Shaft Coupling with Divisible Body for Roller Maintenance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional roller arrangements for processing dough require significant effort and downtime for maintenance and roller replacement due to fixed bearing and bolted flange connections, which are not suitable for handling irregular dough loads and lead to wear in polygon connections.

Innovation Solution

A shaft coupling with a divisible coupling body and clamping device that allows for non-positive, backlash-free mounting of the shaft journal, featuring clamping jaws and a screw connection for easy assembly and disassembly, enabling quick roller replacement and extended service life.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional fixed bearing and bolted flange connections are used, then the structure is simple and robust, but maintenance and roller replacement require significant effort and downtime

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveroller replacement easeVSAvoiddowntime for maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling body is divided into two separable parts (first coupling part and second coupling part) that can be detached from each other. This segmentation allows the roller to be quickly removed from the drive shaft without disassembling the entire bearing assembly, significantly reducing maintenance downtime and effort while maintaining structural robustness during operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If polygonal shaft journal connections are used, then roller replacement is faster, but the connections wear heavily under irregular dough loads

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveroller replacement speedVSAvoidconnection service life
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the connection parameter from a rigid polygonal fit to a clamping connection with adjustable clamping force. The clamping device applies radial compression forces to the shaft journal through clamping jaws, creating a friction-based connection that accommodates irregular loads without the heavy wear experienced by rigid polygonal connections, while still enabling quick roller replacement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If standard bearings with floating/fixed arrangement are used, then the mounting is secure, but the entire bearing assembly must be separated for roller removal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting securityVSAvoidbearing assembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling body is segmented into two parts that can be separated along a parting line. This allows the roller to be removed by simply detaching the coupling parts from each other, leaving the bearing assembly intact and mounted on the machine frame. This reduces device complexity by eliminating the need to disassemble the entire bearing assembly while maintaining secure mounting during operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 simplifies maintenance and roller replacement, reduces downtime, and increases the service life by providing a low-wear clutch mechanism that maintains operational efficiency during dough processing.

Implementation Method 1

a clamping device (7) for non-positive mounting of the shaft journal (1) in the coupling opening (5), featuring clamping jaws (8) which are pressed in the closed position via the clamping device, preferably flat, against the shaft journal (1)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

the first coupling part (9) is hingedly connected to the second coupling part (10) on one side

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHinge mechanism: Hinge

Implementation Method 3

the clamping device (7) has a screw connection for connecting the first coupling part to the second clutch part (10) includes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScrew mechanism: Screw

Data Source

PatentEP2997274B1Shaft coupling for a roller assembly
Publication Date: 2019.03.13 HAAS FOOD EQUIPMENT GMBH
  • EP2997274B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2997274B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2997274B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a shaft coupling and to a roller arrangement comprising a shaft coupling for coupling a shaft journal (1), having a polygonal cross section (2), to a drive (3) or a bearing axis (25), comprising a coupling body (4) which can be rotationally driven and which comprises a coupling opening (5) for receiving the shaft journal (1). Said coupling body (4) has several parts and and is designed so that it can be open along a separation line (6), said separation line (6) dividing the coupling opening (5). A clamping device (7) for maintaining the shaft journal (1) in a positive fit in the coupling opening (5) is provided, said coupling opening (5) is formed, at least partially, by clamping jaws (8) which are pressed, preferably flushly, against the shaft journal (1) by means of the clamping device (7) when in the closed position.