US 12,181,004 B2 · Flexible coupling for a drive train

Abstract

A flexible coupling for a drive train, the coupling having a drive yoke, a driven yoke, and a connector for transferring rotational torque between the yokes. The drive and driven yokes are manually inserted into slots in the connector. The drive yoke connects to a drive shaft and the driven yoke connects to a driven shaft. Rotating the drive shaft rotates the drive yoke against the connector causing it to rotate; which in turn transfers torque to and rotates the driven yoke. Surfaces on the yokes and connector that contact one another during rotation define contact surfaces. Portions of the yokes and/or connector having the contact surfaces are obliquely profiled so that contact surfaces on the yokes are complementary to corresponding contact surfaces on the connector, which increases the areas of force transfer between the yokes and connectors.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method of operating a drive train comprising:

obtaining a connector comprising a main body having a first slot, a second slot, and a socket formed in the first slot;
obtaining a first yoke comprising a first yoke arm, a pivot on an end of the first yoke arm, and a bore projecting through the pivot;
obtaining a second yoke comprising an upper arm, a lower arm spaced axially from the upper arm, and a slot extending longitudinally between the upper and lower arms;
inserting the first yoke arm into the first slot so that the pivot is within the socket;
inserting the upper and lower arms into the second slot;
inserting a pin into the bore and into the slot that extends between the upper and lower arm to interfere with lateral movement of the second yoke with respect to the first yoke and to the connector, and
rotating the second yoke by rotating the first yoke.

4 more elements

A coupling assembly for use with a drive train comprising:

a connector comprising a main body, a first slot formed in the main body and having a portion that defines a socket, a connector first contact surface in the first slot, a second slot on a side of the connector main body facing away from the first slot, and a connector second contact surface on the second slot sidewalls, the first contact surface being concave and having a constant radius about a first axis;
a first yoke having a first yoke arm configured to be manually insertable into the first slot and a pivot on an end of the first yoke arm that is in the socket when the first yoke arm is inserted into the first slot, the first yoke rotatable from a first position in which the pivot is spaced away from the socket to a second position in which the pivot is in contact with the socket;
a pivot contact surface formed on an outer surface of the pivot, the pivot contact surface being convex and having a constant radius along a second axis, the first contact surface and pivot contact surface profiled so that when the first yoke is in the first position the first axis is oblique to the second axis, and when first yoke is rotated into the second position the first axis is parallel with the second axis to form an interface between the pivot contact surface and first contact surface that extends substantially along a width of the pivot contact surface;
and
a second yoke having a second yoke arm configured to be manually insertable into the second slot, so that when the first yoke is rotated, torque is transferred through the connector to rotate the second yoke.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Flexible coupling for a drive train

Life of this patent

Flexible coupling for a drive train

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20