POWER TRANSMISSION DEVICE

Abstract: A power transmission device allowing axial displace­ ment for use in drilling machines and the like comprises an element which is rotatable by means of a motor (2) by the intermediary of means engaging each other and having com­ plementary internal and external grooves and ridges, and which is axially displaceable relative to a frame (1). The novel features of the invention reside in that a first element (13) is hollow and provided with longitudinal internal grooves and ridges (15), that a second element (17) is provided only at a free end extending into the hollow ele­ ment, with short external grooves and ridges (19), the first element (13) being radially non-displaceably mounted at both ends while the second element (17) is mounted by means of a single bearing at the frame (1).

Description: POWER TRANSMISSION DEVICE The present invention relates to a power transmission device in drilling machines or like machines and apparatuses, in which a rotational movement is adapted to be transmitted from a preferably motor-driven, axially non-displaceable element mounted in a frame, to an element axially displaceable relative to said first element, by the intermediary of means which engage each other, are provided on said two elements and have complementary external and internal grooves and ridges, respectively, one of said elements which is substantially sleeve-shaped having an opening which extends in the axial direction and is provided with internal grooves and ridges, said opening being adapted to receive a projection with external grooves and ridges on the other, shaft- or rod-shaped element, said internal and external grooves and ridges, independently of the axial position of displacement of the elements, engaging each other and transmitting the rotational movement between said elements, and said sleeve-shaped element having said opening with internal grooves and ridges being radially non-displaceably mounted by means of at least two bearings. In a vast number of applications, use is made of power transmitting devices in which a rotational movement should be transmitted between two axially displaceable elements. To that end, use is normally made of so-called splines, i.e. internal grooves and ridges provided at a sleeve-shaped portion of one element and external grooves and ridges provided at-a projection on the other element insertible in said sleeve-shaped portion. In prior art power transmission devices, the sleeve-shaped element is generally provided with quite short grooves and ridges, while at the other element cooperating with said first element the grooves and ridges extend throughout the entire length of the element and at any rate as far as required by the intended stroke or axial movement. In order that a power transmission device of the above type should operate satisfactorily over long periods, it is necessary that the two elements be accurately mounted so as to maintain the linearity also during relative axial displacement. This calls for at least two bearings for each element, which means that the overall length beyond the portions participating in the axial displacement becomes substantial and also that the axially displaceable element is guided in such a manner that no bending occurs. The object of this invention is to provide a novel power transmission device for the above-indicated purpose, which is so designed that the demands for absolute linearity between the elements'during the displacement thereof can be alleviated and which also reduces the overall length of the construction. A further object is to provide a power transmission device which is less expensive than prior art power transmission devices of the type here contemplated. An essential feature of the power transmission device according to the invention resides in that the projection on said shaft or rod-shaped element is provided with external grooves and ridges only at an outer end portion extending into the opening of said other element while the remaining part of the projection has a diameter which is smaller than the free diameter inwardly of the internal ridges of the other element, and that the element carrying the projection is mounted in a frame or the like by means of a single bearing which is located beyond said projection and is capable of allowing angular deviation. The drilling machine provided with the power transmission device according to the invention comprises a frame 1 which by the intermediary of a pillar or like support means is carried in a per se known manner by a table or the like, and an electric motor 2 is mounted at the frame. An axially displaceable sleeve-shaped member forming a so-called quill 7 extends through the lower portion of the frame or frame housing which forms a hydraulic cylinder 4. The sleeve-shaped member or quill 7 at its upper and lower ends carries bearings 11 and 12, respectively, for a drilling spindle 13 which is mounted within the quill in an axially non-displaceable manner in relation thereto and which is axially displaceable together with the quill and rotatable within it. The upper portion 14 of the drilling spindle 13 is hollow and provided with longitudinal grooves and ridges, i.e. internal splines 15 of a length which slightly exceeds the total axial stroke of the quill 7 and the drilling spindle 13. At the upper portion of the frame, there is provided a bearing 16 in which a drive shaft 17 is mounted. At its upper end, the drive shaft has a belt pulley 18 and, at its lower end extending into the spindle 13, it is provided with external relatively short grooves and ridges or splines 19 adapted, in a power transmitting manner, to engage the internal grooves and ridges 15 of the spindle 13. The internal splines 15 of the spindle 13 which, independently of the axial position of displacement, engage and are driven by the external splines 19 at the end portion of the shaft 17 confer advantages in respect of both manufacture and operation as compared with current constructions, since the overall height of the construction can be reduced and the demands for linearity between spindle and drive shaft can be kept within reasonable limits as at the same time the need for double bearings for both the spindle and the shaft is eliminated. The inner end of the drive shaft 17 which is provided with splines 19 requires no separate bearing since, independently of the axial position of displacement, it will always be supported by the splines 15 of the spindle 13 which, in turn, is mounted in the quill.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A power transmission device in drilling machines or like machines and apparatuses, in which a rotational movement is adapted to be transmitted from a preferably motor-driven, axially non-displaceable element (17) mounted in a frame, to an element (13) axially displaceable relative to said first element, by the intermediary of means which engage each other, are provided on said two elements and have complementary external and internal grooves and ridges, respectively (15, 19), one of said elements which is substantially#sleeve-shaped having an opening which extends in the axial direction and is provided with internal grooves and ridges (15), said opening being adapted to receive a projection with external grooves and ridges (19) on the other, shaftor rod-shaped element (17), said internal and external grooves and ridges, independently of the axial position of displacement of the elements (13, 17), engaging each other and transmitting the rotational movement between said elements, and said sleeve-shaped element having said opening with internal grooves and ridges being radially non-displaceably mounted by means of at least two bearings (11, 12), c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that the projection on said shaft or rod-shaped element (17) is provided with external grooves and ridges (19) only at an outer end portion extending into the opening of said other element (13) while the remaining part of the projection has a diameter which is smaller than the free diameter inwardly of the internal ridges (15) of the other element, and that the element (17) carrying the projection is mounted in a frame or the like (1) by means of a single bearing (16) which is located beyond said projection and is capable of allowing angular deviation. 2. Power transmission device as claimed in claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that one of said elements consists of a drilling spindle or the like (13) rotatably mounted in an axially displaceable so-called quill (7) and provided with an axial opening having internal grooves and ridges (15), while the other element consists of a motor-driven shaft (17) axially and radially non-displaceably mounted in a frame and having a projection which extends into the opening of the drilling spindle and whose end portion only has short external grooves and ridges (19), and that said motor-driven shaft (17) is mounted in a single bearing (16) allowing angular deviation.

Inventors: WEDLIN, PER
Applicants: AB ERIK BOHLIN
Application year: 1984
Main classification: B23Q1
IPC codes: B23B47, B23Q1