Types of couplings

Couplings can be broadly classified into two categories: Rigid couplings and flexible couplings.

Rigid couplings lack the ability to buffer or compensate for relative displacement between the two shafts, requiring strict alignment. However, these couplings are simple in structure, have low manufacturing costs, are easy to assemble, disassemble, and maintain, ensure high alignment accuracy, transmit large torque, and are widely used. Commonly used types include flange couplings, sleeve couplings, and clamp couplings.

Flexible couplings can be further divided into flexible couplings without elastic elements and flexible couplings with elastic elements. The former type only has the ability to compensate for the relative displacement of the two shafts, but cannot buffer or dampen vibrations. Common examples include slider couplings, gear couplings, universal couplings, and chain couplings. The latter type contains elastic elements, which, in addition to compensating for the relative displacement of the two shafts, also have buffering and vibration damping effects. However, the torque transmitted is generally less than that of flexible couplings without elastic elements due to the limitation of the strength of the elastic elements. Common examples include flexible sleeve pin couplings, flexible pin couplings, plum blossom couplings, tire couplings, serpentine spring couplings, and leaf spring couplings.