Resilient Finger Shaft Coupler for Secure Anti-Separation Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
In automotive, aircraft, marine, and industrial applications, existing mechanical adapters fail to effectively restrict relative motion between engine output ports and torque-transmitting shafts, leading to potential separation and damage to engines and equipment.
Innovation Solution
A shaft coupler with resilient fingers and a ladder ring system that allows radial displacement and engagement with the shafts to secure the engine output shaft to the torque-transmitting shaft, preventing separation by using a retaining ring and arc-shaped slots to maintain a secure connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If resilient fingers are made rigid to prevent deformation, then structural strength is improved, but positioning around the shaft becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The cross-sectional dimensions of the resilient fingers are specifically designed to allow elastic deflection within a controlled range. The fingers have reduced width at certain locations to enable radial displacement during positioning, while maintaining sufficient strength to prevent permanent deformation. This parameter optimization allows the fingers to be flexible enough for easy positioning yet strong enough to maintain structural integrity during engagement and operation.
2Ease of manufacture
If the adapter structure is simplified, then manufacturing ease is improved, but reliable engagement and prevention of separation cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter incorporates a retaining ring that fits within the resilient fingers structure, creating a nested configuration. The retaining ring engages with the engaged fingers to provide additional security against separation while the fingers themselves provide the primary engagement mechanism. This nested arrangement enhances reliability through multiple engagement points without requiring a completely separate retention system, maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
3Ease of operation
If radial displacement of resilient fingers is increased to facilitate positioning, then ease of operation is improved, but permanent deformation may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The cross-sectional dimensions and material properties of the resilient fingers are specifically engineered to define a safe elastic deflection range. The fingers are designed with reduced width at strategic locations to enable sufficient radial displacement for easy positioning, while the overall geometry and material selection ensure that the maximum expected deflection remains within the elastic range, preventing permanent deformation 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
The shaft coupler ensures reliable engagement of torque-transmitting components under various conditions, enhancing performance, safety, and mission readiness by preventing relative motion between the engine output shaft and the torque-transmitting shaft.
Implementation Method 1
The plurality of resilient fingers may be sized in length and width to allow deflection of the plurality of resilient fingers within an elastic range to avoid substantial permanent deformation during the positioning of the end opposite the ring base around the second shaft
Data Source
AI summary
Briefly, implementations of claimed subject matter relate to methods and devices for coupling a first rotating shaft to a second shaft. In a particular implementation, an end of a plurality of resilient fingers of a resilient structure may be radially displaced to permit positioning of the resilient structure over a first shaft. An inwardly-directed portion of each of the plurality of the resilient fingers of the resilient structure may be secured to a channel located on an inner surface of a second shaft. After securing the resilient structure to the second shaft, the one or more resilient fingers of the resilient structure may be positioned within a slotted ladder ring encircling the first shaft.