Piloting Cover Assembly for CV Joint Flange Centering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing joint assemblies for coupling rotating parts in vehicles face challenges with increased packaging requirements and corrosion issues due to the need for a protuberance to center the parts, which complicates disassembly and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A joint assembly with a piloting cover that radially supports the inner surfaces of the outer race and mating flange at pilot points located internally to the bolt circle diameter, eliminating the need for an external protuberance and allowing the entire assembly to be painted for corrosion prevention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a protuberance is used to center the outer race relative to the mating flange, then centering precision is improved, but packaging space increases and corrosion resistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A piloting cover is introduced as an intermediary component between the outer race and mating flange. The piloting cover includes pilot points that engage with corresponding surfaces to provide precise centering, eliminating the need for a large external protuberance. This mediator enables precise alignment while maintaining compact packaging dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The centering function is moved from a radial dimension (external protuberance) to an axial dimension (piloting cover positioned between components). The pilot points extend axially to engage centering surfaces, achieving precise alignment without increasing the radial packaging envelope.
2Manufacturing precision
If a protuberance is used to center the outer race relative to the mating flange, then centering precision is improved, but ease of disassembly deteriorates due to corrosion build-up
Solution Approach 1:
The piloting cover acts as a sacrificial intermediary that protects the critical outer race and mating flange interfaces from direct contact and corrosion. By positioning the piloting cover between these components, the patent prevents corrosion build-up at the centering interface, ensuring easy disassembly while maintaining precise centering through the pilot points.
Solution Approach 2:
The piloting cover automatically performs the centering function through its pilot points engaging with the outer race and mating flange surfaces. This self-centering mechanism eliminates the need for external protuberances and ensures consistent alignment without requiring additional adjustment or intervention during assembly or disassembly operations.
3Reliability
If the outer race and mating flange are painted for corrosion prevention, then corrosion resistance is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to paint buildup on centering surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The piloting cover serves as a protective intermediary that shields the centering surfaces of the outer race and mating flange from paint application. Since the pilot points are positioned on the piloting cover rather than on the outer race or mating flange, these critical surfaces remain unpainted and free from paint buildup, maintaining precise centering while allowing the external surfaces to be painted for corrosion protection.
Data Source
AI summary
A joint assembly for connecting a first rotating part and a second rotating part. The joint assembly includes a constant velocity joint that has an inner race for being connected to the first rotating part and an outer race that is pivotable relative to the outer race. A mating flange couples the outer race to the second rotating part. The outer race and the mating flange each have a radially inner surface. A piloting cover is positioned axially between the outer race and the mating flange and radially supports the radially inner surface of the outer race at a first pilot point, and radially supports the radially inner surface of the mating flange at a second pilot point for centering the outer race relative to the mating flange. The first and second pilot points are located radially inwardly of a bolt circle diameter.