Torsionally Elastic Coupling With Shared Bearing Preload

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing coupling devices in drive technology face challenges in ensuring reliable operation of the bearing device while maintaining a simple structure, particularly in reducing wear and improving durability due to tolerance-related clearances in rolling bearings.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves axially preloading the rolling bearing using a tensioning device that also acts on the friction device, eliminating the need for separate clamping devices and allowing the clamping element to have a multiple function, thereby reducing bearing clearance and enhancing the reliability and simplicity of the coupling device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate clamping devices are provided for the bearing assembly and friction assembly, then each component can be properly preloaded, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebearing operation reliabilityVSAvoidclamping device structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the clamping functions for the bearing assembly and friction assembly into a single integrated clamping device. This clamping device simultaneously applies preload forces to both the rolling bearing and the friction element, eliminating the need for separate clamping mechanisms while ensuring both components are properly preloaded for reliable operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The clamping device is designed with multi-functionality, serving both to preload the bearing assembly and to preload the friction assembly through a single mechanism. This universal design reduces the overall number of components while maintaining the necessary preload forces on both subsystems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If rolling bearing clearance is not reduced, then the structure remains simple, but bearing durability and reliability deteriorate due to wear

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebearing durabilityVSAvoidpreload mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by preloading the rolling bearing through the integrated clamping device before operation begins. This preliminary preload reduces the bearing clearance and eliminates play in the bearing, thereby improving durability and reducing wear from the outset of operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This approach results in improved durability and reduced wear of the rolling bearing, ensuring a reliable function while simplifying the structure of the coupling device by combining the functions of the clamping element for both the friction and bearing devices, effectively reducing the number of required components.

Implementation Method 1

a friction device by means of which the hub side and the flange side are frictionally connected to each other in the circumferential direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

The spring assembly provides several compression springs arranged adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction, each supported at one end by the coupling flange and at the other end by the coupling hub

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

The bearing assembly has at least one rolling bearing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBall Bearing: Ball Bearing

Data Source

PatentEP3719334B1Coupling device for torsionally elastic torque transmission
Publication Date: 2023.11.01 STROMAG
  • EP3719334B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

Coupling device (1) comprising a coupling hub (2) located radially inside with respect to a coupling axis of rotation and associated with a hub side of the coupling device, a coupling flange (3) located radially outside and associated with a flange side of the coupling device, a spring device (10) by means of which the hub side and the flange side are supported against each other in a circumferentially elastic manner in a torque-transmitting manner, wherein the spring device comprises at least one spring element which is supported in the circumferential direction at one end on the coupling hub and at the other end on the coupling flange, a bearing device (15) by means of which the hub side and the flange side are supported radially against each other and are rotatably mounted about the coupling axis of rotation, wherein the bearing device comprises at least one rolling bearing (16) on whose outer ring (17) the coupling hub is radially supported,and whose inner ring (18) is radially supported on a bearing journal associated with the flange side, and comprising a friction device (21) by means of which the hub side and the flange side are frictionally connected to each other in the circumferential direction in a torque-transmitting manner, for which the friction device comprises at least one friction element (22) and at least one friction surface (23), which are axially biased against each other to form the frictionally biased operative connection, is known. According to the invention, a clamping device (24) associated with the bearing device and the friction device is provided, such that a clamping device (24) associated with the bearing device and the friction device is provided, which comprises at least one clamping element (25) by means of which the friction device and the at least one rolling bearing are each axially biased.