Drive Shaft Disconnect Design Help
Drive Shaft Disconnect Design Help
(OP)
I'm making a conveyor type of machine to move a product in a linear path about 36" long. I have a drive shaft and two other shafts running beneath the conveyor belt. The shafts are at different heights (Y-axis let's say) relative to the floor.
Currently, I'm using a hex socket to drive the conveyor shafts. They are spring loaded, allowing them to be pulled back to a locking position without the use of hand tools (tools are not allowed).
Part of the requirement of the system is that the entire conveyor assembly must pivot up in order to allow cleaning beneath. This pivoting occurs 1-7 times per week. In addition, once a month the entire assembly must be removed and brought to a clean room to be washed down. Again, no tools allowed for this, and all materials must be stainless steel.
The problem with the hex drive I am having, is that it is extremely difficult to align the conveyor shafts (axis) with the drive shafts once the conveyor returns from the pivoted position. Sometimes, the couplings won't even re-engage, due to shaft misalignment or rotational position of the hex.
I'd like to solve the problem with a different type of coupling if possible, rather than redesigning the pivots, etc. Gears are ok, some type of U-joint, sliding shaft etc.
Your thoughts are greatly appreciated.
Currently, I'm using a hex socket to drive the conveyor shafts. They are spring loaded, allowing them to be pulled back to a locking position without the use of hand tools (tools are not allowed).
Part of the requirement of the system is that the entire conveyor assembly must pivot up in order to allow cleaning beneath. This pivoting occurs 1-7 times per week. In addition, once a month the entire assembly must be removed and brought to a clean room to be washed down. Again, no tools allowed for this, and all materials must be stainless steel.
The problem with the hex drive I am having, is that it is extremely difficult to align the conveyor shafts (axis) with the drive shafts once the conveyor returns from the pivoted position. Sometimes, the couplings won't even re-engage, due to shaft misalignment or rotational position of the hex.
I'd like to solve the problem with a different type of coupling if possible, rather than redesigning the pivots, etc. Gears are ok, some type of U-joint, sliding shaft etc.
Your thoughts are greatly appreciated.





RE: Drive Shaft Disconnect Design Help
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RE: Drive Shaft Disconnect Design Help
James Spisich
Design Engineer, CSWP
RE: Drive Shaft Disconnect Design Help
( Look at the throttle linkage inside an old outboard motor handle hinge. )
I'm not sure anyone makes them commercially, or if they can carry the load.
An alternative is a bevel gear on the end of each shaft, mating with an idler bevel aligned with the hinge axis.
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: Drive Shaft Disconnect Design Help
RE: Drive Shaft Disconnect Design Help
Mike - I will take a look at the crown gear coupling. The bevel gear we've discussed here at work. I'm not sure how easy aligning those teeth would be either after the conveyor is lowered from a tilt. I like the concept though.
aafuni - that sounds interesting. that might work. The drive shaft has the most torque. I don't know the rating off hand but it's a 1/6 hp motor.
A friend also suggested a magnetic coupling device. I haven't found too many compact ones, or ones with decent torque ratings. They were also pricey.
Thanks to all that have responded so far.
RE: Drive Shaft Disconnect Design Help
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RE: Drive Shaft Disconnect Design Help
RE: Drive Shaft Disconnect Design Help
RE: Drive Shaft Disconnect Design Help
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: Drive Shaft Disconnect Design Help
RE: Drive Shaft Disconnect Design Help
Lots of manufacturers produce these parts in a drawn-cup type of overrunning clutch with needle bearings incorporated. And they're cheap. I found one on the INA/F.A.G. site (model number HFL3530) that is good for up to 90 ft-lbf of torque.
http://medias.schaeffler.de/medias/hp.ec.br.pr/HFL*HFL3530
When I previewed this post, it appeared that the full url above doesn't present itself correctly. Copy and paste so that you include the "*HFL3530" on the end of the link.
This may allow you to use what you already have, so that you can index the shaft backwards by hand so that you can align the two parts.
Engineering is not the science behind building. It is the science behind not building.
RE: Drive Shaft Disconnect Design Help
If you can please post how you solved this problem.
RE: Drive Shaft Disconnect Design Help
RE: Drive Shaft Disconnect Design Help
Even at very acute installation angels and high loads they will provide a reasonable life and relatively are inexpensive.
RE: Drive Shaft Disconnect Design Help
In the same vane there is the Wobble socket. It too has several locking possibilities.
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http://www.lancetools.com/wobblesockets.html
RE: Drive Shaft Disconnect Design Help
Based on some of the input here, I purchased a lovejoy coupling to experiment with. It has a split spider with coupling nut that can be removed by hand and is also stainless steel, one of the requirements here. The cost was around $200 for each. Sorry I don't have a part number on me, but they are pretty standard. Mcmaster carries them too.
I also sketched up another idea for a coupling, using some ideas here as inspiration. I'd machine it in-house. Has a 45 degree taper on each side. Three press fit pins would drive it. Your thoughts are welcome on that as well.
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The sprag clutch I'm not sold on, only because I'm not sure if it helps with the disconnecting or not.
The wobble sockets are pretty sweet. I'm currently using an impact socket (6 point only) to drive this now, so if I can press that into my hand screw, that might work as well.
I have a little time before I have to fabricate the next unit so I'll play with these ideas some more.
Thanks again everyone.
RE: Drive Shaft Disconnect Design Help
RE: Drive Shaft Disconnect Design Help
RE: Drive Shaft Disconnect Design Help
RE: Drive Shaft Disconnect Design Help
For those interested, I did find these really cool gear couplings:
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something like that might work. I'm checking out the torque ratings.