WO2023127060A1

WO2023127060A1 - A coupling device

Info

Publication number: WO2023127060A1
Application number: PCT/JP2021/048692
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kenji Fukuda; Jacques Babaud; Masayuki Maesaka; Thomas Guy
Original assignee: Compagnie Generale Des Etablissements Michelin
Priority date: 2021-12-27
Filing date: 2021-12-27
Publication date: 2023-07-06

Abstract

Present invention provides a coupling device to be inserted between two rotating objects, the coupling device comprising two bodies, a first body and a second body having a parallel axis of rotation, each body comprising an outer section, an inner section and a plurality of connecting members, an outward face of the inner section is formed as to be able to adhere with an inward face of the outer section of the other body at least partly, the inner section of the first body has a first protruding portion protruding toward the inner section of the second body, the inner section of the second body has a second protruding portion protruding toward the inner section of the first body, the first protruding portion and the second protruding portion located at radially different positions from the axis of rotation, the first protruding portion and the second protruding portion are connected via at least one body linking means extending in circumferential orientation to the coupling device, an inward face of the inner section of the first body contacts with an inward face of the inner section of the second body at least partly.

Description

A COUPLING DEVICE

The present invention relates to a coupling device. The invention relates in particular to a coupling device used as a mechanical coupling between two rotating objects blocking rotation around a radial orientation and translation along an axial orientation.

A coupling device is widely used to connect two different rotating objects, for transferring power/torque from a driving object to a driven object and/or for reducing shock effect by filtering vibration. In particular the coupling device called a flexible coupling, an Oldham coupling or a universal coupling that is a device accepting misalignment of the objects to be coupled with.

RU2282069 discloses equipment used for connecting misaligned shafts and reducing dynamic loadings upon power unit of drive via two half-couplings connected with one another through elastic members made in the form of rotating levers.

EP2966313 discloses a damper for a motor vehicle torque transmission device having a group of elastic members being arranged in series by means of a phasing member so that the elastic members of the group of elastic members deform in phase with one another, the group of elastic members received in a receptacle that is asymmetrical with respect to a median radial plane of the receptacle.

These solutions filter/dampen vibration in one of four associated degrees of freedom, i.e. rotation around an axis of rotation for RU2282069 and translation in a radial orientation for EP2966313. However with these solutions rotation around an axis of rotation and translation in a radial orientation are not filtered/dampened simultaneously while blocking translation in an axial orientation and rotation around a radial orientation at the same time, as required in certain type of applications.

RU2282069 EP2966313

Therefore, there is a need for a coupling device which filters/dampens simultaneously rotation around an axis of rotation and translation in a radial orientation while blocking translation in an axial orientation and rotation around a radial orientation at the same time.

Definitions:

A “radial direction/orientation” is a direction/orientation perpendicular to a rotation axis of the coupling device.

An “axial direction/orientation” is a direction/orientation parallel to the rotation axis of the coupling device.

A “circumferential direction/orientation” is a direction/orientation which is tangential to any circle centered on the rotation axis. This direction/orientation is perpendicular to both the axial direction/orientation and the radial direction/orientation.

It is thus an object of the invention to provide a coupling device which filters/dampens simultaneously rotation around the axis of rotation and translation in the radial orientation while blocking translation in the axial orientation and rotation around the radial orientation at the same time.

The present invention provides a coupling device to be inserted between two rotating objects, the coupling device comprising two bodies, a first body and a second body, the first body and the second body having a parallel axis of rotation, each body comprising an outer section placed outward of the coupling device when coupled with the other body, an inner section placed inward of the coupling device when coupled with the other body and a plurality of connecting members connecting between the outer section and the inner section, an outward face of each outer section being formed as to be able to adhere with one of the rotating object at least partly. An outward face of the inner section is formed as to be able to adhere with an inward face of the outer section of the other body at least partly. The inner section of the first body has a first protruding portion protruding toward the inner section of the second body, the inner section of the second body has a second protruding portion protruding toward the inner section of the first body, and the first protruding portion and the second protruding portions are located at radially different positions from the axis of rotation. The first protruding portion and the second protruding portion are connected via at least one body linking means extending in a circumferential orientation to the coupling device, and an inward face of the inner section of the first body contacts an inward face of the inner section of the second body at least partly.

