Ring Gear Bearing Race Split for Bidirectional Thrust Loads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing axle assemblies for automotive vehicles, as seen in U.S. Patent No. 9,157,515, have limitations in supporting thrust loads and rotation, particularly in configurations where a unitarily formed bearing race may not adequately address all directional loads effectively.
Innovation Solution
The axle assembly incorporates a housing assembly with an input pinion, a ring gear, and a differential assembly, featuring an outer and inner bearing race with first and second race members, where the second race member is received in a groove of the ring gear and the inner bearing race is abutted against a housing shoulder, allowing for efficient thrust load transmission through first and second bearing elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a unitarily formed bearing race is used in the ring gear, then the manufacturing complexity is reduced and assembly is simplified, but the ability to support thrust loads in multiple directions is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The outer bearing race is divided into two separate race members (first and second race members) that are positioned at different locations on the ring gear. This segmentation allows each race member to support thrust loads in different directions independently, resolving the contradiction by maintaining structural simplicity while improving load-bearing capability in multiple axial directions.
2Force
If additional bearings are added to support the differential case for multi-directional loads, then thrust load support is improved, but the device complexity and number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing elements are configured to perform multiple functions: they support both radial loads and thrust loads in multiple axial directions simultaneously. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional dedicated thrust bearings, resolving the contradiction by maintaining simple device structure while achieving comprehensive load support capability.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
An axle assembly that includes a housing assembly, an input pinion, a ring gear, a ring gear bearing, and a differential assembly having a differential case. The ring gear bearing supports the ring gear for rotation on the housing assembly as well as handles thrust loads between the ring gear and the housing assembly in opposite axial directions. The ring gear bearing includes an outer bearing race having a first race member, which may be unitarily and integrally formed with the ring gear, and a second race member that is received in a groove formed on the ring gear. The differential case is coupled to the ring gear and secures the second race member to the ring gear.