Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
- 1 -
SHAFT COUPLING
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a shaft coupling and,
in particular, to a shaft coupling simple in construction and
assembling which may excellently cope with the eccentricity,
angle deviation and the axial movement between the driving
shaft side and the driven shaft side.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In various mechanisms for transmitting a rotational
torque, the end portions of two rotating shafts are connected
by means of a coupling. For example, the output rotating
shaft of a motor and the input rotating shaft of a pump are
connected by means of the coupling. In this case, it takes a
considerable amount of labor to carefully install the motor
and the pump so that the output rotating shaft of the motor
and the input rotating shaft of the pump fully align with
each other. Further, even if the installation is carried out
- 20 with ample attention, some eccentricity and angular deviation
remain between both rotating shafts and, further, vibrations
take place at the motor and pump when they are actuated. In
order to absorb these by the coupling portion, a flexible
coupling using a flexible member such as a spring or rubber
has conventionally been used. In addition, an Oldham coupling
has been used as a coupling which may cope with the eccent-
ricity, angular deviation and the axial movement. --
In such a shaft coupling, in general, a proper mountmenlber has been mounted at the end portion of the driving
shaft and at the end portion of the driven shaft respectively
to couple those by means of a proper mechanism.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a shaft
coupling of novel construction which may excellently cope
with the eccentricity, the angular deviation and the axial
movement between the driving shaft side and the driven shaft
side and yet, which is simple in construction and easy to
assemble and allows the torque transmitting mechanism to be
miniaturized.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a
shaft coupling having the foregoing novel construction and
which can smoothly transmit the torque and is easy to maintain.
A still another object of the present invention is to
provide a shaft coupling which allows the mount member to be
mounted without working the shaft end portion in the form of
a special shape.
According to the present invention, there is provided a
shaft coupling in which:
the end portion of the driving shaft and the end portion
of the driven shaft are disposed in an opposed manner;
a mount member is mounted at the side of the driving
shaft on the outer peripheral surface of the end portion of
the driving shaft, and a slide member having a pair of slide
surfaces running parallel to a plane of first direction, which
passes through the rotational axis of the driving shaft, is
provided on the mount member at the side of the driving s~aft;
a mount member is mounted at the side of the driven
shaft on the outer peripheral surface of the end portion of
the driven shaft, and a slide member having a pair of slide
- 3 -
surfaces running parallel to a plane of second direction, which
passes through the rotational axis of the driven shaft, is
provided on the mount member at the side of the driven shaft;
a torque transmitting member is disposed around the mount
members at the side of the driving and driven shafts respective-
ly, said torque transmitting member having a pair of first
slide surfaces which are slidable within a plane parallel to
the plane of first direction relative to the pair of slide
surfaces of the mount member at the side of the driving shaft
and a pair of second slide surfaces which is slidable within
a plane parallel to the plane of second direction relative to
the pair of slide surfaces of the mount member at the side of
the driven shaft.
In the present invention, the foregoing transmitting
member is preferably of cylindrical form.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the foregoing
transmitting member has a wall inwardly protruding between
the first slide surface and the second slide surface so that
it intersects at a right angle with the axial direction and
abuttable against the end portion of the driving shaft and/or
the mount member at the side of the driving shaft and the end
portion of the driven shaft and/or the mount member at the
side of the driven shaft.
In anther embodiment of the present invention, at least
the slide surface of the mount member at the side of the
driving shaft and at least the slide surface of the mount
member at the side of the driven shaft are each made of metal,
and at least the first slide surface and the second slide
surface of the transmitting member are each made of plastic.
In a still another embodiment of the present invention,
the mount member at the side of the driving shaft takes the
form of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped also serving
as the slide member at the side of the driving shaft, and its
two outer peripheral surfaces opposed to each other serve as
the slide surface. The mount member at the side of the driven
shaft takes the form of a substantially rectangular parallele-
piped also serving as the slide member at the side of the
driven shaft, and its two outer peripheral surfaces opposed
to each other serve as the slide surface.
In a still another embodiment of the present invention,
the mount member at the side of the driving shaft is removably
mounted relative to the end portion of the driving shaft, and
the mount member at the side of the driven shaft is removably
mounted relative to the end portion of the driven shaft.
lS According to the present invention, the mount member at
the side of the driving shaft and the mount member at the
side of the driven shaft may be each mounted relative to the
outer peripheral surface of the end portion of the driving
shaft and the outer peripheral surface of the end portion of
the driven shaft respectively by fastening to the cylindrical
outer peripheral surface at the end portion of the shaft.
