Tripod Joint Roller Ring Structure for Lower Edge Loads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tripod joints experience unacceptably high edge loads on the inner ring due to reduced contact surfaces, leading to a reduction in service life and uneven force transmission.
Innovation Solution
A tripod joint design that allows for continuous force transmission between the journal and inner ring via two spaced contact points, utilizing a roller body with an outer and inner ring that can rotate relative to each other, and bearing bodies arranged between them, ensuring even force distribution and preventing tilting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the inner ring has a chamfer to enable roller body mounting, then the roller body can be mounted on the journal, but the contact surface on the inner ring is reduced causing unacceptably high edge loads
Solution Approach 1:
The contact surface is segmented into two distinct contact points instead of a continuous surface. The first contact point is located at the chamfered edge for easy mounting, while the second contact point is positioned on the cylindrical surface to distribute loads and prevent excessive edge loads during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the inner ring are given different geometric properties: a chamfered region for mounting facilitation and a cylindrical region for load distribution. This local differentiation allows the inner ring to serve both mounting and load-bearing functions effectively.
2Device complexity
If torque is transmitted via one contact point between journal and inner ring, then the structure is simple, but force transmission is uneven and edge loads are high
Solution Approach 1:
The single contact point is segmented into two contact points: the first contact point at the chamfered edge and the second contact point on the cylindrical surface. This segmentation distributes the torque transmission across two locations, improving force transmission uniformity while maintaining structural simplicity.
3Speed
If the inner ring contacts the journal at reduced surface area, then the journal can rotate freely, but service life is reduced due to high edge loads
Solution Approach 1:
The inner ring features a chamfered local region for easy mounting and a cylindrical region for sustained load-bearing operation. This local quality differentiation allows free journal rotation while distributing contact stresses to extend the service life of the inner ring.
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 prevents unacceptably high edge loads, improving the service life of the joint by ensuring even force transmission and preventing tilting of the inner ring.
Implementation Method 1
a roller body is arranged on each journal, which has at least an outer ring and an inner ring that can be rotated relative to it (to the outer ring) about a common axis of rotation, as well as bearing bodies arranged between the outer ring and the inner ring
Data Source
AI summary
A tripod joint has an outer joint part having a first longitudinal axis, a cavity parallel to the first longitudinal axis and an open end. Three recesses extending parallel to the first longitudinal axis are formed in the outer joint part. An inner joint part has a second longitudinal axis, at least one central body on which three journals are formed, a roller body arranged on each of the journals and at least an outer ring and an inner ring which can be rotated relative to the latter about a common axis of rotation. When the axes are coaxial and a torque is transmitted during intended operation of the tripod joint between the journal and the inner ring via two contact points which, in a cross-section of the tripod joint running transversely to the longitudinal axes, are arranged spaced apart from one another along the radial direction.