Spherical Joint Assembly With Biased Socket for Low Play
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Solution Overview
Problem
Spherical joints in motion simulators face challenges in minimizing play to accurately render vibro-kinetic movements while being easy to manufacture and assemble, and providing high resistance to pull forces.
Innovation Solution
A joint assembly comprising a ball portion, a socket with a monolithic ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene base and cover, a clamp with a cap and C-shaped clips, and an elastomeric biasing member to bias the socket components together, forming a spherical joint with reduced play and enhanced resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If spherical joints include a ball surrounded by socket surfaces constituted of interconnected components, then multiple degrees of freedom of rotation are enabled, but play is present between the ball and socket
Solution Approach 1:
The socket is divided into two separate components: a socket base and a socket cover. These segments can be manufactured separately with high precision and then assembled together, allowing each component to be optimized for minimal play while maintaining the spherical joint's rotational freedom.
Solution Approach 2:
The socket base and socket cover are combined through a clamping mechanism that secures them together, forming a complete socket that surrounds the ball portion. This merging of components creates a unified structure that minimizes play while preserving multiple degrees of freedom.
2Manufacturing precision
If numerous components are used in the spherical joint, then play can be minimized, but manufacturing and assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The socket is segmented into a base and cover, which are the minimum number of components needed to achieve play minimization. This segmentation allows for precision manufacturing while keeping the component count low.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping mechanism automatically secures the socket base and cover together, and the biasing member automatically maintains proper positioning and tension. This self-service approach reduces assembly complexity despite having multiple components.
3Strength
If a clamping mechanism is introduced to secure socket components, then resistance to pull forces is enhanced, but assembly difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping mechanism is designed to automatically secure the socket base and cover together without requiring complex external fastening operations. The biasing member provides automatic tensioning, making assembly straightforward while maintaining high pull force resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing member acts as an intermediary element between the clamping mechanism and the socket components, providing the necessary force to secure the assembly while simplifying the overall clamping operation.
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 joint assembly effectively minimizes play and enhances resistance to pull forces, ensuring precise movement simulation while being easy to manufacture and assemble, thus addressing the limitations of prior spherical joints.
Implementation Method 1
an elastomeric biasing member to bias the socket components together
Data Source
AI summary
A joint assembly between a first component and a second component comprises a ball portion configured to be connected to the first component. A socket is configured to be connected to the second component or ground and comprises a socket base, a socket cover, and a spherical joint cavity within the assembled socket base and socket cover to receive the ball portion to form a spherical joint. At least one biasing member is in the joint assembly. A clamp clamps the socket base to the socket cover such that the at least one biasing member biases the socket base and the socket cover toward one another.