Center Bearing Cushion Support for Stable Rotation Under Misalignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing center bearing assemblies for multi-component driveshafts struggle to accommodate varying degrees of misalignment and inclination, leading to undesirable angular or axial displacement, and often require additional components or complex configurations to maintain stability and durability.
Innovation Solution
A center bearing assembly with a rotatably supported cushion that includes inwardly projecting projections on the support bracket to maintain contact with the cushion throughout a range of rotations, establishing a fixed axis of rotation and limiting motion, thereby accommodating different vehicle configurations without additional components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the cushion is allowed to rotate freely to accommodate different vehicle configurations, then adaptability is improved, but the axis of rotation becomes unstable and excessive axial movement occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The support bracket projections change the rotational parameter from completely free to constrained within a specific range, allowing the cushion to adapt to different vehicle configurations while maintaining a stable axis of rotation through controlled movement
Solution Approach 2:
The cushion is designed to be dynamically rotatable within a controlled range rather than completely fixed or completely free, enabling it to adapt to different installation angles while maintaining operational stability through defined motion boundaries
2Reliability
If additional components are added to limit cushion rotation and maintain stability, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotation limiting function is merged into the support bracket structure itself through integrated projections, eliminating the need for separate limiting components while maintaining reliability and preventing excessive axial movement
Solution Approach 2:
The support bracket projections automatically limit the cushion rotation and maintain axial position without requiring additional control mechanisms or components, achieving reliability through self-constraining geometry
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 effectively prevents excessive axial movement and maintains a stable axis of rotation, allowing the center bearing assembly to accommodate various vehicle configurations while ensuring robustness and durability by maintaining contact between the cushion and support bracket projections.
Implementation Method 1
The cushion is configured to resiliently accommodate relative movement between the affixed bracket portion and the bearing assembly
Implementation Method 2
The first lateral projection includes a first contact surface facing towards the first face of the cushion and a second lateral projection includes a second contact surface facing towards the second face of the cushion. A first portion of the cushion is always in contact with the first contact surface and a second portion of the cushion is always in contact with the second contact surface throughout a range of rotation
Data Source
AI summary
A bearing assembly includes a bearing, a cushion receiving the bearing with the cushion extending axially from a first face to an opposing second face thereof, and a support bracket rotatably supporting the cushion between a first lateral section and a second lateral section thereof. The first lateral section includes a first lateral projection projecting laterally inwardly away from an inner surface of the support bracket to form a first contact surface facing towards the first face of the cushion and a second lateral projection projecting laterally inwardly away from the inner surface of the support bracket to form a second contact surface facing towards the second face of the cushion. A first portion of the cushion is always in contact with the first contact surface and an opposing second portion of the cushion is always in contact with the second contact surface.