WO1989001575A1 - Flexible coupling for torque transmission - Google Patents

Flexible coupling for torque transmission Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1989001575A1
WO1989001575A1 PCT/GB1988/000627 GB8800627W WO8901575A1 WO 1989001575 A1 WO1989001575 A1 WO 1989001575A1 GB 8800627 W GB8800627 W GB 8800627W WO 8901575 A1 WO8901575 A1 WO 8901575A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
flexible
flexible element
mountings
flexible coupling
strip
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB1988/000627
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Ivor George Sankey
Original Assignee
Hardy Spicer Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Hardy Spicer Limited filed Critical Hardy Spicer Limited
Publication of WO1989001575A1 publication Critical patent/WO1989001575A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16D—COUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; CLUTCHES; BRAKES
    • F16D3/00—Yielding couplings, i.e. with means permitting movement between the connected parts during the drive
    • F16D3/50—Yielding couplings, i.e. with means permitting movement between the connected parts during the drive with the coupling parts connected by one or more intermediate members
    • F16D3/78—Yielding couplings, i.e. with means permitting movement between the connected parts during the drive with the coupling parts connected by one or more intermediate members shaped as an elastic disc or flat ring, arranged perpendicular to the axis of the coupling parts, different sets of spots of the disc or ring being attached to each coupling part, e.g. Hardy couplings

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a flexible coupling, for establishing a torque transmitting connection between two rotary elements.
  • a coupling comprising a flexible element with an annular region provided with a number of mountings spaced circumferentially therearound, the mountings comprising a first set thereof, for connection to a first rotary element at one side of the flexible element, and a second set thereof disposed alternately between the mountings of the first set, for connection to a second rotary element at the other side of-the flexible element.
  • a flexible coupling will hereafter be referred to as a flexible coupling of the kind specifiecf.
  • Flexible couplings of the kind specified are widely utilized, for example, in drive lines in machinery.
  • the nature of the flexible element is such that some misalignment between the coupled rotary elements can be tolerated, and possibly also some relative axial movement therebetween.
  • the most usual form of the flexible element has been a disc or annulus made of a fabric or an elastomeric material, which performs satisfactorily but has disadvantages in respect of its torque transmitting capacity for a given size and weight.
  • the flexible element could be made of a fibre reinforced plastics material of the kind now used in many applications for springs, but a simple disc or annulus of such material when used in a coupling of the kind specified lacks torsional flexibility although it may be sufficiently flexible to accommodate some misalignment (articulation) between the rotary elements.
  • the flexible element is of a fibre-reinforced plastics material and of annular form comprising, between each adjacent pair of mountings, a respective portion in the form of a strip of such material of zig-zag configuration comprising limbs interconnected by reflex portions, the longitudinal centre line of the strip lying substantially in a single plane.
  • Each such plane may extend tangentially having regard to the general axis of rotation of the flexible element in use.
  • the zig- zag configuration of the strips of material between the mountings on the flexible element has the effect that the torsional resilience of the coupling is appreciably increased whilst the torque transmitting capacity thereof is retained. Whilst the amount of material used in a zig-zag strip is inevitably slightly greater than that used in a straight strip of the same overall length, the increase in weight of the coupling is not great.
