TEARING CONFIGURATION FOR FLEXIBLE ELEMENT OF ELASTOMERIC COUPLING

摘要

An elastomeric coupling (11) for transmitting torque between two shafts (13, 15), approximately aligned on a shaft axis (17), the coupling (11) comprising a composite arcuately extending member (21) including a shoe (51, 53) having a first portion (51) and a second portion (53) extending from the first portion (51) and adapted to be connected to one of the shafts (13, 15), and an elastomeric center element (23) having, in a radial plane extending from and along the shaft axis (17), an inwardly opening generally U-shaped cross section defined by two axially spaced radially extending leg portions respectively including an inner part (71) bonded to the first portion of the shoe (31), and an outer part (73), and an axially extending bridge portion (65) connected to the outer parts (73) and including a weakened area (81) which is located remotely from the shaft axis (17) and which facilitates tearing of the bridge portion (65) at the area in response to excessive transmission of force as compared to tearing of the bridge portion (65) at other areas.