Shaft Coupling Radial Engagement Axial Space Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mechanical couplings for connecting shafts in household appliances, such as washing machines, face challenges in compactness, cost-effectiveness, and avoiding dead center issues, particularly when coupling a drive motor to a dosing pump, which requires efficient torque transmission and minimal axial installation space.
Innovation Solution
A compact, cost-effective coupling design that allows axial movement between two shafts, featuring asymmetrical coupling halves with radial force transmission elements and a chamfered driver, enabling torque transmission without permanent spring forces and dead center complications, along with centering mechanisms for alignment and reduced overall length.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional detachable couplings with axial displacement mechanisms are used, then reliable torque transmission is achieved, but axial installation space increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from axial displacement to radial displacement for the force transmission elements. The bar with force transmission elements can move radially relative to the drive shaft, allowing the coupling to engage and disengage in the radial direction rather than requiring axial movement. This dimensional change reduces the axial installation space while maintaining reliable torque transmission through the radial engagement mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of moving the coupling half axially along the shaft to achieve engagement, the patent inverts the approach by using radial movement of force transmission elements on a bar. The bar rotates about the drive shaft and its force transmission elements engage radially with the drive element, reversing the conventional axial engagement direction and thereby reducing axial space requirements.
2Reliability
If crown teeth with axial retraction are used, then dead center engagement is avoided, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the spring mechanism and axial retraction components from conventional crown tooth couplings. By using a bar with radially movable force transmission elements that engage with a drive element having protrusions, the design achieves dead center avoidance without requiring springs or complex axial displacement mechanisms, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability.
3Reliability
If splined shaft connections are added for positive locking, then connection reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the torque transmission and positive locking functions into a single integrated mechanism. The bar with force transmission elements simultaneously provides torque transmission through radial engagement with the drive element and ensures positive locking through the same engagement. This eliminates the need for separate splined shaft connections, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining connection reliability.
4Length of moving object
If compact coupling design is implemented, then axial space is reduced, but torque transmission capability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic radial engagement where the bar with force transmission elements can move radially to engage and disengage from the drive element. This dynamic mechanism allows compact axial design while maintaining full torque transmission capability through the radial force transmission path. The rotational movement of the bar about the drive shaft enables dynamic engagement that preserves power transmission despite reduced axial dimensions.
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 provides a reliable, compact, and cost-effective means for transmitting torque between shafts, ensuring efficient energy transfer, minimizing axial space requirements, and preventing dead center issues, suitable for household appliances like washing machines, with enhanced stability and reduced wear.
Implementation Method 1
one of the force transmission elements is engaged with the driver in order to transmit a torque between the two shafts
Implementation Method 2
a coupling for detachably connecting two shafts by axially moving the shafts relative to each other
Implementation Method 3
the first coupling half has a first force transmission element and a second force transmission element which are jointly displaceable in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the first shaft connectable to the first coupling half, i.e. radially displaceable
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a coupling (300) for detachably connecting two shafts by axial movement of the shafts in relation to each other, comprising a first coupling half (100), which can be connected to a first shaft for conjoint rotation, and a second coupling half (200), which can be connected to a second shaft for conjoint rotation, wherein the second coupling half (200) has a driver (205), wherein the first coupling half (100) has a first force-transmitting element (105a) and a second force-transmitting element (105b), which can be jointly moved in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the first shaft that can be connected to the first coupling half (100), and wherein, in the coupled state of the coupling (300), one of the force-transmitting elements (105a, 105b) is engaged with the driver (205) in order to transfer a torque between the two shafts.