Drive Hub Locking Assembly With Hybrid Setscrew for Shaft Retention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing flywheel coupling mechanisms are limited in their ability to maintain a fixed rigid union between a flywheel and a secondary power source shaft, leading to loosening and disengagement over time, which renders the system inoperable and requires labor-intensive tracking of set screws and balls or bearings for assembly.

Innovation Solution

A drive coupling hub with a radially extending bore and a single piece hybrid setscrew that applies pressure to a separation wall and the shaft, ensuring constant engagement between the hub and the shaft, thereby maintaining a secure connection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional flywheel coupling mechanisms are used, then the attachment of flywheel to shaft is achieved, but the locking reliability deteriorates over time causing loosening and disengagement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking reliabilityVSAvoidservice life

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple locking functions into a single integrated setscrew component that simultaneously performs axial positioning, radial locking, and rotational prevention. This merging of functions eliminates the need for separate balls, bearings, and multiple set screws, thereby maintaining reliable locking throughout the service life without the degradation seen in traditional multi-component systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The setscrew is designed as a hybrid component with a hardened bearing surface portion and a softer body portion, creating a composite structure that provides both durability and compliance. The hardened portion resists wear at the bearing surface while the softer body absorbs stress, preventing loosening over time and maintaining locking reliability throughout the stationary object's service life.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If multiple set screws and balls or bearings are used for shaft locking, then the locking function is achieved, but the assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshaft locking functionVSAvoidassembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functions of multiple set screws and balls or bearings into a single integrated setscrew component. This setscrew includes a bearing surface portion that contacts the shaft and a body portion that threads into the coupling hub, eliminating the need for separate balls, bearings, and multiple set screws. This reduction in component count directly decreases assembly complexity while maintaining the shaft locking function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single setscrew component performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides axial positioning of the shaft, radial locking through its bearing surface, and rotational prevention through its threaded engagement. This multi-functionality replaces the need for multiple specialized components, thereby simplifying the overall assembly while achieving reliable shaft locking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Strength

If traditional flywheel coupling mechanisms are used, then the connection is initially secure, but the operational stability deteriorates over time due to component movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinitial connection strengthVSAvoidoperational stability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The setscrew's bearing surface portion is designed to self-adjust and maintain constant contact with the shaft under varying operational conditions. The hardened bearing surface resists wear and maintains its geometry, while the threaded body portion self-locks through friction, eliminating the need for additional maintenance or adjustment mechanisms and preserving operational stability throughout the system's service life.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 a reliable and efficient method to maintain a fixed engagement between the flywheel and the shaft, reducing the risk of disengagement and simplifying the assembly process by eliminating the need for multiple bearings and setscrews, thus enhancing the system's operational stability and ease of assembly.

Implementation Method 1

a bearing portion applies pressure to the separation wall, and to the shaft of the secondary power source that is received within the inner periphery

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentUS11486448B2Hub and secondary driving element shaft locking system

Publication Date: 2022.11.01 WESTERN DIESEL SERVICES INC

AI summary

A drive hub includes a body and lugs that extend radially from the body and are engageable with a primemover of a primary power source. The lugs have a fastening lug that includes a radially extending bore. A hybrid, single piece setscrew extends within the bore and has a hemispherical portion configured to apply pressure to engage the drive hub to a shaft of a secondary power source.