Segmented Double Coupling for Shaft Offset and High Torque Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing compensating couplings for rail vehicle drive trains face challenges in minimizing material usage while ensuring reliable high-torque transmission and long service life, particularly in partially sprung drive trains where relative movements between the drive motor and final drive result in offset compensation requirements.
Innovation Solution
A compensating coupling design featuring a first and second connecting flange with elastic compensating elements, a center piece composed of separable middle piece elements with radially arranged force application points and varying rib heights to enhance rigidity and stability, allowing for efficient torque transmission with minimal material usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the compensating coupling uses a solid center piece design, then the torque transmission reliability is improved, but the material consumption and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The center piece is divided into multiple segments (first center piece segment, second center piece segment, third center piece segment) that are connected through force application points. This segmentation allows the structure to maintain torque transmission capability while using less material, as each segment can be optimized independently and the overall structure becomes more efficient in material distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite structure combining rigid center piece segments with elastic compensating elements. This composite approach allows the rigid segments to provide torque transmission paths while the elastic elements provide flexibility and offset compensation, achieving high reliability with reduced material consumption compared to a fully solid design.
2Strength
If the rib height is increased to enhance rigidity, then the torque transferability is improved, but the material usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rib structure implements local quality by varying the rib height and positioning ribs specifically between force application points where they are most needed for structural integrity. The ribs extend in the force direction to provide localized reinforcement exactly where torque transmission requires it, rather than uniformly increasing material throughout the entire center piece.
Solution Approach 2:
The rib structure utilizes the axial dimension by extending ribs in the force direction (axial dimension) between force application points. This dimensional approach allows the ribs to provide structural reinforcement and increase torque transferability by creating load paths in the axial direction, rather than simply increasing radial or circumferential dimensions.
3Ease of manufacture
If the center piece is designed as a single solid piece, then the manufacturing simplicity is improved, but the material consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The center piece is segmented into multiple manufacturable sections (first, second, and third center piece segments) that can be produced separately and then assembled. This segmentation enables each segment to be optimized for manufacturing processes and reduces overall material consumption while maintaining structural integrity through the force application points that connect the segments.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the elastic compensating elements are made more flexible to handle offset movements, then the adaptability is improved, but the torque transmission capability may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling uses a composite design combining elastic compensating elements with rigid center piece segments. The elastic elements provide flexibility for offset compensation while the rigid segments provide dedicated torque transmission paths. This composite approach allows the system to simultaneously achieve high adaptability for offset movements and high torque transmission capability without compromising either function.
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 design achieves increased torque transferability with reduced material consumption, preventing component collisions during offset compensation and ensuring stable operation by optimizing the rib arrangement and elastic element deformation, thus enhancing the coupling's reliability and longevity.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the two torsion couplings comprises a connecting flange for connection to one of the shafts to be connected, as well as an elastic connecting element connected to the connecting flange
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a compensating coupling (1) for offset-compensating coupling of two shafts. The compensating coupling (1) comprises a first connecting flange (2) for connecting to a drive shaft, and a first elastic compensating element (3) which is connected to the first connecting flange (2). Furthermore, the compensating coupling (1) comprises a second connecting flange (4) for connecting to a driven shaft, and a second elastic compensating element (5) which is connected to the second connecting flange (4). Furthermore, the compensating coupling (1) comprises a center piece (6) which is arranged between the first and the second elastic compensating element (3, 5) and comprises a first center piece element (7) and a second center piece element (8) which are separably connected to one another. A plurality of force engagement points (9a, 9b, 9c, 9d, 9e, 9f) is arranged on both the first center piece element (7) and on the second center piece element (8) for connecting to the elastic compensating element (3, 5) associated therewith in each case. A rib (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22) having an elevation extending in the axial direction is arranged between each two adjacent force engagement points (9a, 9b, 9c, 9d, 9e, 9f).