Shaft-Hub Connection with Segmented Transmission Elements

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing shaft-hub connections face challenges in absorbing high axial and tangential loads, often leading to stress concentrations and potential destruction, especially in applications like steel rolling mills, where high torques are transmitted, and are difficult to join and detach without significant labor and energy.

Innovation Solution

A shaft-hub connection design featuring inward and outward steps with indentations forming cavities for transmission elements, which provide a form-fitting connection for torque transmission and include axial securing means and retaining rings with conical contact surfaces to distribute loads and facilitate easy assembly and disassembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If shrink-fitting process is used to connect roll body to roll shaft, then high torques can be transmitted, but extremely high tangential stresses are generated that can lead to destruction of the roll body

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetorque transmission capacityVSAvoidroll body integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The connection is divided into multiple transmission elements (e.g., multiple bolts or pins) distributed around the circumference, which segment the stress distribution and prevent concentration of high tangential stresses at any single location, thereby avoiding roll body destruction while maintaining torque transmission capacity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Transmission elements act as intermediaries between the roll body and roll shaft, transferring torques through controlled shear forces rather than direct shrink-fitting contact, which distributes the stress more evenly and prevents extreme tangential stresses that would destroy the roll body

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Power

If shrink-fitting process is used to connect roll body to roll shaft, then torque transmission is achieved, but the connection cannot be easily disassembled and requires significant energy and labor for rework

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetorque transmission capacityVSAvoidassembly and disassembly ease
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The connection is segmented into discrete transmission elements that can be individually removed, allowing the hub to be easily disassembled from the shaft by simply removing these elements rather than requiring complex shrink-fitting reversal processes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connection transitions from a static, permanent shrink-fit to a dynamic, reversible assembly using transmission elements that can be inserted and removed as needed, enabling easy disassembly and reassembly without significant energy or labor

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Power

If conventional shaft-hub connections are used, then torque transmission is achieved, but stress concentrations occur that can lead to fatigue cracks and connection failure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetorque transmission capacityVSAvoidconnection durability
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The transmission elements are strategically positioned at locations that optimize stress distribution, creating local quality variations in the connection structure that prevent stress concentrations at critical points and reduce the risk of fatigue crack initiation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Force

If standardized shaft-hub connections are used, then torque and axial force transmission is achieved, but the connections are difficult to disassemble and require significant labor and energy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload transmission capacityVSAvoidassembly and disassembly ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The connection is divided into removable transmission elements that can be individually accessed and removed, transforming a difficult-to-disassemble standardized connection into an easily serviceable segmented structure while maintaining full load transmission capacity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The transmission elements are designed to be self-contained and self-explanatory, allowing for easy identification and removal without requiring specialized tools or complex procedures, thereby enabling straightforward maintenance and assembly operations

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

This design effectively absorbs high axial and tangential loads, reduces stress concentrations, and allows for easy joining and disjoining, enhancing the durability and maintenance of components like roller bodies in rolling mills and other high-load applications.

Implementation Method 1

retaining rings with conical contact surfaces to distribute loads and facilitate easy assembly and disassembly

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

retaining rings with conical contact surfaces to distribute loads

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 3

transmission elements arranged in the cavities... provide a form-fitting connection for torque transmission

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 4

transmission elements arranged in the cavities... provide a form-fitting connection for torque transmission

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP3293407B1Shaft-to-collar connection
Publication Date: 2019.11.20 WALZENGIEBEREI COSWIG GMBH
  • EP3293407B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3293407B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3293407B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a shaft-hub connection in which, in a central area located between axial end regions of the hub, the hub has an inwardly pointing shoulder and the shaft has an outwardly pointing shoulder, wherein each shoulder has an arrangement of recesses such that one recess of the shoulder of the shaft and one recess of the shoulder of the hub together enclose a cavity extending in an axial direction of the shaft, and transmission elements are arranged in the cavities.