JP5016528B2 - Propeller shaft - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a propeller shaft that transmits power from a power source of an automobile to drive wheels.

  As an example of this type of propeller shaft, for example, the one described in Patent Document 1 is known.

The propeller shaft described in Patent Document 1 is obtained by connecting a front shaft member and a rear shaft member by a constant velocity joint, and is connected to a front end of the front shaft member and a rear end of the rear shaft member, for example, of a transmission. Universal joints for connecting other rotating members such as an output shaft and an input shaft of a differential device are provided. In addition, a center bearing supported by the vehicle body is provided at the front end of the rear shaft member, and a two-sided width portion capable of engaging a spanner is formed at a position close to the center bearing in the rear shaft member. Yes. That is, when connecting the universal joint and another rotating member, the propeller shaft is rotated by engaging a spanner with the two-surface width portion so as to align both in the rotational direction. .
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-118836

  However, since the two-surface width portion is formed at a position separated from both the universal joints, when the two universal joints are connected to another rotating member, the alignment in the rotation direction of both the universal joints becomes very complicated. In addition, an annular member made of a thin metal plate is disposed around the center bearing adjacent to the engaging portion so as to prevent the infiltration of muddy water into the center bearing with a so-called labyrinth structure. During the rotation operation, the operator needs to work with care so as not to damage the annular member, which is not preferable.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a propeller shaft that is particularly improved in connection workability with other rotating members.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a joint is connected to one end in the axial direction of a tube forming the shaft body via a connecting shaft portion, and the joint includes an outer ring member and an inner peripheral side of the outer ring member. And an inner ring member disposed between the outer ring member and the inner ring member, and a rolling element that transmits torque between the outer ring member and the inner ring member. the outer ring member relative to the rotary member of that has become possible connection at a predetermined position in the rotational direction.
And while boots are arranged straddling the outer ring member and the connecting shaft portion, the connecting shaft portion is formed on one end side of the connecting shaft portion, and a small diameter portion to which the boot is fixed, and A large-diameter portion formed on the other end side of the connecting shaft portion, to which the tube is connected, and an intermediate-diameter portion between the small-diameter portion and the large-diameter portion , both rotate when the joint and the rotating member are connected. A propeller shaft rotating operation jig for aligning in the direction and an engaging portion that can be engaged are provided .

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the engaging portion is formed at a position close to the joint, the propeller shaft rotating operation adapted to the engaging portion when the joint and the rotating member are connected. With the jig, the joint and the rotating member can be aligned with each other smoothly and quickly, and the connection workability between the propeller shaft and the other rotating member is dramatically improved.

  FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a power transmission device of a four-wheel drive type automobile to which a propeller shaft 1 according to the present invention is applied as a more specific embodiment of the present invention.

  In this power transmission device, as shown in FIG. 1, the power output from the engine 2 that is the power source of the vehicle is transmitted to the transfer 4 via the transmission 3. The transfer 4 is connected to the rear differential device 7 via the propeller shaft 1, and the power is distributed to the front differential device 5 and the rear differential device 7 by using the transfer 4. The front differential device 5 distributes power to the left and right front wheels 6, while the rear differential device 7 distributes power to the left and right rear wheels 8.

  The propeller shaft 1 is a so-called three-joint type, and the shaft main body 9 is configured by connecting a front shaft member 10 and a rear shaft member 11 via an intermediate constant velocity joint 12. ing. A constant velocity joint 13 is provided at the front end of the front shaft member 10, a universal joint 14 is provided at the rear end of the rear shaft member 11, and the rear end of the front shaft member 10 is illustrated via a center bearing 15. Supported by the outside body.

  The constant velocity joint 13 is connected to a connecting member 16 that is a rotating member provided at the rear end of the output shaft 4 a of the transfer 4, while a connecting member that is a rotating member provided at the front end of the input shaft 7 a of the rear differential device 7. A universal joint 14 is connected to 17.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a connecting portion between the front shaft member 10 and the transfer 4, and FIG. 3 is a half sectional view showing a main part of the propeller shaft 1. FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing the AA cross section of FIG. In FIG. 2, the transmission 3 in FIG. 1 is omitted for convenience.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the front shaft member 10 is formed by friction welding the first and second stub shafts 19 and 20 to both ends of a tube 18 made of a metal such as an aluminum alloy, for example. The second stub shaft 20 is supported by a vehicle body (not shown) via a center bearing 15, while the front first stub shaft 19, which is a connecting shaft portion, is integrated with an inner race 23 described later in the constant velocity joint 13. Fixed. A known dynamic damper 21 is press-fitted and fixed to the tube 18 so as to avoid the occurrence of a resonance phenomenon in the normal rotation region of the propeller shaft 1.

