Ball-and-Socket Joint with Integrated Elastomeric Filter and Spring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ball and socket connection devices for mechanical transmission in the automotive industry, such as control cables and connecting rods, are complex and difficult to assemble, with high tearing forces requiring significant manual effort for disassembly.
Innovation Solution
A simplified device where the cover is fixed relative to the housing, and the vibration filter and spring are integrated as a single elastomeric tube part surrounding the housing, with a cylindrical-conical design allowing for lateral deformation and easy assembly, and a retaining cover that clips onto the housing using lugs and holes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the vibration filter and spring are separate parts, then the device structure is more flexible and easier to manufacture individually, but the overall device complexity increases and assembly becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the vibration filter and spring into a single integrated elastomeric component. This merged structure reduces the total number of parts, simplifies assembly operations, and eliminates the need for separate mounting operations while maintaining the functional independence of both vibration filtering and spring mechanisms
2Ease of operation
If the cover is removable from the housing, then assembly and disassembly are easier, but security and structural stability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is pre-formed with integrated attachment features (such as ribs or clips) that engage with corresponding features on the housing during the assembly process. This preliminary design of attachment mechanisms allows for tool-free assembly while ensuring secure, stable connection without requiring post-assembly fastening operations
3Ease of operation
If the head can be easily extracted from the cage, then assembly is easier, but disassembly security is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cage is designed with flexible, deformable walls that can dynamically change shape during assembly to allow easy insertion of the head, then return to a rigid locked position that provides high tearing force for secure retention. The dynamic flexibility-to-rigidity transition enables both easy assembly and strong retention
4Ease of manufacture
If multiple separate components are used, then manufacturing and assembly of individual parts is simpler, but the overall assembly process becomes more time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration filter and spring are merged into a single elastomeric component that can be manufactured in one piece using injection molding or similar processes. This eliminates the need for separate assembly operations to combine these two components, directly improving assembly speed and productivity while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through modern elastomeric forming techniques
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
The solution reduces assembly complexity and increases disassembly difficulty, allowing for a manual tearing force of approximately 30 kg, enhancing ease of assembly and security.
Implementation Method 1
the filter/spring part is a tube made of elastomeric material which has a cylindrical body placed around the casing to form said filter, which has at one end an outer crown applied against an outer crown of the casing, and which is closed at its other end by a transverse wall, a central portion of which is introduced into the housing to constitute said spring
Data Source
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AI summary
The device has a spherical head (13) fixed to one of two transmission elements, and a case fixed to the other element via a vibration filter and determining a housing having two opposite openings. The housing and the case are conformed and dimensioned so that one opening permits to introduce the case and a spring in the housing. The filter and the spring are constituted by a same piece whose upper transversal wall (3c) includes a central portion introduced in the housing to constitute the spring. The piece has a cylindrical body (3a) placed around the case to constitute the filter.