Double-Roller Tripod Joint Asymmetric Rib Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional double-roller-type tripod constant-velocity joints lack a configuration that prevents incorrect orientation of the roller unit onto the tripod shaft portion, leading to differences in strength and performance based on the fitting direction, and there is a risk of wrong assembly.
Innovation Solution
A double-roller-type tripod constant-velocity joint design featuring an outer ring with guide grooves, tripod members, cylindrical inner rollers, outer rollers, and rolling elements, where one end face has a radial rib and the other end face has a snap ring to retain the inner roller, ensuring the tripod shaft portion can only be passed through from the rib-free end face, preventing incorrect orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the roller unit is made asymmetrical with rib and snap ring at different positions, then the tripod shaft portion can be fitted from either end face, but this leads to wrong assembly and inconsistent strength and performance
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies asymmetry by providing the rib only on one end face of the outer roller, while the snap ring is fitted in a ring groove that extends around the circumference. This creates an asymmetric structure where the tripod shaft portion can only be correctly inserted from the end face with the rib, preventing wrong assembly while maintaining ease of manufacture.
2Strength
If the rib is positioned flush with the end face, then the inner roller and needles are retained, but the tripod shaft portion may contact the rib during large tilting, affecting performance
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by positioning the rib radially inward from the end face rather than flush with it. This local modification allows the rib to retain the inner roller and needles effectively while preventing contact between the tripod shaft portion and rib during large tilting, ensuring both retention strength and performance consistency.
3Strength
If the snap ring is positioned offset from the end face, then the inner roller and needles are retained, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the retention functions of both the rib and snap ring into a coordinated system. The rib provides primary retention while the snap ring in the ring groove provides secondary retention and positioning. This combination achieves reliable retention of the inner roller and needles without requiring complex positioning, as the rib's radial inward position naturally prevents tripod shaft contact.
Data Source
AI summary
One end face of an outer roller is provided with an annular rib that protrudes radially inward and that retains an inner roller and rolling elements. The other end face-side portion of the outer roller is provided with an inner component retaining portion that retains the inner roller and the rolling elements. In a roller unit in which the inner roller and the rolling elements are retained in the outer roller by the rib and the inner component retaining portion, an inner peripheral face of the inner roller through which a tripod shaft portion is passed is provided with a tripod shaft portion insertion restricting portion that allows the tripod shaft portion to be passed through the inner roller only from an end face side of the roller unit, on which the rib of the outer roller is not provided.