Constant Velocity Universal Joint Cage Insertion and Strength
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fixed constant velocity universal joints experience reduced strength and durability due to interference issues during cage insertion, which compromises the spherical surface angle and inner diameter, leading to decreased torsional fatigue and quasi-static torsional strength at high operating angles.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves retracting one or two frontal sections of the outer member in an outward radial direction to allow cage insertion, maintaining required spherical surface angles and inner diameters in other sections, thereby enhancing joint strength and reducing play.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the cage is inserted into the outer member by tilting the cage axial line perpendicular to the outer member axial line, then the cage can be inserted, but the spherical surface angle and inner diameter are compromised, reducing joint strength
Solution Approach 1:
The outer member is divided into multiple frontal sections, with specific sections (one or two opposing sections) retracted to create insertion paths for the cage. This segmentation allows the cage to be inserted without compromising the overall spherical surface angle and inner diameter of the outer member, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of cage insertion and joint strength.
2Ease of operation
If frontal sections are retracted to allow cage insertion, then cage insertion is enabled, but the spherical surface area and spherical angle are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Only specific frontal sections (one or two opposing sections) of the outer member are retracted, while other sections maintain their original spherical surface characteristics. This local modification approach allows cage insertion while preserving the majority of the spherical surface area and angle, thus enabling cage insertion without significantly compromising the spherical surface properties.
3Strength
If the outer member inner diameter is reduced to increase spherical surface angle, then joint strength is improved, but cage insertion becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The outer member is segmented into multiple frontal sections, with specific sections retracted to create sufficient clearance for cage insertion. This allows the overall inner diameter to remain small (maintaining joint strength) while specific localized sections provide the necessary space for cage insertion, thus resolving the contradiction between joint strength and ease of cage insertion.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~4
AI summary
In a fixed constant velocity universal joint with eight balls, the present invention achieves improvement in cage strength by increasing a smallest outer diameter of a cage and improvement in joint strength at a high operating angle by ensuring required inner spherical area and spherical surface angle in an outer member regardless of the smallest outer diameter of the cage. In the fixed constant velocity joint of the present invention, among eight frontal sections adjacent to an inner spherical surface 12 on an outer member 12 opening side, present between adjacent ball grooves 14 formed on the inner spherical surface 12, and forming a smallest inner diameter øB of an outer member 10 opening, any one or any two mutually opposing frontal sections are retracted from the smallest inner diameter in an outward radius direction by a distance required to allow insertion of the cage through the one or two frontal sections (cylindrical surfaces 16c or planar surfaces 16d) in a state in which a cage axial line is perpendicular to an outer member axial line.