| 摘要 |
<p>A flexible coupling (20) for drivingly connecting two rotatable shafts (24,28) or the like, and for use in applications where torque is transmitted only in one direction of rotation or where the torque transmitted in one direction of rotation is significantly greater than the torque transmitted in the other direction of rotation, includes a flex member (30) consisting of four elongated flex elements (36,37,38,39) joined together in a rectangular arrangement. The two elements positioned on opposite sides of the rectangular arrangement are of substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape along a major portion of element length, and the elements of one such pair (36,38) are thicker than the elements of the other pair (37,39). The flex member (30) is connected between the two , rotatable shafts (24,28) in a manner which causes the thicker elements (36,38) to be in compression and the thinner elements (37,39) to be in tension during torque transmission in the favored direction. The difference in element thickness provides a more stable flex member (30) structure, reducing unwanted spurious deflections and thereby improving the capacity for useful deflections associated with driving and driven member misalignments. The coupling may include only a single flex member (30) or may have a number of such members connected in series (59) to increase its misalignment capabilities.</p> |
