Power Take Off Coupling with Annulus Ring Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current power take off systems for portable power units are inefficient due to the need for multiple utility engines for various site equipment, leading to high costs, logistical burdens, and difficulties in accurate on-site alignment and connection, resulting in short service life and theft risks.
Innovation Solution
A power take off coupling with a resilient transmission component, latching device, and spring-biased dog clutch for automatic alignment and connection, featuring annulus rings for precise coaxial alignment and a latching mechanism with manual release, allowing easy engagement and disengagement of accessories.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple utility engines are purchased for different site equipment, then each accessory can operate independently, but the total cost and logistical burden increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal power unit with a standardized coupling mechanism that can drive multiple different accessories (water pumps, air compressors, generators, etc.). The power unit serves multiple functions by accepting various accessories through the standardized coupling, eliminating the need for each accessory to have its own dedicated engine.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple accessories into a single integrated system centered around one power unit. By merging the power source function with multiple driven accessories through the coupling mechanism, the system reduces the total number of engines from multiple individual units to a single shared power unit.
2Ease of operation
If accessories are frequently connected and disconnected on-site, then flexibility is improved, but alignment accuracy deteriorates leading to short service life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a coupling mechanism as an intermediary component between the power unit shaft and the accessory shaft. This coupling includes alignment features such as tapered surfaces and guiding elements that automatically ensure accurate coaxial alignment during connection, eliminating the need for manual alignment while allowing frequent connections and disconnections.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling mechanism incorporates preliminary alignment features such as tapered guiding surfaces and positioning elements that automatically align the shafts before final engagement. This preliminary action ensures accurate alignment is achieved automatically during the connection process, maintaining manufacturing precision even with frequent on-site connections.
3Power
If a dog clutch is used for power transmission, then torque drive is achieved, but the meshing of teeth becomes unpredictable requiring repeated adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a coupling mechanism as an intermediary that includes alignment features such as tapered surfaces and guiding elements. This intermediary automatically ensures accurate coaxial alignment between the power unit shaft and accessory shaft during connection, eliminating the need for manual adjustment and ensuring reliable dog clutch tooth meshing on the first attempt.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling incorporates preliminary alignment features that automatically position the shafts in correct alignment before the dog clutch engages. This preliminary action ensures the teeth are properly positioned for meshing, allowing the torque drive capability to be achieved without requiring repeated withdrawal and rotation adjustments.
4Productivity
If accessories are stored overnight at construction sites, then immediate availability is improved, but theft risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple accessories with different functions (water pump, air compressor, generator, etc.) into a single integrated power unit system. By merging these accessories into one unified unit with a common power source and standardized coupling, the system reduces the number of separate items that need to be stored and secured, thereby reducing theft risk while maintaining immediate availability.
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
Enables reliable, automatic, and accurate alignment of drive and driven shafts, ensuring secure connection and disconnection of accessories, even in unskilled on-site use, with the resilient component compensating for misalignment and the spring-biased dog clutch ensuring meshing of teeth, reducing theft risks and operational complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient power transmission component within the coupling
Implementation Method 2
a spring-biased, floating dog clutch half which should the dog clutch teeth, upon presentation for connection of the accessory to the power unit, foul one another rather than mesh
Implementation Method 3
wherein a leading edge of the larger diameter annulus ring is chamfered to assist initial engagement
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
A power take off coupling for connecting an engine (20, 21) to a site accessory (16, 14, 17), comprises a resilient power transmission component (3) within the coupling; a latching device (8, 46, 9) to mechanically latch the accessory to the engine (20, 21), with a manually operable release handle (13) to effect unlatching. A power output shaft of the engine (20, 21) carries one half (5) of a dog clutch with the other half (7) carried by the accessory (16, 14, 17). An alignment arrangement comprises a first annulus ring (18) attached coaxiaily to an output shaft assembly of the engine (20, 21 ), and a second annulus ring (19) attached coaxiaily to an input shaft assembly of the accessory, with the two rings (18, 19) being of different diameters, such that one ring is adapted to be engaged coaxiaily within the other ring with close tolerances, such that the external periphery of the smaller ring (18) engages at least parts of the internal periphery of the larger ring (19) to provide for accurate coaxial alignment of the power output shaft of the engine (20, 21) and the power input shaft of the accessory.