Coupling with Segmented Tabs for Angle Measurement Rigidity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing couplings for angle measuring devices with large shaft diameters require a significant amount of space and are not economically efficient, while maintaining the need for torsional rigidity to prevent measurement falsification.
Innovation Solution
A coupling design featuring base elements and tabs with node areas that are more flexible than the base elements, allowing for axially or radially elastic yet torsionally rigid connections, achieved through a specific geometric configuration that includes multiple tabs and base elements with strategically spaced support points, enabling a large inside diameter without excessive external dimensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If conventional couplings are used for large shaft diameters, then torsional rigidity is maintained, but construction volume increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling is divided into multiple base elements (at least three) that are arranged radially around the shaft and connected by tabs at node areas. This segmentation allows the coupling to achieve the required torsional rigidity through the collective arrangement of multiple smaller elements rather than requiring a single large-volume structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the coupling have different flexibility characteristics: the tabs and node areas are designed to be more flexible to accommodate radial and axial movements, while the base elements maintain sufficient rigidity to transmit torque. This local differentiation of mechanical properties enables compact design without sacrificing overall torsional rigidity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the coupling is made more flexible to accommodate misalignment, then compensation capability improves, but measurement precision may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling is segmented into multiple base elements connected by tabs, allowing misalignment compensation through localized deformation at the tab-node area connections while maintaining overall structural integrity and torsional rigidity for accurate measurement transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The tabs and node areas are specifically designed with higher flexibility to compensate for misalignments, while the base elements maintain sufficient rigidity to ensure measurement precision is not compromised. This localized flexibility-rigidity differentiation resolves the contradiction between adaptability and measurement precision.
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 coupling achieves excellent mechanical properties with a compact construction, maintaining torsional rigidity and allowing for precise measurements even with large shaft diameters, while being economically produced and minimizing external dimensions of the angle measuring device.
Implementation Method 1
Both the node areas and the tabs are configured in such a way that they are significantly more flexible than the base elements. The flexural softness refers here essentially to the reaction of the node areas and the tabs to an introduction of radially or axially directed forces.
Data Source
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AI summary
The coupling has a set of tabs (1.31 - 1.36.) integrally formed with base units (1.11 - 1.16) at node areas (1.21 - 1.26), where each node area is arranged between a set of support points. The node areas and tabs are flexurally softer than the base units. Ratio of greatest extension of the base units in a radial direction to smallest extension of the node areas in the radial direction ranges to a particular value. The base units are geometrically arranged such that extension of the base units in the radial direction increases with increasing distance from the node areas. An independent claim is also included for an angular position measurement device comprising a component part.