Spring-Loaded Shaft Coupling for Low-Torque Locking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing shaft coupling techniques face challenges in maintaining repeatability, preventing loosening over time, and avoiding damage due to dirt, corrosion, and over-tightening, while also requiring high force and torque for coupling and decoupling, and lacking quick and repeated coupling capabilities.

Innovation Solution

A shaft coupling system utilizing a spring-loaded disc that interacts with a second shaft to create a strong connection, allowing for lower coupling force and torque, with asymmetric shapes for varying coupling and decoupling, and providing acoustic and haptic feedback for locking, and using a spring to bias the second shaft towards the first, preventing over-tightening and damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If conventional shaft coupling techniques are used, then shafts can be coupled together, but high force and torque are required for coupling and decoupling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoupling forceVSAvoidease of coupling

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling system employs a dynamic cam mechanism where the cam profile changes position during coupling. The cam transitions from a first position during coupling to a second position during decoupling, creating asymmetric mechanical advantage that reduces the force required for coupling while maintaining strong retention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The cam mechanism exhibits asymmetric geometry with different profiles for coupling and decoupling phases. The cam profile is specifically designed with asymmetric curvature radii and engagement angles, allowing easy coupling through a small rotational movement while requiring significant force for decoupling, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of coupling and strong retention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

2Stability of the object's composition

If conventional shaft coupling techniques are used, then shafts can be coupled together, but loosening occurs over time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoupling stabilityVSAvoidduration of coupling

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The cam mechanism dynamically adjusts its engagement state. During coupling, the cam rotates to a locked position where the profile creates mechanical interference that prevents loosening. The asymmetric design ensures that operational vibrations and thermal expansions tend to tighten rather than loosen the coupling, maintaining stability over extended durations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The cam profile is pre-designed to counteract loosening forces before they can cause separation. The mechanical geometry of the cam creates preliminary engagement forces that press the shafts together, opposing any tendency toward loosening from vibration or thermal cycling, thus preventing loosening over time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Reliability

If conventional shaft coupling techniques are used, then shafts can be coupled together, but damage occurs due to dirt, corrosion, and over-tightening

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from damageVSAvoiddamage from dirt and corrosion

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling mechanism includes self-aligning features where the cam and shaft geometry automatically compensate for minor misalignments and contamination. The design allows for self-cleaning action during the coupling rotation, where surfaces scrape against each other to remove dirt and debris, reducing the impact of contamination without requiring external intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 system achieves a strong, repeatable, and secure connection between shafts with reduced coupling force and torque, preventing loosening and damage, while providing feedback for locking, enabling efficient and repeated coupling and decoupling operations.

Implementation Method 1

A spring may be mounted to the first shaft to bias the second shaft towards the first shaft when the second shaft is retained with the first shaft

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Implementation Method 2

A shaft coupling system may include a profiled disc that is permanently pushed or pulled in one direction... By pushing a second shaft through the disc and turning the second shaft by 90°, the first shaft may be coupled to the second shaft

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical advantage through asymmetric geometry: Geometry

Data Source

PatentUS20230349426A1Shaft coupling

Publication Date: 2023.11.02 AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES INC

AI summary

In some examples, a shaft coupling system may include a first shaft including a disc that is engageable by a second shaft to retain the second shaft with the first shaft when the second shaft is rotated in a first direction, and release the second shaft from the first shaft when the second shaft is rotated in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction. A spring may be mounted to the first shaft to bias the second shaft towards the first shaft when the second shaft is retained with the first shaft. Further, a shaft coupling method may include engaging a second shaft with a disc of a first shaft by rotating the second shaft in a first direction relative to the first shaft, and disengaging the second shaft from the first shaft by rotating the second shaft in a second direction relative to the first shaft.