Socket Assembly Sealing Insert with Angled Teeth
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need to improve the fluid-tight seal between the elastomeric boot and the housing in socket assemblies used in vehicle steering and suspension systems in a cost-effective and robust manner.
Innovation Solution
A socket assembly design that includes an elastomeric boot extending from a first boot end sealed with the housing to a second boot end sealed with the stud, featuring an insert with radially angled teeth that compress the boot material to enhance the seal, and a bearing that is biased against the stud to allow rotation and articulation while maintaining the seal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the elastomeric boot is sealed against the housing in a conventional manner, then the sealing is simple in structure, but the fluid-tight seal is insufficient and may leak
Solution Approach 1:
An insert is introduced as an intermediary component between the elastomeric boot and the housing. The insert includes a sealing surface with teeth that engage with the boot material, creating an enhanced sealing interface. This intermediary structure allows the soft elastomeric boot to be compressed and sealed effectively against the rigid housing without requiring complex machining or assembly procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing surface of the insert features localized teeth or engagement structures that concentrate sealing pressure at specific points around the circumference. This local quality approach creates multiple discrete sealing zones rather than relying on a single continuous seal, improving overall sealing reliability while keeping the overall structure relatively simple.
2Reliability
If the boot material is compressed to improve sealing, then the seal between boot and housing is enhanced, but the friction and resistance to movement increase
Solution Approach 1:
The insert provides localized compression through discrete teeth that engage only the boot material, leaving the articulation path between the ball joint and housing relatively free. This allows the seal to be enhanced at the sealing interface without significantly increasing friction during normal articulation movements.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric boot material provides dynamic sealing characteristics, allowing it to deform and flex during articulation while maintaining seal integrity. The boot can accommodate movement through elastic deformation, ensuring continuous sealing without requiring excessive compression force that would increase friction.
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 design achieves an improved fluid-tight seal by compressing the elastomeric material with angled teeth, ensuring effective retention of lubricant and exclusion of contaminants, while allowing for the necessary movement of the stud and housing.
Implementation Method 1
The teeth are angled at an acute angle relative to the central axis and compress portions of the elastomeric material of the first boot end of the boot to improve the seal between the first boot end of the boot and the inner surface of the housing.
Implementation Method 2
An elastomeric boot is in fluid-tight sealing engagement with both the housing and the shank portion of the ball stud
Implementation Method 3
at least one bearing is disposed in the inner bore of the housing and is in slidable contact with the stud to allow the stud to articulate or rotate relative to the housing
Data Source
AI summary
The socket assembly includes a housing with an inner surface that surrounds an inner bore which extends along a central axis. An elastomeric boot extends between first and second boot ends and is sealed with the housing and a shank portion of the stud. The first boot end is received in the inner bore of the housing. An insert, which is fabricated as a separate piece from the boot, is received in the inner bore of the housing. The insert has an outer periphery which presents a plurality of radial teeth that are spaced from one another in a circumferential direction. The teeth are angled at an acute angle relative to the central axis and compress portions of the elastomeric material of the first boot end of the boot to improve the seal between the first boot end of the boot and the inner surface of the housing.