Conical Sealing Element for Constant Velocity Joints
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Sealing elements in constant velocity joints, particularly in propeller shafts of motor vehicles, face extreme conditions leading to deformation and reduced service life due to high rotational speeds and temperatures, resulting in increased wear and shortened lifespan.
Innovation Solution
A sealing element with a fold-free, substantially conical membrane portion between inner and outer collars that undergoes plastic deformation under operational conditions, increasing the joint chamber volume and reducing lubricant pressure, featuring a design with a convex inner face, concave outer face, and a radially outwardly projecting bead to prevent displacement, ensuring a defined shape and extended service life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the sealing element is designed with a conventional membrane portion, then it can be easily manufactured, but it experiences folds and deformations under extreme conditions leading to reduced service life
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element is pre-formed with a specific fold-free conical membrane shape before installation. This preliminary shaping ensures that under operational conditions, the membrane maintains its intended geometry without developing folds, thereby improving reliability and service life under extreme conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane portion is designed with a specific conical geometry characterized by a gradient greater than or equal to zero when viewed in half longitudinal section. This parameter optimization prevents fold formation under operational loads while maintaining manufacturability through controlled forming processes.
2Stress or pressure
If the sealing element undergoes plastic deformation to increase joint chamber volume, then lubricant pressure is reduced, but the structural integrity must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element is designed to undergo controlled plastic deformation under operational conditions. The material parameters and geometric parameters are optimized to allow this deformation to increase the joint chamber volume and reduce lubricant pressure while maintaining sufficient structural integrity through the choice of elastomeric materials with appropriate mechanical properties.
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 sealing element experiences irreversible plastic deformation, increasing the joint chamber size, reducing lubricant pressure and flexing, and maintaining a long service life even under extreme conditions, preventing further expansion and failure.
Implementation Method 1
the sealing element undergoes plastic deformation under operational conditions, increasing the joint chamber volume and reducing lubricant pressure
Data Source
AI summary
A sealing element for sealing a joint chamber of a constant velocity joint is disclosed. The sealing element comprises an inner collar for providing a sealing connection relative to an inner joint part of the constant velocity joint, an outer collar for providing a sealing connection relative to an outer joint part of the constant velocity joint, and a membrane portion which extends between the inner collar and the outer collar. The membrane portion between the inner collar and the outer collar is fold-free and substantially conical in shape. A joint assembly having a constant velocity joint and a sealing element is also disclosed.