Flexible Feeder Shaft Coupler for Misalignment Wear Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing spline connection between the driveshaft and output shaft in a combine harvester's feeder conveyor is prone to wear due to radial or angular misalignment, leading to increased stress and wear at the interface.

Innovation Solution

A flexible and rotatable coupling assembly is introduced, comprising a spherical bearing and a three-piece flexible coupler with resilient components that accommodate misalignment, allowing for non-rotatable connection and rotation transfer between the driveshaft and output shaft.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a rigid spline connection is used between driveshaft and output shaft, then rotational power can be transferred efficiently, but radial or angular misalignment causes increased wear and stress at the interface

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection durabilityVSAvoidwear and stress at interface

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the rigidity parameter of the connection by introducing a flexible coupler with resilient elements (such as rubber or elastomeric materials) that can deform elastically. This allows the connection to accommodate radial and angular misalignment while still transferring rotational power, thereby reducing wear and stress at the interface between driveshaft and output shaft.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible coupler employs composite construction combining rigid elements (for structural support and power transmission) with resilient elements (for accommodating misalignment). This composite approach allows the coupling assembly to maintain structural integrity while providing the necessary flexibility to handle misalignment conditions, thus improving connection durability without increasing wear.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a flexible coupler with resilient components is introduced to accommodate misalignment, then wear and stress at the interface are reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewear and stress at interfaceVSAvoidcoupling assembly structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: a rigid coupling body for power transmission and resilient elements for accommodating misalignment. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally while keeping the overall design manageable and maintainable, reducing the impact of increased complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The resilient elements act as intermediaries between the rigid driveshaft connection and the rigid output shaft connection. These intermediary components absorb the misalignment stresses and protect the critical spline interfaces, providing a simple yet effective solution that adds minimal complexity while significantly reducing wear and stress at the interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 flexible coupler effectively reduces stress and wear at the interface by absorbing misalignment, extending the lifespan of the connection and maintaining efficient operation of the feeder conveyor.

Implementation Method 1

a spherical bearing that is connectable to the first rotatable shaft for accommodating a radial or angular misalignment between the first and second rotatable shafts

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpherical bearing mechanism: Ball

Implementation Method 2

The flexible and rotatable coupler has a flexible component for accommodating the radial or angular misalignment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS12048263B2Flexible coupler for feeder shaft of combine harvester

Publication Date: 2024.07.30 BLUE LEAF I P INC

AI summary

A flexible and rotatable coupling assembly for a feeder conveyor of a combine harvester, for example. The coupling assembly connects a first rotatable shaft to a second rotatable shaft. The coupling assembly includes a spherical bearing that is connectable to the first rotatable shaft for accommodating a radial or angular misalignment between the first and second rotatable shafts; and a flexible and rotatable coupler that is non-rotatably connectable to the first and second rotatable shafts for transferring rotation between the first and second rotatable shafts. The flexible and rotatable coupler is either directly or indirectly connected to the spherical bearing. The flexible and rotatable coupler has a flexible component for accommodating the radial or angular misalignment.