Drive Pinion Support Bearing Alignment in Axle Assemblies
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing axle assemblies with drive pinions face challenges in maintaining precise alignment and reducing noise and wear due to lack of effective internal support for the through shaft, leading to potential bending and deflection issues.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a pair of support bearings within the drive pinion passage, one disposed within the gear portion and the other within the shaft portion, to rotatably support the drive pinion and prevent bending or deflection, thereby maintaining alignment and reducing vibration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If no support bearing is provided in the drive pinion passage, then the structure is simpler, but the drive pinion experiences bending and deflection leading to misalignment and increased wear
Solution Approach 1:
The support bearing is nested within the drive pinion passage, utilizing the existing internal space of the drive pinion structure. This allows the bearing to be positioned inside the drive pinion without requiring additional external mounting structures, thereby providing alignment support while minimizing structural complexity additions
Solution Approach 2:
The support bearing acts as an intermediary element between the drive pinion and the through shaft, providing rotational support and maintaining proper alignment. This mediator component prevents direct contact and friction between the drive pinion and housing, reducing wear and maintaining precision
2Object-affected harmful factors
If support bearings are added to rotatably support the drive pinion, then noise and wear are reduced, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support bearing assembly is merged with the drive pinion structure by positioning the bearing within the drive pinion passage. This integration allows the bearing to be installed as part of the drive pinion assembly rather than as a separate component requiring additional mounting operations, thereby reducing assembly complexity while still providing noise and wear reduction benefits
3Duration of action of stationary object
If the drive pinion is rotatably supported within the passage, then the durability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Rotational support is provided locally at the specific location where the drive pinion contacts the housing, rather than requiring comprehensive support structures throughout the entire system. The support bearing is positioned specifically within the drive pinion passage to provide localized rotational support, improving durability without adding complex system-wide structures
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 support bearings effectively inhibit bending and deflection of the drive pinion, ensuring proper contact between teeth and reducing noise and improving the durability of the drive pinion and ring gear, enhancing the overall performance and longevity of the axle assembly.
Implementation Method 1
support bearing...rotatably support the drive pinion
Data Source
AI summary
An axle assembly and a method of assembly. The axle assembly has a drive pinion, a through shaft, and at least one support bearing. The through shaft may extend through a drive pinion passage that may extend through the drive pinion. One or more support bearings may be disposed in the drive pinion passage and may rotatably support the drive pinion.