FR3085455A1 - ANGULAR ALIGNMENT TOOL FOR SPLINED SHAFT WITH SPLITTERS OF COMPLEMENTARY SHAPE OF A COUPLING HUB - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates mainly to a tool (10) for angular alignment of splines (11) of a splined shaft (12) having splines of complementary shape to a coupling hub (15), characterized in that said tool (10) comprises: - an end portion having a shape adapted to the splines (11) of the splined shaft (12) capable of ensuring a transmission of torque to the splined shaft (12) to align its splines (11) with those of the coupling hub (15) and configured to allow a radial extraction of the tool (10) after alignment of the splines (11) of the splined shaft (12), - a handle, and - a handle intended to be manipulated by an operator to carry out a radial extraction of the tool (10).

Description

TOOL FOR ANGULAR ALIGNMENT OF SPLINES OF A SPLINED SHAFT WITH SPLINES OF COMPLEMENTARY FORM OF A COUPLING HUB The present invention relates mainly to a tool for angular alignment of splines of a spline shaft with splines of complementary shape to a coupling hub.

The present invention relates generally to the docking procedure of a heat engine and a gearbox for a vehicle, such as a motor vehicle.

During the docking phase of a heat engine and the mechanical gearbox in the terminal factory, the splines of the input shaft of the gearbox must engage with the splines of the central hub a friction clutch, in particular carried by the flywheel of the heat engine.

However, it may happen that such engagement is difficult to achieve and several methods have already been proposed to correct this lack of engagement.

According to a first method, an operator manipulates the gearbox supported by a workshop crane by means of slings in an attempt to engage the splines of the input shaft of the gearbox in the splines of the friction clutch hub associated with the heat engine resting on a table at the berth.

This method risks damaging the splined central hub of the friction clutch which can generate premature wear of the splines and / or poor sliding of the input shaft of the gearbox in operation. In addition, damage to this hub can cause the driver of the vehicle to shift into gear.

According to another method, the operator manually rotates the input shaft of the gearbox carried by a workshop crane by means of slings in an attempt to engage the splines of the shaft of entry in the grooves of the grooved central hub of the friction clutch of the heat engine resting on a table of the berth.

This method has the disadvantage of polluting and removing the grease deposited in the mechanical factory on the splines of the input shaft, hence a risk of corrosion which can generate premature wear of the splines and / or poor sliding. of the input shaft in vehicle operation. In addition, this method can cause the input shaft in the friction clutch hub to jam and / or pollute the friction linings by centrifugation, resulting in slippage and premature wear of the friction linings. the clutch in vehicle operation.

According to a third more sophisticated method, an operator uses a tool for rotating the differential of the mechanical gearbox which is slinged, the tool being different depending on the terminal factories.

More specifically, this method comprises the steps of:

1 / remove the left differential output shutter from the gearbox;

2 / engage a gearbox gear ratio, the gearbox being delivered in neutral position;

3 / install the differential rotation tool;

4 / rotate the gearbox differential using the tool which, by the gear train, rotates the input shaft of the gearbox;

5 / engage the gearbox on the engine;

6 / remove the tool; and

7 / replace the left differential outlet shutter.

If the engagement of the gearbox on the engine can not be done because of the failure of engagement of the splines of the input shaft of the gearbox with the splines of the central hub of the friction clutch, the previous steps 4 / and 5 / must be repeated until the engagement of the engine gearbox can be carried out correctly.

This method is time consuming and can cause a significant risk of damage to the outlet joint of the left differential. In addition, this method does not work for piloted mechanical and dual clutch gearboxes because it is not possible to engage a gear without power supply. Finally, it can cause a gearbox oil leak at the transmission joint during vehicle operation.

Furthermore, document FR3029166 describes a device for relative indexing of the splines of an input shaft of a gearbox and of a central hub of an engine clutch for a motor vehicle. However, this device is complex to produce and to use, insofar as it comprises several parts including a pivot axis to be inserted in a fixing hole for levering and a light for adjusting the center distance. In addition, this device is based on the application of a torque on a starter ring and therefore cannot be applied to heat engines without such a ring.

The present invention aims to effectively remedy the drawbacks of known methods and tools by proposing a tool for angular alignment of splines of a splined shaft having splines of complementary shape to a coupling hub, characterized in that that the tool includes:

- An end portion having a shape adapted to the splines of the splined shaft capable of ensuring a transmission of a torque to the splined shaft to align its splines with those of the coupling hub and configured to allow a radial extraction of the tool after alignment of the splines of the splined shaft,

- a handle, and

- a handle intended to be manipulated by an operator to carry out a radial extraction of the tool.

The invention thus allows to act directly on the splined shaft without degradation of the splines of the coupling member or the splined shaft, without introduction of pollution on the splined interface between the splined shaft and the coupling member, and without removing grease from the splines. In addition, the invention being ready to use for operators in an assembly plant, it makes it possible to obtain a gain in assembly time in the factory at the engine-gearbox docking station. The invention also has an economic character, insofar as it is easy to produce and at low cost.

