Oldham Coupling Structure for Axis-Misaligned Drive Transmission
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Oldham couplings fail to transmit driving force when rotational axes of the drive source and the drive target are misaligned due to the immobility of the intermediate member in the radial direction, preventing effective power transmission in configurations with a play in the rotational direction.
Innovation Solution
The Oldham coupling design includes a first hub, a second hub, and an intermediate member with recessed and protruded portions that allow edge portions to contact inner walls at specific angles, enabling the transmission of driving force even when the rotational axes are misaligned by providing a play in the rotational direction, thus stabilizing the force transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an Oldham coupling with a fixed intermediate member is used to transmit driving force, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the driving force cannot be transmitted when rotational axes are misaligned
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate member is designed to be movable in the radial direction relative to the first hub, transforming the static coupling structure into a dynamic one. This allows the intermediate member to automatically adjust its position to accommodate misalignment between rotational axes while maintaining reliable driving force transmission through edge portion contact with inner walls.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a coupling with play in rotational direction is provided to enable selective rotation, then the drive targets can be selectively rotated, but the driving force cannot be transmitted when rotational axes are misaligned
Solution Approach 1:
The movable intermediate member provides dynamic adaptation that works in conjunction with the rotational play. When the motor rotates forward or reversely, the intermediate member can move radially to maintain contact between edge portions and inner walls, ensuring continuous driving force transmission regardless of axis misalignment or rotation direction.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate member acts as a mediator between the first hub and the second hub, accommodating both the rotational play and the axis misalignment. Its ability to move radially allows it to bridge the gap caused by misalignment while still transmitting the driving force effectively in both forward and reverse rotation directions.
3Ease of manufacture
If the intermediate member is fixed radially to simplify the structure, then manufacturing is easier, but the coupling fails to function when axes are misaligned
Solution Approach 1:
By making the intermediate member movable in the radial direction, the coupling gains the ability to accommodate axis misalignment automatically. The simplicity of the overall structure is maintained through the use of basic geometric features (recessed and protruded portions with edge portions) that enable this dynamic adjustment without requiring complex mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
An Oldham coupling having play in a rotational direction and being capable of transmitting a driving force. The Oldham coupling includes a developing drive gear as a first hub, a drive coupling as a second hub, and an intermediate member that transmits a driving force between the developing drive gear and the drive coupling. The developing drive gear includes a protruded portion that is fitted to a recessed portion of the intermediate member to transmit a driving force between the developing drive gear and the intermediate member. When seen in a rotational axis direction of the Oldham coupling, the shape of a protruded portion is a substantially rhombic shape.