Shearable Drive Coupling Assembly for Torque Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drive coupling devices fail to effectively decouple from a drive motor under excessive torque, leading to potential damage to the drive motor and receiver.
Innovation Solution
A shearable drive coupling device featuring an elongated adapter with spindle and shaft splines that engage with a drive shaft and receiver, allowing for decoupling when a counter-rotational force is applied, thereby protecting the drive shaft and receiver from damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing drive coupling devices are used to connect drive motor and receiver, then the connection is strong and reliable, but the device cannot decouple under excessive torque leading to damage of drive motor and receiver
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter acts as an intermediary component between the drive shaft and receiver, incorporating shearable splines that serve as a sacrificial element. These splines engage both the drive shaft and receiver, allowing torque transmission while providing a controlled failure point that protects the more valuable components from damage under excessive torque conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter with its shearable splines is designed as a disposable protective element. When excessive torque occurs, the splines shear away, sacrificing the adapter to protect the drive motor and receiver. This aligns with the principle of using cheaper, replaceable components to protect more expensive, critical components.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the adapter uses shearable splines to protect from damage, then the protection function is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter is segmented into distinct functional zones: a drive shaft well for receiving the drive shaft, multiple shearable splines for torque transmission and shear protection, and a receiver interface for engagement. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while maintaining overall simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the adapter have different structural properties optimized for their specific functions. The splines are designed with specific geometry and material properties to shear at a predetermined torque level, while other portions of the adapter maintain strength for normal operation. This local differentiation achieves protection without requiring complex overall structure.
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 device effectively decouples the drive shaft from the receiver under excessive torque, preventing damage and reducing maintenance costs by acting as an intentional failure point, thus minimizing downtime and replacement costs.
Implementation Method 1
The plurality of spindle splines or the plurality of shaft splines shears away from the adapter to decouple the drive shaft from the receiver when the receiver is exposed to a trigger counter-rotational force
Data Source
AI summary
A shearable drive coupling assembly includes an adapter having a top end with a drive shaft well extending downwardly therein. A plurality of spindle splines extends outwardly from an outer surface of the adapter and a plurality of shaft splines extends inwardly from an inside surface of the adaptor. The plurality of spindle splines engage a receiver of an article of powered equipment. A drive shaft of a drive motor engages the shaft splines so that the adapter is coupled to the drive shaft and transfers a rotational torque between the drive shaft and the receiver. The plurality of spindle splines or the plurality of shaft splines shears away from the adapter to decouple the drive shaft from the receiver when the receiver is exposed to a trigger counter-rotational force to protect the receiver and the drive shaft from damage.