Connecting unit and connecting device for connecting a drive device to a rod, and method for exchanging a doctor rod

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2024255031-A1
Application number	US-202418629340-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Apr 8, 2024
Priority date	Oct 12, 2021
Publication date	Aug 1, 2024
Grant date	—

Abstract

A connecting unit for connecting a drive device to a rod includes: a receiving opening for axially receiving a connecting element arranged on the rod to transmit a torque; an interlocking element including a free end and further including or being configured as a spring element, which is a flexible spring; and a recess located radially adjacent to the receiving opening and by way of which the interlocking element engages in the receiving opening, with the result that the connecting element is axially securable thereby, the interlocking element at a first position being firmly connected with a portion of the connecting unit and at the free end is configured for moving relative to a portion of the connecting unit so as to move the interlocking element out of the receiving opening, with the result that a securement of the connecting element is releasable.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A connecting unit for connecting a drive device to a rod, the connecting unit comprising:
a receiving opening configured for axially receiving a connecting element arranged on the rod so as to transmit a torque; an interlocking element, which is a force-applied interlocking element, the interlocking element including a free end, the interlocking element further including or being configured as a spring element, the spring element being a flexible spring; and a recess located radially adjacent to the receiving opening and by way of which the interlocking element engages in the receiving opening, with the result that the connecting unit is configured such that the connecting element is axially securable thereby, the interlocking element at a first position being firmly connected with a portion of the connecting unit and at the free end is configured for moving relative to a portion of the connecting unit so as to move the interlocking element out of the receiving opening, with the result that the connecting unit is configured such that a securement of the connecting element is releasable.

2 . The connecting unit according to claim 1 , wherein the receiving opening is configured as an internal polygon which includes at least two surfaces, and wherein the recess intersects the at least two surfaces of the internal polygon.

3 . The connecting unit according to claim 1 , wherein the spring element is configured for absorbing a plurality of lateral forces acting in an axial direction between the connecting unit and the connecting element.

4 . The connecting unit according to claim 1 , wherein the interlocking element includes a support body.

5 . The connecting unit according to claim 1 , wherein the connecting unit includes a circumference, wherein the interlocking element is arranged in a locking position within the circumference of the connecting unit.

6 . The connecting unit according to claim 1 , wherein the connection unit includes a circumferential side, wherein the free end of the interlocking element is configured for being moved from the circumferential side of the connection unit.

7 . The connecting unit according to claim 1 , wherein the connection unit includes a circumferential side, wherein the free end of the interlocking element is configured for being moved from the circumferential side of the connection unit without using a tool.

8 . The connecting unit according to claim 1 , wherein the spring element is a leaf spring, a flat spring, or a flat form spring.

9 . The connecting unit according to claim 1 , wherein the connecting unit is configured for connecting the drive device to the rod, which is a doctor rod.

10 . A connecting device to connect a drive device with a rod, the connecting device comprising:
a connecting unit for connecting the drive device to the rod, the connecting unit including:
a receiving opening configured for axially receiving a connecting element arranged on the rod so as to transmit a torque;
an interlocking element, which is a force-applied interlocking element, the interlocking element including a free end, the interlocking element further including or being configured as a spring element, the spring element being a flexible spring; and
a recess located radially adjacent to the receiving opening and by way of which the interlocking element engages in the receiving opening, with the result that the connecting unit is configured such that the connecting element is axially securable thereby, the interlocking element at a first position being firmly connected with a portion of the connecting unit and at the free end is configured for moving relative to a portion of the connecting unit so as to move the interlocking element out of the receiving opening, with the result that the connecting unit is configured such that a securement of the connecting element is releasable; and
a connecting element configured for being arranged on the rod and for being arranged in an interlocking manner in the receiving opening of the connecting unit, the connecting element including a securement recess which is radially arranged and which is configured for accommodating the interlocking element arranged on a portion of the connecting unit so as to secure the rod into position axially.

11 . The connecting device according to claim 10 , wherein the securement recess of the connecting element is arranged circumferentially.

12 . The connecting device according to claim 10 , wherein the connecting element includes and end face and a chamfer at the end face.

13 . The connecting device according to claim 10 , wherein the connecting device is configured for connecting the drive device to the rod, which is a doctor rod.

14 . A method to replace a rod, the method comprising the steps of:
providing that the connecting device includes a connecting unit and a connecting element, the connecting unit including a receiving opening in which the connecting element—which is arranged on the rod—is arranged in an interlocking manner so as to transmit a torque, the connecting unit including a recess located radially adjacent to the receiving opening and by which an interlocking element—which is a force-applied interlocking element—of the connecting unit engages in the receiving opening and in a securement recess—which is radially arranged—of the connecting element so as to secure the rod axially, the interlocking element being firmly connected in a first position with a portion of the connecting unit, the interlocking element including or being configured as a spring element, the spring element being a flexible spring, moving the interlocking element at a free end of the interlocking element relative to the connecting unit in a release step so as to move the interlocking element out of the receiving opening and to release a securement of the connecting element; and replacing the rod by way of the connecting device.

15 . The method according to claim 14 , wherein the spring element is a leaf spring, a flat spring, or a flat form spring.

16 . The method according to claim 14 , wherein the rod is a doctor rod.

Assignees

• Voith Patent Gmbh

Inventors

• Henle Tobias
• Appel Nico
• Sies Tony
• Joos Uwe
• Gronych Daniel
• Henninger Christoph

Classifications

• F16D1/116

  the interengaging parts including a continuous or interrupted circumferential groove in the surface of one of the coupling parts (circlips for retaining hubs on shafts F16B21/18) · CPC title

• F16D2001/102

  the torque is transmitted via polygon shaped connections · CPC title

• F16D1/0805 Primary

  with radial clamping due to deformation of a resilient body or a body of fluid (F16D1/091 takes precedence; elastic couplings F16D3/80; fluid pressure clutches F16D25/04) · CPC title

• F16D1/10 Primary

  Quick-acting couplings in which the parts are connected by simply bringing them together axially · CPC title