Joint Bellows Sleeve Structure for Low-Friction Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for securing sealing bellows in joints with journal openings are cumbersome, requiring expansion or compression during assembly and additional elements for securement, making the process difficult and costly.
Innovation Solution
The use of plastic sleeves with radial limbs on bellows contact areas allows the sealing bellows to be assembled without expansion or compression, with the sleeves being integrated into the joint and housing to provide axial support, reducing friction and simplifying the assembly process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the sealing bellows is attached over a radial ridge in a bellows holding groove, then the sealing bellows can be secured to the housing or bearing body, but the sealing bellows must be expanded or compressed during assembly making the process more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The radial ridge is pre-formed on the housing or bearing body before assembly. The sealing bellows is designed with a initial configuration that allows it to be elastically deformed during assembly to fit over the pre-formed radial ridge, then it returns to its original shape to provide a secure fit without requiring additional fastening elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing bellows utilizes elastic deformation as a temporary state during assembly. The material properties and geometric parameters of the bellows are designed to allow controlled expansion and compression within elastic limits, enabling it to fit over the radial ridge and then maintain a secure fitted state once assembled.
2Reliability
If additional elements like clamping rings are used to secure the sealing bellows, then the sealing bellows can be firmly fixed, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The function of securing the sealing bellows is extracted from separate additional elements (clamping rings, fasteners) and integrated directly into the bellows structure itself through the radial ridge interaction. The sealing bellows becomes self-securing through its own elastic deformation capability, eliminating the need for separate fastening components.
Solution Approach 2:
The securing function is merged with the sealing bellows structure itself. The radial ridge and the bellows forming features are combined into an integrated solution where the bellows both seals and secures itself to the housing or bearing body, reducing the total number of parts.
3Device complexity
If the sealing bellows is applied directly against the inner joint portion without a sleeve, then the assembly is simpler, but friction between the bellows and inner joint portion increases
Solution Approach 1:
A plastic sleeve is introduced as an intermediary element between the sealing bellows and the inner joint portion. The sleeve acts as a low-friction interface that allows the bellows to move smoothly during assembly and operation, reducing harmful friction and wear while maintaining the simplicity of the overall assembly structure.
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
This solution simplifies and cost-reduces the assembly of sealing bellows by eliminating the need for expansion or compression, ensuring secure and efficient fitting without additional clamping rings, enhancing the overall assembly efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
Since the sleeve, or the at least one sleeve comprises plastic, it can be ensured that there is little friction between the sealing bellows and the sleeve
Data Source
AI summary
A joint has a housing with journal openings, an inner joint portion with a bearing area, which is fitted into the housing and extends axially out of the housing through the openings. A bearing body is arranged in and firmly connected to the housing which encloses the bearing body and comprises plastic. The inner joint portion is fitted and able to move within the body. Sealing bellows surround the inner joint portion and extend from a bearing-body-side bellows contact area, provided on the body or the housing, to an inner-joint-portion-side bellows contact area, provided on the inner joint portion. A sleeve is provided, on at least one of the bellows contact areas, that surrounds the inner joint portion and extends axially. The sleeve surrounds the bellows or is surrounded by the bellows, and has, at an axial end, a radial limb against which the bellows is axially supported.