In one embodiment, the end portion comprises two fixed arms opposite one another provided with pins intended to be inserted between the grooves of the splined shaft.

In one embodiment, a space between the free ends of the two arms in the unstressed state is less than the diameter of the splined shaft to secure a positioning of the tool around the splined shaft.

In one embodiment, the arms are configured to allow, by elastic deformation, an extraction of the tool relative to the splined shaft when a radial force is applied to the tool.

In one embodiment, a section of an arm decreases when one moves towards its free end.

According to one embodiment, the tool is made of a plastic-based material having a thickness of less than 5mm and having a value of approximately 3mm.

In one embodiment, the end portion has a single hook-shaped arm.

In one embodiment, the extraction handle has a loop shape allowing passage of at least part of an operator's hand.

In one embodiment, the extraction handle has at least one transverse portion relative to the handle having in particular a hook shape.

The invention also relates to a method of assembling a gearbox with a heat engine, characterized in that it comprises:

a step of setting up a tool, as defined above, around an input shaft of the gearbox,

a step for docking the gearbox near a coupling hub associated with the heat engine,

a step of manipulating a handle of the tool to exert a rotation of the input shaft, so as to mesh the grooves of the input shaft of the gearbox with grooves complementary to the hub mating, and

- a step of extracting the tool and engaging the input shaft of the gearbox in the coupling hub.

The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows and on examining the figures which accompany it. These figures are given only by way of illustration but in no way limit the invention.

Figures 1a and 1b are schematic representations of variants of a first embodiment of a tool according to the invention of angular alignment of splines of an input shaft of a gearbox with splines of complementary shape of a coupling hub;

Figures 2a to 2d are side views of the different stages of assembly of a gearbox and a heat engine using the tool of Figures 1a and 1b;

Figure 3a is a schematic representation of a second embodiment of a tool according to the present invention;

Figure 3b is a schematic representation illustrating the different movements to be performed to extract the tool of Figure 3a.

Identical, similar, or analogous elements retain the same reference from one figure to another.

Figure 2a shows a tool 10 for angular alignment of splines 11 of an input shaft 12 of a gearbox 13 with splines of complementary shape to a coupling hub 15 between a heat engine 16 and the gearbox 13. The coupling hub 15 may for example be a clutch friction hub or any other coupling hub suitable for the application.

As can be seen more precisely in Figures 1a and 1b, this tool 10 has an end portion 18 having a shape adapted to the grooves 11 of the input shaft 12 of the gearbox 13 suitable for ensure a torque transmission to the input shaft 12 to align its splines 11 with those of the coupling hub 15 and configured to allow a radial extraction of the tool 10 after alignment of the splines 11 of the shaft d 'entry 12.

In the examples shown, the end portion 18 comprises two arms 20 fixed vis-à-vis each other from a handle 21. These arms 20 are provided with pins 22 intended for s insert between the grooves 11 of the input shaft 12 of the gearbox 13. The pins 22 may possibly include chamfers to facilitate mounting of the tool 10 on the input shaft 12.

A space 24 between the free ends of the two arms 20 in the unstressed state is less than the diameter of the splined input shaft 12 of the gearbox 13 to secure a positioning of the tool 10 around the shaft 12. The arms 20 are configured to allow, by elastic deformation, an extraction of the tool 10 relative to the input shaft 12 of the gearbox 13 when a radial force is applied to the tool 10. Indeed, such a force has the effect of spreading, by elastic deformation, the two arms 20 from one another so as to allow the passage of the input shaft 12 between the two arms 20 to release the tool 10. The extraction force must be acceptable to the operator who will repeat the operation at least twice per minute. A section of an arm 20 decreases when one moves towards its free end in order to facilitate the withdrawal of the tool 10.

Advantageously, the portion 25 of the tool 10 extending between the two arms 20 is shaped to facilitate the centering of the tool 10 on the input shaft 12 of the gearbox 13 and provide support to the torque transmission by being provided with additional support and / or pins 22 between the splines 11.

The handle 21 of the tool 10 has a length, measured radially in Figure 2a relative to the axis X of the input shaft 12 of the gearbox 13, which is greater than that of a gearbox housing 13 when the end portion 18 is engaged with the input shaft 12 of the gearbox 13. In other words, the length of the handle 21 is sufficient to protrude from the housing when the tool 10 is in place on the input shaft 12 of the gearbox 13 so that it can be manipulated by the operator. In addition, the handle 21 has a width allowing sufficient torque to be transmitted to the input shaft 12 of the gearbox 13. Preferably, the handle 21 is not very thick and has a surface without angularities so as not to interfere with the surrounding parts during the gearbox docking phase 13.

As shown in Figure 2a, the handle 21 may have a recess 26 in an intermediate area to adapt to surrounding shapes, such as the housing of the gearbox 13. Alternatively, the handle 21 does not have 26 and is flexible enough to adapt to the surrounding shapes.

