Drive Axle Assembly Boot Rotation Restriction

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing drive axle assembly's maximum bending angle is reduced due to the increased size of the shaft bearing, leading to a less compact configuration and frictional noise from boot wrinkles during rotation.

Innovation Solution

A drive axle assembly with a shaft bearing that restricts boot rotation using an orbit formed on the drive shaft, replacing the inner ring with a groove shape, and incorporating a shaft seal to prevent foreign matter entry, thereby reducing the shaft bearing's outer diameter and maintaining a compact assembly while preventing boot rotation and frictional noise.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-generated harmful factors

If a shaft bearing is mounted between the boot and the drive shaft to prevent boot rotation, then frictional noise is eliminated, but the outer diameter of the shaft bearing portion increases and the maximum bending angle is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefrictional noiseVSAvoidmaximum bending angle

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The shaft bearing and boot are merged into a single integrated component. The boot itself is designed to function as the bearing surface, eliminating the need for a separate shaft bearing. This integration prevents boot rotation while maintaining a compact outer diameter that preserves the maximum bending angle of the drive shaft.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The separate shaft bearing component is extracted/removed from the assembly. Instead of mounting a distinct bearing between the boot and drive shaft, the boot is directly configured to provide the bearing function, thereby eliminating the additional outer diameter that would reduce the bending angle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Stability of the object's composition

If a shaft bearing is mounted between the boot and the drive shaft, then boot rotation is restricted, but the size of the outer diameter of the shaft bearing portion is increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveboot rotation restrictionVSAvoidouter diameter of shaft bearing portion

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The shaft bearing functionality is merged into the boot structure itself. The boot is designed with an integrated bearing surface that directly contacts the drive shaft, eliminating the need for a separate bearing component. This maintains boot rotation restriction while minimizing the outer diameter.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The boot serves multiple functions simultaneously: it protects the joint and acts as the bearing surface. By making the boot multi-functional, a separate bearing component is eliminated, preventing increase in outer diameter while still restricting boot rotation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If the shaft bearing outer diameter is increased to prevent boot rotation, then reliability is improved, but the assembly structure becomes less compact

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveboot rotation preventionVSAvoidassembly structure compactness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bearing function is merged into the boot, creating a more compact assembly structure. The integrated design eliminates the need for additional clearance space that would be required for a separate bearing component, thereby maintaining reliability while improving compactness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The bearing function is nested within the boot structure itself rather than being a separate external component. This nesting approach allows the bearing functionality to be contained within the existing boot volume, maintaining compact assembly structure while ensuring reliable boot rotation prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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

This configuration increases the maximum bending angle, reduces the number of parts and weight, and prevents frictional noise by ensuring the boot does not rotate with the drive shaft, resulting in a more compact and cost-effective axle assembly.

Implementation Method 1

a shaft bearing assembled between a small diameter portion of the other end of the boot and the drive shaft, and configured to restrict the rotation of the boot as a rolling element is rotated along the orbit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRolling motion: Roller

Implementation Method 2

A shaft seal may be assembled to an inboard side of the shaft bearing to block foreign matters from being introduced into the boot

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical barrier: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentUS20230123906A1Drive axle assembly

Publication Date: 2023.04.20 HYUNDAI WIA CORP

AI summary

A drive axle assembly which increases a maximum bending angle by improving a structure of a shaft bearing supported by a drive shaft and makes an assembly structure compact. The drive axle assembly is preferably configured to include, a wheel bearing assembled to an axle housing, a boot having a large diameter portion of one end connected to an outer ring of the wheel bearing, a drive shaft having an orbit formed along a circumferential direction of an outer circumferential surface, and a shaft bearing assembled between a small diameter portion of the other end of the boot and the drive shaft, and configured to restrict the rotation of the boot as a rolling element is rotated along the orbit.