JPH07266906A - Propeller shaft structure - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To carry out changeover of two-wheel and four-wheel drive and length adjustment of a propeller shaft by way of dividing the propeller shaft into first and second shafts and to carry out balance adjustment by an unbalance adjustment means. CONSTITUTION:At the time of changing a vehicle from four-wheel drive over to two-wheel drive, respective screwed states of nuts 24-1, (24-2), 24-3, (24-4) and bolts 26-1, 26-2, 26-3, 26-4 are released in a four-wheel driving state (4WD). A cylindrical member 12 becomes free to move to slide against a first shaft part 8 by respectively drawing out the bolts 26-1, 26-2, 26-3, 26-4 from hole parts 22-1, (22-2), 22-3, (22-4), and it comes to be in a two-wheel driving state (2WD). It is possible to function it as one propeller shaft 6 by connecting the first and second shaft parts 8, 10.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a propeller shaft structure, and in particular, it divides a propeller shaft into a first shaft and a second shaft to perform switching between two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive and adjust the length of the propeller shaft. The present invention relates to a propeller shaft structure that also performs balance adjustment by balance adjusting means.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a vehicle, the power of an internal combustion engine is transmitted from a transmission through a propeller shaft to a differential gear, which is a final reduction gear, and a rear wheel, which is a wheel mounted on a wheel shaft (not shown), is rotated. There is a so-called two-wheel drive vehicle (FR type / 2WD vehicle) provided with a power transmission system for driving.

The propeller shaft is generally made of a long material and has one end connected to a transmission mounted on the front side of a vehicle, for example.
The other end is connected to the final reduction gear on the rear side of the vehicle.

Further, a four-wheel drive system is provided with driving force distribution means in the driving force transmission path of an FR type vehicle, and the driving force distribution means constantly distributes and transmits the driving force to the front wheel shafts. It is a car (full-time 4WD car).

As the propeller shaft structure, there is one disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 3-29617. The propulsion shaft disclosed in this publication is such that one shaft of two shafts connected to each other by a slip joint of a propulsion shaft having a slip joint between two supporting portions rotatably supporting the propulsion shaft is another shaft. The structure is eccentric to the mounting, and the unbalance at both ends of the propulsion shaft during rotation is accurately measured and the balance is corrected accurately.

Further, there is one disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 58-90830. The FRP propeller shaft disclosed in this publication has a plurality of mounting holes penetrating inside and outside thereof at the outer periphery of the end of the FRP propeller shaft, and has a cup-like shape having a substantially concave cross section with respect to these mounting holes. The FRP tube and the joint yoke are integrally connected via the anchor plate by individually fitting the anchor plates and welding the anchor plate and the joint yoke separately.

Further, there is one disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 61-112113. In the composite material propeller shaft structure disclosed in this publication, a collar that fits around the shaft is provided, the collar, the shaft, and the yoke are integrally bonded, and a bolt-nut device is used to penetrate the three members and fasten them together. ing.

[0008]

In the conventional four-wheel drive vehicle (full-time 4WD vehicle), two wheels and four wheels are used.
Wheel drive is switched by providing a free axle mechanism in the differential gear and engaging and releasing engagement of the spline of the sleeve.

A four-wheel drive vehicle (full-time 4WD
Switching between the two-wheel drive and the four-wheel drive of a vehicle is necessary during work such as vehicle inspection and towing.

However, conventional four-wheel drive vehicles (full-time 4
For WD vehicles, 4-wheel drive vehicles (full-time 4WD)
There is no propeller shaft mounted on the vehicle) to switch between two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive, and it was necessary to provide a free axle mechanism.

As a result, since the total number of parts of the free axle mechanism is large, the total weight of the differential gear is large, the weight balance of the vehicle is deteriorated, which is disadvantageous in practical use, and the structure is complicated and the manufacture is difficult. There is an inconvenience that the cost becomes large and it is economically disadvantageous.

Further, since the propeller shaft used in a normal vehicle is formed of a long member, it becomes difficult to adjust the length, and it is necessary to use different propeller shafts due to different specifications. There is an inconvenience in that parts cannot be shared, the cost is high, and it is economically disadvantageous.

