Double-Jointed Coupling With Hollow Pinion Shaft for Easier Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing double-jointed couplings are complex and costly to produce, require numerous components, and lack efficient compensation for deflections, making maintenance and assembly challenging.
Innovation Solution
A double-jointed coupling design with a hollow pinion shaft and an intermediate shaft, where the coupling tooth arrangement is integrated with the intermediate shaft, allowing for a reduced number of components and simplified assembly and disassembly, with optional sealing and securing elements to enhance durability and maintenance friendliness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the coupling tooth arrangement is integrated with the intermediate shaft, then the number of components is reduced and manufacturing complexity is lowered, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling tooth arrangement is merged with the intermediate shaft to form an integrated component. This reduces the total number of parts in the double-jointed coupling and eliminates the need for separate coupling elements, thereby simplifying the overall device complexity while maintaining functional requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate shaft with integrated coupling tooth arrangement is designed as a modular subassembly that can be separately manufactured and then assembled into the complete double-jointed coupling. This segmentation allows for specialized manufacturing of the intermediate shaft while maintaining overall system modularity.
2Ease of operation
If the intermediate shaft is designed to be introduced through the hollow pinion shaft, then assembly is simplified and maintenance is easier, but the coupling capacity against deflections is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate shaft is designed to be introduced through the hollow pinion shaft, creating a nested configuration where one component passes through another. This nesting arrangement simplifies assembly by allowing components to be stacked axially and facilitates maintenance by enabling easy extraction of the intermediate shaft from the hollow pinion shaft.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling tooth arrangement on the intermediate shaft acts as an intermediary that transmits rotational motion and torque from the hollow pinion shaft to the intermediate shaft. This intermediary mechanism ensures that despite the simplified assembly configuration, the coupling maintains sufficient capacity to transmit power and accommodate deflections.
3Reliability
If sealing elements are added to prevent lubricant loss, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is merged with the intermediate shaft by integrating sealing elements directly onto the shaft surface or incorporating sealing features into the shaft geometry. This integration provides effective sealing to prevent lubricant loss while avoiding the addition of separate, complex sealing mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A double-jointed coupling includes a carrier ring with an internal tooth arrangement, a hollow pinion shaft connected to the internal tooth arrangement of the carrier ring, and an intermediate shaft with a coupling tooth arrangement for engagement in the internal tooth arrangement. The coupling tooth arrangement is constructed on the intermediate shaft such as to enable passage of the intermediate shaft through the hollow pinion shaft for passage through the hollow pinion shaft. A thrust ring is arranged on the intermediate shaft in a region of the coupling tooth arrangement and constructed for passage through the hollow pinion shaft.