Ball Joint Connecting Rod Securing Element Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connecting rods in internal combustion engines face challenges in achieving adjustable compression ratios for improved efficiency, particularly in the part-load range, due to high manufacturing tolerances and load demands on connections, which are difficult to meet with existing ball joint designs.
Innovation Solution
A connecting rod with a heavy-duty ball joint featuring a ball head mounted in a ball head receptacle, secured by a recess forming a securing element, allowing for easy assembly, high load capacity, and accommodating manufacturing tolerances, with the ball head being easily pivoted and securely retained against axial extraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a ball joint connection is used to mount support rods on the upper connecting rod bearing eye, then the connection can accommodate manufacturing tolerances and allow easy assembly, but the connection may not have sufficient load capacity under high loads
Solution Approach 1:
The ball head is nested within the ball head receptacle, creating a compact joint structure. The securing element is then inserted through both the ball head and receptacle wall, nesting multiple components together to form a unified connection that accommodates tolerances while maintaining strength
Solution Approach 2:
The securing element acts as an intermediary component that bridges the ball head and receptacle. By passing through both components and being deformable, it mediates the connection between parts with manufacturing tolerances while transferring loads effectively
2Reliability
If a securing element is used to prevent the ball head from sliding out of the ball head receptacle, then the connection security is improved, but the assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The securing element is deformable and can be inserted through the ball head and receptacle wall, then deformed manually or with simple tools to lock in place. The component serves itself by being both the fastening element and the locking mechanism, eliminating the need for separate nuts or bolts
Solution Approach 2:
The securing element changes its physical parameters from a flexible state during insertion to a rigid locked state after deformation. This parameter change allows the same component to facilitate easy assembly then provide secure retention
3Adaptability or versatility
If the ball head is allowed to pivot freely in all spatial directions, then the adaptability to motion requirements is improved, but the risk of unintentional extraction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connection is segmented into the ball head, receptacle, and securing element. The ball head provides pivot freedom in all directions, while the securing element separately provides extraction prevention, dividing the functions to achieve both freedom and security
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a ball bearing (10) with a ball head (20) arranged on a support rod (18), said ball head being mounted in a ball head receptacle (30) of an outer part (40), wherein the ball head (20) is secured at its outer surface against slipping out of the ball head receptacle (30) by at least a radially inwardly projecting securing element (54) of the ball head receptacle (30). The invention further relates to a connecting rod (100) comprising such a ball bearing (10).