  • adjacent reflex portions of the zig-zag strips of material on opposite sides (circumferentially) of each mounting extend to opposite sides (axially) of the flexible element. This enables the zig-zag strips of material to be accommodated without increasing the overall size of the coupling.
  • Figure 1 is an axial view of a coupling according to the invention
  • Figure 2 is a section on the line A-A of Figure 1.
  • the illustrated coupling comprises an annular element 10 of flexible material, which is hexagonal as viewed axially in Figure 1. At each corner of the element there is a mounting in the form of a bush, and these constitute a first set of bushes 11 and a second set of bushes 12, the bushes 12 being disposed alternately between the bushes 11.
  • the bushes 11 provide for connection to a rotary element, usually in the form of a three-legged spider element, disposed to one side of the flexible element,and the bushes 12 provide for connection to a further rotary element provided at the opposite side of the coupling.
  • the element 10 is of composite, fibre-reinforced plastics, material, and would be manufactured by a process involving assembling layers of fibres in desired orientations impregnated with resin, and then subjecting such assembly to a moulding process to cure the resin and form the element to its desired configuration.
  • Bushes 11, 12 may be set in the material of the element, or possibly attached to the element subsequent to the moulding process.
  • the bushes 11, 12 each comprise a tubular element 13 passing through an aperture in the composite material, with a flange 14 at one end thereof and a collar 15 fitted on the other end thereof so that the composite material of the element 10 is firmly held between the flange 14 and collar 15.
  • the bushes 11, 12 are provided in flat corner portions 16, 17 of the material of the element 10. Between each adjacent pair of bushes and corner portions, the composite material of the flexible element 10 has the form of a strip which is of zig-zag configuration, having limbs 17, 18, 19, 20 connected by reflex portions 21, 22, 23. The limbs 17, 20 merge into the corner portions 16, 17 of the element 10.
  • the longitudinal centre line of each such strip lies substantially in a single plane which extends tangentially to the general axis of rotation of the flexible element in use; for the " strip shown in section in Figure 2, such plane is that in which the section has been taken.
  • the reflex portions 21, 23 are disposed to one side (axially) o " f the flexible element, and the reflex portion 22 to the opposite side thereof.
  • the reflex portions 24, 25 which are closest to the corner portions 16, 17 will extend to the same side of the flexible element as the reflex portion 22 in the sectioned strip.
  • adjacent reflex portions (21 and 24, 23 and 25) of the zig-zag strips are on opposite sides (axially) of the element, so that they are clear of one another and are not likely to make contact if the element is distorted under torque transmission and misalignment between the rotary elements it connects.
  • Strips of composite material in the form of a zig-zag, comprising limbs connected by reflex portions, are known for use as springs. Such springs are disclosed in International Patent Application Publication No. WO85/00207. Such springs deflect in such a manner as to extend and compress the strip along its length. Therefore, the provision of successive such strips extending tangentially between the circumferentially spaced mountings of the flexible element means that the flexible element provides a torsional resilience between the rotary elements it is joining.
  • the nature of the flexible element is such that additional deformations are superimposed on the general extension and compression of the zig-zag strips, but the overall effect is to provide the coupling with good torsional resilience as well as the ability to accommodate misalignment or relative axial movement between the rotary elements it connects.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Moulding By Coating Moulds (AREA)
  • Mechanical Operated Clutches (AREA)
  • Shafts, Cranks, Connecting Bars, And Related Bearings (AREA)