In the present invention, in order to restrict the position
of the transmitting member as viewed in the axial direction,
a stop at the side of the driving shaft and a stop at the
side of the driven shaft may be removably mounted on the
outer peripheral surface of the end portion of the driving
shaft and on the outer peripheral surface of the end Fortion
of the driven shaft respectivelY.
In addition, as an embodiment of the present invention,
there is one in which the slide member at the side of the
2 ~ 1 2
5 -
driving shaft is removably mounted relative to the mount
member at the side of the driving shaft while the slide member
at the side of the driven shaft is removably mounted relative
to the mount member at the side of the driven shaft.
According to the present invention, a removable replacement
plate may be mounted on the silde surface of the slide member
at the side of the driving shaft and on the silde surface of
the slide member at the side of the driven shaft respectively.
Here, the foregoing transmitting member may be made of metal,
and the foregoing replacement plate may be made of plastic.
In a certain embodiment of the present invention, the
foregoing slide member at the side of the driving shaft extends
from the driven side end surface of the mount member at the
side of the driving shaft further toward the driven side, and
the foregoing slide member at the side of the driven shaft
extends from the driving side end surface of the mount member
at the side of the driven shaft further toward the driving
slde.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the
slide member at the side of the driving shaft extends from
the mount member at the side of the driving shaft only in the
radial direction, and the slide member at the side of the
driven shaft extends from the mount member at the side of the
driven shaft only in the radial direction.
In the present invention, on the driving side end surface
of the foregoing transmitting member, a member for restricting
the position of the transmitting member as viewed in the axial
direction and for abutting the mount member at the side of
the driving shaft and /or the slide member at the side of the
driving shaft may be removablY mounted, whereas, on the driven
2 ~ 2
6 -
side end surface of the foregoing transmitting member, a
member for restricting the position of the transmitting member
as viewed in the axial direction and for abutting the mount
member at the side of the driven shaft and /or the slide
member at the side of the driven shaft may be removably mounted.
Incidentally, in the present invention, the foregoing
; first direction and second direction preferably intersect at
a right angle with each other.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a first embodi-
ment of a shaft coupling according to the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view thereof
when assembled;
Fig. 3 is a schematic explanatory view of an example of
a torque transmitting mechanism embodying the shaft coupling
according to this embodiment;
Figs. 4 and 5 are respectively a view of a modification
of the first embodiment;
Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a second embodi-
ment of the shaft coupling according to the present invention;
Fig.7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view thereof
when assembled;
Fig. 8 is a view of the shaft coupling thereof as viewed
from the driving side;
Fig. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a third embodi-
ment of the shaft coupling according to the present invention;
Fig. 10 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view thereof
when assembled;
Fig. 11 is a view of the shaft coupling thereof as viewed
2 ~ t~
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from the driving side;
Fig. 12 is an exploded perspective view of a fourth embodi-
ment of the shaft coupling according to the present invention;
Fig. 13 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view thereof
when assembled;
Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view thereof taken along
line A-A;
Fig. 15 is an exploded perspective view of a fifth embodi-
ment of the shaft coupling according to the present invention;
10Fig. 16 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view thereof
when assembled;
Fig. 17 is a cross-sectional view thereof taken along
line B-B;
Fig. 18 is an exploded perspective view of a sixth embodi-
ment of the shaft coupling according to the present invention;
Fig. l9 is a perspective view thereof when assembled;
Fig. 20 is an exploded perspective view of a seventh
embodiment of the shaft coupling according to the present
invention; and
20Fig. 21 is an exPloded perspective view of an eighth
embodiment of the shaft coupling according to the present
nventlon.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
25Several specific embodiments of the present invention
are hereinafter described with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a first embodi-
ment of the shaft coupling according to the present invention,
and Fig. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view thereof
~ ~ ~ ;5 ~
8 -
when assembled. In these figures, 2 deno-tes a cylindrical end
portion of the driving shaft, and 2' the rotational axis of
the driving shaft. Further, 4 denotes a cylindrical end portion
of the driven shaft, and 4' the rotational axis of the driven
shaft. The end portion 2 of the driving shaft and the end
portion 4 of the driven shaft are each disposed in an opposed
manner so that their rotational axes 2' and 4' align with
each other in the direction of Z.
A mount member 6 made of metal at the side of the driving
shaft is mounted on the outer peripheral surface of the end
portion 2 of the driving shaft. The mount member has a through
hole running in the direction of Z, the inner surface of
which fits with the outer peripheral surface of the end portion
of the driving shaft. In order to mount the mount member 6, a
key or spline may be used, or it maY be mounted by pressing
in without working the cylindrical outer peripheral surface
; of the end portion 2 of the driving shaft or after worked.
