JP2003254318A - Rotation transmitting member - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a rotation transmitting member capable of securing the rotation transmitting function and the impact absorbing function in the axial direction by a simple structure. <P>SOLUTION: The rotation transmitting member 10 consists of a pair of cylindrical bodies 11 and 12 engaged with each other in the axial direction. A serration 13 is formed in the engaged part of either one of the cylindrical bodies. The cylindrical bodies are integrated by forcing the serration into the other cylindrical body and engaged. When an excessive impact is applied in the axial direction, the other cylindrical body is plastic-deformed by the serration formed in the one cylindrical body so that the impact is absorbed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a rotation transmitting member, and more particularly to a rotation transmitting member capable of absorbing an excessive load acting in an axial direction while surely transmitting rotation. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a rotation transmitting member for transmitting rotation, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, it is provided between an engine 1 of a vehicle and a final decelerator 2 connected to driving wheels (not shown). Thus, a propeller shaft 3 that transmits the rotation of the engine 1 to the final decelerator 2 is known.

The propeller shaft 3 is connected to the engine 1 and the final decelerator 2 via universal joints 4 and 5. And, the propeller shaft 3 is
A structure is adopted in which the rotation of the engine 1 is reliably transmitted to the final decelerator 2 and, for example, the impact at the time of a vehicle collision is absorbed to prevent damage to the engine 1 and the final decelerator 2. .

A technique for absorbing such shock is proposed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-303846.

In this technique, the propeller shaft 3 is divided into a pair of cylindrical bodies, and these cylindrical bodies are connected to each other via splines to restrain the relative rotation about the axis and to move in the axial direction. The configuration is such that relative movement is allowed, and a cushioning member that is plastically deformed during relative movement in the axial direction is mounted between both cylindrical bodies.

[0006]

However, such a conventional technique has a problem that the structure is complicated and the assembling work is complicated.

The present invention has been made in view of the above conventional problems, and provides a rotation transmitting member capable of ensuring a rotation transmitting function and an axial shock absorbing function with a simple structure. The purpose is to

[0008]

The rotation transmitting member according to claim 1 of the present invention is a rotation transmitting member formed by axially fitting a pair of cylindrical bodies in order to achieve the above-mentioned object. Then, by forming serrations in the fitting portion of one of the cylinders and fitting the serrations into the other cylinder in a press-fitted state, they are integrated, and when an excessive shock is applied in the axial direction. In addition, the shock is absorbed by plastically deforming the other cylindrical body by the serration formed on the one cylindrical body. The rotation transmitting member according to claim 2 of the present invention is pressed against the inner peripheral surface of the inner side of the cylindrical body positioned inside in the fitting portion of the pair of cylindrical bodies according to claim 1. It is characterized by having a backup ring. The rotation transmission member according to claim 3 of the present invention is
In the fitting portion of the pair of cylindrical bodies according to claim 1,
A backup ring, which is brought into pressure contact with the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body located outside, is provided. The rotation transmitting member according to claim 4 of the present invention is pressed against the inner peripheral surface of the inner side of the cylindrical body located inside in the fitting portion of the pair of cylindrical bodies according to claim 1. A backup ring is provided, and a backup ring that is brought into pressure contact with the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body located outside is provided. The rotation transmitting member according to claim 5 of the present invention is characterized in that the rotation transmitting member according to any one of claims 1 to 4 is for a vehicle. The rotation transmission member according to claim 6 of the present invention is
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the rotation transmitting member is a propeller shaft that connects an engine and driving wheels of a vehicle. The rotation transmission member according to claim 7 of the present invention is
The rotation transmission member according to claim 5 is a steering shaft for operating steered wheels of a vehicle.

[0009]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.
Or, it demonstrates with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, an example applied to a propeller shaft of a vehicle will be described.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 indicates a propeller shaft as a rotation transmitting member to which the present embodiment is applied. The propeller shaft 10 includes a pair of cylindrical bodies 11,
12 is fitted in the axial direction, and the serration 13 is formed in the fitting portion of the one cylindrical body 11 positioned inside.
This serration 13 is integrated by being fitted into the other cylindrical body 12 in a press-fitted state, and when an excessive impact is applied in the axial direction, the serration 13 formed on the one cylindrical body 11 causes the other The cylindrical body 12 is plastically deformed to absorb the impact.

[0011] Next, to explain these details, the one cylindrical body 11 has a large-diameter portion 11a for fitting with the other cylindrical body 12, and is continuous with the remaining small-diameter portion 11b. A step portion 11c is formed in the portion. Then, the serrations 13 are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the portion of the large diameter portion 11a at a predetermined distance from one end to the other end over the whole week. The serration 13 has a triangular cross section as shown in FIG.

Further, the fitting portion of the other cylindrical body 12 with the one cylindrical body 11 is a large diameter portion 12a, and the inner diameter of the large diameter portion 12a is at least the one cylindrical body 11. Is formed smaller than the outer diameter of the one cylindrical body 11, and the one cylindrical body 11 is fitted in the axially press-fitted state from the end portion where the serration 13 is formed, so that the one cylindrical body 11 is But the serration 1
3, the inner circumference of the other cylindrical body 12 is plastically deformed and integrated with the other cylindrical body 12.

In this state, both cylindrical bodies 11, 12 are
Are connected in a state in which relative rotation about the axis is restricted.

The fitting depth of the two cylindrical bodies 11 and 12 is such that the end of the other cylindrical body 12 is located at a position beyond the step 11c of the one cylindrical body 11. Is set and the end of the other cylindrical body 12 is swaged inward,
By contacting the stepped portion 11c of the one cylindrical body 11, the two cylindrical bodies 11 and 12 are prevented from coming off.

