Propeller Shaft Support Rust-Proofing Seal
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing propeller shaft support devices with annular elastic members tend to degrade over time, leading to water penetration and subsequent rust on the propeller shaft, which compromises the sealing performance and damages the bearing unit.
Innovation Solution
A support device with rust-proofing members made of stainless steel, engineering plastic, or metal-plated surfaces is applied to the cylindrical surfaces of the annular seal member, preventing water penetration and ensuring long-term sealing performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an annular elastic member with a labyrinth structure is used to prevent water penetration, then the sealing performance is improved, but the reliability deteriorates over time due to rust on the cylindrical surface
Solution Approach 1:
A rust-proofing member (intermediary component) is introduced between the cylindrical surface and the annular seal member. This intermediary component prevents direct contact between water and the cylindrical surface, eliminating the rusting problem while maintaining the sealing function of the original labyrinth structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution combines the rust-proofing member (made of rust-resistant material) with the existing annular elastic member and seal member. This composite structure integrates the water-blocking function of the labyrinth with the rust-prevention function of the coated or separate rust-proofing component.
2Device complexity
If the cylindrical surface is left unprotected, then the device complexity is reduced, but the durability deteriorates due to rust damage
Solution Approach 1:
The rust-proofing member is applied in advance to the cylindrical surface before assembly with the seal member. This preliminary protection ensures that the surface is protected from the start, preventing rust formation during the entire service life without requiring complex additional structures.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If a rust-proofing member is added to protect the cylindrical surface, then the durability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rust-proofing member is applied only to the specific cylindrical surface that requires protection, rather than coating or protecting the entire assembly. This localized approach provides necessary protection while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A support device of a propeller shaft comprises an annular bracket fixed to a floor member of a vehicle body; an annular elastic member disposed in the annular bracket; an annular supporting structure disposed in the annular elastic member and rotatably supporting a cylindrical given portion of the propeller shaft through a ball bearing unit; and an annular seal member intimately disposed in an annular space defined between the annular supporting structure and the cylindrical given portion of the propeller shaft. One of outer and inner cylindrical surfaces of the annular seal member is in slidable contact with either one of an inner cylindrical surface of the annular supporting structure and an outer cylindrical surface of the cylindrical given portion of the propeller shaft. A rust-proofing member is further provided, which is disposed on either one of the inner cylindrical surface of the annular supporting structure and the outer cylindrical surface of the cylindrical given portion of the propeller shaft, to which the outer or inner cylindrical surface of the annular seal member directly and slidably contacts. The rust-proofing member is made of a rust-resistant material.