Patent attributes
An Oldham-style coupling assembly wherein a driving shaft (12) is rotatably coupled to a driven shaft (32) using a reduced-lash flexible coupling assembly. The coupling assembly includes an intermediate coupling plate (38) stationed between the driven (32) and driving (12) shafts. A driven lug (34) associated with the driven shaft (32) has tapered contact faces (36) and engages a driving slot (40) in the center of the coupling plate (38). Likewise, a pair of diametrically opposed half-lugs (18) associated with the driving shaft (12) engage in respective half slots (42) through a similar tapered interface. Springs (28) backing each of the half lugs (18) establish a continuous axial compression force within the coupling plate (38) to urge seating of the tapered interfaces but without frustrating transverse sliding in the respective slots (40, 42), thereby taking up lash from the system. The lugs (18, 34) are oriented perpendicular relative to each other, so as to simulate a traditional Oldham-style coupling. The coupling assembly is useful to rotatably unite a fuel pump (14) and a vacuum pump (10) in a vehicular engine.