The mount member 6 at the side of the driving shaft takes the
form of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped, the outer
peripheral surface of which comprises a pair of planar surfaces
running parallel to the X-Z plane and a pair of planar surfaces
running parallel to the Y-Z plane, among which the pair of
planar surfaces running parallel to the X-Z plane form an
outer slide surfaces 10, the interval between which equals L.
Similarly, a mount member 8 made of metal at the side of
the driven shaft is mounted on the outer peripheral surface
of the end portion 4 of the driven shaft. The mount--member
has a through hole running in the direction of Z, the inner
surface of which fits with the outer peripheral surface of
the end portion of the driven shaft. In order to mount the
9 2~ q ~
mount member 8, a key or spline may be used, or it may be
mounted by pressing in without working the cylindrical outer
peripheral surface of the end portion 4 of the driven shaft
or after worked. The mount member 8 at the side of the driven
shaft takes the form of a substantially rectangular parallele-
piped, the outer peripheral surface of which comprises a pair
of planar surfaces running parallel to the X-Z plane and a
pair of planar surfaces running parallel to the Y-Z plane,
among which the pair of planar surfaces running parallel to
the Y-Z surface form outer slide surfaces 12, the interval
between which equals L.
As described above, in this embodiment, the mount member
at the side of the driving shaft also serves as the slide
member at the side of the driving shaft, and the mount member
at the side of the driven shaft also serves as the slide
member at the side of the driven shaft.
14 denotes a torque transmitting member, which is posi-
tioned around both the mount members 6 and 8 so that it covers
those. At one portion (at the driving side) as viewed in the
axial direction, it contacts with the mount member 6 at the
side of the driving shaft and, at the other portion (at the
driven side), it contacts with the mount member 8 at the side
of the driven shaft. That is, the transmitting member 14 is
cylindrical running in the direction of Z, on the inner surface
of which a pair of planar surfaces 16 running parallel to the
X-Z plane and a pair of planar surfaces 18 running parallel
to the Y-Z plane are each formed at the side of the d-riving
shaft and at the side of the driven shaft respectively. At
the center thereof, as viewed in the direction of Z, a wall
20 within the X-Y plane protrudes toward the inner side. At
- 10 -
the portion at the driving side relative to the wall 20, the
pair of planar surfaces 16 running parallel to the X-Z plane
each comprise a first inner slide surface slidably coming in
contact with the outer slide surface 10 of the mount member
at the side of the driving shaft, and the interval between
the first inner slide surfaces equals L. In addition, at the
portion at the driven side relative to the wall 20, the pair
of planar surfaces 18 running parallel to the Y-Z plane each
comprise a second inner slide surface slidably coming in
contact with the outer slide surface 12 of the mount member
at the side of the driven shaft, and the interval between the
second inner slide surfaces equals L.
The foregoing transmitting member 14 is made of a plastic
material, for which a synthetic resin such as, for example, a
polyacetal resin or polyamide resin may be used, which exhibits
a proper strength and flexibility and a proper slidability
against the metallic material, for example, iron, of the
mount members 6 and 8 at the side of the driving shaft and
the driven shaft respectively. This transmitting member 14
made of plastic has a self-lubricity, and continuously lubri-
cates the outer slide surface 10 of the mount member 6 and
the outer slide surface 12 of the mount member 8 when they
come in contact with each other.
As illustrated in Fig. 2, the wall 20 of the transmitting
member 14 has a thickness of T" and the end portion 2 of the
driving shaft and the end portion 4 of the driven shaft are
opposedly disposed at the interval T2 (> T,). The range over
which the transmitting member is shifted in the direction of
Z is restricted by the wall 20 abutting against the mount
member 6 or 8 so that the engagement of the transmitting
member 14 and the mount members 6 and 8 may be held. Incidental-
ly, the length of the transmitting member, as viewed in the
direction of Z, equals T.
Thus, in this embodiment, when the first inner slide
surface 16 at the driving side slides in the directions of X
and Z and is rotated with the direction of Y as its axis
relative to the outer slide surface 10 of the mount member 6,
the transmitting member 14 can be shifted relative to the
mount member 6, and when the second inner slide surface 18
at the driven side slides in the directions of Y and Z and is
rotated with the X direction as its axis relative to the
outer slide surface 12 of the mount member 8, it can be shifted
relative to the mount member 8.
