Flexible Coupling Quill Shaft Axial Load Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flexible couplings for rotating shafts in power transmission systems are prone to fretting wear and require maintenance due to axial compliance issues, and they often generate dust, necessitating replacement, while also facing challenges in accommodating large axial loads without increased stress on flexible elements.
Innovation Solution
A flexible coupling assembly featuring a power transmitting body with diaphragm discs and a quill shaft that extends through a cavity, allowing the quill shaft to resist axial loads and bend in concert with the diaphragm discs, thereby absorbing torsional stress and accommodating misalignments without increasing stress on the flexible elements, and is designed to resist axial loads without fretting or wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional ball-in-socket structures are used to accommodate axial loads, then axial compliance is achieved, but fretting wear occurs and service life is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the axial load-bearing function from the flexible coupling elements and assigns it to a separate quill shaft component. The quill shaft is specifically designed to handle axial loads while the flexible coupling elements focus on angular compliance, thereby eliminating fretting wear between the flexible elements and axial load paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: the quill shaft for axial compliance and the flexible coupling elements for angular compliance. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function without compromising the other, improving overall reliability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional ball-socket structures are used to accommodate axial loads, then axial compliance is achieved, but dust is generated requiring maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the source of dust generation by replacing the conventional ball-socket structure with a quill shaft design that does not involve sliding or rolling contacts between spherical surfaces. The quill shaft provides axial compliance through a different mechanism that does not generate particulate matter.
3Adaptability or versatility
If flexible coupling elements are designed to accommodate large axial loads, then axial compliance is improved, but stress on flexible elements increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the axial load-bearing function from the flexible coupling elements and assigns it exclusively to the quill shaft. This allows the flexible elements to be designed optimized for angular compliance without being overloaded by axial forces, maintaining their strength and durability.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: the quill shaft for axial compliance and the flexible coupling elements for angular compliance. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function without compromising the other, improving overall reliability.
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 solution provides a lightweight, low-maintenance coupling assembly that effectively transfers power and accommodates both angular and axial misalignments, allowing for large axial loads while minimizing stress on the flexible elements, thus extending service life and reducing maintenance needs.
Implementation Method 1
a power transmitting body configured to transmit power between opposed first and second rotating members, defining: an axis; and a longitudinally extending cavity; a first flanged portion for coupling the body to the first rotating member; and a second flanged portion for coupling the body to the second rotating member; a quill shaft configured for resisting an axial load between the rotating members
Implementation Method 2
a quill shaft configured for resisting an axial load between the rotating members, wherein the quill shaft extends through the cavity of the power transmitting body and is fixed to the first and second flanged portions
Implementation Method 3
Flexible couplings capable of carrying high torque and high bending stress are employed for coupling such rotatable members. Typical couplings include flexible elements such as diaphragm or disc members that provide the required angular and axial compliance for coupling the shafts
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 4
AI summary
A flexible coupling assembly (100) includes a power transmitting body (300) to carry a torsional load between opposed rotating members (12, 14) and a quill shaft (500) for carrying an axial load extending through the cavity of the torsional body. The power transmitting body defines an axis, a longitudinally extending cavity (110), and a first (200) and second (400) flanged portions for coupling opposed rotating members. The quill shaft extends through the cavity of the power transmitting body, spanning the power transmitting body, and fixed to the first and second flanged portions for carrying the axial load across the power transmitting body.