Drive Shaft Extension Segment for Vehicle Chassis Lengthening
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Extending a vehicle chassis and drive shaft requires rebalancing the entire assembly, which is time-consuming and costly.
Innovation Solution
A drive shaft extension segment with a universal joint and bearing assembly, allowing for extension without rebalancing, using a disengaged drive assembly with an enlarged shaft diameter to reduce runout tolerance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the drive shaft is extended by adding a section to lengthen the vehicle chassis, then the vehicle chassis length is increased, but the entire drive shaft assembly must be rebalanced resulting in additional time, labor and expense
Solution Approach 1:
The drive shaft is divided into separate segments (original drive shaft and extension section) that can be independently balanced. The extension section includes its own bearing assembly and universal joint, allowing it to function as an independent balanced unit that connects to the original drive shaft, eliminating the need to rebalance the entire assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The extension section is pre-balanced as a complete assembly including the bearing assembly and universal joint before installation. This preliminary balancing action is performed on the extension section alone, so that when installed, the entire drive shaft system maintains balance without requiring post-installation rebalancing of the complete assembly.
2Length of moving object
If the drive shaft is extended by adding a section to lengthen the vehicle chassis, then the vehicle chassis length is increased, but additional expense is incurred for rebalancing the entire assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The drive shaft system is segmented into independently manufacturable and balanceable components. The extension section is manufactured and balanced as a separate unit with its own bearing assembly, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost compared to rebalancing an entire extended drive shaft assembly.
3Loss of time
If a drive shaft extension segment is installed between the transmission and the front drive shaft segment, then the drive shaft length is extended without rebalancing, but runout tolerance issues may arise
Solution Approach 1:
A bearing assembly is introduced as an intermediary component between the extension section and the original drive shaft segments. This bearing assembly accommodates and compensates for potential runout and alignment variations, maintaining rotational precision without requiring extremely tight manufacturing tolerances on the extension section itself.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus are provided for extending the length of a vehicle without the need to rebalance the original drive assembly. The method includes disconnecting the front drive shaft segment from the vehicle transmission, extending the length of the vehicle frame, and inserting a drive shaft extension segment which includes: a rigid tubular shaft rotatable about a longitudinal axis; a universal joint mounted at the tubular shaft front end and having a front flange configured for mounting to the transmission; and a bearing assembly mounted to the tubular shaft The extension segment rear end includes a rearward facing flange configured for mounting to a forward facing flange of the front drive shaft segment that was disconnected from the vehicle transmission. The extension segment is installed in the vehicle between the vehicle transmission and the front drive shaft segment without the need to rebalance the original drive assembly.