Balanced Clamping Shaft Coupler for Precise Servo Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing couplers in the robotics industry often damage shafts during tightening, cause imprecision and wobble in high-speed applications due to unbalanced clamping, and deform, leading to misalignment of mounting features.
Innovation Solution
A clamping coupler design with opposing fasteners that exert forces to balance the coupler around its center axis, using deformable materials to apply a clamping force without deforming the shaft aperture, ensuring secure attachment and alignment of accessories.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single-sided clamping fastener is used to secure the coupler to the shaft, then the coupler can be attached to the shaft, but the clamping becomes unbalanced causing wobble and imprecision in high-speed applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by positioning fasteners at specific asymmetric locations around the coupler body rather than symmetrically. The first fastener is positioned at a first location and the second fastener at a second location, creating an asymmetric clamping distribution that balances forces during rotation and eliminates wobble while maintaining secure attachment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements counterbalancing by strategically positioning multiple fasteners around the coupler body to create opposing clamping forces. The first fastener exerts a first clamping force at a first location while the second fastener exerts a second clamping force at a second location, creating a balanced force distribution that counteracts rotational imbalance and prevents wobble in high-speed applications
2Strength
If deformation is used to apply clamping force to the shaft, then the coupler can grip the shaft securely, but the mounting features become misaligned
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the clamping function into separate components: the coupler body maintains its rigid shape with precisely located mounting features, while individual fasteners apply clamping forces at specific locations. This segmentation allows the mounting features to remain aligned while still achieving secure clamping through the distributed fastener forces rather than overall body deformation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating clamping forces at specific localized areas where fasteners contact the shaft, rather than deforming the entire coupler body. The mounting features located in non-deforming regions maintain their precise alignment while the localized fastener contact points provide the necessary gripping force
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides secure, balanced, and precise attachment of structural and motion components, reducing wobble and deformation issues, ensuring accurate movement and alignment in high-speed applications.
Implementation Method 1
using deformable materials to apply a clamping force without deforming the shaft aperture
Data Source
AI summary
A clamping coupler for a hobby servo motor includes a body. The clamping couple also includes a first body portion and a second body portion separated by a gap. The clamping coupler includes an aperture configured to receive a shaft of the hobby servo motor, the aperture defined, at least in part, by the first body portion, second body portion and the gap. The coupler includes a first fastener coupled to the first body portion and the second body portion, that when actuated exerts a first force on the first body towards the second body. The coupler includes a second fastener coupled to the first body portion and the second body portion, that when actuated exerts a second force on the first body towards the second body.