Axially Offset Spring Shaft Coupling for High Torsional Rigidity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shaft connections and couplings face limitations in torsional rigidity and axial lifting force, which restrict their performance in applications requiring high rigidity and low axial mobility.
Innovation Solution
A shaft connection design featuring coaxially arranged first and second shafts with axially offset pairs of spring elements, providing high torsional rigidity and controlled axial mobility through the use of leaf springs and a coupling mechanism that includes a rotor shaft for axial movement, allowing for efficient torque transmission and axial stroke without excessive restoring force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a single spring element is used to connect two shafts, then the axial lifting force is provided, but the torsional rigidity is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The single spring element is segmented into multiple spring elements (first spring element and second spring element) that are axially offset from each other. This segmentation allows each spring element to contribute to torsional rigidity while maintaining the axial lifting force capability, thereby resolving the contradiction between insufficient torsional rigidity and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring elements are arranged in the axial dimension (axially offset from each other) rather than only in the radial dimension. This dimensional change enables the system to achieve high torsional rigidity through the distributed axial arrangement of multiple spring elements without proportionally increasing device complexity.
2Strength
If multiple spring elements are used to increase torsional rigidity, then the torsional rigidity improves, but the axial lifting force increases excessively
Solution Approach 1:
Each spring element is designed with specific local properties (axial offset positioning) that allow them to contribute differently to the overall system performance. The axially offset arrangement ensures that the spring elements primarily resist torsional loads while their individual axial stiffness contributions are optimized to provide the required lifting force without excessive magnitude.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a composite arrangement of multiple spring elements with different axial positions, creating a composite spring system that achieves both high torsional rigidity and controlled axial lifting force characteristics that cannot be achieved with a single spring element.
3Strength
If the spring elements are arranged axially offset from each other, then the torsional rigidity increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The axially offset spring element arrangement serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides high torsional rigidity, maintains axial lifting force capability, and enables compact coupling design. This multi-functionality justifies the increased structural complexity by delivering multiple performance benefits from the same design feature.
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 achieves high torsional rigidity and low axial lifting force requirements, enabling reliable torque transmission and large axial stroke with minimal restoring force, suitable for applications like aircraft control systems, while maintaining a lightweight and compact structure.
Implementation Method 1
The spring elements are each fastened to the first shaft and the second shaft, and the spring elements are arranged axially offset from one another... the spring can exert a restoring force in the axial direction
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C
Figure 2~3
AI summary
Shaft connection (1) comprising a first shaft (5) rotatable about an axis of rotation (3), a second shaft (7) arranged coaxially to the first shaft (5) and axially movable relative to the first shaft (5), and at least one pair of spring elements (9) each comprising a first spring element (11) and a second spring element (13), wherein the first spring element (11) and the second spring element (13) are each attached to the first shaft (5) and to the second shaft (7), and wherein the first spring element (11) and the second spring element (13) are arranged axially offset from each other.