic representation of the last four steps for assembling the shaft coupling according to Figure 8.

[0049] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a coupling hub 10 for a shaft coupling for the torsionally rigid connection of two rotating shafts according to a first embodiment. The coupling hub 10 has a cylindrical base body 12 from which a plurality of teeth 20 extend axially at its end face. The teeth 20 are equidistant from one another in the circumferential direction, so that gaps 220 are formed between them.

[0050] The teeth 20 extend radially from the outside to a recess 14, which is arranged on the end face of the base body 12 and extends axially into it. It is also possible to omit the recess 14. In this case, the teeth 20 are preferably spaced apart from a central axis of the coupling hub 10 to avoid imbalances and to ensure coupling capability of the coupling hub 10 with another coupling hub 10.

[0051] The teeth 20 each have two flanks 22 that extend essentially along the central axis 2 of the coupling hub 10. The flanks 22 are connected to each other via a head 24. A transition 26 from the flanks 22 to the head 24 is rounded. The flanks 22 of all teeth 20 are aligned with a central axis, and the planes in which the flanks 22 lie intersect at the central axis.

[0052] On the rear side of the base body 12, a connecting section 16 is arranged for connecting the coupling hub 10 to a shaft (not shown). In the illustrated embodiment, the connecting section 16 is formed integrally with the base body 12. It is also possible to connect the connecting section 16 to the base body 12 by positive locking, friction locking, and / or material locking. In the illustrated example, two threaded bores 160 for connecting the coupling hub 10 to a shaft are arranged in the connecting section 16. Alternatively or additionally, the coupling hub 10 can also have a keyway, a keyed pin, a dovetail groove, and / or a dovetail pin, or other suitable features in the connecting section 16.

[0053] Figure 2 shows a side view of the coupling hub 10 according to Figure 1. The teeth 20 extend axially from the end face 28 of the base body 12 and have a radius of curvature RR at the transition 26 from flank 22 to head 24. The radius of curvature RR preferably decreases radially from the outside to the inside to improve the self-engagement of the coupling. In the example shown, the head 24 is rounded over the entire width of the tooth 20, and the resulting rounding is formed by several curved surfaces. Alternatively or additionally, the rounding can also be formed faceted by flat surfaces.

[0054] The flanks 22 are arranged essentially parallel to the central axis 2 and converge on the central axis 2 in a star-shaped pattern. The height h of the transition 26 is preferably at least 20% and / or at most 50% of the height H of the teeth 20. Preferably, the height Hh of the flanks 22 is at least 50% and / or at most 80% of the height H of the teeth 20. The height H of the teeth depends on the technical requirements, so that the height of the tooth flanks can be designed differently. The number of teeth also depends on the specific design of the coupling, so that the illustrated embodiment shows only one example. Different numbers of teeth are possible. Figures 3 and 4 show a coupling hub 10 according to a second embodiment. The coupling hub 10 has no connecting section.Instead, threaded bores 200 are arranged on the rear side of the base body 12, via which the coupling hub 10 can be connected to a shaft or an intermediate coupling element in a rotationally rigid manner.

[0055] The spaces 220 are formed correspondingly to the teeth 20 and, in particular, have the same width as the teeth 20 when at the same radial distance from the central axis 2. The two flanks 22 of one tooth 20 and the opposing flanks 22 of two adjacent teeth 20 are each oriented at an acute angle to each other, which in the example shown is 15°, and run essentially perpendicular to the face 28 and parallel to each other.

[0056] Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a shaft coupling according to the invention in the decoupled state. The shaft coupling has two coupling hubs 10, as described above. The coupling hubs 10 are arranged substantially parallel to each other and have a star-shaped arrangement of teeth 20 on their sides facing the other coupling hub 10. A first coupling hub 10 is arranged on the first shaft 100, the other coupling hub 10 on the second shaft 102. A hollow cylindrical cover 55 conceals part of the shaft coupling. The shafts 100, 102 can, for example, be connected to or be part of a drive, a motor, a rotary machine, a pump, a generator, or a mechanical working element such as a roller.