This arrangement provides a coupling device which filters/dampens simultaneously rotation around the axis of rotation and translation in the radial orientation while blocking translation in the axial orientation and rotation around the radial orientation at the same time.

Since the outward face of the inner section is formed so as to be able to adhere with the inward face of the outer section of the other body at least partly, one body interrupts movement in the axial orientation against another body, thus it is possible to block translation in the axial orientation.

Since the inner section of the first body has a first protruding portion protruding toward the inner section of the second body, the inner section of the second body has a second protruding portion protruding toward the inner section of the first body, and the first protruding portion and the second protruding portions are located at radially different positions from the axis of rotation. The first protruding portion and the second protruding portion are connected via at least one body linking means extending in the circumferential orientation to the coupling device, the at least one body linking means limits rotation of one body in the circumferential orientation against another body, that is to say rotation around the axis of rotation. Also at the same time, the at least one body linking means limits movement of one body in the radial orientation against another body, that is to say translation in the radial orientation, thus it is possible to filter/dampen simultaneously rotation around the axis of rotation and translation in the radial orientation.

Since the inward face of the inner section of the first body contacts the inward face of the inner section of the second body at least partly, one body is interrupted to rotate around the radial orientation by the other body, thus it is possible to block rotation around the radial orientation.

In another preferred embodiment, the outer section of at least one of the first body or the second body is provided with a plurality of holes opening toward the closest rotating object and accepts a fastening means to fasten the coupling device to one of the rotating objects.

According to this arrangement, it is possible to facilitate coupling of the coupling device with the rotating object.

In another preferred embodiment, each of the plurality of holes is provided in the connecting member.

According to this arrangement, it is possible to provide efficiently the fastening means.

In another preferred embodiment, the first protruding portion or the second protruding portion whichever is lower in radial orientation is placed radially outward of the plurality of holes.

According to this arrangement, it is possible to filter/dampen efficiently rotation around the axis of rotation and translation in the radial orientation.

In another preferred embodiment, the first protruding portion or the second protruding portion whichever is higher in radial orientation is placed radially outermost of the first body and the second body.

According to this arrangement, it is further possible to filter/dampen efficiently rotation around the axis of rotation and translation in the radial orientation.

In another preferred embodiment, a length of the body linking means along the circumferential orientation is longer than a length of the body linking means along the radial orientation.

If this length of the body linking means along the circumferential orientation is shorter than or equal to the length of the body linking means along the radial orientation, there is a risk that a capacity of filtering/damping via the body linking means becomes insufficient and/or inappropriate. By setting this length of the body linking means along the circumferential orientation longer than the length of the body linking means along the radial orientation, it is possible to filter/dampen effectively rotation around the axis of rotation and translation in the radial orientation.

In another preferred embodiment, the body linking means extends in substantially full circumference along the circumferential orientation.

According to this arrangement, it is still further possible to filter/dampen efficiently rotation around the axis of rotation and translation in the radial orientation.

In another preferred embodiment, the coupling device is provided with at least one friction object sandwiched between the inward face of the outer section of the first body or the second body and the outward face of the inner section of the other body.

According to this arrangement, the friction object works to decrease adhesion between the inward face of the outer section of the first body or the second body and the outward face of the inner section of the other body for better filtering/damping translation around the axis of rotation and for absorbing a micro deformation in the radial orientation, thus it is possible to filter/dampen efficiently and effectively rotation around the axis of rotation and translation in the radial orientation.

In another preferred embodiment, the outer section of one of the first body or the second body comprises a centric ring protruding from the outward face of the outer section and sharing the same axis of rotation with the body.

