Axle Assembly Thrust Load Management via Ring Gear Bearing Preload
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing axle assemblies, such as Banjo-type and Salisbury-type axles, lack an improved design that effectively manages thrust loads and provides efficient power transmission while maintaining structural integrity and durability.
Innovation Solution
The proposed axle assembly incorporates a housing with an input pinion, ring gear, and differential assembly, featuring a ring gear bearing with multiple bearing elements and a preload mechanism to manage thrust loads, along with a differential case and output members for efficient power transmission, utilizing various bearing configurations like angular contact and four-point contact bearings to support the ring gear and input pinion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional Banjo-type or Salisbury-type axle housings are used, then the axle assembly is structurally simple and easy to manufacture, but the ability to manage thrust loads and transmit power efficiently is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The axle housing is divided into a center carrier and two separate axle tubes, allowing each component to be optimized independently for its specific function while maintaining overall structural integrity and thrust load management capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The ring gear bearing is pressed into the center carrier, and the axle tubes are pressed into the center carrier, creating a nested structure where smaller components are housed within larger ones to manage thrust loads efficiently while maintaining a compact design
2Reliability
If a robust bearing system with multiple bearing elements is implemented, then power transmission efficiency and durability are improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ring gear bearing is pre-assembled into the center carrier before final assembly, allowing for proper positioning and preload application while simplifying the overall manufacturing process through staged assembly operations
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing preload is adjusted by varying the thickness of the bearing preload adjuster, allowing optimization of power transmission efficiency and durability while maintaining ease of manufacture through a simple dimensional parameter change rather than complex assembly procedures
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 design enhances the axle assembly's ability to handle thrust loads and transmit power efficiently, improving durability and performance by utilizing a robust bearing system and preload mechanism, thus addressing the limitations of existing axle designs.
Implementation Method 1
Power transmission between the input pinion and the ring gear that drives the ring gear about the second axis in a first rotary direction generates a first thrust load that is directed along the second axis in a first direction. Power transmission between the input pinion and the ring gear that drives the ring gear about the second axis in a second rotary direction opposite the first rotary direction generates a second thrust load that is directed along the second axis in a second direction that is opposite the first direction.
Implementation Method 2
The ring gear bearing has a plurality of bearing elements and is abutted against a shoulder formed on the axle housing
Implementation Method 3
The ring gear is received in the axle housing and is meshingly engaged with the input pinion
Implementation Method 4
The differential assembly has a differential case, which is coupled to the ring gear for rotation therewith, and a pair of output members
Data Source
AI summary
An axle assembly with a carrier housing, an input pinion and a ring gear. The input pinion includes pinion gear teeth and is supported for rotation about a first axis relative to the carrier housing via first and second bearings that are disposed along the first axis on opposite sides of the pinion gear teeth. The ring gear includes ring gear teeth that are meshed to the pinion gear teeth and a third bearing supports the ring gear for rotation about the second axis relative to the carrier housing. The third bearing is disposed along the second axis on a side of the ring gear that is opposite the first axis.