Angled Propshaft Center Bearing Assembly for Lower Joint Vibration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current propshaft center bearing assemblies do not effectively minimize joint angles, leading to increased stress, vibrations, and noise, which negatively impact the operating life and comfort of multi-part propshafts.

Innovation Solution

The propshaft center bearing assembly features a complete center bearing plate with a ball bearing and rubber part mounted at a specific assembly angle on the vertical axis, reducing joint angles and absorbing vibrations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the complete center bearing plate and rubber part are assembled without angle (horizontal and vertical minimum angle shifts), then the assembly is simple to manufacture, but the joint angle at propshaft joints increases leading to increased stress, vibrations, and noise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidjoint angle
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The complete center bearing plate is designed with an asymmetric inclined structure where the rubber part and ball bearing are mounted at a specific assembly angle (α) on the vertical axis rather than symmetrically. This asymmetry allows the propshaft to be connected at an optimized angle, minimizing the joint angle (β) at propshaft joints and reducing harmful effects like stress, vibrations, and noise while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the mounting angle parameter of the rubber part and ball bearing assembly within the complete center bearing plate. By setting a specific assembly angle (α) on the vertical axis, the propshaft connection angle is optimized to minimize the joint angle (β), thereby reducing stress, vibrations, and noise without significantly complicating the manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the joint angle at propshaft joints is minimized by mounting rubber part and ball bearing with assembly angle, then stress, vibrations, and noise are reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvejoint angleVSAvoidassembly structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The complete center bearing plate incorporates an asymmetric inclined design where the rubber part and ball bearing are mounted at a specific assembly angle (α) on the vertical axis. This asymmetric configuration minimizes the joint angle (β) at propshaft joints, effectively reducing stress, vibrations, and noise. The complexity is managed by integrating this angular adjustment into a single bearing plate component rather than requiring multiple separate adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

3Ease of manufacture

If the propshaft is assembled with minimum angle shifts horizontally and vertically, then the assembly process is simple, but the operating life and comfort characteristics are negatively impacted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly processVSAvoidoperating life
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention modifies the mounting angle parameter of the rubber part and ball bearing within the complete center bearing plate by setting a specific assembly angle (α) on the vertical axis. This parameter change optimizes the propshaft connection angle to minimize the joint angle (β), thereby extending operating life and improving comfort characteristics by reducing stress, vibrations, and noise, while keeping the assembly process relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Object-affected harmful factors

If the rubber part and ball bearing are mounted at assembly angle on vertical axis, then vibrations and noise are absorbed more effectively, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibrations and noiseVSAvoidassembly angle precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention sets a specific assembly angle (α) for mounting the rubber part and ball bearing on the vertical axis within the complete center bearing plate. This angular parameter optimization minimizes the joint angle (β), enhancing the absorption of vibrations and noise. The manufacturing precision is managed by defining this angle as a fixed design parameter that can be incorporated into the bearing plate manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This configuration minimizes joint angles, reduces vibrations and noise, thereby extending the operating life and improving comfort characteristics of the propshaft.

Implementation Method 1

The ball is placed inside a rubber cushion. Rubber cushion absorbs vibrations, prevents noise and avoids its transmission to the chassis.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration absorption: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP3581816B1A holder for multi-part propshaft
Publication Date: 2021.09.15 TIRSAN KARDAN SANAYI & TICARET ANONIM SIRKETI
  • EP3581816B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3581816B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3581816B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Propshaft center bearing assembly (1) with a ball bearing (1.2) and a rubber cushion (1.3) around the mentioned ball bearing (1.2), used for assembly of a multi-part propshaft (2), formed by connecting minimum two propshafts, to the vehicle from the middle. The invention characterized by comprising at least one complete center bearing plate (1.1) the mentioned ball bearing (1.2) and the rubber cushion (1.3) inside in a manner to comprise an assembly angle (α) on the vertical axis in order to minimize the joint angle (β) on the propshaft assembly.