Rotatable Shaft Coupling for Emergency Torque Release
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coupling devices for driveshafts in winches do not allow for immediate and instantaneous disengagement of torque, which is critical during unforeseen incidents like extreme wire or chain tensions that threaten ship stability during anchor handling and towing operations.
Innovation Solution
A coupling device with an axially displaceable locking casing and carrier wedges that convert axial displacement into radial movement, enabling quick disengagement of shaft parts by pushing carrier wedges out of their recesses, allowing one shaft to continue rotating while the other stops immediately.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a coupling device uses locking bodies that are activated by axial displacement of the coupling body, then the connection and disengagement between shaft parts can be achieved, but the disengagement is not immediate or instantaneous when full torque is present
Solution Approach 1:
The locking bodies are designed as spring-loaded elements that can dynamically transition between engaged and disengaged states. The springs allow the locking bodies to be quickly pushed out of their locking positions by axial movement of the coupling body, enabling immediate disengagement even under full torque conditions while maintaining reliable torque transmission when engaged.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling device is segmented into multiple independent locking bodies that can be individually activated. This segmentation allows the torque path to be broken at multiple points simultaneously when disengagement is initiated, enabling faster and more reliable torque release compared to a single locking mechanism.
2Ease of operation
If the coupling body readjusts locking bodies from a locked position to a disengaged position, then shaft parts can be disconnected, but the process takes time and is not instantaneous
Solution Approach 1:
The locking bodies are pre-positioned in their locking locations and spring-loaded to maintain engagement. When disengagement is required, a simple axial movement of the coupling body immediately pushes all locking bodies out of their locking positions simultaneously, eliminating the need for sequential adjustment and achieving instantaneous disengagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling body is designed to rapidly push the locking bodies through their transition from engaged to disengaged state using spring force. This allows the system to 'rush through' the disengagement process in minimal time, converting a potentially slow mechanical adjustment into a rapid action suitable for emergency torque release.
3Strength
If locking bodies are used to couple shaft parts together, then torque transmission is achieved, but the structure becomes complex with multiple moving parts
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple locking bodies are merged into a single integrated coupling body structure that can actuate all locking mechanisms simultaneously through one axial movement. This merging reduces the number of independent control mechanisms needed while maintaining the torque transmission capacity of multiple locking points.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling body serves multiple functions: it transmits torque during normal operation, controls the engagement of all locking bodies, and enables instantaneous disengagement of all locking bodies simultaneously. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate mechanisms for each function, simplifying the overall structure.
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 immediate and independent rotation of shaft parts, effectively managing extreme tensions and preventing ship capsizing by providing an emergency release mechanism for critical situations.
Implementation Method 1
The end of the carrier wedge that lies against the coupling body comprises a wedge-formed tapered shaped cam that cooperates with a correspondingly formed inclined recess in the coupling body so that an axial displacement of the coupling body is converted into a radial movement of the carrier wedge
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 5~8
Figure 9~11
AI summary
A device for a rotatable shaft is described that is driven by a drive body, such as a winch, and it is characterised in that the shaft is composed of a first shaft part (10) and a second shaft part (12), and a connecting body (14) coupled to the shaft parts, being set up to readjust the shaft parts (10, 12) from a mode where they are coupled together for a possible common rotation, and a mode where they are disengaged and independent of each other. According to the invention each locking body forms a carrier wedge (16) arranged in a cut-out (24) through the casing-formed shaft part (10), and is set up to be displaced in the radial direction into a recess in the second shaft part by an axial displacement of the connecting body (14).