Split Shaft Coupling With Timing Indicators for Fast Machine Changeover
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Solution Overview
Problem
In bottle and can manufacturing machine lines, switching between machine arrangements connected by shafts is cumbersome, time-consuming, and expensive due to the need for disassembly and reassembly of the shafts, which complicates changes in processing types and parts replacement.
Innovation Solution
A split shaft design that allows machine arrangements to be swapped without disconnecting shafts, featuring two sections that can be decoupled and re-engaged with alignment indicators for proper timing, enabling quick changes without disassembling the machine line.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If machine arrangements are connected by shafts to convey drive power and timing, then power transmission and mechanical timing are achieved, but changing machine arrangements requires disassembly and reassembly of shafts which is time-consuming and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The shaft is divided into two separate sections: a first shaft section that remains connected to the first machine arrangement, and a second shaft section that can be detached and reconnected to different machine arrangements. This segmentation allows the second shaft section to be quickly swapped between machine arrangements without disconnecting the first shaft section, thereby reducing changeover time while maintaining power transmission and timing functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If shafts are used to connect machine arrangements, then drive power and mechanical timing are conveyed, but the process of disconnecting and reconnecting shafts increases time and resource consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The second shaft section is pre-configured with connection features and alignment indicators that enable quick attachment to different machine arrangements. The alignment indicators are pre-positioned to guide proper orientation during connection, eliminating the need for time-consuming alignment adjustments during changeover. This preliminary preparation of the shaft section allows for rapid swapping between machine arrangements while maintaining proper mechanical timing.
3Adaptability or versatility
If machine arrangements are disassembled to replace parts or switch configurations, then adaptability is achieved, but the operation becomes inconvenient and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The second shaft section is extracted as a separate, removable component that can be detached from the first shaft section and transferred to different machine arrangements. This extraction allows parts replacement and machine arrangement switching without requiring disassembly of the entire machine arrangement or the first shaft section, significantly improving ease of operation while maintaining adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
A split shaft includes a proximal shaft section having a first proximal shaft end and a second proximal shaft end. The first proximal shaft end is configured to couple to the first machine arrangement. The split shaft further includes a distal shaft section having a first distal shaft end and a second distal shaft end. The first distal shaft end is configured to couple to the second machine arrangement. The second distal shaft end is configured to engage with the second proximal shaft end to convey the drive power from the first machine arrangement to the second machine arrangement. The second proximal shaft end includes a first indicator, and the second distal shaft end includes a second indicator. Alignment of the first indicator and the second indicator conveys timing for the drive power.