Flexible Feeder Shaft Coupling for Misalignment and Wear Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing connection between the driveshaft and output shaft in a combine harvester's gearbox experiences radial or angular misalignment, leading to radial loads that cause wear and stress at the interface, which existing technologies have not effectively addressed.
Innovation Solution
A flexible and rotatable coupling assembly is introduced, comprising a spherical bearing and a three-piece flexible coupler with resiliently flexible components that accommodate misalignment, allowing for non-rotatable connection and rotation transfer between the driveshaft and output shaft, thereby compensating for radial or angular misalignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering 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 radial loads that lead to wear and stress at the interface
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling assembly is divided into multiple functional segments: a spherical bearing component that handles misalignment and a flexible coupler component that transfers rotation. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in its function, reducing wear at the shaft interface while maintaining a manageable overall complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible coupler acts as an intermediary element between the driveshaft and output shaft, non-rotatably connecting to both shafts while transferring rotation. This intermediary component accommodates misalignment through its flexible component, preventing direct radial loads on the shaft interface and thereby reducing wear and stress
2Reliability
If a flexible coupler with resiliently flexible component is used to accommodate misalignment, then stress and wear at shaft interface are reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible coupler incorporates a flexible component made of resiliently flexible material that can deform to accommodate radial or angular misalignment between shafts. This flexible element reduces stress and wear at the shaft interface while the overall assembly maintains reasonable complexity through efficient design
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling assembly transitions from a static rigid connection to a dynamic system where the spherical bearing and flexible coupler can adapt their configuration in response to misalignment conditions. This dynamic capability reduces wear and stress while the complexity increase is offset by the adaptive nature of the design
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 coupling assembly reduces stress and wear at the interface by absorbing misalignment, ensuring smooth operation and extending the lifespan of the components.
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
Implementation Method 2
The flexible and rotatable coupler has a flexible component for accommodating the radial or angular misalignment
Data Source
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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.