  The constant velocity joint 13 is accommodated and disposed on the inner race side of the outer race 22 that is an outer ring member in which a plurality of ball grooves 22a are formed on the inner circumference side in the rotation direction, and on the outer race 22 side of the outer race surface. Inner race 23 which is an inner ring member in which ball grooves 23a are respectively formed at positions facing ball grooves 22a, and a plurality of torques which are rolling elements respectively disposed in both outer race 22 and inner race 23 ball grooves 22a, 23a. A transmission ball 24 and a cage 25 for holding the torque transmission ball 24 are provided. An outer peripheral side end of a rubber boot 27 is attached to the rear end of the outer race 22 via a substantially cylindrical boot adapter 26, and the inner peripheral side end of the boot 27 is the first stub shaft. 19 is fitted. Thereby, the opening between the rear end of the outer race 22 and the first stub shaft 19 is sealed.

  As shown in FIG. 4 in addition to FIGS. 2 and 3, a plurality (three in the illustrated example) of protrusions 22 b protrude from the outer peripheral side of the front end portion of the outer race 22 at an equal pitch in the rotational direction. On the other hand, the connecting member 16 is formed in a substantially skirt shape that gradually increases in diameter toward the rear side, and a position corresponding to each protrusion 22b on the outer race 22 side in the rotational direction in the rear end portion of the connecting member 16. Further, projecting portions 16a having a shape that matches the projecting portions 22b on the outer race 22 side in a front view are provided.

  Each protrusion 22b of the outer race 22 has a bolt insertion hole 22c formed through in the axial direction, while each protrusion 16a on the connecting member 16 side is formed through the axial direction as a bolt insertion hole. Each has a screw hole 16b. The outer race 22 and the connecting member 16 are connected to the respective protrusions 16a and 22b by a plurality of bolts 28 inserted through the bolt insertion holes 22c on the outer race 22 side and screwed into the screw holes 16b on the connecting member 16 side. It is fastened and fixed so that relative rotation is impossible.

On the other hand, the first stub shaft 19 has a stepped shape that gradually decreases in diameter toward the front side. The rear end portion of the first stub shaft 19 is formed with a hollow large-diameter portion 19 a that is the maximum diameter portion, and the rear end of the large-diameter portion 19 a is joined to the tube 18. In addition, a solid small-diameter portion 19b, which is the smallest diameter portion, is formed at the front end portion of the first stub shaft 19, and the small-diameter portion 19b is inserted into the inner race 23 so as to be relative to the inner race 23. It is connected non-rotatably.

  Further, a solid engagement portion 19c having a hexagonal cross section is formed as a medium diameter portion between the large diameter portion 19a and the small diameter portion 19b of the first stub shaft 19. The engaging portion 19c can be engaged with a spanner 29 as a propeller shaft rotating operation jig adapted to the two-surface width between a pair of opposed flat portions. That is, when the propeller shaft 1 is attached to the vehicle, the propeller shaft 1 can be rotated by engaging the spanner 29 with the engaging portion 19c. The engaging portion 19c is set such that the diagonal distance is smaller than the diameter of the large diameter portion 19a and larger than the diameter of the small diameter portion 19b.

  In order to attach the propeller shaft 1 configured as described above to a vehicle, first, the propeller shaft 1 is placed on a lifter (not shown), lifted up from the lower side of the vehicle body, and the universal joint 14 at the rear end of the propeller shaft 1 is mounted. And the connecting member 17 of the rear differential device 7 are connected. Next, the rear end portion of the front shaft member 10 is supported on the vehicle body via the center bearing 15. Then, the outer race 22 of the constant velocity joint 13 and the connecting member 16 of the transfer 4 are connected. Note that these operations are performed by the worker upward from the lower side of the vehicle.

  In order to connect the outer race 22 on the constant velocity joint 13 side and the connecting member 16 on the transfer 4 side, first, the spanner 29 is engaged with the engaging portion 19 c to rotate the propeller shaft 1, and the bolt of the outer race 22 is inserted. The hole 22c and the screw hole 16b of the connecting member 16 are aligned in the rotation direction. Next, among the bolt insertion holes 22c of the outer race 22, the bolts 28 are inserted into the bolt insertion holes 22c on the operator side, that is, the lower side, and the bolts 28 are screwed into the screw holes 16b of the connecting member 16, so Positioning is performed with respect to the connecting member 16.

  Thereafter, the propeller shaft 1 is rotated together with the connecting member 16 by the spanner 29, and the bolt insertion hole 22c and the screw hole 16b into which the bolt 29 is not inserted are sequentially moved to the worker side, and are moved to the worker side. The bolts 28 are sequentially inserted into the bolt insertion holes 22c and screwed into the screw holes 16b, and the outer race 22 and the connecting member 16 are fastened.

  Therefore, according to the present embodiment, when the propeller shaft 1 is assembled to the vehicle, the engaging portion 19c for rotating the propeller shaft 1 is formed at a position close to the constant velocity joint 13. The connecting operation between the constant velocity joint 13 and the connecting member 16 can be performed quickly and easily, and the workability is greatly improved.

