Tolerance Ring Communication Passages for Wear Debris Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wear debris accumulation between the tolerance ring and the shaft or sleeve in shaft coupling structures leads to increased wear and reduced torque transmission capacity due to slip rotations, limiting the holding force and allowable torque.
Innovation Solution
A shaft coupling structure with a tolerance ring featuring a cylindrical main body and radially protruding protuberances, equipped with communication passages that allow lubricant flow and wear debris discharge, reducing debris accumulation and maintaining the compressive load on the ridge portions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If protuberances are provided on the tolerance ring to store lubricant, then wear caused by slip rotation is reduced, but wear debris accumulates inside the protuberances promoting further wear
Solution Approach 1:
The inner circumferential surface of the tolerance ring is divided into multiple circumferential grooves that segment the surface into ridges and grooves. This segmentation allows lubricant to be stored in the grooves while preventing wear debris from accumulating in the ridges, as the grooves act as collection channels for debris removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful wear debris is extracted from the contact surface between the tolerance ring and shaft/sleeve by directing it into the circumferential grooves. The grooves serve as extraction channels that remove debris from the wear-prone ridge areas, preventing debris from remaining on the contact surfaces and promoting further wear.
2Force
If slip rotation occurs to limit torque transmission, then torque is controlled below allowable value, but wear debris is generated and accumulates
Solution Approach 1:
The circumferential grooves act as an intermediary structure that captures and collects wear debris generated during slip rotation. By providing this intermediate collection zone, the grooves prevent debris from remaining on the active contact surfaces, thereby reducing the harmful effects of debris while maintaining the torque-limiting slip rotation function.
3Force
If holding force between shaft and sleeve is increased, then torque capacity is improved, but slip in axial direction occurs when force exceeds allowable value
Solution Approach 1:
The axial slip that occurs when holding force exceeds allowable values is converted from a harmful wear mechanism into a beneficial self-limiting mechanism. The circumferential grooves capture wear debris generated during axial slip, preventing debris accumulation from accelerating wear. This allows the system to safely exceed allowable forces temporarily while the grooves manage the resulting wear debris.
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 effectively suppresses wear debris accumulation, maintains the initial compressive load, and prevents a reduction in the allowable torque value, enhancing the durability and performance of the shaft coupling structure.
Implementation Method 1
Lubricant for limiting wear caused by slip rotation of the tolerance ring can be stored between the protuberances and the shaft
Implementation Method 2
A communication passage that connects an inside and an outside of each protuberance is provided between the outer circumferential surface of the shaft and the main body
Data Source
AI summary
A shaft coupling structure includes a shaft, a sleeve, into which the shaft is inserted, and a tolerance ring. The tolerance ring includes a cylindrical main body and a plurality of protuberances, which protrudes outward in a radial direction from an inner circumferential surface of the main body. The tolerance ring is fitted between an outer circumferential surface of the shaft and an inner circumferential surface of the sleeve. A communication passage that connects an inside and an outside of each protuberance is provided between the outer circumferential surface of the shaft and the main body.