Cardan Joint Spherical Support Alleviates Axial Loads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cardan joints in motorized vehicles face reduced lifespan and increased vibration due to axial forces and stress on spider bearings, leading to premature wear and deformation, especially when transmitting torque and rotation at angles.
Innovation Solution
A spherical joint support member is positioned at the center of the cardan joint to alleviate axial forces on spider bearings, allowing only radial loads to be applied, thereby increasing the joint's torque capacity and lifespan while reducing vibration and eliminating the need for a base washer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If spider bearings carry both radial and axial loads in traditional cardan joints, then the joint can transmit torque and axial forces, but the bearing life is significantly reduced due to irregular additional loads and deformations
Solution Approach 1:
The cardan joint is segmented into two functional parts: the spider bearing assembly handles radial loads and torque transmission, while the spherical joint handles axial loads. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific load type, preventing the bearing degradation caused by combined loads.
Solution Approach 2:
A spherical joint is introduced as an intermediary element between the inlet yoke and the spider assembly. This spherical joint acts as a mediator that receives and redirects axial forces, preventing them from being transmitted to the spider bearings while allowing torque and radial loads to pass through normally.
2Force
If spider is designed to meet axial loads with higher values, then axial load capacity increases, but the geometry becomes weaker and torque capacity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The functional segmentation separates axial load handling (spherical joint) from torque handling (spider), allowing the spider to be optimized for torque transmission with stronger, more compact geometry rather than being oversized for axial load resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The spherical joint serves as an intermediary that bears the axial loads, allowing the spider geometry to be designed optimally for torque capacity without the compromising influence of axial load requirements.
3Force
If base washer is added inside spider bearing to resist thrust, then axial force resistance improves, but device complexity increases and bearing operation becomes less comfortable
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding a base washer as an intermediary element inside the bearing, the invention places the spherical joint as an intermediary before the spider assembly, where it more effectively handles thrust loads and provides better bearing operation.
4Productivity
If cardan joint operates at high spinning speeds, then productivity increases, but vibration and oscillation of angular velocity increase due to excess bending angles
Solution Approach 1:
The spherical joint acts as a mediator that maintains homocentric rotation and proper alignment between shafts, reducing angular velocity oscillation and vibration that would otherwise limit high-speed operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention is cardan joint (1) embodiment located on cardan shafts transmitting rotation motion and torque on motorised vehicles, and it is characterised in that; it comprises a spherical joint support member (20) that is coincident with cardan joint (1) and its centre (M), comprised of a sphere (23) and a spherical bushing female piece (22) having bushing geometry suitable for said sphere and capable of sliding one over another and a spider piece (12) having middle hub space suitable for placing of spherical joint support member (20). By means of spherical joint support member (20) located in the centre of spider (12), reduction of the loads on the spider (12) bearings (13) and the arms thereof by meeting axial forces is achieved.