Abstract

A flexible coupling comprises an annular element (10) of composite, fibre-reinforced plastics, material having circumferentially spaced mountings (11, 12) for connection to rotary elements which are to be coupled, and between each mounting a respective portion in the form of a strip of the material of zigzag configuration comprising limbs (17, 18, 19, 20) connected by reflex portions (21, 22, 23). Such configuration imparts torsional resilience to the coupling.

Description

FLEXIBLE COUPLING FOR TORQUE TRANSMISSION
This invention relates to a flexible coupling, for establishing a torque transmitting connection between two rotary elements. Particularly the invention relates to a coupling comprising a flexible element with an annular region provided with a number of mountings spaced circumferentially therearound, the mountings comprising a first set thereof, for connection to a first rotary element at one side of the flexible element, and a second set thereof disposed alternately between the mountings of the first set, for connection to a second rotary element at the other side of-the flexible element. Such a flexible coupling will hereafter be referred to as a flexible coupling of the kind specifiecf.
Flexible couplings of the kind specified are widely utilized, for example, in drive lines in machinery. The nature of the flexible element is such that some misalignment between the coupled rotary elements can be tolerated, and possibly also some relative axial movement therebetween. Hitherto, the most usual form of the flexible element has been a disc or annulus made of a fabric or an elastomeric material, which performs satisfactorily but has disadvantages in respect of its torque transmitting capacity for a given size and weight. Such relative torque transmitting capacity could be improved if the flexible element could be made of a fibre reinforced plastics material of the kind now used in many applications for springs, but a simple disc or annulus of such material when used in a coupling of the kind specified lacks torsional flexibility although it may be sufficiently flexible to accommodate some misalignment (articulation) between the rotary elements.
It is the object of the present invention to provide a flexible coupling which provides a good torque transmitting capacity relative to its size and weight and yet which can provide desired torsional flexibility.
According to the present invention, we provide a flexible coupling of the kind specified wherein the flexible element is of a fibre-reinforced plastics material and of annular form comprising, between each adjacent pair of mountings, a respective portion in the form of a strip of such material of zig-zag configuration comprising limbs interconnected by reflex portions, the longitudinal centre line of the strip lying substantially in a single plane.
Each such plane may extend tangentially having regard to the general axis of rotation of the flexible element in use.
In a coupling according to the invention, the zig- zag configuration of the strips of material between the mountings on the flexible element has the effect that the torsional resilience of the coupling is appreciably increased whilst the torque transmitting capacity thereof is retained. Whilst the amount of material used in a zig-zag strip is inevitably slightly greater than that used in a straight strip of the same overall length, the increase in weight of the coupling is not great.
Preferably adjacent reflex portions of the zig-zag strips of material on opposite sides (circumferentially) of each mounting extend to opposite sides (axially) of the flexible element. This enables the zig-zag strips of material to be accommodated without increasing the overall size of the coupling.
The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing, of which:-
Figure 1 is an axial view of a coupling according to the invention;
Figure 2 is a section on the line A-A of Figure 1.
The illustrated coupling comprises an annular element 10 of flexible material, which is hexagonal as viewed axially in Figure 1. At each corner of the element there is a mounting in the form of a bush, and these constitute a first set of bushes 11 and a second set of bushes 12, the bushes 12 being disposed alternately between the bushes 11. The bushes 11 provide for connection to a rotary element, usually in the form of a three-legged spider element, disposed to one side of the flexible element,and the bushes 12 provide for connection to a further rotary element provided at the opposite side of the coupling.
The element 10 is of composite, fibre-reinforced plastics, material, and would be manufactured by a process involving assembling layers of fibres in desired orientations impregnated with resin, and then subjecting such assembly to a moulding process to cure the resin and form the element to its desired configuration. Bushes 11, 12 may be set in the material of the element, or possibly attached to the element subsequent to the moulding process. In the illustrated coupling, as shown in Figure 2, the bushes 11, 12 each comprise a tubular element 13 passing through an aperture in the composite material, with a flange 14 at one end thereof and a collar 15 fitted on the other end thereof so that the composite material of the element 10 is firmly held between the flange 14 and collar 15.
The bushes 11, 12 are provided in flat corner portions 16, 17 of the material of the element 10. Between each adjacent pair of bushes and corner portions, the composite material of the flexible element 10 has the form of a strip which is of zig-zag configuration, having limbs 17, 18, 19, 20 connected by reflex portions 21, 22, 23. The limbs 17, 20 merge into the corner portions 16, 17 of the element 10. The longitudinal centre line of each such strip lies substantially in a single plane which extends tangentially to the general axis of rotation of the flexible element in use; for the"strip shown in section in Figure 2, such plane is that in which the section has been taken.
In the strip shown in section in Figure 2, the reflex portions 21, 23 are disposed to one side (axially) o"f the flexible element, and the reflex portion 22 to the opposite side thereof. In each of the adjacent strips making up the flexible element 10, the reflex portions 24, 25 which are closest to the corner portions 16, 17 will extend to the same side of the flexible element as the reflex portion 22 in the sectioned strip. Thus, at the corners of the elements, adjacent reflex portions (21 and 24, 23 and 25) of the zig-zag strips are on opposite sides (axially) of the element, so that they are clear of one another and are not likely to make contact if the element is distorted under torque transmission and misalignment between the rotary elements it connects. Strips of composite material in the form of a zig-zag, comprising limbs connected by reflex portions, are known for use as springs. Such springs are disclosed in International Patent Application Publication No. WO85/00207. Such springs deflect in such a manner as to extend and compress the strip along its length. Therefore, the provision of successive such strips extending tangentially between the circumferentially spaced mountings of the flexible element means that the flexible element provides a torsional resilience between the rotary elements it is joining. It will be appreciated that the nature of the flexible element is such that additional deformations are superimposed on the general extension and compression of the zig-zag strips, but the overall effect is to provide the coupling with good torsional resilience as well as the ability to accommodate misalignment or relative axial movement between the rotary elements it connects.
It would be possible, in generally known manner, to provide the element 10 with a covering of an elastomeric material for protective purposes or to modify its properties.

