Curved Toothed Shaft Assembly for Torque Transfer Misalignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shaft systems for torque transfer are complex, with a high number of components and weight, and struggle with misalignment issues, requiring multiple couplings that increase inertia and weight while being costly to manufacture and assemble.
Innovation Solution
A simplified shaft system with a curved toothed structure that combines coupling and misalignment adaptation functions, allowing for angular and axial misalignment compensation, and synchronization adjustment, using a single toothed structure throughout the shaft for efficient torque transfer and assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple couplings are used to handle misalignment, then misalignment compensation capability is improved, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple coupling functions (angular misalignment compensation, axial misalignment compensation, and torque transfer) into a single integrated coupling mechanism. This single coupling includes curved toothed structures that can simultaneously handle angular and axial misalignments while transferring torque, eliminating the need for multiple separate couplings and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling device is designed with multi-functionality to handle various types of misalignment (angular and axial) and torque transfer simultaneously. The curved toothed structure can adapt to different misalignment conditions while maintaining torque transmission capability, making the coupling universally applicable for complex misalignment scenarios without requiring additional specialized components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple couplings are used to handle misalignment, then misalignment compensation capability is improved, but weight and inertia increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple coupling functions (angular misalignment compensation, axial misalignment compensation, and torque transfer) into a single integrated coupling mechanism. This single coupling includes curved toothed structures that can simultaneously handle angular and axial misalignments while transferring torque, eliminating the need for multiple separate couplings and reducing overall system complexity.
3Power
If traditional coupling structures are used, then torque transfer is achieved, but manufacturing cost and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple coupling functions (angular misalignment compensation, axial misalignment compensation, and torque transfer) into a single integrated coupling mechanism. This single coupling includes curved toothed structures that can simultaneously handle angular and axial misalignments while transferring torque, eliminating the need for multiple separate couplings and reducing overall system complexity.
4Device complexity
If fewer components are used, then device complexity is reduced, but functionality may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device is designed with multi-functionality to handle various types of misalignment (angular and axial) and torque transfer simultaneously. The curved toothed structure can adapt to different misalignment conditions while maintaining torque transmission capability, making the coupling universally applicable for complex misalignment scenarios without requiring additional specialized components.
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 shaft system reduces component count, facilitates assembly and manufacturing, and provides effective torque transfer with reduced weight and inertia, enabling efficient angular misalignment compensation and synchronization adjustment, thus improving reliability and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The curved toothed structure allows for misalignment(s) between the drive shaft and the first shaft. For example, the curved toothed structure is configured to, in operation (i.e. during torque transfer from the drive shaft to the shaft system), compensate for angular shaft misalignment.
Implementation Method 2
In operation of the shaft system, the first shaft, and its toothed structure, receives a torque from the drive shaft via the first coupling and the curved toothed structure of the first component, whereby the toothed structure further transfers the torque via the toothed structured in the second coupling to the second shaft.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The invention relates to a shaft system for transmitting a torque. The shaft system comprises a first component configured to deliver torque from a drive shaft, a first shaft connectable to the first component, and a second shaft connectable to, and axial extendable relative to, the first shaft. The first shaft comprises a toothed structure configured to mate with a toothed structure of the first component in a first coupling, and to mate with a toothed structure of the second shaft in a second coupling, such that in operation of the shaft system, torque is transferred from the first component to the second shaft via the first shaft.