Fixed Type Constant Velocity Joint Cage Strength Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fixed type constant velocity joints face challenges in enhancing the mechanical strength and durability of the cage due to limitations in cage design, particularly when applied to joints with more than six balls, as they require increased size and volume to accommodate higher stresses, making them unsuitable for compact designs.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of differentiated offset configurations in ball groove shapes, where smaller offsets are applied to tracks with larger ball movements and larger offsets to those with smaller movements, reduces maximum ball movement, allowing for an enlarged cage web area and improved strength without compromising operating characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional fixed type constant velocity joints use uniform center offset for all ball grooves, then the joint can operate with high operating angles, but the cage web area is reduced and mechanical strength is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different center offset values to different ball groove tracks based on their specific operational requirements. Tracks experiencing larger ball movements are assigned smaller center offsets, while tracks with smaller ball movements receive larger center offsets. This localized differentiation optimizes each track's performance characteristics and maximizes the cage web area without compromising overall joint operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameter of center offset from a uniform value to a differentiated set of values across different ball groove tracks. This parameter modification allows optimization of ball movement characteristics in each track while increasing the cage web area, thereby resolving the contradiction between strength and operability.
2Force
If the joint is designed to accommodate more than six balls to handle higher stresses, then the load capacity increases, but the joint size and volume increase making it unsuitable for compact designs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements differentiated center offsets for different ball groove tracks, allowing optimization of ball movement in each track. This local differentiation enables more efficient space utilization within the cage, accommodating more balls (8 or 10) without proportionally increasing the overall joint volume, thus improving load capacity while maintaining compact dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the three-dimensional arrangement of multiple balls within the cage by differentiating center offsets across different tracks. This dimensional optimization allows denser packing of balls in the available space, increasing the number of balls from six to eight or ten without linearly increasing the joint's external dimensions.
3Strength
If larger center offset is used in all tracks, then the cage web area is enlarged improving strength, but ball movement is restricted affecting operating characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies larger center offsets only to specific tracks where ball movement is naturally smaller, while maintaining smaller center offsets in tracks requiring larger ball movements for proper operation. This localized application of larger offsets enlarges the cage web area in critical regions without restricting ball movement in tracks where it is essential for maintaining operating characteristics.
Data Source
AI summary
A fixed type constant velocity joint includes: an outer race having an inner spherical surface, and a plurality of guide grooves formed in the inner spherical surface of the outer race; an inner race having an outer spherical surface, and a plurality of guide grooves formed in the outer spherical surface of the inner race, said guide grooves of the outer race and said guide grooves of the inner race together forming a plurality of ball guide tracks; a plurality of balls disposed in the ball guide tracks; and a cage having a plurality of windows for retaining the balls therein. The ball guide tracks include first tracks and second tracks with different groove configurations and having dual, multiple, or differentiated center offsets with smaller offsets applied to the tracks having relatively large ball movements and larger offsets applied to the tracks having relatively small ball movements as the joint is articulated for assembling.