According to this arrangement, the centric ring helps precise synchronization of the body with the rotating object attached while providing easier installation.

In another preferred embodiment, the outer section of one of the first body or the second body comprises a recess recessed from the outward face of the outer section and sharing the same axis of rotation with the body.

According to this arrangement, the recess helps precise synchronization of the body with the rotating object attached while providing easier installation.

According to the arrangements described above, it is possible to provide a coupling device which filters/dampens simultaneously rotation around the axis of rotation and translation in the radial orientation while blocking translation in the axial orientation and rotation around the radial orientation at the same time.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention arise from the description made hereafter in reference to the annexed drawings which show, as nonrestrictive examples, the embodiment of the invention.

In these drawings:
Fig. 1 is a schematic side view of a coupling device according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a schematic cross sectional view taken along line II-II in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a schematic cross sectional view of a first body of the coupling device taken along line II-II in Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a schematic cross sectional view of a second body of the coupling device taken along line II-II in Fig. 1;

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below referring to the drawings.

A coupling device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described referring to Figs 1, 2, 3 and 4. Fig. 1 is a schematic side view of a coupling device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a schematic cross sectional view taken along line II-II in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a schematic cross sectional view of a first body of the coupling device taken along line II-II in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a schematic cross sectional view of a second body of the coupling device taken along line II-II in Fig. 1.

The coupling device 1 is a coupling device to be inserted between two rotating objects (not shown) comprising two bodies, a first body 11 and a second body 12. Each one of the

bodies

11, 12 comprising an outer section 2 placed outward of the coupling device 1 when coupled with the other body. An outward face 21 of each the outer section 2 being formed as to be able to adhere with one of the rotating object at least partly.

As shown in Fig. 1, the outer section 2 of at least one of the first body 11 or the second body 12 is provided with a plurality of holes 6 opening toward the closest rotating object and accepting a fastening means (not shown) fastening the coupling device 1 to one of the rotating object. In this embodiment, each the first body 11 and the second body 12 are provided with five holes 6 for accepting the fastening means.

As shown in Fig. 1, the outer section 2 of one of the first body 11 or the second body 12 comprises a centric ring 9 protruding from the outward face 21 of the outer section 2 and sharing the same axis of rotation (shown in latter figures) with the body. In this embodiment, the outer section 2 of the first body 11 comprises the centric ring 9, as shown in Fig. 3.

As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, each one of the bodies comprising an inner section 3 placed inward of the coupling device 1 when coupled with the other body and a plurality of connecting members 4 connecting between the outer section 2 and the inner section 3. Each of the plurality of holes 6 is provided in the connecting member 4, as shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 also.

As shown in Fig. 2, the first body 11 and the second body 12 having a parallel axis of rotation indicated as YY’. In this embodiment, the first body 11 and the second body 12 share the same axis of rotation when no force/torque is applied, and when force/torque is applied each the first body 11 and the second body 12 owns own axis of rotation from one another that is parallel to the shared axis of rotation when no force/torque is applied (not shown).

As shown in Fig. 2, an outward face 31 of the inner section 3 is formed as to be able to adhere with an inward face 22 of the outer section 2 of the other body at least partly, and the inner section 3 of the first body 11 has a first protruding portion 13 protruding toward the inner section 3 of the second body 12, the inner section 3 of the second body 12 has a second protruding portion 14 protruding toward the inner section 3 of the first body 11, the first protruding portion 13 and the second protruding portion 14 are connected via at least one body linking means 5 extending in a circumferential orientation to the coupling device 1. The first protruding portion 13 or the second protruding portion 14 whichever is lower in radial orientation is placed radially outward of the plurality of holes 6, and the first protruding portion 13 or the second protruding portion 14 whichever is higher in radial orientation is placed radially outermost of the first body 11 and the second body 12. The body linking means 5 extends in substantially full circumference along the circumferential orientation (not shown). In this embodiment, the body linking means 5 is provided as to have a relatively small space toward the inward face 32 of the inner section 3 of both the first body 11 and the second body 12. The body linking means 5 may be provided as to have a contact with the inward face 32 of the inner section 3 of the first body 11 and/or the second body 12.

