Construction Of Universal Shaft Coupling

As a key component in mechanical transmission systems, universal shaft coupling plays an irreplaceable role in various industrial equipment. Its unique structural design enables it to compensate for angular deviation and axial displacement between two axes, achieving reliable transmission of power and motion.

The core function of a cardan shaft coupling is to connect two shafts on different axes, allowing for effective power transmission even with a certain degree of angular deviation between the two shafts. Its basic structure usually consists of several key components:

1. Cross shaft: As the core component of the universal joint, the cross shaft is usually made of high-strength alloy steel and undergoes precision machining and heat treatment to improve its wear resistance and load-bearing capacity. The four necks of the cross shaft are respectively matched with the bearings on the two fork heads to form a rotatable connection.

2. Bearing components: Modern universal couplings often use needle roller bearings or sliding bearings design. Needle roller bearings are widely used due to their high load capacity and compact structure. The outer ring of the bearing is usually pressed into the bearing hole of the fork, and the inner ring is tightly matched with the cross shaft journal. Some heavy-duty applications may use radial rolling thrust bearings to transmit large torque in small space diameters.

3. Flange fork: Fork components are usually divided into two forms: welded fork and flange fork. SWC type adopts an integral fork head design, which is more sturdy in structure; The SWP type adopts a split fork layout for easy installation and maintenance. The fork head is connected to the transmission shaft through a flange or welding method, and its design directly affects the torque transmission capacity of the coupling.

4. Sealing and lubrication system: To prevent lubricant leakage and contamination from entering, the universal joint coupling is equipped with multiple sealing devices, including rubber oil seals, labyrinth seals, etc. Lubrication methods can be divided into regular oil injection and pre lubrication sealing. Under high temperature and heavy load conditions, oil injection is usually required once a day, while under normal conditions, oil injection can be done once a week.

5. Safety protection cover: Some universal couplings will be equipped with protective covers, which not only prevent foreign objects from entering the moving parts, but also prevent lubricating grease splashing and polluting the environment, while improving operational safety.

This structure enables the universal shaft coupling to adapt to axis angles of 5 ° -45 °, and some special designs can even achieve compensation for larger angles. Compared with ordinary couplings, universal couplings can maintain high transmission efficiency even in the presence of axis deviation, and have a compact structure and high load-bearing capacity, making them the preferred transmission components in fields such as engineering machinery and metallurgical equipment.