Enclosed Gearbox Coupling Housing for Hygienic Torque Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coupling devices for torque-transmitting applications, particularly in industries like food processing and pharmaceuticals, are expensive due to the use of stainless steel gears, which are not only costly but also inferior in function and resilience compared to other materials, and pose contamination risks.
Innovation Solution
A coupling device design where the transmission is fully enclosed within the housing, allowing the use of standard materials like tempered steel, with a modular and sealed structure that simplifies assembly and ensures the transmission remains in its tested condition, using a receptacle for the transmission and fastening screws for secure mounting, and a compact, easy-to-clean housing design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If stainless steel gears are used in coupling devices for food processing and pharmaceutical applications, then contamination risk is reduced, but cost increases significantly and functional performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device is divided into two distinct parts: a food-safe housing that contacts goods and a transmission unit that can use standard materials. The housing is made of stainless steel or coated with food-safe material, while the transmission uses inexpensive tempered steel gears, separating the contamination protection function from the torque transmission function.
Solution Approach 2:
The transmission unit is extracted as a separate enclosed module within the coupling device. By placing the transmission completely inside the housing with only one output shaft extending outward, the potentially contaminating gears are isolated from the food processing environment, allowing use of standard steel materials.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If stainless steel gears are used in coupling devices, then contamination risk is reduced, but functional performance and service life deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Different parts of the coupling device have different material properties optimized for their specific functions. The housing has food-safe properties where it contacts goods, while the transmission gears have mechanical properties optimized for torque transmission using tempered steel, achieving both contamination protection and functional performance.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the transmission is fully enclosed within the coupling device housing, then contamination risk is reduced and standard materials can be used, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the food-safe barrier against contamination, contains and protects the transmission unit, and acts as the structural mounting element for the coupling device. This merging of functions reduces overall device complexity despite the enclosed design.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the transmission is completely inside the housing with only one output, then contamination risk is reduced, but accessibility for maintenance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission is extracted as a complete, pre-assembled module that can be installed and removed as a single unit. The output shaft extends through the housing to provide accessibility for power transmission, while the gear mechanism remains enclosed. This modular approach maintains contamination protection while enabling straightforward maintenance through complete module replacement.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a coupling device for torque-transmitting coupling of a torque-supplying drive device, in particular a drive motor, to a driven system, wherein the coupling device comprises a coupling device housing for torque-supporting connection of a system torque support element, in particular a system housing, of the driven system with a drive torque support element of the drive device, in particular a drive housing, as well as a transmission shaft rotatably mounted within the coupling device housing. The coupling device is characterized in that the coupling device has a receptacle for a gearbox within the coupling device housing, in which the gearbox can be fixed in such a way that the gearbox, with the exception of a gearbox output, is arranged completely within the space enclosed by the coupling device housing.