What is oldham coupling | how it work

What is Oldham coupling?

It  is mechanism that use to connect two rotatory shafts. There are three main items in the oldham coupling part. Two discs (flange)will assemble with two shafts. The middle disc (intermediate piece) use to link two discs by tongue and groove.

How does an Oldham coupling work?

There are three examples, We will see how it work?

+ Example 1.

 Brown color is bearing. Left and right disc (red color) use to connect with two shafts. We use bolts to fix shaft and disc. The red disc has tongue. Yellow disc use to connect left and right disc. The yellow disc has groove . Middle disc can slide on left and right disc. When the left shaft rotate, left disc will rotate too. Because the left disc and middle disc are connected by tongue and groove so middle disc will slide on the left disc. But the middle disc and right disc connect by tongue and groove, too. So middle disc will slide on right disc, too. It will transfer power and take second shaft rotate.

+ Example 2.

 

Black part: Connect and transfer power between red and green part. It will slide around red and green part.
Brown color is bearing.

+ Example 3.

Black part: bushing linear bearing
Yellow  part: Connect between blue and purple part
Brown color: Bearing
When blue part rotates, yellow part can slide on the bushing linear bearing. It will transfer power and rotate to the purple part.

You can see this video below for more understanding.