Rotatable Stop Member for Fast Flanged Hub Disassembly

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing flange arrangements face challenges in efficiently transmitting increasing drive powers while maintaining maintenance friendliness, quick assembly, and cost-effectiveness, particularly in applications like wind turbines and industrial gear units.

Innovation Solution

A flange arrangement featuring a detachable stop member that rotates between holding and disassembly positions, exerting forces aligned with the rotation axis to securely attach and easily detach the flanged hub from the power shaft, reducing the need for complex peripheral forces and auxiliary devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a stop member is used to hold the flanged hub on the power shaft, then the connection is secure and reliable, but the disassembly process becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoiddisassembly time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The stop member is designed to be rotatable about the rotation axis of the power shaft, allowing it to dynamically switch between a holding position (where it exerts a holding force to secure the flanged hub) and a disassembly position (where it exerts a disassembly force to facilitate removal). This dynamic repositioning enables the same component to serve both securing and disassembly functions, reducing disassembly time while maintaining connection reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the disassembly force is aligned axially along the rotation axis, then the disassembly process is simplified and mechanical stress is reduced, but the stop member design becomes more constrained

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisassembly easeVSAvoidstop member design complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The stop member is designed to be rotatable about the rotation axis of the power shaft, allowing it to dynamically switch between a holding position (where it exerts a holding force to secure the flanged hub) and a disassembly position (where it exerts a disassembly force to facilitate removal). This dynamic repositioning enables the same component to serve both securing and disassembly functions, reducing disassembly time while maintaining connection reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of repair

If the stop member is rotatable between holding and disassembly positions, then assembly and disassembly can be performed easily without auxiliary devices, but the structural complexity of the stop member increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemaintenance easeVSAvoidstop member structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The stop member is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides holding force to secure the flanged hub during operation, and when rotated to the disassembly position, it provides disassembly force to facilitate removal. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate auxiliary devices for disassembly, simplifying maintenance procedures while the rotational mechanism adds manageable structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11905925B2Flange arrangement, flanged hub, stop member, gear unit, electric motor, wind turbine and industrial application

Publication Date: 2024.02.20 FLENDER GMBH

AI summary

A flange arrangement includes a power shaft, a flanged hub connected detachably to the power shaft, and a stop member configured to detachably hold the flanged hub on the power shaft and to exert a disassembly force on the flanged hub so as to be able to rotate about a rotation axis of the power shaft.