Damped Support Disc for Idler Gear Shaft Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Idler gears in transmissions experience undesirable vibrations and noise when support disks are unloaded, and the assembly/disassembly of support washers is complex and costly due to tight tolerances.
Innovation Solution
A shaft arrangement with a coupling element and a support disk featuring an elastic damping element, such as rubber, that can be easily installed and removed, allowing the idler gear to move axially between coupled and decoupled positions, reducing vibrations and noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If support discs are installed with axial and radial play, then assembly is simple, but vibration and noise occur when unloaded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a damping element as an intermediary component between the support disc and the shaft. This damping element absorbs vibrations and prevents noise while maintaining the ease of assembly with axial and radial play, resolving the contradiction between assembly simplicity and vibration control.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If support discs are pressed onto the shaft, then vibration and noise are reduced, but assembly and disassembly become complex and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The damping element serves as a mediator that allows the support disc to be mounted with play rather than pressed tightly onto the shaft. This eliminates the need for complex pressing operations and expensive tight tolerances while still reducing vibration and noise through the damping properties of the element.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If tight tolerances are used for support discs, then vibration is reduced, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The damping element acts as a cost-effective intermediary that reduces vibration without requiring tight manufacturing tolerances on the support disc and shaft. This allows for more relaxed tolerances and simpler, less expensive manufacturing processes while achieving the desired vibration reduction.
4Stability of the object's composition
If axial forces are absorbed by rigid support discs, then structural stability is maintained, but vibration occurs when unloaded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the support disc system by introducing a damping element with viscoelastic properties. This element maintains structural stability under load while providing vibration damping when unloaded, resolving the contradiction between stability and vibration control through parameter modification.
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
The elastic support disk effectively absorbs axial forces, preventing vibrations and noise, simplifying assembly and reducing costs by eliminating the need for pressing the support disk onto the shaft.
Implementation Method 1
The support disk has an elastic damping element. The damping element can consist of or comprise an elastic material. The elastic material can be rubber and/or an elastomer.
Implementation Method 2
This prevents or at least reduces vibration of the support disc and the associated unwanted noise.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a shaft arrangement (10) comprising a shaft (14), a loose gear (16), a coupling element (18), a clutch element (20), and a support disc (24) for axially supporting the loose gear (16), wherein the support disc (24) is arranged axially adjacent to the loose gear (16) on the shaft (14), and wherein the support disc (24) has an elastic damping element (25). The invention also relates to a drive arrangement (12) with such a shaft arrangement (10) and a vehicle with such a drive arrangement (12).