In this embodiment, when the end portion 2 of the driving
shaft is rotated, the torque is transmitted from the mount
member 6 via the transmitting member 14 to the mount member 8
so that the end portion 4 of the driven shaft is rotated. If
any eccentricity, angular deviation or axial movement take
place to the end portions 2 and 4, as described above, they
can be effectively coped with by the relative movement between
the transmitting member 14 and the mount member 6 and the
relative movement between the transmitting member 14 and the
mount member 8. The interval T2 between the mount members 6
and 8 may be properly determined according to the magnitude
of the expected eccentricity, angular deviation or axial
movement and the thickness Tl of the wall 20. The same is the
case with the interval between the pair of outer surfaces
other than the outer slide surfaces of the outer peripheral
surface of the mount members 6 and 8.
The foregoing shaft coupling according to the present
~ ~ ~o~
- 12 -
invention can be readily manufactured by assembling the members
as illustrated in Fig. 1.
In this embodiment, since the mount member 6 at the side
of the driving shaft is mounted on the outer peripheral surface
of the end portion 2 of the driving shaft and the mount member
8 at the side of the driven shaft is mounted on the outer
peripheral surface of the end portion 4 of the driven shaft,
the interval T2 between the end portions 2 and 4 can be made
small enough and, further, the length T of the transmitting
member, as viewed in the direction of Z, can be shortened
with the result that the length of the entire transmitting
mechanism, as viewed in the axial direction, can be shortened
and it can be miniaturized.
In addition, according to this embodiment, the wall 20
not only serves to limit the movement of the transmitting
member 14 in the direction of Z, but also serves to improve
the strength of the transmitting member.
According to this embodiment, since the transmitting
member 14 has a proper flexibility, the transmission of the
vibration between the driving shaft side and the driven shaft
side can be inhibited and, further, the transmission of the
torque can be smoothly changed when the load is abruptly
changed.
In addition, according to the present invention, since
the transmitting member 14 exhibits a self-lubricity when it
comes in contact with the mount members 6 and 8, it is not
necessary to use any lubricating oil, and its maintenance is
easy.
Fig. 3 is a schematic explanatory view of an embodiment
of the transmitting mechanism incorporating the shaft coupling
2 ~
- 13 -
according to the present invention, in which the end portion
of the output rotating shaft of the motor M corresponds to
the end portion 2 of the driving shaft of the shaft coupling
C according to the present invention, and the end portion of
the input rotating shaft of the pump P, which is the driven
unit, corresponds to the end portion 4 of the driven shaft of
the shaft coupling C according to the present invention.
When both shafts are coupled by means of the shaft coupling
C, the mount member 6 is fixed to the end portion 2 of the
output rotating shaft of the motor M, the mount member and
the transmitting member 14 are made to fit, the transmitting
member and the mount member 8 are made to fit and the end
portion 4 of the input rotating shaft of the pump P is made
to fit with the mount member for fixation by shifting the
latter 4 up to a predetermined position in the axial direction.
At this time, it is not necessary to strictly remove the
eccentricity, angular deviation and indexing of the position
in the axial direction between the end portions 2 and 4, but
the eccentricity may be 1 mm, the angular deviation may be 1
degree and the positional error in the axial direction may be
1 mm.
When the coupling by the shaft coupling is released, the
reverse procedure to the foregoing may be followed.
Figs. 4 and 5 are respectively a view illustrating a
modification of the first embodiment, Fig. 4 a view as viewed
from the driving side and Fig. 5 a view asviewed from the
driven side. ~~
In this modification, the interval between the pair of
outer peripheral surfaces of the mount member 6, which run
parallel to the Y-Z plane, is also set to L as the interval
2 ~
- 14 -
between the pair of outer slide surfaces 10, which run parallel
to the X-Z plane. Further, the interval between the pair of
outer peripheral surfaces of the mount member 8, which run
parallel to the X-Z plane, is also set to L, as the interval
between the pair of outer slide surfaces 12, which run parallel
to the Y-Z plane. At the portion of the transmitting member
14 close to the driving side relative to the wall 20, the
interval between the pair of inner surfaces intersecting at a
right angle with the pair of first inner slide surfaces 16 is
set to (L t a ) greater than L, and, at the portion thereof
- close to the driven side relative to the wall 20, the interval
between the pair of inner surfaces intersecting at a right
angle with the pair of second inner slide surfaces 18 is set
to (L + a ) greater than L.
In the embodiment as illustrated in Figs. l and 2, when
the mount members 6 and 8 are made to fit with the transmitting
member 14, it is necessary to take their orientation into
account so that the outer slide surfaces of these mount members
intersect at a right angle with each other. However, in this
modification, since the first inner slide surface and the
second inner slide surface preset a predetermined orientation
with the transmitting member 14 and the two pairs of outer
peripheral surfaces are each identical with the mount members
6 and 8, when the mount members 6 and 8 are made to fit to
the transmitting member 14, it is not necessary to take the
orientation into account.
Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a second embodi-
ment of the shaft coupling according to the present invention.
Fig. 7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view thereof when
assembled. Fig. 8 is a view of the shaft coupling according
~ ~ 3 .~
- 15 -
to the present invention as viewed from the driving side. In
these figures, like signs are assigned to the members having
a function similar to those of Figs. 1 through 5.
In this e~bodiment, the mount member 6 at the side of
the driving shaft takes the form of a substantiallY cylindrical
form, on the outer peripheral surface of which two sets of
three protrusions 7 (slide members at the side of the driving
shaft) protruding in the opposite directions relative to the
Y direction are attached. On each protrusion 7, a pair of
outer slide surfaces 10 running parallel to the Y-Z plane is
formed. Likewise, the mount member 8 at the side of the driven
shaft takes the form of a substantially cylindrical form, on
the outer peripheral surface of which two sets of three protru-
sions 9 (slide members at the side of the driven shaft) protru-
ding in the opposite directions relative to the X directionare attached. On each protrusion 9, a pair of outer slide
surfaces 12 running parallel to the X-Z plane is formed.
On the inner surface of the cylindrical transmitting
member 14, at its portion close to the driving side relative
to the wall 20 and at its portion close to the driven side
relative to the wall 20, two kinds of channels 13, 15 extending
in the Z direction are formed. Two sets of three channels 13
are each formed at a position opposed to each other in the Y
direction, and each channel 13 has a pair of first inner
slide surfaces 16 each running parallel to the Y-Z plane.
Likewise, two sets of three channels 15 are each formed at
positions opposed to each other in the X direction , an-d each
channel 15 has a pair of second inner slide surfaces 18 running
parallel to the X-Z plane.
At the portion close to the driving side relative to the
2 ~
- 16 -
wall 20, the protrusion 7 of the mount member at the side of
the driving shaft is accommodated with the channel 13, and
the outer slide surface 10 and the first inner slide surface
16 slidably come in contact with each other. On the other
hand, at the portion close to the driven side relative to the
wall 20, the protrusion 9 of the mount member at the side of
; the driven shaft is accommodated within the channel 15, and
the outer slide surface 12 and the second inner slide surface
18 slidablY come in contact with each other.
The function of the shaft coupling according to this
embodiment is basically the same as that of the shaft coupling
according to the first embodiment.
Fig. 9 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a
third embodiment of the shaft coupling according to the present
invention. Fig. 10 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view
thereof when assembled. Fig. 11 is a view of the shaft coupling
according to this embodiment as viewed from the driving side.
In these figures, like signs are each assigned to the members
having a function similar to those of Figs. 1 through 8.
In this embodiment, a slit is formed through the mount
member 6 within a plane parallel to the Y-Z plane, and a
portion adjacent to this slit is fastened by means of a bolt
so that the mount member is fixed to the end portion 2 of the
driving shaft. Likewise, a slit is formed through the mount
member 8 within a plane parallel to the X-Z plane, and a
portion adiacent to this slit is fastened by means of a bolt
so that the mount member is fixed to the end portion 4-of the
driven shaft.
In this embodiment, channels (slide members a-t the side
of the driving shaft) 7a are formed on the mount member 6 at
- 17 ~
the side of the driving shaft, on each of which 7a a pair of
inner slide surfaces 10a is formed. Further, channels (slide
members at the side of the driven shaft) 9a are formed on the
mount member 8 at the side of the driven shaft, on each of
which 9a a pair of inner slide surfaces 12a is formed. On the
other hand, on the inner surface of the transmitting member
14, protrusions 13a are formed at the portion close to the
driving side relative to the wall 20, each of which 13a has a
pair of first outer slide surfaces 16a running parallel to
the X-Z plane. Likewise, on the inner surface of the transmit-
ting member 14, protrusions 15a are formed at the position
close to the driven side relative to the wall 20, each of
which 15a has a pair of second outer slide surfaces 18a running
parallel to the Y-Z plane.
In addition, at the position close to the driving side
relative to the wall 20, the protrusions 13a are accommodated
within the channel 7a of the mount member at the side of the
driving shaft, and the inner slide surface lOa and the first
outer slide surface 16a slidably come in contact with each
other. In contrast, at the portion close to the driven side
relative to the wall 20, protrusions 15a are accommodated
within the channel 9a of the mount member at the side of the
driven shaft, and the inner slide surface 12a and the second
outer slide surface 18a slidably come in contact with each
other.
