CV Joint Spline Interface With Retaining Ring for No-Lash Torque Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mating radial splines or serrations in universal and constant velocity joints face challenges in achieving a consistent fit, leading to either excessive lash or the need for specialized equipment for press fits, which can result in increased costs and operational issues like noise and vibration.
Innovation Solution
A universal or constant velocity joint design featuring a first rotatable shaft member with a shaft face spline and a bearing member with a hub face spline, where a joining member fixes the bearing member to the shaft through interlocking engagement, eliminating lash by creating a selectively attachable and detachable connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a press fit is used to eliminate lash between mating splines, then the joint achieves no-lash operation, but specialized assembly equipment and increased manufacturing complexity are required
Solution Approach 1:
A retaining ring is introduced as an intermediary component between the drive shaft and driven member. The retaining ring engages with both components and eliminates lash through its structural design, allowing the mating splines to remain in a slide fit condition without requiring press fit equipment. The retaining ring acts as a mediator that achieves the no-lash objective while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
2Ease of manufacture
If a slide fit is used for spline engagement, then assembly is simplified, but lash is introduced causing noise and vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining ring serves as an intermediary that eliminates lash between the mating splines while allowing them to remain in a slide fit condition. By introducing this third component, the system achieves quiet operation without requiring complex press fit assembly, thus eliminating noise and vibration harmful factors while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
3Reliability
If a retaining ring is added to guarantee assembly stability, then operational reliability is improved, but the interface complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining ring is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it limits relative axial motion between mating splines, eliminates lash, and maintains assembly stability during operation. By consolidating these multiple functions into a single component, the overall interface complexity is minimized while achieving high reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A universal or constant velocity joint includes a first rotatable shaft member that extends along a longitudinal axis, a bearing member, and a joining member. The first rotatable shaft member has a free end that defines a shaft face spline. The bearing member includes a bearing hub having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinally extending hub bore. The first end has a hub face spline. The joining member fixes the bearing member to the shaft with the hub face spline and shaft face spline engaged in interlocking engagement.