As shown in Fig. 2 with description of previous paragraph, a length of the body linking means 5 along the circumferential orientation is longer than a length of the body linking means 5 along a radial orientation (not shown).

As shown in Fig. 2, an inward face 32 of the inner section 3 of the first body 11 contacts an inward face 32 of the inner section 3 of the second body 12 at least partly.

As shown in Fig. 2, the outer section 2 of one of the first body 11 or the second body 12 comprises a recess 95 recessed from the outward face 21 of the outer section 2 and sharing the same axis of rotation with the body. In this embodiment, the outer section 2 of the second body 12 comprises the recess 95, as shown in Fig. 4.

As shown in Fig. 2, the coupling device 1 is provided with at least one friction object 8 sandwiched between the inward face 22 of the outer section 2 of the first body 11 or the second body 12 and the outward face 31 of the inner section 3 of the other body. In this embodiment, two friction objects 8 each sandwiched between the inward face 22 of the outer section 2 of one body and the outward face 31 of the inner section 3 of the other body are provided.

Since the outward face 31 of the inner section 3 is formed so as to be able to adhere with the inward face 22 of the outer section 2 of the other body at least partly, one body interrupts movement in the axial orientation against another body, thus it is possible to block translation in the axial orientation.

Since the inner section 3 of the first body 11 has a first protruding portion 13 protruding toward the inner section 3 of the second body 12, the inner section 3 of the second body 12 has a second protruding portion 14 protruding toward the inner section 3 of the first body 11, the first protruding portion 13 and the second protruding portion 14 are located at radially different positions from the axis of rotation, and the first protruding portion 13 and the second protruding portion 14 are connected via at least one body linking means 5 extending in the circumferential orientation to the coupling device 1, the at least one body linking means 5 limits rotation of one body in the circumferential orientation against another body, that is to say rotation around the axis of rotation. Also at the same time, the at least one body linking means 5 limits movement of one body in the radial orientation against another body, that is to say translation in the radial orientation, thus it is possible to filter/dampen simultaneously rotation around the axis of rotation and translation in the radial orientation.

Since the inward face 32 of the inner section 3 of the first body 11 contacts the inward face 32 of the inner section 3 of the second body 12 at least partly, one body is interrupted to rotate around the radial orientation by the other body, thus it is possible to block rotation around the radial orientation.

Since the outer section 2 of at least one of the first body 11 or the second body 12 is provided with a plurality of holes 6 opening toward the closest rotating object and accepts a fastening means to fasten the coupling device to one of the rotating objects, it is possible to facilitate coupling of the coupling device 1 with the rotating object.

Since each of the plurality of holes 6 is provided in the connecting member 4, it is possible to provide efficiently the fastening means.

Since the first protruding portion 13 or the second protruding portion 14 whichever is lower in radial orientation is placed radially outward of the plurality of holes 6, it is possible to filter/dampen efficiently rotation around the axis of rotation and translation in the radial orientation.

Since the first protruding portion 13 or the second protruding portion 14 whichever is higher in radial orientation is placed radially outermost of the first body 11 and the second body 12, it is further possible to filter/dampen efficiently rotation around the axis of rotation and translation in the radial orientation.

Since a length of the body linking means 5 along the circumferential orientation is longer than a length of the body linking means 5 along the radial orientation, it is possible to filter/dampen effectively rotation around the axis of rotation and translation in the radial orientation.

If this length of the body linking means 5 along the circumferential orientation is shorter than or equal to the length of the body linking means 5 along the radial orientation, there is a risk that a capacity of filtering/damping via the body linking means 5 becomes insufficient and/or inappropriate.