The function of the shaft coupling according to this
embodiment is basically the same as that of the first and
second embodiments. Further, in this embodiment, since, during
assembly, the mount members 6, 8 are each fastened for fixation
to the end portion 2 of the driving shaft and the end portion
1 2
- 18 -
4 of the driven shaft, it is not necessarY to align the phase
(rotational angle) of the end portion 2 and the phase of the
end portion 4. In addition, the end portions 2 and 4 require
no special work on the outer peripheral surface, but may
remain cylindrical.
Fig. 12 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a
fourth embodiment of the shaft coupling according to the
present invention. Fig. 13 is a longitudinal cross-sectional
view thereof when assembled. Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional
view thereof taken along line A-A. In these figures, like
signs are each assigned to the member having a function similar
to that of Figs. 1 through 11.
On the outer peripheral surface of the end portion 2,
the mount member 6 made of metal is mounted, which has a
through hole extending in the Z direction, the inner surface
of which is made to fit with the outer peripheral surface of
the end portion. As shown, on the mount member 6, a slit
within a plane parallel to the Y-Z plane is formed so that it
may reach the through hole from outside and, by fastening a
; 20 portion adjacent to the slit through a bolt 110 in the X
direction, the mount member 6 is mounted. The outer peripheral
surface of the mount member 6 comprises a pair of planar
surfaces running parallel to the X-Z plane and a pair of
planar surfaces running parallel to the Y-Z plane, among
which the former corresponds to the outer slide surface 107,
the interval between which equals L.
Similarly, on the outer peripheral surface of the end
portion 4, the mount member 8 made of metal is mounted, which
has a through hole extending in the Z direction, and the
inner surface of the through hole is made to fit with the
- 19 -
outer peripheral surface of the end portion at the side of
the driven shaft. As shown, on the mount member 8, a slit is
formed within a plane parallel to the X-Z plane so that it
may reach the foregoing through hole from outside and, by
fastening a portion adjacent to this slit via a bolt 112 in
the Y direction, the mount member 8 is mounted. The outer
peripheral surface of the mount member 8 comprises a pair of
planar surfaces running parallel to the X-Z plane and a pair
of planar surfaces running parallel to the Y-Z plane, among
which the latter corresponds to the outer slide surface lO9,
the interval between which equals L.
As described above, in this embodiment, as in the first
. embodiment, the mount member at the side of the driving shaft
also serves as the slide member at the side of the driving
shaft, and the mount member at the side of the driven shaft
serves as the slide member at the side of the driven shaft.
The transmitting member 14 made of plastic is positioned
around both the mount members 6 and 8 so that it may cover
them and, at one portion, as viewed in the axial direction,
it contacts with the mount member 6 while, at the other portion,
contacting the mount member 8. That is, the transmitting
member 14 is of cylindrical form as viewed in the Z direction,
the inner surface of which comprises a pair of planar surfaces
running parallel to the X-Z plane and a pair of planar surfaces
running parallel to the Y-Z plane. The pair of planar surfaces
running parallel to the X-Z plane comprises a first inner
slide surface 115a slidably coming into contact wi--th the
outer slide surface 107 of the mount member at the side of
the driving shaft, and the interval between the first inner
slide surfaces equals L. In addition, the pair of planar
~s~
- 20 -
surfaces running parallel to the Y-Z plane comprises a second
inner slide surface 115b slidably coming into contact with
the outer slide surface 109 of the mount member at the side
of the driven shaft and a second outer slide surface 115b,
and the interval between the second inner slide surfaces
equals L.
As shown in Fig. 13, the end portions 2 and 4 are opposedly
disposed at the interval T'. This interval T' maY be properly
determined according to the expected magnitude of eccentricitY,
angular deviation or the axial movement. Further, on the end
portions 2 and 4, rubber stops 116, 118 are removably mounted,
which restrict the position of the transmitting member 14, as
viewed in the Z direction, to retain the engagement with the
mount members 6 and 8.
The foregoing shaft coupling according to this embodiment
may be readily manufactured by assembling the members as shown
in Fig. 12. In particular, during this assembly, since the
- mount members 6, 8 are each fastened for fixation to the end
portions 2 and 4 respectively, it is not necessary to align
the phase (rotational angle) of the end portions 2 and 4. In
addition, the end portions 2 and 4 require no special work,
but may left cylindrical. During disassembly, one of the
stops 116, 118 is shifted in the Z direction so as to make
distant from the transmitting member 14 and, then the transmit-
ting member is shifted in the Z direction, after that, one ofthe end portions 2 and 4 is shifted by a distance approximately
corresponding to the thickness of the mount members--6 or 8
(as measured in the Z direction) so that it is made distant
from the other to slightly widen the interval between the end
portions 2 and ~, through which the mount member 6 or 8 may
2 ~
- 21 -
be removed after they are released from the fastened condition.
