Homokinetic Joint Ball-Bearing Structure for Load Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Homokinetic joints lack optimization for axial force transmission and are cumbersome to lubricate and seal, with existing designs often experiencing high frictional resistance and inadequate load absorption.
Innovation Solution
A homokinetic joint design featuring a joint socket shaft with a spherical-convex flange surface, a housing nut with a spherical-concave nut surface, and a torsion disc with spherical surfaces, incorporating multiple ball bearings to reduce friction and absorb various loads, along with guide tracks for independent pivoting and torque transmission, and a lubricant circuit for efficient lubrication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If conventional homokinetic joint designs are used, then torque transmission between shafts is achieved, but frictional resistance is high and load absorption is inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs spherical-convex and spherical-concave surfaces on the joint socket flange, torsion disc, and joint head shaft to create ball bearing contact points. This spherical geometry enables point contact that reduces frictional resistance while effectively transmitting torque and absorbing loads in multiple directions between the shafts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces ball bearings as intermediary elements between the spherical surfaces of the joint components. These balls act as mediators that reduce direct surface friction while transmitting forces, thereby lowering frictional resistance and improving load absorption capability throughout the joint mechanism.
2Force
If homokinetic joints are designed for torque transmission, then angular velocity transmission is achieved, but axial force transmission is not optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the joint components with spherical-convex and spherical-concave surfaces that serve multiple functions simultaneously: transmitting torque between shafts, absorbing axial loads, and enabling pivoting motion. This multi-functional design optimizes axial force transmission while maintaining versatility in handling different force vectors.
Solution Approach 2:
The spherical surfaces on the joint socket flange, torsion disc, and joint head shaft enable the joint to handle forces in multiple directions including axial forces. The curved geometry naturally accommodates both torque transmission and axial load bearing, making the joint optimized for combined force transmission scenarios.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional joint designs are used, then basic joint functionality is achieved, but lubrication and sealing are laborious
Solution Approach 1:
The patent's ball bearing configuration and spherical surface design create a self-lubricating mechanism where the ball contacts are naturally lubricated during operation. The simplified joint structure with integrated spherical surfaces reduces the need for complex external sealing systems, making lubrication and sealing more manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the joint into distinct components (joint socket flange, torsion disc, joint head shaft) with defined spherical contact interfaces. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured and lubricated separately, simplifying the overall lubrication and sealing process compared to integrated traditional designs.
4Reliability
If ball bearings are added to reduce friction, then frictional resistance decreases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spherical-convex and spherical-concave surfaces are integral parts of the joint components themselves, eliminating the need for complex external bearing housings. The balls roll between these naturally formed spherical surfaces, reducing friction while maintaining a relatively simple overall joint structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the bearing function directly into the joint components by forming spherical contact surfaces on the joint socket flange, torsion disc, and joint head shaft. This integration combines the structural elements with the friction-reducing ball bearing mechanism, reducing device complexity compared to separate bearing assemblies.
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 design achieves reduced frictional resistance, improved load absorption, and efficient torque transmission, enabling flexible and lightweight operation with enhanced stability and reduced complexity in manufacturing through additive processes.
Implementation Method 1
a respective ball bearing is formed between the spherical-concave nut surface of the housing nut and the spherical-convex flange surface of the joint socket flange, between the spherical-concave flange surface of the joint socket flange and the spherical-convex disc surface of the torsion disc, and between the spherical-concave disc surface of the torsion disc and the spherical-convex head surface of the joint head shaft
Data Source
AI summary
A homokinetic joint includes a joint socket shaft having a joint socket flange; a housing nut, which surrounds the joint socket shaft and has an internal thread; a joint head shaft, which has an external thread, wherein the external thread is of complementary design to the internal thread of the housing nut, wherein the joint socket shaft can be pivoted in a first pivoting direction and in a second pivoting direction relative to the joint head shaft; and a torsion disc between the joint socket shaft and the joint head shaft for transmitting torsional loads between the joint socket shaft and the joint head shaft; wherein a respective ball bearing is formed between the housing nut and the joint socket flange, between the joint socket flange and the torsion disc, and between the torsion disc and the joint head shaft.