Leaf-Spring Radially Compliant Coupling for Torque and Misalignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radially compliant connections face challenges in efficiently transmitting torque while accommodating radial misalignment and maintaining durability, particularly in drive and coast directions, due to limitations in flexibility and stress distribution across leaf springs.
Innovation Solution
A radially compliant connection design featuring leaf springs arranged in pairs with opposite directions, supported by arced surfaces on the intermediate flange and second plate, allowing flexibility in two perpendicular planes and reducing radial forces on the leaf springs, with the intermediate flange centered by bearings or bushings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If leaf springs are used to accommodate radial misalignment, then radial flexibility is improved, but torque transmission capability deteriorates due to bending stiffness
Solution Approach 1:
The connection is divided into multiple leaf springs arranged in pairs, with each spring handling specific directional loads. This segmentation allows the system to accommodate radial misalignment while maintaining torque transmission through the combined effect of multiple springs working in parallel
Solution Approach 2:
Leaf springs are arranged in pairs with opposite directions, creating flexibility in two perpendicular planes. This dimensional arrangement allows the connection to handle radial misalignment from multiple directions while maintaining structural integrity for torque transmission
2Adaptability or versatility
If leaf springs are arranged to provide flexibility, then radial misalignment accommodation is improved, but stress distribution deteriorates leading to reduced durability
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple leaf springs are distributed around the connection, with each spring positioned to handle specific load directions. This segmentation creates more uniform stress distribution across all springs, preventing any single spring from bearing excessive stress that would reduce durability
Solution Approach 2:
Leaf springs are arranged in pairs with opposite directions, where one spring in each pair counterbalances the stress on the other. This counterweight arrangement ensures that tension loads are effectively distributed and that stress is balanced across the connection, improving durability
3Manufacturing precision
If additional centering components are added, then centering precision is improved, but device complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate flange is designed with arced surfaces that automatically center the connection through the geometry of the leaf spring arrangement itself. The leaf springs and arced surfaces work together to provide self-centering functionality without requiring separate centering components, maintaining precision while minimizing complexity
4Adaptability or versatility
If leaf springs are made more flexible, then radial compliance is improved, but torque transmission efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The leaf spring arrangement provides dynamic flexibility that adapts to radial misalignment while maintaining torque transmission. The springs can deflect to accommodate compliance needs while their rigid connection points and arced surface support ensure efficient torque transfer, balancing both requirements
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
This design enhances torque transmission in both drive and coast directions by distributing tension loads effectively across leaf springs, improving durability and reducing bending stiffness, while maintaining radial flexibility and centering without additional centering components.
Implementation Method 1
a first flexible element fixed to the first connection portion and to the third connection portion, and a second flexible element fixed to the second connection portion and to the fourth connection portion
Data Source
AI summary
A radially compliant connection includes an axis, a first plate with a first connection portion, a second plate with a second connection portion, an intermediate plate with third and fourth connection portions, a first flexible element fixed to the first connection portion and to the third connection portion, and a second flexible element fixed to the second connection portion and to the fourth connection portion. In some example embodiments, the first connection portion has a radially inner surface with a first radius, and the second connection portion has a first radially outer surface with a second radius, less than the first radius. In an example embodiment, the third connection portion has a second radially outer surface with a third radius, equal to the second radius, or the fourth connection portion has a third radially outer surface with a fourth radius, equal to the second radius.