Vented Gaiter Axial Air Venting for CTIS Lubricant Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Central tyre inflation systems (CTISs) face issues with air leakage into the CV joint enclosure, which can inflate the gaiter and contaminate the lubricant, leading to pressure retention problems and inefficiencies in air management within the system.
Innovation Solution
A vented gaiter assembly featuring a gas-permeable liquid-impermeable membrane and a baffle element that inhibits lubricant progression towards the venting element, allowing axial venting of air while preventing liquid and grease ingress or egress, integrated with a shaft mounting system to manage compressed air effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a gas-permeable membrane is used for venting air from the gaiter, then air venting capability is improved, but grease deposits may block the venting openings
Solution Approach 1:
A baffle element is introduced as an intermediary component between the grease-filled CV joint enclosure and the venting element. This baffle physically blocks grease from reaching the venting openings while allowing air to pass through the gas-permeable membrane, thus protecting the venting capability from grease blockage
Solution Approach 2:
The gaiter is designed with different material properties in different regions: the venting element uses gas-permeable material for air venting, while the baffle element uses grease-resistant material to protect specific areas from grease contamination, creating localized functional zones with optimized properties
2Stress or pressure
If the gaiter material is made air-permeable to allow pressure release, then pressure management is improved, but lubricant deposits will block the venting openings
Solution Approach 1:
The baffle element serves as a protective intermediary that selectively blocks lubricant deposits from reaching the venting openings while permitting air to pass through the air-permeable gaiter material, thus maintaining pressure release capability without blockage risk
Solution Approach 2:
The venting element utilizes gas-permeable porous material that allows air molecules to pass through while the baffle element prevents larger lubricant deposit particles from accessing these pores, enabling selective permeability based on particle size
3Device complexity
If a conventional gaiter material is used, then the gaiter structure is simple, but air leakage into the CV joint enclosure inflates the gaiter
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of making the entire gaiter air-impermeable (which would complicate the structure), only the venting element incorporates gas-permeable material with controlled permeability properties, allowing air to escape at specific locations while maintaining overall gaiter simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The venting element's gas-permeable membrane has specific permeability parameters that allow air molecules to pass through while the baffle element's geometry and material properties prevent lubricant from reaching the membrane, creating a selective barrier based on molecular size and flow characteristics
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 vents excess air from the gaiter while maintaining the lubricant integrity, preventing gaiter inflation and ensuring efficient air management within the CTIS, thereby enhancing the operational reliability and efficiency of the system.
Implementation Method 1
the venting element comprises a gas-permeable liquid-impermeable membrane
Implementation Method 2
wherein the membrane is oleophobic
Implementation Method 3
wherein the vented gaiter further comprises a baffle element configured, in use, to at least partially inhibit progress of lubricant inside the gaiter towards the venting element, wherein the baffle element is gas-permeable
Data Source
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AI summary
A vented gaiter (6) for mounting to a shaft (4) comprises: a rim (34) defining an opening (33) for receiving the shaft (4); and a separate venting element (40). The venting element (40) is disposed within said opening (33). The shaft (4) is received in the opening (33), and the rim (34) is mounted to the shaft by means of a circular clamp (22). The venting element (40) is thus retained in place between the shaft (4) and the rim (34) and allows any air accumulated inside a CV joint enclosure (28) formed by the gaiter (6) when the gaiter (6) is mounted to the shaft (4) to vent axially according to a direction substantially parallel to the shaft longitudinal axis. The venting element (40) comprises a gas-permeable liquid-impermeable membrane (41).