Thread-Reinforced Coupling Layout for Large Deflection Angles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing coupling devices for vehicle drives, particularly in rail vehicles, face challenges in optimizing radial installation space usage while accommodating large deflection angles with minimal axial space requirements.

Innovation Solution

The coupling device incorporates a support device that connects thread-reinforced joint devices to partial clutches, allowing for efficient use of radial space and accommodating large deflection angles by maintaining the thread-reinforced joint devices in a predetermined radial position, thereby optimizing both radial and axial space utilization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the coupling device uses traditional joint devices without support devices, then the structure is simpler, but the radial installation space is not optimally utilized and large deflection angles cannot be accommodated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveradial installation space utilizationVSAvoidcoupling device structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling device is divided into multiple levels with first and second couplings arranged at different radial positions. Each coupling contains thread-reinforced joint devices that can be independently positioned and supported, allowing the system to accommodate large deflection angles while optimizing radial space utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a vertical dimension by arranging couplings at different radial levels (first coupling at outer radial position, second coupling at inner radial position). This multi-level arrangement allows the coupling device to accommodate large deflection angles while maintaining compact radial footprint, effectively utilizing the available radial installation space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the coupling device accommodates large deflection angles, then the adaptability is improved, but the axial installation space increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeflection angle accommodationVSAvoidaxial installation space
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of accommodating deflection angles through axial extension, the patent utilizes the radial dimension by arranging multiple couplings at different radial levels. The first coupling is positioned at an outer radial position while the second coupling is positioned at an inner radial position, allowing large deflection angle accommodation within a compact axial footprint.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling device incorporates elastic bodies that provide flexibility and dynamic adaptation to deflection angles. The elastic bodies allow the joint devices to accommodate angular movements while maintaining a compact structure, enabling the coupling device to adapt to various operational conditions without requiring excessive axial space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Volume of moving object

If the thread-reinforced joint devices are held in predetermined radial positions by support devices, then the radial space utilization is optimized, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveradial installation space utilizationVSAvoidsupport device structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support devices serve multiple functions: they hold the thread-reinforced joint devices in predetermined radial positions, provide structural support for the multi-level coupling arrangement, and enable the accommodation of large deflection angles. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby optimizing radial space utilization without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3899298B1Coupling device
Publication Date: 2024.01.24 SUDDEUTSCHE GELENKSCHEIBENFABRIK GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3899298B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3899298B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3899298B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a coupling device (10) for a vehicle drive, in particular of a rail vehicle drive, comprising at least one first coupling (16), which has at least one first thread-reinforced joint device (FG1), wherein: the first thread-reinforced joint device (FG1) has at least one thread pack (80), which is embedded into at least one elastic body (86); the at least one first coupling (16) has at least one supporting apparatus (36, 48), which is connected to the first thread-reinforced joint device (FG1); the at least one supporting apparatus (36, 48) supports the first thread-reinforced joint device (FG1) in the radial direction.