Plunging Shaft Venting Structure for Outboard Boot Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing drive shaft assemblies experience deformation of the outboard boot due to air pressure fluctuations during the plunging motion, which affects the durability of the boot.
Innovation Solution
A plunging shaft assembly with a sealing member and an air discharging groove is introduced, where the sealing member is inserted into the through hole to prevent air from moving to the outboard joint, and the air discharging groove directs compressed air away from the outboard joint to the inboard joint, thereby preventing boot deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the outboard shaft is formed as a hollow shaft with a through hole for ease of manufacturing and strength, then manufacturing ease and structural strength are improved, but air pressure fluctuations during plunging motion cause outboard boot deformation
Solution Approach 1:
A sealing member is introduced as an intermediary component to block the through hole in the outboard shaft. This sealing member prevents air from passing through the hollow shaft during plunging motion, thereby eliminating the cause of boot deformation while maintaining the hollow shaft structure for manufacturing ease and strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful effect of air pressure fluctuations is extracted and isolated by sealing off the through hole. By removing the air passage function from the hollow shaft, the design eliminates the negative impact on boot durability while preserving the structural benefits of the hollow shaft.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the inboard shaft and outboard shaft move relatively to plunge, then the drive shaft assembly adapts to length variations, but air moves through the through hole causing outboard boot deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing member acts as an intermediary that blocks the air passage through the outboard shaft. This allows the plunging motion and length adaptation to continue while preventing air from reaching the outboard boot, thus eliminating the harmful air pressure effect.
3Strength
If the outboard shaft is made hollow to reduce weight and improve strength, then weight and strength are improved, but air pressure fluctuations during plunging cause boot deformation and reduced durability
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing member is introduced as a mediator that blocks the air passage through the hollow outboard shaft. This allows the shaft to maintain its hollow structure for strength and weight benefits while preventing air pressure fluctuations from deforming the outboard boot.
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 effectively seals the through hole and directs air pressure away from the outboard joint, preventing boot deformation and enhancing the durability of the drive shaft assembly during plunging motions.
Implementation Method 1
a sealing member that is inserted into the through hole to seal the through hole
Implementation Method 2
The outer part is provided with an air discharging groove for discharging air in a space formed by a front end of the second shaft and the cylindrical bore when the first shaft and the second shaft move relatively move to become closer to each other
Data Source
AI summary
A plunging shaft includes: a first shaft having an outer part defining a cylindrical bore and a through hole; a second shaft having an inner part; a ball spline structure connecting the outer part and the inner part so as to transmit rotational power while being relatively movable with respect to each other; and a sealing member that is inserted into the through hole to seal the through hole. The ball spline structure includes: a plurality of outer ball grooves; a plurality of inner ball grooves; a plurality of power transmitting balls; and a ball cage. The outer part is provided with an air discharging groove for discharging air in a space formed by a front end of the second shaft and the cylindrical bore when the first shaft and the second shaft move relatively move to become closer to each other.