Drum Hoist Coupling Apparatus Axial Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drum hoist coupling apparatuses experience undesired disengagement of the coupler wheel during rotation and conveying, leading to excessive forces on hydraulic cylinders and overheating, which results in grease lubrication failure and melting of sliding metal components, particularly under load conditions.
Innovation Solution
The integration of locking bodies with grooves on the internal toothing system of the drum wheel, allowing them to engage and disengage with the external toothing system of the coupler wheel through rotation, preventing axial displacement and ensuring reliable coupling without additional mounting elements, utilizing the play between tooth flanks to secure the locking bodies in position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the coupler wheel is allowed to rotate freely during engagement, then the coupling operation is simpler, but the coupler wheel may disengage undesiredly under load
Solution Approach 1:
The groove is pre-formed in the tooth flank of the coupler wheel before operation. This preliminary structural preparation allows the locking body to automatically engage during normal rotation without requiring additional actions, while preventing disengagement under load conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The groove acts as an intermediary element between the locking body and the tooth flank. It provides a controlled path for the locking body to engage and remain seated, mediating between the rotational motion and the locking function to prevent undesired disengagement.
2Reliability
If locking bodies are added to prevent disengagement, then coupling reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of modifying the entire coupler wheel or adding complex locking mechanisms, the groove is created only in the specific local region of the tooth flank where engagement is needed. This localized modification maintains the simplicity of the overall device while providing the necessary reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The groove structure enables the locking body to perform its locking function automatically through the existing rotational motion of the coupler wheel. The system uses its own operational movement to engage and maintain the locking condition without requiring external control mechanisms or additional energy input.
3Reliability
If the coupler wheel is secured against axial displacement, then coupling reliability improves, but excessive forces are generated on hydraulic cylinders
Solution Approach 1:
The locking function is extracted from the axial displacement control mechanism. Instead of using the hydraulic cylinder to prevent axial displacement, the groove-based locking body handles the locking function, allowing the hydraulic cylinder to focus only on the engagement motion without generating excessive forces.
Data Source
AI summary
A drum hoist including a movable drum which is arranged on a main shaft with a coupling apparatus for the releasable connection of the movable drum and the main shaft, a drum wheel which is connected fixedly to the movable drum so as to rotate with it, and a coupler wheel which can be displaced axially in an engagement direction and a disengagement direction with respect to the main shaft. In order to effectively prevent undesired disengagement of a coupler wheel of the coupling apparatus without mounting additional elements, coupling elements are arranged between the drum wheel and the coupler wheel which can be engaged and disengaged, which coupling elements can be brought into and out of engagement by a rotation of the engaged coupler wheel with respect to the drum wheel by the amount of the tooth flank play between the toothing systems of the two wheels.