Constant Velocity Joint Outer Hub for Flexible Shaft Connection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing constant velocity joints require specific and costly transitional components for connection to surrounding components, limiting flexibility and increasing design complexity.

Innovation Solution

A constant velocity joint design featuring an inner hub with raceways and an outer hub with indentations, where the outer hub has a contacting structure and the shaft connection component has elevations that engage in these indentations for a non-positive connection, allowing for adaptable and cost-effective integration with various shaft sections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If specific transitional components are used to connect the joint to shafts, then reliable force and torque transmission is achieved, but device complexity and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliable force and torque transmissionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The outer hub is merged with the shaft connection component to form an integrated unit, eliminating the need for separate transitional components. The contacting structure with recesses is directly formed on the outer hub, allowing direct engagement with the shaft connection component's protrusions, thus reducing the number of parts while maintaining reliable force and torque transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The outer hub is designed with dual functionality: it provides the contacting structure for ball raceways and simultaneously integrates the shaft connection function through the recesses. This multi-functional design allows the outer hub to connect to different shaft connection components (flange, pin, spline) without requiring additional transitional elements, reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If separate transitional components are used for shaft connection, then secure attachment is achieved, but manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure attachmentVSAvoidmanufacturing costs
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The shaft connection functionality is merged into the outer hub by forming recesses directly on it. This eliminates the need for separate transitional components, reducing the total part count and associated manufacturing costs while maintaining secure attachment through the engagement of protrusions with the recesses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If specific transitional components are required, then proper connection is achieved, but design flexibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproper connectionVSAvoiddesign flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The outer hub's contacting structure with recesses is designed to accommodate multiple types of shaft connection components (flange, pin, spline, or other geometries). This universal design allows the same outer hub to connect to various shaft configurations without requiring specific transitional components, thereby enhancing design flexibility and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3985275B1Constant velocity joint
Publication Date: 2023.04.26 NEUMAYER TEKFOR ENG GMBH
  • EP3985275B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3985275B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3985275B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a constant velocity joint (1) comprising an inner hub (2), an annular outer hub (3), several balls (4), and a shaft connection component (5). The outer hub (3) is in contact with the shaft connection component (5). The shaft connection component (5) has a fastening structure (52, 52', 53, 53') at one end region (50) facing the outer hub (3), which is connected to a contacting structure (31) of the outer hub (3). The outer hub (3) has recesses (31) as a contacting structure, and the shaft connection component (5) has protrusions (52) as a fastening structure. The protrusions (52) engage in the recesses (31). Raceways (30) and the recesses (31) of the outer hub (3) are arranged axially aligned with one another.