Vehicle Steering Double Joint Noise Damping via Resilient Pressure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Double joints in vehicle steering systems often produce noise due to the play between the centering part, bearing ball, and bearing ring when installed in unfavorable positions, leading to unwanted clicking sounds during torque changes.

Innovation Solution

A resilient pressure piece, such as a rubber ring, is used to constantly press the bearing ball against the bearing ring, combined with a damping element, to absorb forces and reduce noise. The pressure piece and damping element are strategically arranged within the centering bush to ensure consistent contact with the bearing ball, preventing noise development.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the double joint is installed in an unfavorable position, then the bending moment acting on the centering part is high, but noise occurs due to play between components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenoise-free operationVSAvoidnoise and clicking sounds

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A resilient pressure piece is introduced to pre-compress the bearing ball against the bearing ring, creating a cushioning force that prevents play and clicking sounds before they occur during operation, especially under unfavorable installation conditions with high bending moments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The resilient pressure piece changes the force parameters acting on the bearing ball, maintaining optimal contact pressure regardless of installation position or bending moment variations, thereby eliminating noise while accommodating varying operational conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a resilient pressure piece is used to press the bearing ball against the bearing ring, then noise is dampened, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenoise reductionVSAvoidadditional components

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The resilient pressure piece is implemented as a flexible, ring-shaped element that can be easily integrated into the existing double joint structure, providing noise dampening functionality without significantly increasing device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The pressure piece uses simple, inexpensive resilient material that effectively dampens noise through its compliant nature, achieving the desired noise reduction with a minimal and cost-effective component addition

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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

This configuration effectively dampens noise and prevents clicking sounds in the double joint, even when installed in less-than-ideal positions, by ensuring the bearing ball remains pressed against the bearing ring and the damping element maintains contact with the ball, thereby reducing unwanted noise.

Implementation Method 1

at least one resilient pressure piece is advantageously used. With it it is possible to reliably press the bearing ball against the bearing ring

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the pressure piece presses against the bearing ball via at least one damping element. The use of the damping element contributes to optimal noise damping

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDamping: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP2696089B1Double joint for connecting two shafts that can be positioned at angles relative to each other, preferably for use in steering shafts of vehicles, especially motor vehicles

Publication Date: 2017.02.22 WILLI ELBE GELENKWELLEN GMBH & CO KG

AI summary

The double joint has two joint yokes (3) connected to joint cross. The joint cross has centering portion (26) mounted in a ball bearing which is seated in a bearing ring. The force acting on ball bearing is greater than shear force (FB) applied on centering portion, so that the bearing ball is pressed against the bearing ring.