[0057] Figure 6 shows a sectional view through the shaft coupling according to Figure 5 in the decoupled state. On the left is the first coupling hub 10, which is rigidly connected to the first shaft 100. In the example shown, the connection is realized by a tongue-and-groove joint 104. The first coupling hub 10 is also secured to the shaft 100 by fasteners 106 in the form of screws. The second coupling hub 10, located on the right, is part of a cross-shaft coupling 50, which is radially covered by the cover 55. In addition to the second coupling hub 10, the cross-shaft coupling 50 has a connecting disc 52 and an intermediate disc 54. The intermediate disc 54 is connected to the second coupling hub 10 and the connecting disc 52 by radial tongue-and-groove connections. The tongue-and-groove connections are arranged at a 90° angle to each other.The respective groove 53 has the resulting contour of a partial circular cylinder, against which the associated web 51 rests with at least partially corresponding contour sections. In the example shown, the webs 51 are attached to the intermediate disk 54 by means of fasteners 108 by axial pressure and are movable back and forth in the longitudinal direction of the groove 53 and are rotatably slidably mounted in the groove 53 about its longitudinal axis through an angular range. The connecting disk 52 is rigidly connected to an adapter sleeve 60, which forms a connecting section 110. The adapter sleeve 60 is fastened to the second shaft 102 via the connecting section 110 by means of a tongue-and-groove connection 104 and fasteners 106 in the form of screws.

[0058] Figure 7 shows a sectional view through the shaft coupling according to Figure 5 in the coupled state. The teeth 20 of one coupling hub 10 engage in the spaces 200 between the teeth 20 of the other coupling hub 10. When the first shaft 100 rotates, torque is transmitted between the coupling hubs 10 via the flanks 22 of the teeth 20. The heads 24 contact the base body 12 of the opposite coupling hub 10 at their end faces or form an axial clearance with it to compensate for radial misalignment and / or bending of the shafts 100, 102 relative to each other.

[0059] Figure 8 shows a schematic representation of the first five steps for assembling a shaft coupling according to the invention. The steps are shown in sequence from top to bottom. In a first step, the shafts 100 and 102 are prepared. In the example shown, the shafts 100 and 102 each have a key 105. In the second step, the first coupling hub 10 is connected to the first shaft to transmit circumferential forces. In the example shown, this is done by sliding the first coupling hub 10 onto the first shaft 100 and rigidly connecting it to the first shaft 100 via a tongue-and-groove connection 104 and by means of fasteners 106 in the form of screws. The teeth of the first coupling hub face the second shaft 102. In a third step, the adapter sleeve 60 is slid onto the second shaft 102 and fastened to the second shaft 102 by means of a tongue-and-groove connection 104 and by means of fasteners 106.In a fourth step, the cover 55 is slid over the adapter sleeve 60. In a fifth step, the connecting disc 52 of a cross-shaft coupling 50 is axially displaceably connected to the adapter sleeve 60. For example, the connecting disc 52 can have a shoulder that is inserted into the adapter sleeve 60 and can be rigidly fastened to the adapter sleeve 60 by means of fasteners, a tongue-and-groove connection, a dovetail connection and / or a polygonal spline.

[0060] Figure 9, continuing from Figure 8, shows a schematic representation of the last four steps for assembling a shaft coupling. In a sixth step, the intermediate disc 54 is slid onto the connecting disc 52 and held slidably in the corresponding groove of the connecting disc 52 by means of the right-hand rib 51. In a seventh step, the second coupling hub 10 is slid onto the left-hand rib of the intermediate disc 54. In an eighth step, the cover 55 is slid over the connecting disc 52 and the intermediate disc 54 so that it rests against the shoulder 56 of the second coupling hub 10. The cover prevents the coupling hub 10 and / or the intermediate disc 54 from being disengaged from their respective groove-rib connections and potentially falling off. In a ninth step, the second coupling hub 10 is slid to the left to create a coupling between the coupling hubs 10.The axial displacement of the right coupling hub 10 is possible due to the axially displaceable mounting of the connecting disc 52 in the adapter sleeve 60. The teeth 20 of the first coupling hub 10 engage in the spaces 200 between the teeth of the second coupling hub 10, and vice versa. Due to the design of the teeth 20 of the coupling hubs 10 with a rounded transition 26, coupling between the coupling hubs 10 is possible even when the coupling hubs 10 are in a tooth-to-tooth position. In the coupled state, the coupling hub 10 can be axially fixed relative to the second shaft 102 by means of fastening elements (not shown). For example, fastening elements can be arranged between the connecting disc 52 and the adapter sleeve 60 to prevent axial displacement of the connecting disc 52 relative to the adapter sleeve 60.The cross-shaft coupling 50 enables in particular a further compensation of a radial offset or a deflection angle between the central axis 101 of the first shaft 100 and the central axis 103 of the second shaft 102.

