Ball Joint Dust Cover Geometry for Higher Sealing Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dust cover configurations for ball joints struggle to apply sufficient pressing force, leading to inadequate sealing properties.
Innovation Solution
The dust cover design includes an annular body with a cylindrical portion, an annular first portion inclined radially outward, and an annular second portion extending radially outward, with an annular sealing portion that contacts the inclined surfaces to enhance sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional dust cover configuration is used, then the structure is simple, but the sealing property is insufficient due to inadequate pressing force
Solution Approach 1:
The annular body is divided into three distinct portions: a cylindrical portion, an annular first portion inclined radially outward, and an annular second portion extending radially outward. This segmentation allows each portion to contribute differently to the sealing mechanism, with the inclined first portion and angled second portion working together to apply sufficient pressing force on the sealing portion while maintaining overall structural simplicity.
2Reliability
If the pressing force on the dust cover is increased to improve sealing, then the sealing property improves, but the attachment member becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The annular body incorporates localized geometric features with specific properties: the first portion has an inclined outer circumferential surface that slopes radially outward, and the second portion has a surface angled greater than 0 degrees relative to a reference plane perpendicular to the central axis. These local quality variations in specific portions create the necessary pressing force distribution on the sealing portion without requiring complex overall structure or additional components.
Data Source
AI summary
A dust cover includes a cover, a cylinder including a first end in a first direction along a central axis of the cylinder and a second end opposite to the first end, an annular first portion connected to the first end, and an annular second portion extending from an outer circumferential surface of the cylinder radially outward. The first portion includes an outer circumferential surface including a first surface inclined radially outward relative to the central axis. The second portion includes a surface facing in the first direction and including a second surface disposed in the first direction from a reference plane perpendicular to the central axis and including the second end, the second surface being at an angle greater than 0 degrees relative to the reference plane. The cover includes an annular seal surrounding the cylinder and being in contact with the first surface and the second surface.