Rubber wedge couplings are widely used in the railway transmission system. This mechanical device finds an extended application in freight wagons, metros, high-speed passenger coaches etc. These couplings connect two revolving shafts and help to transmit power from one power-producing section of the machine to another part that absorbs. Rubber drive couplings are the technical parts that help to smoothly and safely transmit torque and power between the shafts. They also prevent huge angular misalignment, unwanted shock and vibration in the system.
Structure of the rubber wedge couplings
The couplings are connected frictionally to the wheelset axle on one side and to the gearbox hollow shaft on the other side. There is an intermediate shaft, a gearbox spider and an axle spider in the coupling. The rubber wedge packages are installed into the gaps between the sides of the spiders under the pretension due to the shape of the wedge and are locked to the intermediate shaft.
Again, the gearbox spider is connected to the gearbox hollow shaft using cross toothing and screws. And the axle spider is attached to the wheelset axle using a conical press fit. While driving or braking torque, the wedges get exposed to the pressure load. This is the preferred load direction for rubber parts. In all other directions, the rubber gets entirely or partly stressed. In this direction, the spring characteristic values are lower than the direction of the primary load.
What are the design advantages of rubber wedge couplings?
The axle spider and the gearbox spider have high-grade spheroidal cast iron. The middle shaft is made of premium quality cast aluminium. And the entire rubber wedge package has an aluminium wedge whose both sides have vulcanized rubber and aluminium in between the plates. There’s U-shaped aluminium holding and guiding plates at each end as well. However, the design advantages of these couplings are:
The design of the couplings, in dynamic mode, acts as self-centring. There’s no systematic imbalance force that can rise to the surface.
The tractive torque is transmitted as resiliently as possible.
Since the volume of the rubber is quite large, the gearbox toothing and the function of the drive unit is very noiseless.
Railway Industry and Sujan Industries
Sujan Industries has a long term association with the Indian Railway industry as well as overseas. We produce an extensive range of customized railway components like a wagon, fiat bogie, railcar components, traction motor, truck items etc.
Apart from these, our other products are gearcase seal, rubber wedge couplings, draft gear pads, primary bump stop, ballast broom element, ball joint traction lever, traction centre elastic joint, axle box pivot bush, lateral bump stop, rubber spring, rubber pad, lower rubber washer, upper rubber washer, bonded pad, chevron spring, rubber pad for longitudinal bump stop, rubber pad for primary suspension, break items, polyurethane wheel etc.
Premium rubber wedge couplings manufacturer and supplier in India
Sujan Industries is the leading name in manufacturing, supplying, and exporting different types of critical application rubber components, rubber to metal bonded items, steel casting parts, NVH parts and plastic parts for different industries such as automotive, railway, defence, heavy engineering, aerospace, electric, commercial vehicles, power, overseas aftermarket etc.
We also produce and supply customized rubber wedge couplings in India. At present, we export these products to the USA and the products are used in New York Metro. At Sujan Industries, you’ll get a variety of dimensions, angles of installation and mechanical features as per your requirement.