  Further, an intermediate diameter portion between the large diameter portion 19a joined to the tube 18 of the stub shaft 19 and the small diameter portion 19b fixed to the inner race 23 of the constant velocity joint 13 is formed as an engaging portion 19c. Since the diagonal distance of the engaging part 19c is made smaller than the diameter of the large diameter part 19a, the engaging part 19c becomes small and light, which is advantageous in reducing the weight of the propeller shaft 1.

  Here, in the present embodiment, the engaging portion 19 c is provided at the end of the shaft body 9 on the constant velocity joint 13 side, but an engaging portion can also be provided on the outer race 22 of the constant velocity joint 13. In addition, it is possible to provide an engaging portion at the end of the universal joint 14 side of the propeller shaft 1 as necessary, and it is also possible to provide an engaging portion at each end in the axial direction of the propeller shaft 1. . In addition, when providing an engaging part in the universal joint 14 side edge part among the propeller shafts 1, it is good to form an engaging part in the rear end part or the universal joint 14 of the rear side shaft member 11.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the engaging portion 19c is formed in a hexagonal cross section in consideration of the rotational operability of the propeller shaft 1, but the engaging portion does not necessarily have a hexagonal cross section, and the radial direction It suffices to have at least a pair of flat portions opposed to each other. Moreover, it is also possible to use the engaging part in which the notch part engageable with what is called a hook spanner was formed.

The top view which shows the power transmission device of a four-wheel drive vehicle as embodiment of this invention. The perspective view which shows the connection part of the front side shaft member and transfer in FIG. FIG. 2 is a half cross-sectional view showing a main part of the propeller shaft in FIG. 1. AA sectional drawing in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1 ... Propeller shaft 2 ... Engine (power source)
8 ... Rear wheel (drive wheel)
9 ... Shaft body 13 ... Constant velocity joint 16 ... Connecting member (rotating member)
16b ... Screw hole (Bolt insertion hole)
18 ... Tube
19 ... 1st stub shaft (connection shaft)
19a ... large diameter part
19b ... Small diameter part 19c ... Engagement part
22 ... Outer race (outer ring member)
22c ... Bolt insertion hole
23 ... Inner race (inner ring member)
24 ... Torque transmission ball (rolling element)
27 ... Boots
28 ... Bolt 29 ... Spanner (propeller shaft rotation operation jig)

Claims (4)

In the propeller shaft that transmits the power from the power source of the automobile to the drive wheels,
A joint is connected to one end in the axial direction of the tube forming the shaft body via a connecting shaft portion,
The joint includes an outer ring member, an inner ring member disposed on the inner peripheral side of the outer ring member, and a rolling element that is disposed between the outer ring member and the inner ring member and transmits torque therebetween. And
In the joint, the outer ring member can be connected to a rotating member on the power source side or the driving wheel side at a predetermined position in the rotation direction,
While arranging the boot straddling the outer ring member and the connecting shaft portion,
In the connecting shaft portion,
A small-diameter portion formed on one end side of the connecting shaft portion to which the boot is fixed;
A large diameter portion formed on the other end side of the connecting shaft portion to which the tube is connected;
An engagement portion that is formed at a middle diameter portion between the small diameter portion and the large diameter portion, and is engageable with a propeller shaft rotation operation jig for aligning both in the rotation direction when the joint and the rotation member are connected. When,
Propeller shafts characterized by being provided respectively . In the propeller shaft that transmits the power from the power source of the automobile to the drive wheels,
A joint is connected to one end in the axial direction of the tube forming the shaft body via a connecting shaft portion,
The joint includes an outer ring member, an inner ring member disposed on the inner peripheral side of the outer ring member, and a rolling element that is disposed between the outer ring member and the inner ring member and transmits torque therebetween. And
The outer ring member of the joint and the rotating member on the power source side or the drive wheel side are fastened and coupled with bolts that pass through both bolt insertion holes,
While arranging the boot straddling the outer ring member and the connecting shaft portion,
In the connecting shaft portion,
A small-diameter portion formed on one end side of the connecting shaft portion to which the boot is fixed;
A large diameter portion formed on the other end side of the connecting shaft portion to which the tube is connected;
Formed in the middle diameter portion between the small diameter portion and the large diameter portion, and engaged with a propeller shaft rotation operation jig for aligning the bolt insertion holes in the rotation direction when the joint and the rotating member are connected. Possible engagement parts;
Propeller shafts characterized by being provided respectively . The propeller shaft according to claim 1, wherein the engaging portion has at least a pair of flat portions opposed in the radial direction . The propeller shaft according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the engaging portion has a hexagonal cross section, and a diagonal distance thereof is smaller than a diameter of the large diameter portion .

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