Ball Cage Contour for Universal Cross-Groove CV Joints
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cross-groove type constant velocity joints require distinct components for plunging and fixed joints, limiting the use of identical parts and compromising strength or service life when adapted for different applications.
Innovation Solution
A universally usable ball cage with an external contour featuring sections of different curvature, including spherical edge sections and a radially inward center section, allowing for increased strength and reduced risk of jamming across various joint types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a conventional ball cage with continuously spherical external contour is used in a VL joint, then the joint can be assembled, but the breaking load of the VL joint decreases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The ball cage external contour is designed with different curvature radii in different regions: a larger curvature radius in the axial edge regions and a smaller curvature radius in the center region. This local differentiation allows the edge regions to provide sufficient strength for VL joint applications while the center region enables proper accommodation in CG joint applications, resolving the contradiction between strength and reliability.
2Strength
If the sphere diameter of the external contour of the ball cage is increased to maintain strength in VL joint, then the breaking load increases, but the wrap of the balls by the ball races is reduced, decreasing service life
Solution Approach 1:
By implementing different curvature radii in different regions of the ball cage external contour, the solution locally optimizes each region's function: the edge regions with larger curvature provide strength without excessively increasing overall diameter, while the center region with smaller curvature maintains adequate ball race wrap, thus resolving the contradiction between strength and service life.
3Ease of operation
If a ball cage tailored to VL joint is used in CG joint, then the joint can be assembled, but the ball cage cannot be accommodated without collision and jams
Solution Approach 1:
The differentiated curvature design allows the ball cage to have appropriate dimensions at the center region for CG joint accommodation, preventing collisions and jamming, while maintaining sufficient strength at the edge regions for VL joint applications, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The ball cage design with sections of different curvature enables the same component to be universally used in both VL joints and CG joints without modification, achieving multi-functionality that resolves the contradiction between ease of operation in different joint types and reliability.
4Reliability
If different components are designed for plunging and fixed joints, then each joint type can be optimized, but the number of identical parts decreases, increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The ball cage is designed with a universal external contour featuring sections of different curvature that can be used in both plunging and fixed constant velocity joints. This multi-functional design maintains joint-specific optimization while increasing the number of identical parts that can be used across different joint types, thereby reducing device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A ball cage for universal use both in a cross-groove type plunging constant velocity joint and in a cross-groove type fixed constant velocity joint has an external contour with sections of different curvature. Axial edge sections of the external contour are designed as spherical sections located on the circumference of an imaginary sphere, whereas a center section of the external contour located axially between the edge sections runs radially inside the diameter of the imaginary sphere.