Driveshaft Slip Joint Roller Cage for Torque and Axial Travel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing slip joints in driveshaft systems face challenges in efficiently allowing axial movement while maintaining effective torque transmission and structural compactness.
Innovation Solution
A slip joint design featuring a yoke stub with multiple channels and a tube sleeve with corresponding recesses, utilizing rollers and a cage structure with bearing plates and support tabs to facilitate axial movement and torque transfer, allowing for telescopic movement and compact geometry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional cage structures with multiple individual components are used to hold rollers, then the rollers can be retained in position, but the structural complexity and number of parts increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple cage components (retaining walls, spacing elements, and positioning features) into a single integrated cage structure. This unified cage holds multiple rollers simultaneously while reducing the total number of parts compared to traditional designs that use separate components for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The cage structure performs multiple functions simultaneously: it retains rollers axially, spaces them circumferentially, positions them radially, and maintains their alignment. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate components for each function, simplifying the overall structure.
2Power
If more rollers are added to increase torque transmission capacity, then the torque transmission improves, but the structural complexity and manufacturing difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cage structure is designed with segmented features that correspond to each roller position, allowing multiple rollers to be independently retained and positioned. Each roller has its own retaining wall and spacing features, enabling modular assembly while maintaining overall system simplicity through the unified cage design.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the cage structure (such as wall heights, spacing distances, and curvature radii) to optimize the arrangement of multiple rollers. By carefully selecting these parameters, the cage can accommodate various numbers of rollers while maintaining structural integrity and simplifying manufacturing.
3Strength
If the cage structure is made more robust to handle higher loads, then the load capacity improves, but the compactness and ease of telescopic movement decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The cage structure incorporates curved surfaces and rounded transitions instead of sharp angles and flat surfaces. This curvature allows the cage to flex slightly under load while maintaining strength, and also reduces stress concentrations that would require additional material for reinforcement, thus preserving compactness.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention optimizes geometric parameters such as wall thickness, curvature radii, and feature dimensions to achieve the required load capacity with minimal material. By carefully selecting these parameters, the cage maintains strength while minimizing axial clearance requirements and preserving telescopic movement capability.
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
Enables efficient axial movement and torque transmission with reduced structural complexity and increased resistance to torque transmission, enhancing the driveshaft system's performance and compactness.
Implementation Method 1
The roller have the freedom to move on one side the channel and on another side the corresponding groove, transfer the torque from one to the other by clutching the opposite lateral edges of the yoke stub to the channel and the recess respectively
Implementation Method 2
transfer the torque from one to the other by clutching the opposite lateral edges of the yoke stub to the channel and the recess respectively
Implementation Method 3
The forces exerted to the yoke stub or the tube sleeve in the direction of elongation are eliminated by the telescopic movement formed by the roller moving in the channel and the recess
Data Source
Figure 1~5
AI summary
The present invention relates to a joint assembly for a driveshaft comprising, a yoke stub (1) with multiple channels (3) in the direction of extension; a tube sleeve (2) is having a recess (4) aligned corresponding channel (3) and telescopically engaged with a yoke stub (1 ). The driveshaft further comprises multiple rollers (14) spaced apart from each other in such a way that providing axial movement between the channel (3) and the corresponding recess (4) to transmit torque and a cage (12) extending between the rollers (14) to secure them together.