Title: A profile shaft connection technique and its applications in transmission structure

Authors: Li Liu; Wenyou Jia; Dezhang Xu; Renjun Li

Addresses: School of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering, Anhui Polytechnic University, Beijing Road, Wuhu 241000, China ' School of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering, Anhui Polytechnic University, Beijing Road, Wuhu 241000, China; School of Mechanical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China ' School of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering, Anhui Polytechnic University, Beijing Road, Wuhu 241000, China ' School of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering, Anhui Polytechnic University, Beijing Road, Wuhu 241000, China

Abstract: In this paper, a technique of profile shaft connection is extended to optimise transmission structure for cost reduction, enhancing flexibility and agility, and satisfying mechanical reliability. First, critical parameters and decision-making procedures are addressed. Then two applied cases are investigated. One is four-sided polygon profile shaft connection replacing involute spline connection in washing machine drive system. The other is shaft assembly which can slide and adjust its length in the reconfigurable manufacturing line. The results significantly demonstrate the effectiveness of profile shaft connection.

Keywords: profile shaft connection; optimisation; transmission structure; cost reduction; flexibility; agility; mechanical reliability; critical parameters; decision making; washing machine drives; shaft assembly; shaft length adjustment; reconfigurable manufacturing.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMTM.2014.066693

International Journal of Manufacturing Technology and Management, 2014 Vol.28 No.4/5/6, pp.336 - 348

Received: 15 Aug 2013
Accepted: 17 Jan 2014

Published online: 11 Jan 2015 *

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