The function of the shaft coupling according to this
embodiment is basically the same as that of the shaft coupling
according to the first embodiment.
Fig. 15 is an exploded perspective view of a fifth embodi-
ment of the shaft coupling according to the present invention.
Fig. 16 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view thereof when
assembled. Fig. 17 is a cross-sectional view thereof taken
along line B-B. In these figures, like signs are each assigned
to the member having the same function as those of Figs. 1
through 14.
This embodiment differs from the fourth embodiment only
in the direction in which the slit of the mount member 6
extends and the direction in which the slit of the mount
member 8 extends, and has the operation and effect similar
to the fourth embodiment.
Fig. 18 is an exploded perspective view of a sixth embodi-
ment of the shaft coupling according to the present invention.
Fig. 19 is a perspective view thereof when assembled. In these
figures, like signs are each assigned to the members having
the same function as in Figs. 1 through 17.
On the outer peripheral surface of the end portion 2,
the mount member 6 at the side of the driving shaft, which is
made of metal, is mounted. This mounting is achieved by means
of any proper measures such as splining or pressing in so
that the driven side end surface of the mount member 6 is set
so as to lie in substantially the same plane as the~driven
side end portion 2 of the driving shaft. On the outer peripheral
surface of the mount member 6, two slide members 210a, 210b
at the side of the driving shaft are integrally formed at the
2~5~2
- 22 -
symmetrical positions relative to the rotational axis 2' of
the driving shaft. These slide members 210a, 210b extend from
the driven side end surface of the mount member 6 at the side
of the driving shaft further toward the driven side each
having a pair of outer slide surfaces running parallel to the
Y-Z plane. On each of these outer slide surfaces, a replacement
plate 211 is removably mounted, which plate is replaced by a
new one after worn.
Similarly, on the outer peripheral surface of the end
portion 4 of the driven shaft, the mount member 8 at the
side of the driven shaft is mounted. This mounting is carried
out bY any proper measures such as splining or pressing in so
that the driving side end surface of the mount member 8 is
set so as to lie in substantially the same plane as the driving
side end surface of the end portion 4 of the driven shaft. On
the outer peripheral surface of the mount member 8, two slide
members 212a, 212b are integrally formed at the symmetrical
positions relative to the rotational axis 4' of the driven
shaft. These slide members 212a, 212b extend from the driving
side end surface of the mount member 8 at the side of the
driven shaft further toward the driving side each having a
pair of outer slide surfaces running parallel to the X-Z
plane. Further, on each of these outer slide surfaces, a
replacement plate 211 is removably mounted, which plate is
replaced by a new one after worn.
The transmitting member 14 lies around the mount members
6, 8, slide members 210a, 210b at the side of the driving
shaft and slide members 212a, 212b at the side of the driven
shaft so as to cover them. The transmitting member 14 is of
cylindrical form extending in the Z direction, within which
2 ~
- 23 -
two first slide channels 216a, 216b having a pair of first
inner slide surfaces running parallel to the Y-Z plane and
two second slide channels 218a, 218b having a pair of second
inner slide surfaces running parallel to the X-Z plane are
formed. The inner slide surfaces of the first slide channels
216a, 216b are slidable against the replacement plate 211 of
the slide members 210a, 210b at the side of the driving shaft
within the Y-Z plane. Similarly, the inner slide surfaces of
the second slide channels 218a, 218b are slidable against the
replacement plate 211 of the slide members 212a, 212b at the
side of the driven shaft within the X-Z plane. Incidentally,
the dimension of the transmitting member 14 and others are
set so that they are slidable.
On the end surface at the driving side of the transmitting
member 14, an abutting member 220 at the driving side is
removably mounted by mean of a screw. Similarly, on the driven
side end surface of the transmitting member 14, an abutting
member 222 at the driven side is removably mounted by means
of a screw. These abutting members restricts the position of
the transmitting member as viewed in the axial direction by
the abutment of the driving side end surface of the mount
member 6 and the driven side end surface of the mount member
8. Of course, the distance between these abutting members
220, 222 is set greater than the expected maximum distance
between the driving side end surface of the mount member 6
and the driven side end surface of the mount member 8.
As the foregoing replacement plate 211, a relatively
soft metal such as bronze or the like may be used, or an oil
containing alloy or plastic material may be used in order to
achieve the self-lubricity. As the plastic material, a synthetic
- 24 -
resin having a proper slidability relative to the metallic
material of the transmitting member 14, for example, iron,
proper strength and further a proper flexibility, such as,
for example, polyacetal resin or polyamide resin may be used.
