Self-Centering Flexible Coupling for Shaft Misalignment and Fatigue
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shaft couplings face challenges in accommodating axial movement and angular misalignment between shafts, leading to potential damage and fatigue due to misalignment caused by thermal expansion and flexing of attached frames.
Innovation Solution
A self-centering flexible coupling system is introduced, featuring a cup-shaped portion and a biasing means, such as a spring, that compresses to return shafts to an equilibrium position, allowing for relative axial and angular misalignment while maintaining torque transmission through radially extending and inwardly extending splines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a rigid shaft coupling is used to maintain precise alignment, then alignment precision is improved, but the coupling cannot accommodate thermal expansion and frame flexing, leading to stress concentrations and fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling employs a biasing means (spring) that allows the coupling to dynamically adjust and accommodate misalignment between shafts. The spring enables relative movement while maintaining connection, transforming the rigid static coupling into a dynamic system that can adapt to thermal expansion and frame flexing without creating stress concentrations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a flexible coupling is used to accommodate misalignment, then adaptability is improved, but torque transmission capability deteriorates due to compliance
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling is segmented into distinct functional components: a cup-shaped portion for radial alignment, splines for torque transmission, and a biasing means for axial compliance. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally - the splines maintain rigid torque transmission while the biasing means provides flexible misalignment accommodation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If axial movement between shafts is allowed to accommodate thermal expansion, then thermal adaptability is improved, but wear increases due to relative movement
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing means acts as an intermediary element between the two shafts, absorbing axial movement caused by thermal expansion and frame flexing. By providing a controlled compliant interface, the biasing means reduces wear compared to direct metal-to-metal contact while still accommodating the necessary relative movement.
4Measurement precision
If a self-centering mechanism is added to eliminate misalignment, then alignment precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple functions into a compact coupling structure: the cup-shaped portion provides radial alignment and centering, the splines enable torque transmission and axial movement, and the biasing means provides axial compliance and self-centering force. This integration achieves self-centering functionality without requiring separate complex mechanisms.
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 solution effectively reduces wear and fatigue by automatically centering and aligning shafts, maintaining torque transmission, and accommodating misalignment, thereby preventing damage and extending the lifespan of connected parts.
Implementation Method 1
the biasing means is arranged so as to compress in response to angular misalignment away from the equilibrium position between the first and second shaft axes and/or to compress in response to relative axial movement of the first and second shafts towards each other away from the equilibrium position
Data Source
AI summary
A coupling for allowing torque transmission between a first and second shaft, the coupling comprising: a cup-shaped portion provided at a first end of said first shaft and a first end of said second shaft being positioned within said cup-shaped portion; and said coupling further comprising a biasing means positioned between said first and second shafts, such that said biasing means is in contact with both of said first and second shafts. A shaft system can include the first coupling in combination with a third shaft and a second coupling that is provided between the third shaft and either a second end of said first shaft or a second end of said second shaft. The second coupling is identical to the first coupling.