Taper lock bushing
A taper lock clamping bush ( English taper = conical) or taper bush is a conical machine element for the production of non-positive shaft-hub connections in mechanical engineering. This clamping element fixes a hub z. B. a V-belt pulley axially on a shaft . It is already drilled and grooved for the most common shaft diameters. They are currently available in 16 sizes for shaft diameters from 10 mm to 125 mm.
function
The taper bushing is a profiled metal ring with a longitudinal slot, a straight inner wall and a conically shaped outer wall. The taper bushing is used in conjunction with a hub made in taper design . This is shaped as a counterpart, i.e. also conical, and is fixed with the bush on a cylindrical shaft. To do this, the axial screws that lie between the conical surfaces are tightened, which presses the bushing into the hub and onto the shaft until it is wedged. Taper bushes are usually provided with a keyway for additional form-fitting fixation.
Advantages and disadvantages
The main advantage over the shaft-hub connection with feather key and shaft nut lies in the quick assembly, since the element no longer has to be provided with a bore and a groove, but can be installed immediately. It is more suitable for changing the direction of rotation and is better centered. It acts as an additional component (adapter) between the hub and shaft, so that different sockets with z. B. the same V-belt pulley can be combined. However, it requires a stronger hub to withstand the radial forces of the pressure, and also more space overall. It is also not perfectly balanced due to its shape, which speaks against very high speeds.
application
Taper bushes are often found in V-belt pulleys, sprockets and clutches, i.e. in standard parts where the manufacture of the more complicated conical hub is less important and there is enough radial space.
Alternatives
A clamping set or shrink disk fixes the cylindrical shaft and hub. Keys are then not required.