Constant Velocity Joint Spline Geometry for Lower Stress Concentration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shaft assemblies in motor vehicles face challenges in minimizing torsional stress, interface surface area, and stress concentration at the connection between members, particularly in constant velocity joints and wheel hubs.
Innovation Solution
A constant velocity joint design featuring a splined face with teeth that are widest at an intermediate radial location, utilizing a convex geometry defined by multiple planes, which reduces stress concentrations and facilitates smoother load distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the interface surface area between the first and second members is minimized, then the space requirements are reduced, but the stress concentration at the interface increases
Solution Approach 1:
The splined teeth are designed with varying width across the radial extent, being widest at an intermediate radial location rather than uniformly wide or widest at the outer diameter. This creates localized variations in stress distribution across the interface, concentrating the load-bearing capacity where it is most needed while maintaining a compact overall interface area.
2Force
If the teeth of the splined face are widest at the radial outer diameter, then the load capacity is maximized, but the stress concentration at the interface increases
Solution Approach 1:
The teeth are designed with non-uniform width distribution, specifically widest at an intermediate radial location rather than at the outer diameter. This creates an optimized stress distribution pattern that maintains high load capacity while reducing peak stress concentrations that would occur with uniform or outer-diameter-maximized tooth widths.
Solution Approach 2:
The splined face features a curved or contoured tooth profile rather than straight radial teeth. This curvature allows for smoother load transition and distribution across the tooth width, reducing stress concentrations while maintaining effective load-bearing capacity throughout the radial extent of the interface.
3Stress or pressure
If the teeth are made wider to distribute stress loads, then the stress loads are better distributed, but the interface surface area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The teeth are widest at an intermediate radial location rather than maintaining uniform width or being widest at the outer diameter. This creates a bell-shaped or tapered width profile that optimizes stress distribution across the interface while minimizing the overall radial extent required, thereby reducing the total interface surface area compared to uniformly wide teeth.
Data Source
AI summary
A constant velocity joint includes a first housing part having a pivotal bearing part and second housing part having a connection part, the connection part having an opening extending along a rotational axis of the first and second housing parts and having a splined face extending along a plane substantially transverse relation to the rotational axis, wherein the splined face has teeth extending from a radial inner diameter to a radial outer diameter, wherein the teeth are not the widest at the radial outer diameter.