Flexible Drive Shaft Joint for Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flexible drive shaft joints fail to adequately reduce noise while maintaining flexibility, leading to objectionable audible noise levels and interference with sensor readings in testing environments.
Innovation Solution
A drive shaft assembly with flexible joints featuring a pilot and bore arrangement that allows for angular misalignment while maintaining lateral stability, using a flexible yoke and elastomeric materials to reduce noise and vibration, and a test stand configuration for securing driving and driven elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If standard universal joints or bellows joints are used to connect drive shaft segments, then flexibility and angular misalignment capability are achieved, but audible noise levels become objectionable and exceed regulatory limits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible membrane or diaphragm as the joint between drive shaft segments. This flexible element accommodates angular misalignment and relative motion while maintaining a sealed, low-noise connection. The flexible membrane deforms elastically to permit the necessary degrees of freedom without the mechanical impact and vibration characteristic of rigid universal joints.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive shaft joint utilizes composite construction combining rigid shaft portions with a flexible membrane element. This composite approach allows the rigid portions to provide structural strength while the flexible membrane provides the necessary compliance and noise reduction. The combination of materials enables both angular misalignment capability and reduced audible noise.
2Adaptability or versatility
If flexible joints are used to connect drive shaft segments, then angular misalignment is permitted, but sensor readings are interfered with due to generated noise
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible membrane joint reduces mechanical noise and vibration generation compared to traditional universal joints. By using elastic deformation of the membrane instead of rigid mechanical linkages with clearances and impacts, the joint produces less electromagnetic interference and acoustic noise that would otherwise interfere with sensitive sensor measurements during testing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent removes the noisy mechanical components (universal joints, gears, bearings) from the drive shaft connection and replaces them with a flexible membrane element. This extraction of problematic components eliminates the primary noise sources that interfere with sensor readings while preserving the essential function of transmitting rotational motion with angular misalignment capability.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If rigid drive shaft connections are used, then noise is reduced, but angular misalignment between shaft portions is not permitted
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible membrane serves as a noise-reducing alternative to rigid mechanical joints while simultaneously providing the necessary flexibility for angular misalignment. The membrane's elastic properties allow it to deform and accommodate angular offsets between shaft portions without generating the impact noise and vibration associated with rigid connections having clearances.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and properties of the joint from rigid to flexible by introducing an elastic membrane element. This parameter change in rigidity allows the joint to simultaneously achieve noise reduction (characteristic of rigid connections) and angular misalignment capability (characteristic of flexible connections), resolving the contradiction between these two requirements.
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 solution significantly reduces audible noise by 40 dB and sensor pickup noise by 50%, enabling more accurate readings and improved operational comfort by allowing angular and lateral offset misalignment of shaft axes.
Implementation Method 1
using a flexible yoke and elastomeric materials to reduce noise and vibration
Implementation Method 2
The solution significantly reduces audible noise by 40 dB and sensor pickup noise by 50%
Data Source
AI summary
A jointed flexible drive shaft assembly is provided. The drive shaft has at least one flexible joint comprising a yoke connecting two drive shaft components together in a flexible manner which permits angular offsetting of the axis of rotation of one shaft component relative to the axis of rotation of another shaft component while a pilot and pilot bore cooperate to maintain the axes of rotation fixed against relative lateral offset a predetermined amount. The drive shaft assembly may be used on a test stand to couple a driving element with a driven element thereby reducing the need for a precision alignment between the driving and driven elements.