Socket Joint Housing Bore Structure for Greater Stud Swing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle component designs, such as inner tie rod ends, face space constraints that limit stud rotational torque, bearing clearance, and stud swing due to design elements, particularly when sophisticated assembly equipment is not available.
Innovation Solution
A socket joint design featuring a housed stud portion with a bearing surrounded by a housing, where the housing has an internal bore with a consistent or expanding diameter to allow a radially unobstructed stud swing area, and a mechanical interlock between the bearing and housing, eliminating the need for crimped or swaged lips, and utilizing threaded engagement for preload.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional inner tie rod designs with crimp or swage features are used, then the bearing and components are secured into the assembly, but the stud swing angle is limited and stud rotational torque is adversely impacted
Solution Approach 1:
The housing internal bore is segmented into different zones: a first portion with a smaller diameter that secures the bearing, and a second portion with a larger diameter that provides unobstructed stud swing. This segmentation allows the bearing to be firmly held while giving the stud adequate clearance to swing through the required 20-30 degree angle without interference from crimp or swage features.
2Reliability
If traditional designs with radially extending step sections are used, then the bearing is secured, but the assembly requires sophisticated equipment and impacts bearing clearance
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing itself is designed with an integrated retainer feature that allows it to be directly retained in the housing without requiring separate crimping or swaging operations. The bearing's outer race includes a feature that engages with the housing bore, enabling the bearing to secure itself during assembly. This eliminates the need for sophisticated crimping equipment and simplifies the assembly process while maintaining bearing security.
3Stability of the object's composition
If crimp or swage features are used to secure components, then the assembly is held together, but stud pullout force and preload management are adversely impacted
Solution Approach 1:
A preload step is provided in the housing that establishes the correct preload on the bearing before final assembly completion. This preload step is formed during housing manufacturing, preliminarily setting the bearing position and preload conditions. As a result, when the bearing is installed, the preload is already optimized, eliminating the need for post-assembly crimping or swaging that would interfere with stud pullout force and preload management.
4Reliability
If the housing internal bore diameter is reduced to secure the bearing, then component retention is improved, but the radially unobstructed stud swing area is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The housing internal bore is divided into functional zones: a first zone with a smaller diameter that provides secure retention for the bearing, and a second zone with a larger diameter that creates a radially unobstructed area for stud swing. This spatial segmentation allows both requirements to be satisfied simultaneously - the bearing is securely held in the first zone while the stud has ample clearance in the second zone to swing through 20-30 degrees without obstruction.
Data Source
AI summary
A socket joint having a stud, a bearing, and a housing. The housing extends from an end portion to an exit portion having an exit surface. The housing has an internal bore with a housing internal bore diameter. The bearing and the housed stud portion are located at least partially in the internal bore, and the housing internal bore diameter is consistent or at least partially expanding between the exit surface of the bearing and the exit surface of the housing so as to have a radially unobstructed stud swing area at the exit portion of the housing. The bearing may be mechanically interlocked with the internal bore of the housing. The compact structure can help with achieving a desired preload while maximizing stud swing.