CV Axle Puller Curved Clamp Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
The removal of a CV axle from a vehicle differential is often difficult due to wear and tear, requiring additional time and effort, especially when the CV axle is bound or difficult to dislodge.
Innovation Solution
A CV axle puller comprising a first and second clamp member with curved surfaces and pulling members, configured to clamp around the CV axle housing and apply an abrupt force coaxially with the clamp axis to dislodge the CV axle from the differential.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional pulling method is used to remove CV axle, then simple tool structure is maintained, but removal time and effort increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The puller is divided into two separate clamp members (first clamp member and second clamp member) that can be positioned on opposite sides of the CV axle housing. This segmentation allows the tool to wrap around the housing and apply force more effectively, enabling removal of bound axles while maintaining reasonable tool complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from linear pulling (conventional method) to three-dimensional clamping around the housing. The clamp members engage with curved surfaces that wrap around the CV axle housing, applying force from multiple directions simultaneously. This dimensional change provides mechanical advantage and enables removal of severely bound axles.
2Ease of operation
If force is applied to bound CV axle, then removal may be achieved, but risk of damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp members act as intermediaries between the pulling members and the CV axle housing. Instead of applying force directly to the axle, the clamps engage the housing's outer curved surface, distributing the force across a larger area. This intermediary approach reduces stress concentration and minimizes the risk of damaging the axle or surrounding components.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp members feature curved surfaces designed to match the outer curved surface of the CV axle housing. This curvature allows the clamps to wrap around and engage the housing smoothly, distributing applied force evenly across the contact area. The curved geometry prevents stress concentration points that could lead to damage while maintaining effective force transmission for removal.
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 CV axle puller efficiently assists in the removal of CV axles by providing a mechanical advantage to apply force directly to the CV axle housing, reducing the effort required and facilitating easier dislodgment, even in cases where the CV axle is bound.
Implementation Method 1
The first clamp member and the second clamp member are configured to clamp around a housing of a CV axle... applying an abrupt force pulled in a direction substantially coaxially with the clamp axis... for dislodging the CV axle from the differential
Data Source
AI summary
A CV axle puller is provided. The CV axle puller includes a first clamp member having a first curved surface and a first pulling member; and a second clamp member having a second curved surface and a second pulling member. The first clamp member and the second clamped member are coupled together with the first curved surface facing the second curved surface to form a clamp axis. The first and second pulling members are parallel to the clamp axis. The first clamp member and the second clamp member clamp around a housing of a CV axle with the first curved surface and the second curved surface engaging an outer curved surface of the housing of the CV axle. A flexible force applying member may be coupled between the first and second pulling members and used to apply a force to dislodge the CV axle from a differential.