Rotary shafts – gudgeons – housings – and flexible couplings for ro – Coupling accommodates drive between members having... – Coupling transmits torque via radially directed pin
Patent
1980-01-28
1982-06-15
Argenbright, Tony M.
Rotary shafts, gudgeons, housings, and flexible couplings for ro
Coupling accommodates drive between members having...
Coupling transmits torque via radially directed pin
F16D 340
Patent
active
043344151
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
DESCRIPTION
1. Technical Field
This invention relates to a universal coupling construction and, more particularly, to an improved spider bearing and yoke assembly.
2. Background Art
Articulated couplings for connecting a pair of rotatable shafts set at an angle to one another are generally well-known. One type of articulated coupling is a universal joint which allows for rotation in three planes similar to that commonly known as a Hooke's joint. Such a joint permits one shaft to be rotatively driven by a second shaft through the universal coupling even though the shafts are not co-linearly arranged or even though the angle between the respective rotational axes of the shafts may change as the shafts are rotated.
A universal coupling of the above-mentioned type includes a multi-legged spider. The free ends of the spider legs are journaled within yokes carried by each of the rotatable shafts at their respective opposed ends. Typically, spider caps are anchored to the yoke and carry bearings or bushings to reduce rotational friction between the spider and the yoke. In conventional spider and yoke couplings, the spider caps are attached to the yoke by a plurality of bolts. Since the number and size of the securing bolts are usually not great enough to produce a large clamping force, driving keys are required to transmit driving torque between the rotating shafts. In the prior art, a spider cap is constructed with a single square driving key which is fitted into a slot defined in the yoke.
In applications where torque reversals do not occur, this construction is sufficient. However, in those applications where torque reversals do occur, relative motion may take place between the spider cap and the yoke to which it is anchored because of clearances between the driving key and the slot. This relative motion can cause fretting between the mating surfaces of the parts thereby resulting first in bolt loosening due to loss of preload and then in the ultimate failure of the spider cap connection and of the coupling itself.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems as set forth above.
To overcome the problems associated with the prior art constructions without substantially increasing the cost of the coupling, tapered driving key and keyway combinations are employed between each spider bearing cap and yoke.
In accordance with the invention, a coupling having a spider element with legs journaled within spider caps carried by yokes at the ends of two opposed rotatable shafts includes a pair of tapered key and keyway combinations between the yokes and the respective spider caps mounted thereto. In an exemplary embodiment, the keys are carried by the spider caps and the keyways are defined in the yokes. The tapered keys and keyways eliminate relative motion between the yoke and the spider caps and distribute high torque and shear stresses over two keys and keyways. The keys and keyways are particularly effective on couplings subjected to torque reversals.
In one aspect of the invention, the keys and keyways are positioned along the centerlines of the bolts which secure the spider caps to the yokes, so that the bolts can be tightened to any desired preload without distortion of the parts.
In another aspect of the invention, the keyways are slightly smaller than the keys so that a full seat can be attained between the respective keys and keyways without the necessity of close tolerances being maintained.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a spider and yoke coupling constructed in accordance with the prior art;
FIG. 2 is an elevational view of a spider and yoke coupling constructed in accordance with the present invention; and
FIG. 3 is a plan view of the face of one of the yokes looking in the direction of the arrows 3--3 of FIG. 2.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Referring to FIG. 1, a coupling, broadly designated 10, utilizing a prior art method of construction is illustrated. Therein, two rotatable shafts 12 and 13 hav
REFERENCES:
patent: 1371005 (1921-03-01), Thiemer
patent: 1583184 (1926-05-01), Sandberg
patent: 2698527 (1955-01-01), Anderson
Hopkins Michael F.
Mayerchin Alvin D.
Argenbright Tony M.
Caterpillar Tractor Co.
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