Integrated Safety Coupling Bearing to Reduce Weight and Inertia
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional safety couplings face manufacturing limitations and increased weight and inertia issues due to complex connecting structures between shift segments and conventional bearings, especially in larger designs, leading to unnecessary costs and system imbalance.
Innovation Solution
The safety coupling integrates switching segments into an inner and outer ring, eliminating the need for a separate bearing and using rolling elements between the rings to serve as the connecting structure, reducing the need for additional components and screws.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If conventional bearings are used with separate connecting structures for switching segments, then the bearing function is achieved, but the coupling weight and inertia increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing and switching segment connecting structure are merged into a single integrated component. The bearing outer ring directly forms the connecting structure for the switching segments, eliminating the need for separate connecting parts. This integration reduces the total number of components and significantly decreases the overall weight and inertia of the coupling mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing outer ring serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the bearing function for radial and axial load support, and it also serves as the connecting structure for mounting the switching segments. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated connecting structures, reducing weight and simplifying the design.
2Ease of manufacture
If separate bearing and connecting structures are used, then reliable torque transmission is achieved, but manufacturing complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing and connecting structure are manufactured as a single integrated component, reducing the number of assembly steps and potential failure points from component connections. The integrated design simplifies manufacturing while maintaining reliable torque transmission through the unified structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing outer ring is designed with integrated switching segment mounting features that are segmented and distributed around the circumference. This segmentation allows for modular assembly of switching segments while maintaining the overall integrity and reliability of the torque transmission path.
3Use of energy by moving object
If heavy connecting structures are used between switching segments and bearing, then structural strength is sufficient, but the moment of inertia increases requiring more power input
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing outer ring itself serves as the connecting structure, eliminating heavy separate connecting components. This integration maintains sufficient structural strength for torque transmission while dramatically reducing the moment of inertia, thereby lowering the power input required for acceleration and deceleration.
Solution Approach 2:
The design changes the structural parameters by using the bearing outer ring's inherent strength and geometry to provide both mechanical support and switching segment mounting. This parameter change optimizes the strength-to-weight ratio, reducing inertia without compromising strength.
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
This design minimizes the connecting structure, reduces weight and inertia, and lowers assembly time and costs while maintaining effective torque disengagement and re-engagement.
Implementation Method 1
rolling elements, in particular rolling balls, are arranged between the inner ring and the outer ring
Implementation Method 2
detent balls which, under spring force, press into the recesses, effect a rotationally fixed connection
Implementation Method 3
the driven part will stop due to the frictional connection to the connected load
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a safety coupling (100; 100'; 100'') which disengages from a drive position into a freewheeling state when an adjustable overload torque is exceeded during overload, comprising: - a driving flange (10), which can be rotated about an axis of rotation and which has recesses, in particular engagement segments or concave portions, distributed, in particular evenly, on the circumference (12) of a hole circle; and - a driven coupling part (20), which can be rotated about the same axis of rotation, wherein the coupling part (20) has switching segments (40), in particular retaining devices or detent devices, which, in the drive position, press detent elements (30), in particular detent balls, into the recesses under spring force and cause a connection between the flange (10) and the coupling part (20) for conjoint rotation and which, when the overload torque is exceeded, cause the release of the connection for conjoint rotation, with disengagement into the freewheeling state, and wherein each detent element (30) is assigned a switching segment (40) and the detent element (30) moves from the drive position against the spring force, out of the recess, into the freewheeling state. According to the invention, the flange (10) is in the form of an inner ring associated with a bearing or a bearing system (50), the coupling part (20) is in the form of an outer ring associated, in particular concentrically, with the inner ring, and rolling elements (52) are disposed between the inner ring and the outer ring, in particular between the outer lateral surface of the inner ring and the inner lateral surface of the outer ring.