Plug-In Drive Coupling With Labyrinth Sealing for Rail Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drive couplings for rail vehicles require special assembly openings, which compromise the housing structure and strength, and are difficult to seal in harsh environments.
Innovation Solution
A plug-in coupling system where the drive shaft and output shaft are connected through sliding coupling sections, with one section fixed to the rotor and the other to the transmission shaft, allowing for axial and angular offset compensation and creating a labyrinth seal for environmental protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If mounting openings are provided in housing or motor housing for coupling assembly, then coupling can be assembled, but housing structure strength is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling is divided into two separate coupling sections (first coupling section and second coupling section) that can be assembled independently. The first coupling section is mounted on the drive shaft without requiring openings in the motor housing, while the second coupling section is mounted on the output shaft. This segmentation eliminates the need for compromising housing openings while enabling coupling assembly.
2Ease of operation
If mounting openings are provided in housing or motor housing for coupling assembly, then coupling can be assembled, but sealing becomes difficult in harsh environments
Solution Approach 1:
A sealing element is introduced as an intermediary component between the first coupling section and the drive shaft, and between the second coupling section and the output shaft. This sealing element creates a labyrinth seal that prevents contamination in harsh environments while allowing the coupling sections to be assembled without compromising housing integrity.
3Reliability
If radial and angular misalignment between drive shaft and output shaft is compensated, then proper torque transmission is achieved, but coupling complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling sections are designed with flexible elements that allow dynamic adaptation to misalignment between the drive shaft and output shaft. The flexible coupling sections can radially and angularly misalign themselves to compensate for installation errors and operational deflections, maintaining reliable torque transmission without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a drive with - at least one motor with a drive shaft (2), - at least one output shaft (3), which is mechanically connected in particular to a gearbox (12), - wherein the drive shaft (2) and the output shaft (3) are substantially axially aligned, - wherein the drive shaft (2) and the output shaft (3) each have a coupling section (4, 5) via which a torque can be transmitted from the drive shaft (2) to the output shaft (3) by means of mechanical coupling, - wherein each coupling section (4, 5) is rotationally fixed to its shaft (2, 3) and the coupling sections (4, 5) can be mechanically coupled by axial insertion.