Fabric-Reinforced Torsional Coupling Buffers for Crack Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing torsionally flexible couplings experience material cracking due to tensile stresses, particularly with increased power density, leading to unplanned production outages and consequential costs.

Innovation Solution

Incorporation of a fabric insert on the contact surface of buffer elements to absorb tensile stresses, enhancing the load-bearing capacity and preventing cracking, allowing higher torque transmission without material failure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If the power density of the system is increased to transmit higher torque, then the torque transmission capability is improved, but tensile stresses in the buffer elements increase leading to material cracking

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetorque transmission capabilityVSAvoidbuffer element durability
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The buffer element is constructed as a composite structure with a base material (e.g., nitrile rubber) and an integrated fabric reinforcement layer. The fabric insert provides tensile strength while the base material provides elasticity and damping, allowing the buffer element to withstand higher tensile stresses from increased torque transmission without cracking.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If the buffer element material is strengthened to resist cracking, then the durability is improved, but the elasticity and damping properties are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebuffer element durabilityVSAvoidmaterial elasticity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The composite design allows the base material to maintain its elastic and damping properties while the fabric reinforcement specifically addresses the tensile strength deficiency. This division of functional responsibilities enables simultaneous optimization of both durability and elasticity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The fabric reinforcement is strategically positioned in regions subjected to highest tensile stresses, such as the contact surfaces facing the radial webs and the central area. This localized reinforcement provides strength where needed while preserving the overall elasticity of the buffer element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 fabric reinforcement effectively prevents cracking in the buffer elements, enabling increased power density and torque transmission while maintaining durability.

Implementation Method 1

The tensile stresses introduced into the buffer element are absorbed by the fabric reinforcement, preventing them from developing in the buffer element's base material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectStress distribution:

Implementation Method 2

The base material can be, for example, nitrile rubber, abbreviated NBR. This is a material with high elasticity and good damping properties.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

The base material can be, for example, nitrile rubber, abbreviated NBR. This is a material with high elasticity and good damping properties.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDamping: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP4500044B1Torsionally flexible coupling
Publication Date: 2026.03.25 FLENDER GMBH
  • EP4500044B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP4500044B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4500044B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a torsionally elastic coupling (10) for connecting a drive shaft (2) to an output shaft (4), with a first coupling part (12) and a second coupling part (14). A plurality of dumbbell-shaped buffer elements (16) with two end buffers (20) connected via a central region (18) are provided, wherein the buffer elements (16) are held on a circular arc of the first coupling part (12) via the respective central region (18) in slotted radial webs (22) of the first coupling part (12). The second coupling part (14) has axially directed drivers (24) which are seated between buffer elements (16) in an operating situation. In order to absorb tensile stresses during operation, a contact surface (26), facing the radial webs (22), of the buffer elements (16) is formed by way of a woven fabric insert (28). As a result, the performance density of the coupling (10) can be increased, without a tendency to cracking of the buffer elements (16).