Claims

1. A flexible coupling comprising a flexible element (10) with an annular region provided with a number of mountings (11, 12) spaced circumferentially therearound, the mountings comprising a first set (11) thereof and a second set (12) thereof for connection to respective rotary elements at opposite sides of the flexible element; characterised in that the flexible element (10) is of a fibre-reinforced plastics material and of annular form comprising, between each adjacent pair of mountings (11, 12), a respective portion in the form of a strip of such material of zig-zag configuration comprising limbs (17 - 20) interconnected by reflex portions (21 - 23), the longitudinal centre line of the strip lying substantially in a single plane.
2. A flexible coupling according to Claim 1 further characterised in that each single plane extends tangentially having regard to the general axis of rotation of the flexible element in use.
3. A flexible coupling according to Claim 2 further characterised in that adjacent reflex portions (21 and 24, 23 and 25) of the zig-zag strips of material on opposite sides circumferentially of each mounting (11, 12) extend to opposite sides axially of the flexible element (10).
PCT/GB1988/000627 1987-08-15 1988-07-29 Flexible coupling for torque transmission WO1989001575A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB878719373A GB8719373D0 (en) 1987-08-15 1987-08-15 Flexible coupling
GB8719373 1987-08-15

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1989001575A1 true WO1989001575A1 (en) 1989-02-23

Family

ID=10622369

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB1988/000627 WO1989001575A1 (en) 1987-08-15 1988-07-29 Flexible coupling for torque transmission

Country Status (3)

Country Link
FR (1) FR2620184A1 (en)
GB (2) GB8719373D0 (en)
WO (1) WO1989001575A1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2217431B (en) * 1988-04-12 1991-11-13 Flexibox Ltd Flexible couplings

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE4027209C1 (en) * 1990-08-28 1992-02-06 Gkn Automotive Ag, 5200 Siegburg, De
DE4033596C1 (en) * 1990-10-23 1992-02-27 Loehr & Bromkamp Gmbh, 6050 Offenbach, De
DE102009009683A1 (en) * 2009-02-19 2010-08-26 Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft Torque transmission device for e.g. automobile, has coupling elements for coupling pivot points of drive element with pivot points of output element in opposite peripheral directions, where elements are formed as leaf spring-like elements
DE102014114460A1 (en) 2014-10-06 2016-04-07 xperion components GmbH & Co. KG Arrangement for a shaft coupling

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1947052A (en) * 1929-07-17 1934-02-13 Fairbanks Morse & Co Power transmission coupling
US3759064A (en) * 1971-09-10 1973-09-18 R Jorn Composite flexible coupling for interconnecting two shafts
DE2257903B2 (en) * 1972-11-25 1977-07-21 Kupplungstechnik Gmbh, 4440 Rheine RING-SHAPED, ELASTIC ELEMENT FOR CONNECTING TWO COUPLING FLANGES
WO1985000207A1 (en) * 1983-06-20 1985-01-17 The Secretary Of State For Trade And Industry In H Springs for high specific energy storage
GB2153044A (en) * 1984-01-17 1985-08-14 Citroen Messian Durand Engren Flexible blade coupling

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1352231A (en) * 1971-09-03 1974-05-08 Jorn R Flexible coupling
DE3108007C2 (en) * 1981-03-03 1984-03-01 Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm GmbH, 8000 München Elastic shaft coupling

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1947052A (en) * 1929-07-17 1934-02-13 Fairbanks Morse & Co Power transmission coupling
US3759064A (en) * 1971-09-10 1973-09-18 R Jorn Composite flexible coupling for interconnecting two shafts
DE2257903B2 (en) * 1972-11-25 1977-07-21 Kupplungstechnik Gmbh, 4440 Rheine RING-SHAPED, ELASTIC ELEMENT FOR CONNECTING TWO COUPLING FLANGES
WO1985000207A1 (en) * 1983-06-20 1985-01-17 The Secretary Of State For Trade And Industry In H Springs for high specific energy storage
GB2153044A (en) * 1984-01-17 1985-08-14 Citroen Messian Durand Engren Flexible blade coupling

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2217431B (en) * 1988-04-12 1991-11-13 Flexibox Ltd Flexible couplings

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB8818047D0 (en) 1988-09-01
GB8719373D0 (en) 1987-09-23
FR2620184A1 (en) 1989-03-10
GB2208697A (en) 1989-04-12

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