Constant Velocity Joint Ball Groove Segmentation for Cage Strength
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing constant velocity joints face a reduction in strength when an excessive load is applied, leading to detachment of balls from the outer joint member, which compromises the disengagement of the inner joint member from the cage.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating inclined outer and inner ball grooves and escape portions on the inner joint member, allowing balls to be guided out of the inner ball grooves and detached from the inner joint member upon excessive load, enabling disengagement without reducing the cage's strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If windows of the cage are enlarged to increase the range of motion of balls, then disengagement of the inner joint member from the cage is enabled, but the cage bars become narrower resulting in reduced strength of the cage
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the ball groove into two functional segments: a first groove portion with a larger cross-sectional dimension that guides the ball during normal operation, and a second groove portion with a smaller cross-sectional dimension that allows the ball to escape from the cage window. This segmentation enables the cage to maintain structural integrity while still permitting ball disengagement when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The ball groove is designed with non-uniform cross-sectional dimensions along its length. The first groove portion has larger dimensions to provide guidance, while the second groove portion has smaller dimensions to facilitate ball escape. This local variation in geometry allows different functional requirements to be met at different locations within the same structural element.
2Strength
If the cage limits the range of motion of each ball to maintain strength, then the cage bars remain strong, but disengagement of the inner joint member from the cage becomes difficult upon excessive load
Solution Approach 1:
The ball groove is pre-designed with an escape path (the second groove portion) that is prepared in advance. When excessive load causes the inner joint member to disengage, the ball can immediately follow this pre-established path without requiring enlargement of the cage window or compromising cage strength during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the ball escape function from the main cage structure by providing a separate escape path through the second groove portion. This allows the ball to be removed from the cage window area without modifying the cage bars themselves, thereby maintaining cage strength while enabling disengagement.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables effective disengagement of the inner joint member from the cage under excessive load while maintaining the cage's strength, allowing the joint to absorb impact and maintain functionality.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the balls is rollably supported by an associated one of the outer ball grooves and an associated one of the inner ball grooves
Data Source
AI summary
A constant velocity joint includes balls each rollably supported by an associated one of outer ball grooves and an associated one of inner ball grooves facing each other such that the inclined direction of the associated outer ball groove relative to a central axis of an outer joint member is opposite to the inclined direction of the associated inner ball groove relative to a central axis of an inner joint member. The inner joint member includes escape portions to allow escape of the balls from the inner ball grooves to a first side of the central axis of the inner joint member. Each of the escape portions is provided at least between an end face at the first side of the central axis of the inner joint member and a first rolling guide lateral surface of the associated inner ball groove that forms an acute angle with the end face.