Thus, in this embodiment, since the first slide channels
216a, 216b slide in the Y and Z directions relative to the
replacement plate 211 of the slide members 210a, 210b at the
side of the driving shaft and is rotated with the X direction
as its axis, the transmitting member 14 can be shifted relative
to the mount member 6 at the side of the driving shaft and,
since the second slide channels 218a, 218b slide in the X and
Z directions relative to the replacement plate 211 of the
slide members 212a, 212b at the side of the driven shaft and
is rotated with the Y direction as their axis, it can be
shifted relative to the mount member 8at the side of the
driven shaft.
The forgoing shaft coupling according to this embodiment
can be readily manufactured by assembling the members as
shown in Fig. 18. The replacement of the plate 211 can be
immediately carried out after one of the abutting members 220
and 222 is removed and the transmitting member 14 is shifted
in the Z direction.
If, in this embodiment, as the replacement plate 211,
one made of a plastic material is to be used, since this has
a proper flexibility, the transmission of vibration between
the driving shaft side and the driven shaft side can be sup-
pressed and the torque transmission can be smoothly changed
when the load is abruptly changed. Further, since the self-
lubricity can result when it comes in slidable contact with
the transmitting member 14, there is no need to use the lubri-
2 ~ 3~ id
cating oil, which simplifies the mainlenance.
Further, in this embodiment, since the slide members210a, 210b at the side of the driving shaft extend further
toward the driven side relative to the driven side end surface
of the mount member 6 at the side of the driving shaft and the
slide members 212a, 212b at the side of the driven shaft
extend further toward the driving side relative to the driving
side end surface of the mount member 8 at the side of the
driven shaft, the area over which they come in contact with
the transmitting member 14 is great and the load per unit area
is small leading to a small wear.
The function of the shaft coupling according to this
embodiment is basicallY the same as that of the shaft coupling
according to the second embodiment.
Fig. 20 is an exploded perspective view of a seventh
embodiment of the shaft coupling according to the present
invention, in which like signs are each assigned to the member
having the same function as in Figs. 1 through 19.
This embodiment differs from the sixth embodiment only
in that four slide members 210a-1, 210a-2, 210b-1, 210b-2 at
the side of the driving shaft and four slide members 212a-1,
212a-2, 212b-1, 212b-2 at the side of the driven shaft are
formed and, corresponding thereto, four first slide channels
216a-1, 216a-2, 216b-1, 216b-2 and four second slide channels
218a-1, 218a-2, 218b-1, 218b-2 are also formed on the transmit-
ting member 14. This embodiment provides an operation and
effect similar to those of the sixth embodiment, and further
the area over which the slide members and the transmitting
menlber 14 come in contact with each other is great. Therefore,
a further great torque can be transmitted.
- 26 -
Fig. 21 is an exploded perSPective view of an eighth
embodiment of the shaft coupling according to the present
invention, in which like signs are each assigned to the members
having the same function as that of Figs. 1 through 20.
This embodiment only differs from the sixth embodiment
in that the slide members 210a, 210b at the side of the driving
shaft and the slide members 212a, 212b at the side of the
driven shaft are each mounted to the mount members 6 and 8 by
means of a screw, and that no replacement plate is mounted to
these slide members and the slide members 210a, 210b and the
slide members 212a, 212b extend from the mount members 6 and
8 only in the radial direction. This embodiment provides an
operation and effect similar to those of the sixth embodiment,
and the slide member at the side of the driving shaft does
not extend toward the driven side relative to the driven side
end surface of the mount member at the side of the driving
shaft, and the slide member at the side of the driven shaft
does not extend toward the driving side relative of the driving
side end surface of the mount member at the side of the driven
shaft. Therefore, with these slide members and the transmitting
member 14 disengaged, the end portion 2 of the driving shaft
and the end portion 4 of the driven shaft can be independently
rotated.
In the present invention, one of the slide member and
the transmitting member may be made of metal, and the other
may be made of plastic, or both of them may be made of metal
or plastic.
As described above, the present invention allows the
eccentricity, angular deviation and the axial movement between
the driving shaft side and the driven shaft side to be excel-
- 27 -
lently coped with while allowing t;he torque to be smoothly
transmitted with a small loss. As a result, a shaft coupling
which is simple in construction and easy in assembly and
maintenance can be provided.
The shaft coupling according to the present invention
can be manufactured ranging from ones of small diameter (for
example, on the order of 20 mm) up to ones of large diameter
(for example, on the order of 600 mm) so that it may be used
in various torque transmitting mechanisms.