In addition, a handle 28 is intended to be manipulated by an operator to perform a radial extraction of the tool 10. As can be seen in Figures 1a and 1b, the extraction handle 28 may have a shape loop allowing the passage of at least part of an operator's hand. The handle 28 may also have at least one transverse portion 29 relative to the handle 21 having in particular a hook shape. In the nonlimiting example shown in FIG. 1a, the handle 28 comprises two transverse portions 29 in the form of a hook.

The material of the tool 10 is chosen so as not to damage the splines 11 of the input shaft 12 of the gearbox 13, not to release particles which can damage the system in use, and not to damage the other parts in contact during extraction. Advantageously, the tool 10 is made of a plastic-based material having a thickness of less than 5mm and worth approximately 3mm plus or minus 10%. This makes it possible to limit interference as much as possible during assembly of the gearbox 13 while facilitating the removal of the tool 10.

Described below, with reference to Figures 2a to 2d, a method of assembling a gearbox 13 with a heat engine 16 using the tool 10 according to the invention.

As can be seen in Figure 2a, the tool 10 is placed around the input shaft 12 of the gearbox 13, Preferably, the tool 10 is put in place before the lubrication of the input shaft 12 to avoid removing grease from said shaft 12.

As shown in FIG. 2b, the gearbox 13 is approached near a coupling hub 15 associated with the heat engine 16.

As shown in Figure 2c, the operator can then manipulate the handle 21 of the tool 10 vertically along the arrows F1 to exert a slight rotation of the input shaft 12 along the arrow F2, so as to mesh the splines 11 of the input shaft 12 of the gearbox 13 with the complementary splines of the coupling hub 15. A rotation of plus or minus 10 degrees maximum is sufficient to index the teeth of the splines 11 relative to each other.

As shown in Figure 2d, the operator can then extract the tool 10 by pulling radially on the handle 28 according to arrow F3 and engage the input shaft 12 of the gearbox 13 in the coupling hub 15.

The extraction of the tool 10 is preferably carried out while there are a few millimeters of travel to be performed, in particular at least 3mm. These operations can for example be repeated twice per minute.

Alternatively, as illustrated by Figures 3a and 3b, the end portion 18 of the tool 10 has a single arm 20 in the form of a hook. The arm 20 comprises at least one tooth 31 intended to be inserted between two grooves 11 of the input shaft 12 of the gearbox 13.

This form, however, requires more complex manipulation to disengage the tool 10 from the input shaft 12 of the gearbox 13 before being able to extract it. In fact, it is necessary to perform a rotation first along arrow F4 to clear the lower part of the tool 10, then a first translation along arrow F5 5 to disengage the tooth 31 from the splines 11 of the shaft input 12, and a second translation along arrow F6 to clear the assembly of the tool 10 and finalize the assembly of the gearbox 13 with the heat engine 16.

In addition, if the tool 10 is made of metal and is reusable, there is a risk of pollution of the splines 11 of the input shaft 12 of the gearbox 13.

Claims (10)

1. Tool (10) for angular alignment of splines (11) of a splined shaft (12) having splines of complementary shape to a coupling hub (15), characterized in that said tool (10) comprises : - An end portion (18) having a shape adapted to the splines (11) of the splined shaft (12) capable of ensuring a transmission of a torque to the splined shaft (12) to align its splines (11) with those of the coupling hub (15) and configured to allow a radial extraction of the tool (10) after alignment of the splines (11) of the splined shaft (12), - a handle (21), and - A handle (28) intended to be manipulated by an operator to carry out a radial extraction of the tool (10). 2. Tool according to claim 1, characterized in that the end portion (18) comprises two arms (20) fixed opposite one another provided with pins (22) intended to s' insert between the splines (11) of the splined shaft (12). 3. Tool according to claim 2, characterized in that a space (24) between free ends of the two arms (20) in the unstressed state is less than the diameter of the splined shaft (12) to secure positioning of the tool (10) around the splined shaft (12). 4. Tool according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the arms (20) are configured to allow, by elastic deformation, an extraction of the tool (10) relative to the splined shaft (12) when radial force is applied to the tool (10). 5. Tool according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that a section of an arm (20) decreases when one moves towards its free end. 6. Tool according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it is made of a plastic-based material having a thickness less than 5mm and having a value of approximately 3mm. 7. Tool according to claim 1, characterized in that the end portion (18) comprises a single arm (20) in the form of a hook. 8. Tool according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the extraction handle (28) has a loop shape allowing passage of at least part of an operator's hand. 9. Tool according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the extraction handle (28) has at least one transverse portion (29) relative to the handle (21) having in particular a hook shape. 10. A method of assembling a gearbox (13) with a heat engine (16) characterized in that it comprises: a step of fitting a tool (10), as defined according to any one of the preceding claims, around an input shaft (12) of the gearbox (13), a step for docking the gearbox (13) near a coupling hub (15) associated with the heat engine (16), - A step of handling a handle (21) of the tool (10) to exert a rotation of the input shaft (12), so as to mesh the grooves (11) of the shaft input (12) of the gearbox (13) with splines complementary to the coupling hub (15), and - a step of extracting the tool (10) and engaging the input shaft (12) of the gearbox (13) in the coupling hub (15).