Since the body linking means 5 extends in substantially full circumference along the circumferential orientation, it is still further possible to filter/dampen efficiently rotation around the axis of rotation and translation in the radial orientation.

Since the coupling device 1 is provided with at least one friction object 8 sandwiched between the inward face 22 of the outer section 2 of the first body 11 or the second body 12 and the outward face 31 of the inner section 3 of the other body, it is possible to filter/dampen efficiently and effectively rotation around the axis of rotation and translation in the radial orientation as the friction object 8 works to decrease adhesion between the inward face 22 of the outer section 2 of the first body 11 or the second body 12 and the outward face 31 of the inner section 3 of the other body for better filtering/damping translation around the axis of rotation and for absorbing a micro deformation in the radial orientation.

Since the outer section 2 of one of the first body 11 or the second body 12 comprises a centric ring 9 protruding from the outward face 21 of the outer section 2 and sharing the same axis of rotation with the body, the centric ring 9 helps precise synchronization of the body with the rotating object attached while providing easier installation.

Since the outer section 2 of one of the first body 11 or the second body 12 comprises a recess 95 recessed from the outward face 21 of the outer section 2 and sharing the same axis of rotation with the body, the recess 95 helps precise synchronization of the body with the rotating object attached while providing easier installation.

A material constituting the body linking means 5 may be a material having elasticity accepting slight movement in the radial orientation, for example elastomers such as rubbers that can be crosslinked by chemical vulcanization reactions by sulphur bridges, by carbon-carbon bonds created by the action of peroxides or of ionizing radiation, by other specific atom chains of the elastomer module, thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) in which the elastically deformable part forms a network between rather non-deformable "hard" regions, the cohesion of which is the product of physical connections (crystallites or amorphous regions above their glass transition temperature), non-thermoplastic elastomers and thermoset resins.

The coupling device 1 may be manufactured via any process known in the art, for example machining, forging, casting, additive manufacturing or combination of these processes. The coupling device 1, the first body 11 and/or the second body 12 may be manufactured in one piece, may be separately manufactured in two (e.g. outer section 2 and inner section 3), three (e.g. outer section 2, inner section 3 and connecting members 4) or more pieces and be assembled.

A material constituting the coupling device 1, the first body 11 and/or the second body 12 may be any material able to resist a torque in which the coupling device 1 requires to transmit, preferably a material selected from steel, chromium molybdenum steel, stainless steel, nickel chromium steel, nickel chromium molybdenum steel, chromium steel, manganese steel or alloys of aluminum and/or magnesium, composite materials based on carbon fiber, glass fiber, aramid fiber, plant fiber, the said fibers being contained within a matrix based on thermosetting or thermoplastic compounds, or from a complex composite comprising an elastomer and a complex based on resin and fibers selected from carbon fibers, glass fibers, aramid fibers, plant fibers or any combinations of these materials.

The matrix based on thermosetting compounds is selected from epoxy resins, vinylester, unsaturated polyesters, ester cyanate, bismaleimide, acrylic resins, phenolic resins, polyurethanes and combinations thereof.

The matrix based on thermoplastic compounds is selected from polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyamides (PA), semiaromatic polyamides, polyester (PET), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyetherketoneketone (PEKK), polyethersulphone (PSU), polyetherimide (PEI), polyimide (P1), polyamidelmide (PAl), polyphenylenesulphide (PPS), polyoxymethylene (POM), polyphenylene oxide (PPO).

A material constituting the friction object 8 may be any material exhibits low friction under high pressure situation, for example a solid lubricant, a metal plate provided with a suitable lubricant (e.g. molybdenum grease, carbon, etc.) or a suitable solid lubricant surface treatment (e.g. molybdenum disulfide, tungsten disulfide, graphite, graphite fluoride, boron nitride, calcium fluoride, silicon dioxide, fullerene, carbon nanotubes, polytetrafluoroethylene, melamine cyanurate, amino acid compounds, compound of these materials or mixture thereof). The friction object 8 may be provided as a simple lubricant without any solid object.

