Driveshaft Flange Coupler Timing Adjustment for Backlash Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Adjusting the rotational timing and preloading between driveshafts in marine propulsion devices is challenging and time-consuming, especially when using multiple driveshafts, as it requires precise control of stiffness and backlash, which is difficult to achieve with existing technologies.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing a flange coupler and coupler input gear with adjustable rotational orientations, allowing for the adjustment of rotational timing between driveshafts by rotating the coupler input gear relative to the flange coupler and fixing them with fasteners, which enables separate setting of parallel path preloads and backlash reduction, simplifying the adjustment process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If traditional methods are used to adjust rotational timing between driveshafts, then precise control of stiffness and backlash can be achieved, but the adjustment process becomes extremely time-consuming and complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotational timing precisionVSAvoidadjustment time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The flange coupler and coupler input gear are pre-configured with multiple predetermined rotational orientations during manufacturing. This allows the timing adjustment to be made simply by selecting and fixing one of the pre-established orientations, rather than making precise adjustments during installation. The multiple openings in the flange coupler and corresponding features on the gear embody this preliminary action principle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from a static, fixed timing configuration to a dynamic, adjustable configuration. The flange coupler is designed to allow rotational adjustment between multiple predetermined orientations before being fixed in place, enabling the timing to be optimized for different operating conditions while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Power

If multiple driveshafts are used to improve power distribution, then power density increases, but the complexity of adjusting rotational timing and preloading increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower densityVSAvoidadjustment complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustment mechanism is segmented into independent, modular components. Each driveshaft connection has its own flange coupler with predetermined rotational orientations, allowing independent adjustment of each driveshaft without affecting others. This modular approach simplifies the overall complexity while supporting multiple driveshafts for improved power distribution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The flange coupler acts as an intermediary component between the driveshaft and the coupler input gear. It provides the interface that enables simple rotational adjustment through predetermined orientations, mediating between the need for precise timing control and the desire for simple adjustment procedures in multi-driveshaft systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If precise control of stiffness and backlash is required, then rotational timing accuracy improves, but the adjustment process becomes difficult and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetiming accuracyVSAvoidadjustment ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of rotational orientation from continuous adjustment to discrete predetermined values. The flange coupler is designed with multiple openings at specific angular positions, allowing selection from predetermined rotational orientations. This discretization simplifies the adjustment operation while maintaining sufficient timing accuracy for the application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11339860B1Systems and methods for adjusting the rotational timing between driveshafts

Publication Date: 2022.05.24 BRUNSWICK CORP

AI summary

A system for adjusting the rotational timing between driveshafts rotated by an output shaft. The system includes a flange coupler configured to be coupled to a first of the driveshafts to prevent rotation therebetween. The flange coupler defines openings therein. A coupler input gear defines openings therein and is configured to rotatably mesh with a second input gear coupled to a second of the driveshafts. Fasteners are configured to the extend through the openings in the flange coupler and the openings in the coupler input gear to rotationally fix the flange coupler and the coupler input gear, which are fixable at multiple rotational orientations therebetween. The rotational timing between the driveshafts is adjustable by rotating the coupler input gear into different orientations of the multiple rotational orientations relative to the flange coupler prior to fixing the flange coupler to the coupler input gear.