Investigation of Torsional Behavior of No‐Backlash Flexible Couplings

Couplings are machine elements used in power transmission. With changing needs, the performance requirements of couplings have also increased. Additional performance requirements such as the ability to transfer the transmitted power without backlash, to tolerate misalignment to a certain extent and to dampen the vibration caused by the power generator have emerged. In order to meet these requirements, elastomer‐based materials and metal materials are used together to meet these requirements. Within the scope of the study, the behavior of different couplings that can provide these properties against the torsional force generated during power transmission is investigated. Within the scope of the study, the mechanical behaviors of the couplings were examined by applying torsional loads corresponding to the requirements of the end‐user in a simulated analysis environment. Under these conditions, their compliance with the specified backlash‐free performance criteria was evaluated. The stress points on the coupling in response to the torsion and the effect of the geometries of the couplings with different geometric structures on the stresses were analyzed. A model was developed to analyze ideal coupling formation based on geometries. This study identified optimal coupling components that ensure flexibility and backlash‐free transmission. Within the scope of this study, three different geometries of flexible couplings were analysed by FEA analysis method under defined conditions and it was seen that the 4‐tooth model as backlash‐free and flexible provided the desired conditions better than the other two models.