Further, in this embodiment, a cylindrical backup ring 14 is press-fitted into the inner peripheral portion of the one cylindrical body 11 corresponding to the serration 13, and one cylindrical body 11 is connected to the other. It is designed to prevent unnecessary deformation at the time of press-fitting into the cylindrical body 12 and secure the bite of the serration 13 into the other cylindrical body 12.

As shown in FIG. 3, the propeller shaft 10 according to the present embodiment having the above-described structure has one cylindrical body 11, the backup ring 14, and the other cylindrical body 12, respectively, forged or the like. The backup ring 14 is press-fitted into the one cylindrical body 11 so as to correspond to the portion where the serrations 13 are formed, and then the one cylindrical body 11 is formed.
Is press-fitted into the other cylindrical body 12 along the axial direction from the end portion side where the serration 13 is formed.

Next, the end portion of the other cylindrical body 12 is swaged inwardly over the entire circumference, and one cylindrical body 11
It is assembled by bringing it into contact with the stepped portion 11c.

In the propeller shaft 10 assembled in this manner, the serration in which the inner surface of the other cylindrical body 12 is formed in the one cylindrical body 11 at the fitting portion of the both cylindrical bodies 11, 12. After being plastically deformed by 13, the serration 13 bites into the inner surface of the other cylindrical body 12, as shown in FIG. As a result, the two cylindrical bodies 11 and 12 are connected in a state in which the relative movement around the axis is restricted.

In the press-fitting operation as described above, in the present embodiment, the backup ring 14 is press-fitted inside the one cylindrical body 11, so that the one cylindrical body 11 is reduced in diameter. Is prevented, the serration 13 is surely bited into the inner surface of the other cylindrical body 12, and as a result,
Both the cylindrical bodies 11 and 12 are surely connected, and
The relative rotation around the axis is reliably prevented, and the rotation transmission function of the propeller shaft 10 is reliably ensured.

On the other hand, when an axial impact is applied to the propeller shaft 10 assembled in this way, the one cylindrical body 11 plastically deforms the inner surface of the other cylindrical body 12 by its serrations 13, It is pushed into the other cylindrical body 12, and the impact is absorbed by the plastic deformation of the other cylindrical body 12 at this time.

As described above, in the propeller shaft 10 according to the present embodiment, the constituent members are both cylindrical bodies 1.
1 and 12 and the backup ring 14, and a press-fitting process of the one cylindrical body 11 and the backup ring 14, a press-fitting process of the one cylindrical body 11 and the other cylindrical body 12, and The assembly can be done by a simple process such as a caulking process at the end of the other cylindrical body 12, and the rotation transmission function and the shock absorbing function can be reliably ensured.

The shapes, dimensions, etc. of the respective constituent members shown in the above embodiment are merely examples, and can be variously changed based on design requirements and the like.

For example, it is possible to omit the backup ring 14 used in the above-mentioned embodiment, and as shown in FIG. 4, a backup ring 15 is press-contacted to the outer peripheral surface of the other cylindrical body 12 on its outer peripheral surface. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 5, as shown in FIG.
It is also possible to provide the backup ring 14 that is brought into pressure contact with the inner peripheral surface of one cylindrical body 11 and the backup ring 15 that is brought into pressure contact with the outer peripheral surface of the other cylindrical body 12.

Further, instead of the above-mentioned propeller shaft 10, it is also possible to apply it to a steering shaft for operating steering wheels of a vehicle.

[0025]

As described above, in the rotation transmitting member according to the present embodiment, the constituent members only press-fit both cylindrical bodies through the serrations to ensure the rotation transmitting function and the shock absorbing function. It is possible to assemble while securing, and it is possible to assemble by a simple process with a small number of members.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway side view showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of a main part showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of a main part showing another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of a main part showing another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic side view showing a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 engine 2 Final reducer 3 Propeller shaft (rotation transmission member) 4, 5 universal joint 10 Propeller shaft (rotation transmission member) 11, 12 cylindrical body 11a large diameter part 11b small diameter part 11c step 13 Serration 14 backup ring 15 backup ring

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Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A rotation transmission member formed by axially fitting a pair of cylindrical bodies, wherein serrations are formed on a fitting portion of one of the cylindrical bodies, and the serrations are formed on the other cylindrical body. It is integrated by fitting in a press-fit state, and when an excessive impact is applied in the axial direction, the other cylinder is plastically deformed by the serration formed on the one cylinder, so that the impact can be reduced. A rotation transmitting member, which is adapted to absorb. 2. The fitting portion of the pair of cylindrical bodies is provided with a backup ring inside the cylindrical body positioned inside, which is brought into pressure contact with the inner peripheral surface thereof. The rotation transmission member described. 3. The fitting portion of the pair of cylindrical bodies is provided with a backup ring, which is brought into pressure contact with the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body located outside, at the outer side of the cylindrical body. Rotation transmission member. 4. In the fitting portion of the pair of cylindrical bodies, a backup ring, which is brought into pressure contact with the inner peripheral surface thereof, is provided inside the cylindrical body located inside, and outside the cylindrical body located outside. The rotation transmission member according to claim 1, further comprising: a backup ring that is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the backup ring. 5. A rotation transmitting member according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which is for a vehicle. 6. The rotation transmitting member according to claim 5, wherein the rotation transmitting member is a propeller shaft that connects an engine of a vehicle and driving wheels. 7. The rotation transmission member according to claim 5, wherein the rotation transmission member is a steering shaft for operating steered wheels of a vehicle.