Splined Hub Damping Ring for Gearbox Spline Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The play between splines in the mechanical coupling of a vehicle's engine and gearbox produces noise when no torque is transmitted, which can travel into the passenger compartment and impair user comfort.
Innovation Solution
A torque transmission device with a splined hub featuring an annular groove and an elastic element, such as an O-ring or corrugated metal ring, is inserted into the groove to prevent collisions between splines and reduce noise by creating frictional torque.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mechanical coupling with splines is used to connect the engine and gearbox, then torque transmission is achieved, but noise is produced due to play between splines when no torque is transmitted
Solution Approach 1:
An elastic element is introduced as an intermediary component between the splined hub and splined shaft. This elastic element fills the annular groove and contacts the splines, acting as a mediator that eliminates play between the mating splines while allowing torque transmission. The elastic material deforms to accommodate the spline interfaces, preventing impact noise during neutral conditions while maintaining mechanical coupling integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic element functions as a flexible component that adapts to the spline interfaces. Its elastic properties allow it to deform and conform to the spline geometry, filling gaps and eliminating play. The flexibility of this element enables it to absorb minor misalignments and movements between the splined components, preventing direct metal-to-metal impact that would generate noise.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If an elastic element is added to eliminate spline play and reduce noise, then noise is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic element is designed as a simple ring-shaped component that fits into an annular groove on the splined hub. This geometry is straightforward to manufacture and install. The element's simplicity in form contrasts with its effectiveness in solving the noise problem, as it requires minimal additional structure beyond the groove that is already part of the hub design.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic element is nested within the annular groove of the splined hub, utilizing the existing groove structure. This nesting approach allows the noise-reducing element to be integrated into the existing mechanical coupling without requiring separate mounting structures or complex assembly procedures. The elastic element is contained within the groove, making it a compact addition to the overall device.
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 effectively reduces noise and prevents spline collisions by using an elastic element to create frictional torque, enhancing user comfort by minimizing noise transmission.
Implementation Method 1
The elastic element is configured to bear against the splines (13') of the transmission shaft (3) in order to create a friction torque with said splines (13')
Implementation Method 2
an elastic element (17, 19, 21) intended to be positioned in said annular groove (15) and configured to bear against the splines (13') of the transmission shaft (3)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4a~5b
AI summary
The present invention relates to a torque transmission device (1, 30) intended to be placed between an engine and gearbox of a motor vehicle, the torque transmission device (5, 30) comprising a splined hub (5, 31) intended to be pushed onto a complementary splined shaft (3) of the gearbox in which the splined hub (5, 31) comprises an annular groove (15, 45) in the region of its splines (13) and in which the device also comprises an elastic element (17, 19, 21, 47) intended to be placed in the annular groove (15, 45) and configured to come into contact with the splines of the splined shaft (3) of the gearbox.