Example of the fastening mean is, for example anchor bolts, bolts with or without screws, fastener pins, cable ties, captive fasteners, clamps, clips, hook-and-eye closures, hook-and-loop fasteners, latches, pins, rivets, rubber bands or combination of these types.

The invention is not limited to the examples described and represented and various modifications can be made there without leaving its framework.

1 coupling device
11 first body
12 second body
13 first protruding portion
14 second protruding portion
2 outer section
21 outward face of outer section
22 inward face of outer section
3 inner section
31 outward face of inner section
32 inward face of inner section
4 connecting members
5 body linking means
6 holes
8 friction object
9 centric ring
95 recess

Claims

A coupling device (1) to be inserted between two rotating objects, the coupling device (1) comprising two bodies, a first body (11) and a second body (12),
the first body (11) and the second body (12) having a parallel axis of rotation, each one of the bodies comprising an outer section (2) placed outward of the coupling device (1) when coupled with the other body,
an inner section (3) placed inward of the coupling device (1) when coupled with the other body and a plurality of connecting members (4) connecting between the outer section (2) and the inner section (3),
an outward face (21) of each the outer section (2) being formed as to be able to adhere with one of the rotating object at least partly,
the coupling device being characterized in that an outward face (31) of the inner section (3) is formed as to be able to adhere with an inward face (22) of the outer section (2) of the other body at least partly,
and in that the inner section (3) of the first body (11) has a first protruding portion (13) protruding toward the inner section (3) of the second body (12), the inner section (3) of the second body (12) has a second protruding portion (14) protruding toward the inner section (3) of the first body (11), the first protruding portion (13) and the second protruding portion (14) located at radially different positions from the axis of rotation,
and in that the first protruding portion (13) and the second protruding portion (14) are connected via at least one body linking means (5) extending in a circumferential orientation to the coupling device (1),
and in that an inward face (32) of the inner section (3) of the first body (11) contacts an inward face (32) of the inner section (3) of the second body (12) at least partly.
The coupling device (1) according to Claim 1, wherein the outer section (2) of at least one of the first body (11) or the second body (12) is provided with a plurality of holes (6) opening toward the closest rotating object and accepting a fastening means fastening the coupling device (1) to one of the rotating object.
The coupling device (1) according to Claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of holes (6) is provided in the connecting member (4).
The coupling device (1) according to Claim 2 or Claim 3, wherein the first protruding portion (13) or the second protruding portion (14) whichever is lower in radial orientation is placed radially outward of the plurality of holes (6).
The coupling device (1) according to Claim 4, wherein the first protruding portion (13) or the second protruding portion (14) whichever is higher in radial orientation is placed radially outermost of the first body (11) and the second body (12).
The coupling device (1) according to any one of the Claims 1 to 5, wherein a length of the body linking means (5) along the circumferential orientation is longer than a length of the body linking means (5) along a radial orientation.
The coupling device (1) according to Claim 6, wherein the body linking means (5) extends in substantially full circumference along the circumferential orientation.
The coupling device (1) according to any one of the Claims 1 to 7, wherein the coupling device (1) is provided with at least one friction object (8) sandwiched between the inward face (22) of the outer section (2) of the first body (11) or the second body (12) and the outward face (31) of the inner section (3) of the other body.
The coupling device (1) according to any one of the Claims 1 to 8, wherein the outer section (2) of one of the first body (11) or the second body (12) comprises a centric ring (9) protruding from the outward face (21) of the outer section (2) and sharing the same axis of rotation with the body.
The coupling device (1) according to any one of the Claims 1 to 9, wherein the outer section (2) of one of the first body (11) or the second body (12) comprises a recess (95) recessed from the outward face (21) of the outer section (2) and sharing the same axis of rotation with the body.