Radial Shaft Coupling for Fast Shredder Shaft Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shaft coupling devices require axial displacement of shafts for disengagement, which is time-consuming and laborious, especially with heavy machinery like shredders, hindering efficient maintenance and replacement.
Innovation Solution
A shaft coupling device with radially movable connecting elements that fit into recesses on the circumference of shaft hubs, allowing for coupling and decoupling without axial displacement, using cuboid-shaped connecting elements that can be secured with screws or an annular flange, and optionally featuring elastic material for vibration damping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional axial displacement coupling is used to connect shafts, then the coupling is secure and reliable, but the disengagement process becomes time-consuming and laborious
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device is segmented into multiple independent connecting elements (at least two) that can be individually engaged and disengaged. Each connecting element can be independently manipulated, allowing partial disengagement without requiring complete axial displacement of the shafts. This segmentation enables maintenance operations on one side while the other side remains coupled.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from purely axial displacement (one-dimensional) to include radial movement (two-dimensional). The connecting elements can move radially outward from the shaft hubs to enable disengagement without axial displacement. This dimensional change allows coupling release in a different direction, solving the time-consuming axial displacement problem.
2Device complexity
If axial displacement is required to release the coupling, then the coupling structure is simple, but the operation becomes complex and laborious for heavy shafts
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting elements are designed with dynamic characteristics, allowing them to move radially between engaged and disengaged positions. This dynamic capability enables flexible operation where heavy shafts can be decoupled by radial movement rather than requiring complex axial displacement maneuvers, significantly improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting elements act as intermediaries between the two shafts. These intermediaries can be independently manipulated to engage or disengage the coupling without requiring direct axial movement of the heavy shafts themselves. The intermediaries absorb the operational complexity, making coupling release easier while maintaining structural simplicity.
3Strength
If multiple connecting elements are used around the circumference, then the coupling strength is improved, but the disengagement process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling is divided into multiple independent connecting elements distributed around the circumference. Each element can be independently disengaged, allowing selective removal of one or more elements without requiring disengagement of all elements. This segmentation reduces the complexity of the overall disengagement process while maintaining strong coupling when all elements are engaged.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention allows for partial disengagement where only one or some of the connecting elements need to be removed rather than all elements. This partial action principle enables maintenance operations with reduced complexity, as not all connecting elements need to be manipulated simultaneously, yet the coupling strength is sufficient with multiple elements in place during normal operation.
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
Facilitates faster and easier coupling and decoupling of heavy shafts, reducing maintenance time and labor, particularly beneficial for large and heavy shredding devices where axial movement is difficult, enabling quick replacement of rotor shafts without axial displacement.
Implementation Method 1
optionally featuring elastic material for vibration damping
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4
AI summary
The present invention relates to a shaft coupling device (10) and a shredding device with such a shaft coupling device. The shaft coupling device (10) comprises a first shaft hub (11) of a first shaft, wherein the first shaft hub (11) comprises several first receiving units, a second shaft hub (14) of a second shaft, wherein the second shaft hub (14) comprises several second receiving units, and several connecting elements (12) for connecting the first shaft hub (11) and the second shaft hub (14) to each other. The several first receiving units are spaced apart from one another along the circumference of the first shaft hub (11), and the several second receiving units (14) are spaced apart from one another along the circumference of the second shaft hub (14). The connecting elements (12) are preferably secured in the recesses of the first shaft hub (11) by screws (13).