Compensating Element for Shaft-Hub Torque Transmission

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing shaft-hub connections in rolling mills experience uneven torque transmission and high wear due to clearance between mating surfaces, leading to dynamic load peaks and reduced quality of rolling stock, with complex designs and limited adjustability for wear compensation.

Innovation Solution

A non-rotatable shaft-hub connection featuring compensating elements that maintain volume under force, providing planar contact and adjustable play through recesses on the hub and shaft, allowing for robust and low-wear torque transmission without interposed wear components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a conventional positive-locking coupling with interlocking mating surfaces and insertable wear plates is used, then assembly is facilitated by clearance, but uneven torque transmission and heavy wear occur due to the clearance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly facilitationVSAvoidtorque transmission uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A compensating element is introduced as an intermediary between the shaft and hub mating surfaces. This element absorbs the clearance through elastic deformation while maintaining planar contact, thereby eliminating uneven torque transmission and dynamic load peaks without compromising assembly ease

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The compensating element changes its physical state through elastic deformation under load. By allowing controlled deformation within its elastic limit, the element dynamically adjusts to maintain full surface contact despite clearance in the mating surfaces, ensuring uniform torque transmission

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If spring-loaded wedge plates are used to eliminate play, then torque transmission becomes uniform, but the design becomes complex and adjustment for wear is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetorque transmission uniformityVSAvoiddesign complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The complex spring-loaded wedge plate mechanism is replaced by a single compensating element that achieves the same function of eliminating play through elastic deformation. This extraction of the intermediary simplifies the overall design while maintaining torque transmission uniformity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The compensating element is self-adjusting through its elastic properties. As wear occurs on the mating surfaces, the element automatically compensates by deforming further, maintaining full contact without requiring manual adjustment or complex positioning mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If an elastic intermediate element completely enclosing the roll neck is used, then zero backlash is achieved, but material requirements increase and design complexity grows to ensure function during wear

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebacklash eliminationVSAvoiddesign complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of completely enclosing the roll neck with elastic material, the compensating element is positioned only at the critical contact areas where torque transmission occurs. This localized approach eliminates backlash where needed while reducing material requirements and simplifying the overall design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The compensating element can be designed as separate segments or positioned at discrete locations around the circumference rather than as a continuous enclosing structure. This segmentation reduces material usage and simplifies installation and replacement during maintenance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of operation

If hydraulic devices with multiple cylinders are used to increase holding force, then assembly is easier with intended play, but the device complexity and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly easeVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The compensating element serves as a passive intermediary that automatically compensates for clearance through elastic deformation. This eliminates the need for active hydraulic systems with multiple cylinders, significantly reducing device complexity while maintaining assembly ease

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The compensating element performs the function of clearance compensation automatically through its elastic properties without requiring external hydraulic control systems. The element self-adjusts during operation, eliminating the need for complex hydraulic actuation mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 ensures consistent torque transmission and reduced wear, minimizing dynamic load peaks and maintaining operational clearance, thus enhancing the reliability and efficiency of rolling mill operations.

Implementation Method 1

at least one compensating element (14), which has at least one elastic area and which, at least during torque transmission, touches the shaft (8), here the shaft journal, and the hub (7), here the hitting hub

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The at least one compensating element (14) is arranged and designed in such a way that it allows alignment of the components between the roll neck (8) and the hub (7) or the hit (18) during operation and enables a planar transmission of force. The material area forming the deformable, largely incompressible area (31)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIncompressibility:

Data Source

PatentEP3046692B1Conjointly rotating shaft-hub connection, particularly a roll journal-striker connection for use in rolling mills, journal holder and drive arrangement for a rolling mill for driving at least one work roll
Publication Date: 2019.06.19 VOITH PATENT GMBH
  • EP3046692B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4a
  • EP3046692B1 patent drawingFigure 4b~7c
  • EP3046692B1 patent drawingFigure 8a~9

AI summary

The invention relates to a conjointly rotating shaft-hub connection, particularly a roll journal-striker connection for use in rolling mills, wherein a shaft, which is able to rotate about an axis of rotation running in the longitudinal direction, and a hub are arranged relative to one another so as to mesh with one another with a form fit and a clearance to form a connection region and a device for surface load introduction is provided between the shaft and the hub. The invention is characterized in that the device comprises at least one compensating element which has at least one elastic region and which comes into surface contact with both the shaft and the hub at least during torque transmission.