Telescopic Shaft Shielding With Quick-Connect Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional shaft coverings for work machines are difficult to install and remove, often requiring multiple people and are time-consuming, especially in environments where space constraints and high-speed operations are a concern, necessitating a quicker and easier shielding solution that can protect the shaft from debris and contaminants.
Innovation Solution
A telescopic shaft shielding assembly with quick-connect couplers, allowing the shielding tubes to contract for easy installation and expansion for operation, providing protection without the need for tools or fasteners, and enabling single-person assembly/disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional shaft coverings are used, then the shaft is protected from debris and contaminants, but the installation and removal process becomes difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The shaft shielding assembly is divided into multiple tubular sections that can be independently handled and assembled. Each tubular section can be installed separately along the shaft, making the overall installation process more manageable and less cumbersome than using a single large covering.
Solution Approach 2:
The tubular sections are designed to telescope over one another, with smaller diameter sections nesting within larger diameter sections. This nested configuration allows the entire shielding assembly to be collapsed into a compact form for easy installation and removal, then extended to provide full shaft protection during operation.
2Reliability
If conventional shaft coverings are used, then the shaft is protected from debris and contaminants, but multiple people and tools are required for installation
Solution Approach 1:
The shielding assembly incorporates telescopic sections that can dynamically change their configuration between collapsed (for installation) and extended (for operation) states. This dynamic capability allows a single operator to manage the installation and removal process without requiring multiple people or specialized tools.
3Loss of time
If telescopic sections are used, then assembly and disassembly time is reduced, but the structural complexity of the shielding increases
Solution Approach 1:
The telescopic sections are designed with simple nested geometry where each section slides over the next, creating a compact collapsed configuration. This nested structure achieves rapid assembly and disassembly without requiring complex mechanisms, as the sections naturally guide themselves into proper alignment during telescoping motion.
Data Source
AI summary
A shield assembly for a shaft includes a first tubular section having a first end and a second end and a second tubular section having a first end and a second end. The first and second tubular sections are each hollow receiving the shaft. The first tubular section includes a first outer diameter and the second tubular section includes a second outer diameter, the first outer diameter being greater than the second outer diameter. The first tubular section and the second tubular section are telescopically coupled to one another where the second tubular section is movably disposed at least partially within the first tubular section.