Rotatable Weld Collar Tuned Damper for Propeller Shaft NVH
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-piece propeller shafts with integrated tuned dampers in stud yokes result in heavy, costly components that complicate manufacturing and installation, affecting performance and increasing costs due to the need for extensive forging processes.
Innovation Solution
A center bearing assembly with a tuned damper mounted on a rotatable weld collar, allowing for simultaneous rotation and reducing noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) while minimizing weight and cost by separating the damper from the stud yoke, enabling easier manufacturing and installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a tuned damper is integrated into the stud yoke through forging, then the damper is securely attached, but the stud yoke becomes heavy and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the stud yoke assembly into separate components: the stud yoke itself and the tuned damper assembly. The damper is mounted on a rotatable weld collar that attaches to the stud yoke via welding or other attachment methods, rather than being integrated through forging. This segmentation allows the stud yoke to remain lightweight while the damper provides the necessary vibration reduction function.
Solution Approach 2:
The tuned damper is extracted from the stud yoke structure and mounted as a separate component on the rotatable weld collar. This extraction eliminates the need for heavy forging operations on the stud yoke to accommodate the damper, thereby reducing the overall weight of the moving assembly while maintaining the damper's effectiveness in reducing vibrations.
2Reliability
If a tuned damper is integrated into the stud yoke through forging, then the damper is securely attached, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the damper and stud yoke into separate components that attach via welding or other methods rather than integrated forging, the patent simplifies the manufacturing process. Each component can be manufactured independently using more cost-effective processes, and the final assembly requires simpler attachment operations compared to complex forging operations.
Solution Approach 2:
Extracting the damper from the stud yoke structure eliminates the need for expensive forging operations required to integrate the damper into the yoke. The separate mounting approach allows for more economical manufacturing of both the stud yoke and damper components, reducing overall production costs.
3Reliability
If a tuned damper is integrated into the stud yoke, then the damper is securely attached, but selective installation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the damper assembly from the stud yoke, allowing the damper to be mounted on a rotatable weld collar that can be selectively attached or removed. This segmentation enables selective installation of the damper based on specific driveline configuration requirements, while the stud yoke remains a standard component that can be used with or without the damper assembly.
4Reliability
If the stud yoke is made larger to accommodate an integrated damper, then the damper is securely attached, but rotational mass increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the damper into a separate component mounted on a rotatable weld collar rather than integrating it into the stud yoke structure, the patent eliminates the need to enlarge the stud yoke. The damper assembly attaches to the existing stud yoke dimensions, maintaining the original rotational mass characteristics while providing effective vibration reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
Extracting the damper from the stud yoke structure allows the stud yoke to maintain its original, optimized dimensions and rotational mass characteristics. The damper provides the necessary vibration reduction function without requiring the stud yoke to be made larger or heavier.
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 reduces the weight and cost of the stud yoke, simplifies manufacturing, and improves ease of assembly by using a lighter, slimmer design that effectively reduces NVH, enhancing performance and manufacturing flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
A tuned damper extends radially outwardly from the rotatable collar for reducing noise, vibration, and/or harshness (NVH) generated during operation of the multi-piece propeller shaft
Data Source
AI summary
A constant velocity joint for a multi-piece propeller shaft includes an outer race extending from a first outer race end to a second outer race end to define an exterior surface. A tuned damper extends radially outwardly from the exterior surface of the of the outer race for reducing noise, vibration, and/or harshness (NVH) generated during operation of the multi-piece propeller shaft.