Sliding Sleeve Coupling Locking for Low-Power Torque Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coupling devices require large installation space and high actuator power to reliably maintain a defined shifting state, especially in situations with varying torque or power supply failures, due to the need for strong spring means to overcome frictional forces.
Innovation Solution
A coupling device with a locking unit and latching unit that uses a form-fitting mechanism to hold the rotationally coupled state with low actuating forces, featuring a sliding sleeve with axially deflecting toothing and a locking element that engages in a locking contour, allowing for reliable operation with minimal power and space requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If spring means are used to maintain a defined shifting state, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and installation space increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the spring means from the coupling device, replacing the spring-loaded maintaining mechanism with a direct form-fitting locking mechanism. The locking element engages directly with the locking contour to maintain the coupled state without requiring spring forces, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The form-fitting locking mechanism is self-maintaining through geometric engagement. Once the locking element engages with the locking contour, the mechanical interlock itself maintains the defined shifting state without requiring additional active components like springs to continuously apply force.
2Reliability
If strong spring means are used to overcome frictional forces, then reliability is improved, but power requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the spring means that were previously required to generate forces to overcome friction. Instead, the locking element directly engages the locking contour to maintain the coupled state, eliminating the need for continuous spring forces and reducing actuator power requirements to only what is needed for the shifting action itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking element and locking contour are designed with curved engagement surfaces that facilitate smooth engagement and disengagement. The curved geometry allows the locking element to be pushed into the locking contour with minimal force and maintains engagement through geometric constraint rather than friction-resistant spring forces.
3Reliability
If spring means are used to maintain coupling state, then reliability under varying torque is improved, but installation space increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the spring means from the coupling device, replacing the spring-loaded maintaining mechanism with a direct form-fitting locking mechanism. The locking element engages directly with the locking contour to maintain the coupled state without requiring spring forces, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking element and locking contour are designed with curved engagement surfaces that facilitate smooth engagement and disengagement. The curved geometry allows the locking element to be pushed into the locking contour with minimal force and maintains engagement through geometric constraint rather than friction-resistant spring forces.
Data Source
AI summary
A coupling device for coupling two components in a torque-conducting manner including a first coupling component having a first external toothing and a second coupling component having a second external toothing. In addition, the coupling device has a sliding sleeve having an internal toothing which is permanently engaged with the first external toothing and can be selectively brought into engagement with the second external toothing. Furthermore, a locking unit is provided which can selectively assume a locking state in which the sliding sleeve is held in a form-fitting manner in a rotationally coupled state. In addition, the locking unit can selectively assume an unlocking state.