Torque Transmitting Shaft Safety Coupling Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing torque transmitting shafts, such as cardan shafts, face challenges in compactly integrating a safety coupling arrangement that can handle high torques without excessive space usage, especially in confined spaces, and efficiently disengage when torque exceeds a predetermined value without compromising structural integrity.
Innovation Solution
A cardan shaft design featuring a hollow-cylindrical groove in the first end section that encloses an expandable safety coupling arrangement, allowing for a bolt joint connection and axial extension to distribute shear forces, while maintaining the same outer dimensions as a shaft without a safety coupling, ensuring torque transfer and disengagement within predetermined settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a safety coupling arrangement is integrated into the cardan shaft, then torque transfer and disengagement functionality is improved, but the shaft occupies more space and becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The safety coupling arrangement is nested within the hollow-cylindrical groove of the first end section. The expandable safety unit part is positioned inside the groove, allowing the safety coupling functionality to be integrated within the existing shaft volume without increasing external dimensions. This nesting approach resolves the contradiction by embedding the safety mechanism within the shaft structure itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The safety coupling arrangement uses an expandable safety unit part that can dynamically change its state between engaged and disengaged positions. When torque exceeds a predetermined value, the safety unit expands or moves axially to disengage, allowing automatic torque limitation without requiring additional space for separate safety mechanisms. This dynamic behavior enables reliable safety coupling within compact dimensions.
2Reliability
If a safety coupling arrangement is integrated into the cardan shaft, then torque transfer and disengagement functionality is improved, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The safety coupling arrangement is merged with the first end section by integrating the expandable safety unit part within the hollow-cylindrical groove. The groove structure serves dual purposes: providing structural support for the end section and housing the safety coupling mechanism. This merging reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall construction while maintaining safety functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The hollow-cylindrical groove structure serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the first end section, acts as a housing for the expandable safety unit part, and defines the engagement/disengagement space for the safety coupling arrangement. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby reducing overall device complexity while improving reliability.
3Volume of moving object
If the shaft maintains the same outer dimensions as a shaft without safety coupling, then space efficiency is improved, but the internal structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The first end section is segmented into multiple functional zones: the hollow-cylindrical groove structure, the expandable safety unit part, and the bolt joint connection areas. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently within the constrained external dimensions. The groove is divided into regions for housing the safety unit and for structural support, enabling compact integration of complex internal structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The safety coupling arrangement utilizes the axial dimension for the expandable safety unit part's movement and the radial dimension for the hollow-cylindrical groove structure. By distributing the safety mechanism across different spatial dimensions within the shaft, the design accommodates complex internal structures without increasing the overall external dimensions, thereby maintaining space efficiency while managing internal complexity.
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 design enables efficient torque transfer and disengagement within the same dimensions as a shaft without a safety coupling, effectively managing shear forces and maintaining structural integrity by using an expandable safety unit part that can switch between engaged and disengaged positions based on torque levels.
Implementation Method 1
an expandable safety unit part (17'), formed with an axially orientated cavity (17a), which is adapted to enclose an overpressure
Implementation Method 2
an expandable safety unit part (17'), formed with an axially orientated cavity (17a), which is adapted to enclose an overpressure
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6~9
AI summary
The present invention relates to a torque transmitting cardan shaft (2), and, in principle, includes within the shaft an adapted intermediate member or shaft (10), which has a first end section (11), that is intended for a rotationally rigid co-action with a first universal joint yoke (21) and a second end section (12), opposite said first end section (11), intended for a rotationally rigid co-action with a second universal joint yoke (22). The intermediate member or shaft (10) and its end section (11) is configured as and comprises two parts or sub-sections (2a, 10), which are mutually joined via a safety coupling arrangement (7), by means of which a free coupling of said subsections (2a, 10) from one other can be ensured immediately after the torque, between said subsections, exceeds a predetermined value, determined by the construction of the safety coupling arrangement (7). A first end section (2a) and its universal joint yoke (21) includes an axially orientated cylindrical groove or recess (13), which has a centre axis (13') that is co-ordinated with or aligned with a rotational axis (11') of said first end subsection (11) and its co-ordinated universal joint yoke (21). The circular groove or recess (13) is dimensioned to enable enclosure of a major cylindrical part (17) of said safety coupling arrangement (7) and its safety unit part (17) and co-operate with a disc (18). The first end section or extension (2a) and its yoke (21) are integrated formed to one single piece.