Offset Carrier Bearing Assembly for Driveshaft Angle Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Driveshafts with significantly disparate operating angles experience excessive vibration, noise, and stress due to non-optimal alignment, which current carrier bearing assemblies fail to adequately mitigate.
Innovation Solution
A carrier bearing assembly with a bracket and offset, non-straight opening that constrains driveshaft movement, incorporating friction-reducing elements and adjustable mounting to correct operating angles, constructed from steel or aluminum composite materials, and optionally featuring vibration-damping elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a straight 90° carrier bearing is used to constrain driveshaft movement, then the driveshaft is constrained to some extent, but excessive vibration, noise, and stress occur due to non-optimal operating angles and gaps between the driveshaft and bearing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an offset dimension to the carrier bearing, positioning the bearing away from the centerline of the driveshaft. This dimensional change allows the bearing to correct non-optimal operating angles and reduce vibration while maintaining proper constraint, transforming the bearing from a simple constraint device to an angle-correction mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a rubber ring as an intermediary element between the driveshaft and the carrier bearing. This rubber ring acts as a mediator that reduces stress concentrations and dampens vibrations while maintaining the constraint function, eliminating the harmful gaps without creating excessive stress.
2Strength
If a rubber ring is fitted onto the bearing to reduce stress, then some stress reduction is achieved, but vibration and noise are not sufficiently reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The offset positioning of the bearing in the carrier assembly creates a dimensional correction that addresses the root cause of vibration by adjusting the operating angle, rather than merely damping the symptoms. This dimensional change allows the system to operate at optimal angles while the rubber ring handles stress reduction.
3Reliability
If the bearing is positioned to reduce the gap with the driveshaft, then constraint is improved, but stress on the driveshaft increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rubber ring serves as a compliant intermediary between the bearing and driveshaft, allowing the bearing to be positioned close to the driveshaft for improved constraint while the rubber material absorbs and distributes stresses, preventing stress concentrations on the driveshaft.
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
Substantially reduces vibration and stress on driveshafts by adjusting operating angles and incorporating friction-reducing elements, providing effective noise reduction and improved durability for on/off-road vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
The bearing can also contain friction-reducing elements, such as ball or roller bearings.
Implementation Method 2
The bearing can also contain friction-reducing elements, such as ball or roller bearings.
Implementation Method 3
The carrier bearing assembly can be constructed of steel or aluminum/aluminum composite material, and can further include vibration-damping elements such as a rubber ring, if desired.
Implementation Method 4
The carrier bearing assembly can be constructed of steel or aluminum/aluminum composite material, and can further include vibration-damping elements such as a rubber ring, if desired.
Data Source
AI summary
A carrier bearing assembly includes a bracket, a mounting structure permitting the bracket to be mounted to a frame of a vehicle, an opening in the bracket extending through the bracket, from a first lateral side of the bracket to a second lateral side of the bracket, the opening substantially offset (e.g., an inch or more off center) in a direction; and a bearing fitted into the opening permitting a driveshaft of the vehicle to pass through and to substantially constrain movement of the driveshaft. Additionally, the opening can be formed as a non-straight hole allowing the driveshaft to pass through the bearing at a non-perpendicular angle. The carrier bearing assembly permits a substantial correction one more operating angle of the driveshaft by constraining the angle of a portion of the driveshaft.