Radial Airflow Cooling in Elastic Shaft Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shaft couplings face challenges with increased load and reduced service life due to torsional vibrations and heat buildup, particularly in diesel engine applications, where traditional ventilation methods are complex and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a radial annular gap arrangement in the clutch element, allowing air to flow through the center of the coupling for enhanced cooling, while maintaining structural integrity and simplifying manufacturing by integrating air ducts within the hub and ring, promoting radial airflow and reducing stress on the rubber element.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If traditional ventilation methods (axial air passages in hub) are used, then cooling is provided, but the structure becomes complex and cooling efficiency is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling element is segmented by annular gaps that divide it into multiple axially spaced disks, creating radial airflow paths through the center of the element. This segmentation enables efficient cooling without complex external ventilation structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from axial cooling (airflow parallel to rotation axis) to radial cooling (airflow from center outward through the disk). This dimensional change in airflow direction dramatically improves cooling efficiency while simplifying the ventilation structure.
2Temperature
If larger clutches or double clutches are used to eliminate heat problems, then cooling capacity increases, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The single coupling element is divided into multiple axially spaced disks by annular gaps, creating parallel thermal pathways. This segmentation allows heat to dissipate through multiple radial paths simultaneously, equivalent to having multiple clutches but with simpler structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple cooling functions are merged into a single coupling element design. The radial airflow paths through the segmented structure provide cooling capacity equivalent to larger or double clutches while maintaining a compact single-unit configuration.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If air passage bores are affixed in the hub parallel to the axis of rotation, then air circulation is enabled, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of creating axial air passages through the hub, the invention uses radial gaps within the coupling element itself to create airflow paths. This eliminates the need for complex hub drilling and machining operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling element structure incorporates annular gaps that create a porous-like radial airflow path through the material. This allows air to pass through the center of the element radially outward, providing cooling without requiring solid air passages.
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 effectively dissipates 70% more power loss than conventional couplings, improving stability, load-bearing capacity, and service life, while being easier and less expensive to produce, avoiding the need for multiple clutches or complex cooling systems.
Implementation Method 1
the rubber-elastic element of a flexible coupling heats up particularly strongly on the inside. Dissipating this heat generated there by damping work
Implementation Method 2
guiding the air for cooling the rubber-elastic coupling element not only primarily via its axially facing outer surfaces, but also radially from the inside outwards through the center of the disc-shaped coupling element
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
Shaft coupling (10) comprises a radially running annular gap (21) which divides a coupling element (13) so that two axially spaced disks (22a, 22b) are fixed on the coupling hub (11) as supporting body. Air-guiding openings (23, 24) are assigned to the hub and a coupling ring (12) in the region of the annular gap and are connected to the annular gap. Preferred Features: The annular gap has bars which are connected to the disks. The bars are narrow in the peripheral direction of the coupling.