Flexible Coupling Angular Stop Limits Misalignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional flexible couplings can be overstressed during installation, removal, or when transmitting torque due to excessive angular misalignment between rotating members, leading to potential wear and deformation.

Innovation Solution

A flexible coupling design featuring an angular stop within one drive member that extends through the other, creating an annular gap to limit angular misalignment and prevent excessive bending, thereby reducing stress and wear during torque transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If flexible coupling allows angular misalignment accommodation, then misalignment between shafts is accommodated, but the coupling can be overstressed when misalignment exceeds predetermined limits

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveangular misalignment accommodationVSAvoidcoupling stress resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The angular stop is pre-positioned within the first drive member to prevent excessive angular misalignment before it can cause overstress. This preliminary constraint mechanism stops the misalignment at a safe limit, preventing the harmful effect of excessive stress on the coupling components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

2Ease of operation

If flexible coupling has low spring rate for smooth operation, then torque transmission is smooth, but the coupling can be overstressed during installation or removal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetorque transmission smoothnessVSAvoidcoupling stress resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The angular stop provides preliminary protection during installation and removal operations by limiting the maximum angular displacement the coupling can experience. This prevents the low spring rate coupling from being overstressed during handling operations outside of normal torque transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Strength

If angular stop is added to limit misalignment, then coupling stress is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoupling stress resistanceVSAvoidcoupling structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The angular stop is integrated within the first drive member structure, merging the misalignment limiting function into the existing coupling component rather than adding a separate external device. This reduces overall device complexity while still providing the necessary stress protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3321532B1Flexible couplings with angular limiters

Publication Date: 2019.10.16 GOODRICH CORP

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AI summary

A flexible coupling (100) includes a flexure (108), a first drive member (102, 202) defining an axis and connected to the flexure (108), and a second drive member (104, 204). The second drive member (104, 204) defines an axis and is connected to the flexure (108) on a side of the flexure opposite the first drive member (102, 202). An angular stop (116) is fixed within the first drive member (102, 202), extends through a portion of the second drive member (104, 204), and is arranged to limit angular misalignment of the first drive member axis relative to the second drive member axis while transmitting torque between the first and second drive members.