Shaft couplings join two shafts together in engines and can be welded, bolted, or held in place by a press fit or lynch pins. They are often used to join shafts of different sizes and can be splined or placed on a “D” shaped shaft. Proper maintenance is important to prevent coupling failure.
A shaft coupling is used to join two shafts together to create a joint in a car or other type of engine. In many cases, the shaft couplings are in place to facilitate removal in the event of a necessary repair. The shaft coupling may also have been designed to facilitate installation in the assembly plant. It is often used to join shafts of different sizes or to join a solid shaft with a flexible shaft.
A shaft coupling can be joined by several different methods. Some couplings are welded, while others are bolted or attached with set screws. Often a shaft coupling is simply held in place by a press fit. Couplings used in critical areas where they need to break loose on impact are often held in place with lynch pins. These pins are usually made of a softer material that will break off and allow the axles to slip.
The most common place to find a locating pin equipped shaft coupling on a car is on the steering column. Many steering columns are designed to come loose in the event of a frontal collision. This helps prevent injury to the driver of the vehicle from contact with the steering wheel. A machine, such as a saw, employs lock pins in its saw blade shafts. This is to allow the blade to stop rotating if it hits a solid object in the wood, such as a nail.
Many shaft coupling joints are splined. This helps ensure that the coupling does not rotate or slip on the shaft. Another useful design is to place the shaft coupling on a shaft, which is shaped like a “D”. The coupling can be positioned so that its set screws can be tightened against the flat spot, thus preventing slippage.
When performing routine maintenance on any shaft equipped with a coupling, it is imperative to check the coupling fit. A loose coupling could indicate a possible break in the shaft and should be replaced immediately. It is also crucial to check the area on the shaft coupling where any set screws or bolts may be. Any cracks in the coupling or missing retaining bolts would constitute coupling replacement.
Shaft couplings that are properly installed and maintained can provide trouble-free use. One trick to prevent couplings from sticking and working properly is to apply an anti-seize compound to the shafts prior to assembly. With care, these shaft couplings can provide years of top-notch performance and safety in many critical areas.
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