Radial Flank Transmission Coupling for Precise Torque Intermeshing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-speed transmissions face challenges in efficiently transferring torque and rotational motion across rotatable components due to limitations in the design of engagement features and retainer mechanisms, which affect the alignment and intermeshing of components, leading to potential misalignment and reduced efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A transmission coupling assembly with engagement features having radial exterior and interior surfaces, including beveled surfaces and recesses, that intermesh to facilitate torque transfer, along with a discontinuous annular retainer that deforms and reforms to secure the components, ensuring proper alignment and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional engagement features are used in transmission coupling assembly, then the structure is simpler, but the alignment precision and intermeshing quality deteriorate, leading to increased backlash and reduced torque transfer efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement features are segmented into multiple functional surfaces: radial exterior surfaces, radial interior surfaces, beveled surfaces, and recesses. Each surface performs a specific function in the intermeshing process, allowing precise alignment and control of the coupling components while maintaining a manageable structural complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the engagement features have different geometric properties optimized for specific functions. The beveled surfaces provide guidance during assembly, the radial surfaces ensure proper positioning, and the recesses accommodate retainers. This local differentiation of geometric quality enables high alignment precision without requiring complex overall structures
2Stability of the object's composition
If complex retainer mechanisms are used to secure components, then the alignment stability improves, but the assembly and disassembly difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer mechanism is designed to be dynamic rather than static. The retainers can deform elastically during assembly to pass through the engagement features, then reform to lock the components in place. This dynamic behavior provides stable alignment during operation while enabling simple assembly and disassembly operations
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer's physical state changes during assembly - transitioning from a deformed state (during insertion) to a reformed state (during locking). This parameter change allows the retainer to adapt to different operational requirements: flexibility during assembly for ease of operation, and rigidity during operation for alignment stability
3Productivity
If engagement features with multiple surfaces are used, then the torque transfer efficiency improves, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement features incorporate curved beveled surfaces and radial surfaces that guide the coupling components into proper alignment during assembly. These curved geometries facilitate smooth engagement and maximize the contact area between mating surfaces, improving torque transfer efficiency while being manufacturable using standard machining operations
Data Source
AI summary
A transmission coupling assembly for transferring torque in a transmission from a first rotatable component to a second rotatable component and a method of assembling a transmission coupling assembly are disclosed. The transmission coupling assembly may comprise a first operative transmission component interconnected with a second operative transmission component. The first and second operative transmission components may each include a body adapted to be coupled to a respective one of the first and second rotatable components and a plurality of engagement features extending from the body along an axis of the respective operative transmission components. The plurality of engagement features are configured to intermesh during assembly of the transmission coupling assembly. The transmission coupling assembly may include a retainer received and positioned within recesses of the respective plurality of engagement features and compressed by a beveled surface of one of the plurality of engagement features during assembly.