Shaft-Hub Connection with Two-Part Ring for Axial Load Support
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing axial force locking mechanisms in machine units, particularly in planetary gearboxes, face challenges with high clamping forces, non-standardized retaining rings, and increased risk of dynamic loads, especially in large-scale applications like wind turbines, where space constraints and reversing operations complicate effective axial force support.
Innovation Solution
A shaft-hub connection with a two-part radial ring element that provides positive-locking between a shaft and hub elements, using interlocking sections and contact surfaces to support axial forces in both nominal and reversing operations, eliminating the need for screw elements and minimizing assembly force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If standardized retaining rings are used for axial force retention, then ease of manufacture is improved, but adaptability deteriorates because standardized sizes are rarely suitable for increasing dimensions in wind turbines
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining ring is designed with continuously variable dimensions, particularly in the radial direction, allowing adaptation to different shaft and hub element sizes. The ring element can be manufactured in various sizes and configurations to match specific application requirements, transforming the fixed standardized sizes into adaptable custom dimensions while maintaining manufacturing efficiency.
2Adaptability or versatility
If special non-standardized retaining rings are used to match increasing dimensions, then adaptability is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ring element is designed with continuously variable dimensions that can be adjusted to match specific shaft and hub element sizes. This allows a single design approach to serve multiple size requirements, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while achieving adaptability to different dimensions in wind turbine applications.
3Ease of operation
If axially bolted two-piece ring elements are used, then ease of installation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to increased risk with dynamic loads and continuous stress on bolted connections
Solution Approach 1:
The ring element is divided into two axially separable parts that can be installed independently. The first part is positioned on the shaft element and the second part on the hub element, allowing easy assembly without requiring high assembly forces. This segmentation maintains ease of installation while eliminating the need for stress-prone bolted connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The two-part ring element structure acts as an intermediary solution between the shaft and hub element, providing axial force retention through direct contact surfaces rather than through bolted connections. This eliminates the stress concentration and reliability issues associated with bolts while maintaining assembly simplicity.
4Volume of moving object
If the width of the plug-in or short-gear connection is reduced due to space constraints, then compactness is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to increased risk of connected machine elements tipping over
Solution Approach 1:
The solution moves from relying solely on the width of the plug-in connection (one dimension) to utilizing axial positioning and radial interlocking (additional dimensions). The ring element provides axial force retention and anti-tipping functionality through its radial and axial geometry, compensating for the reduced width without requiring increased compactness sacrifices.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Shaft-hub connection 10 for a machine unit, in particular a planetary gear, comprising a shaft element, a hub element 14 connected to the shaft element 12 via a splined connection 16 around a c drive and surrounding the shaft element 12, wherein a ring element 20 connecting the shaft element 12 and the hub element 14 is provided for axial force transmission and the ring element 20 is designed in at least two parts in the radial direction and forms a first axial section 221 and a second axial section 222, the second axial section 222 forming a radial collar 18 of the hub element 14 and the shaft element 12 engaging the first axial section 221 from a first axial direction.The ring element 20 and the positive locking connection between shaft element 12 and hub element 14 significantly reduces tilting of shaft element to hub element in the splined connection 16 due to the axial and radial guidance achieved.