[0061] Reference symbol list

[0062] 2 Central axis

[0063] 10 Clutch hub

[0064] 12 basic shapes

[0065] 14 Exclusion

[0066] 16 Connecting section

[0067] 20 teeth

[0068] 22nd flank

[0069] 24 heads

[0070] 26 Transition

[0071] 28 Front face of the base body

[0072] 50 Cross shaft coupling

[0073] 51 Bridge

[0074] 52 Connecting disc

[0075] 53 Nut

[0076] 54 Intermediate disc

[0077] 55 Cover

[0078] Paragraph 56

[0079] 60 adapter sleeve

[0080] 100 first wave

[0081] 101 Central axis

[0082] 102 second wave

[0083] 103 Central axis

[0084] 104 Tongue and groove joint

[0085] 105 Keyway

[0086] 106 Fasteners

[0087] 108 Fasteners

[0088] 110 connecting section

[0089] 160 threaded hole

[0090] 200 threaded holes

[0091] 220 space h height of the transition

[0092] H Height of the tooth

[0093] RR radius of curvature a angle

Claims

Manfred Obermeier's legal file: Cathedral Rock 5 0328-0031 PCT-1 39104 Magdeburg, Germany. Date: July 29, 2025 Patent claims 1. Coupling hub (10) for a shaft coupling for the torsionally rigid connection of two rotating shafts with a base body (12) and a plurality of teeth (20) extending axially from the end face of the base body (12) and spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction, which extend radially from the outside towards a central axis (2) of the coupling hub, wherein the teeth each have two flanks (22) extending substantially parallel to the axial direction and a head (24) connecting the flanks (22) together, characterized in that the transition (26) from the flanks (22) to the head (24) is rounded.

2. Coupling hub according to claim 1, characterized in that the transition (26) is formed by at least one curved surface and / or faceted by flat surfaces.

3. Coupling hub according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the head (24) is rounded over the entire width of the tooth (20).

4. Coupling hub according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the radius of curvature (RR) decreases in the radial direction from the outside to the inside.

5. Coupling hub according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the head (24) is curved along the radial direction.

6. Coupling hub according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the height (h) of the transition (26) is at least 20% and / or at most 50% of the height (H) of the teeth (20).

7. Coupling hub according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the teeth (20) are arranged equidistant to each other in the circumferential direction.

8. Coupling hub according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spaces (220) formed between the teeth (20) correspond to the teeth (20).

9. Coupling hub according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flanks (22) of a tooth (20) and the opposing flanks (22) of two adjacent teeth (20) are each arranged at an acute angle (a) to each other.

10. Coupling hub according to claim 9, characterized in that the angle (a) enclosed between the flanks (22) is between 10° and 25° and in particular between 12° and 20° and preferably 15°.

11. Coupling hub according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the teeth (20) are arranged interchangeably on the base body (12), preferably in a form-fitting manner and / or via fastening means, a tongue and groove connection and / or a dovetail connection.

12. Coupling hub according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the teeth (20) and / or the base body (12) are made of a metal, in particular of a steel or bronze, or of a plastic.

13. Coupling hub according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the teeth (20) and / or the base body (12) have a sliding coating, in particular a DLC coating or a PTFE coating, and / or a hardened, in particular ion nitrided, surface.

14. Coupling hub according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base body (12) has an axial recess on its end face. (14) and the teeth (20) extend radially from the outside to the recess (14).

15. Coupling hub according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a connecting section (16) is arranged on the rear side of the base body (12) for connecting the coupling hub (10) to a shaft (100) in a torsionally rigid manner.

16. Shaft coupling for the torsionally rigid connection of two rotating shafts (100, 102) with a first coupling hub (10) according to one of the preceding claims, which is torsionally rigidly connectable to a first shaft (100), and a second coupling hub (10) according to one of the preceding claims, which is torsionally rigidly connectable to a second shaft (102).

17. Shaft coupling according to claim 16, characterized by a cross shaft coupling (50) arranged between the shaft (102) and the coupling hub (10).

18. Shaft coupling according to claim 17, characterized in that the coupling hub (10) is part of the cross shaft coupling (50).

19. Method for positively connecting two axially spaced shafts (100) with a shaft coupling according to claim (16), comprising the steps of: a. Connecting the first shaft (100) to the first coupling hub (10) in a circumferential force-transmitting manner, wherein the teeth (20) of the first coupling hub (10) are directed towards the second shaft (102); b. Arranging the second coupling hub (10) axially displaceably with respect to a second shaft (102) axially spaced from the first shaft (100), wherein the teeth (20) of the coupling hub (10) are directed towards the first shaft (102); c. Displacing the second coupling hub (10) axially towards the first coupling hub (10) until the tooth flanks (22) of the teeth (20) at least partially overlap each other; d. axially fixing the second coupling hub (10) in relation to the second shaft (102).

20. Method according to claim 18, characterized in that the second coupling hub (10) is coupled to the second shaft (102) before axial displacement or axial fixing, transmitting circumferential forces.

21. Method according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that the second coupling hub (10) is attached to the second shaft (10) via a cross shaft coupling (50) and / or an adapter sleeve (60) with polygon teeth.

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