Further, since the propeller shaft is formed of a long member, balance adjustment is generally not performed. Therefore, in the case of intentionally adjusting the balance of the propeller shaft, some measures such as cutting off a part of the propeller shaft or fixing the weight by welding can be considered, but in both cases, the balance adjustment work is difficult. It is disadvantageous in practical use.

[0014]

Therefore, in order to eliminate the above-mentioned inconvenience, the present invention transmits the driving force from the engine to a differential gear through a transmission to drive the four wheels of the front and rear wheels. In a drive type propeller shaft, this propeller shaft is divided into a first shaft portion on the transmission side and a second shaft portion on the differential gear side, and one end of a tubular member is fixed to one of the shaft portions. The other shaft portion is provided slidably on the other end side of the tubular member, and the two-wheel drive and the four-wheel drive are intermittently connected by connecting and disconnecting the tubular member and the other shaft portion. It is characterized in that drive switching means for switching is provided.

Further, in a propeller shaft for transmitting a driving force from an engine to a differential gear through a transmission, the propeller shaft is divided into a first shaft portion on the transmission side and a second shaft portion on the differential gear side. , One end of the tubular member is fixedly provided on one of the shaft portions, and the other shaft portion is slidably inserted on the other end side of the tubular member, and the tubular member and the other shaft portion are provided. Is connected to a predetermined length, and length adjusting means for adjusting the length of the propeller shaft is provided.

Further, in a propeller shaft for transmitting a driving force from an engine to a differential gear via a transmission, the propeller shaft is divided into a first shaft portion on the transmission side and a second shaft portion on the differential gear side. , One end of the tubular member is fixedly provided on one of the shaft portions, and the other shaft portion is slidably inserted on the other end side of the tubular member, and the tubular member and the other shaft portion are provided. A connecting means for connecting and is provided, and an unbalance adjusting means for adjusting the balance of the propeller shaft is provided at an outer peripheral portion of the tubular member.

[0017]

With the invention as described above, two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive
When switching between wheel drive and drive, the drive switching means intermittently connects and disconnects the tubular member and the other shaft portion to facilitate drive switching.

Further, when the length of the propeller shaft is adjusted, the length adjusting means connects the tubular member and the other shaft portion to a predetermined length to easily adjust the length of the propeller shaft. , The length can be adjusted according to the difference in specifications, and the propeller shaft is standardized.

Further, when adjusting the balance of the propeller shaft, the balance of the propeller shaft is easily adjusted by the unbalance adjusting means to ensure smooth rotation.

[0020]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

1 to 7 show an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 2 is a transmission of a four-wheel drive vehicle (full-time 4WD vehicle), and 4 is a differential gear.

The transmission 2 and the differential gear 4 are four-wheel drive type propeller shafts 6 for transmitting a driving force to drive four wheels (not shown) such as front wheels and rear wheels.
Have been contacted.

The propeller shaft 6 is divided into a first shaft portion 8 on the transmission 2 side which is the driving side and a second shaft portion 10 on the differential gear 4 side which is the driven side. The one end of the tubular member 12 is fixedly provided on the shaft portion of the tubular member 12, and the other shaft portion is slidably inserted and provided on the other end side of the tubular member 12. The connection means 14 having a function drive switching function is provided so as to be a drive switching means for switching between two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive by intermittently connecting the connection state with the.

More specifically, when the propeller shaft 6 is divided into a first shaft portion 8 and a second shaft portion 10, one end of the tubular member 12 is fixed to one of them, for example, the second shaft portion 10. And the tubular member 12
The other, for example, the first shaft portion 8 is slidably inserted into the other end side of the.

A rod assembly 16 projecting toward the first shaft portion 8 is provided on the inner surface of the second shaft portion 10.
A bearing 18 is arranged on the outer periphery of the rod assembly 16, and the bearing 18 is fixedly provided on the inner surface of the first shaft portion 8 via a bearing guide 20.

Further, the connecting means 14 having a drive switching function for switching the two-wheel drive and the four-wheel drive by connecting and disconnecting the tubular member 12 and the first shaft portion 8 is shown in FIGS. As shown, a plurality of cylindrical members 12 are arranged at equal intervals on the circumference.
For example, four holes 22-1, 22-2, 22-2 formed
3, 22-4 and the hole 2 on the inner surface of the first shaft portion 8.
2-1, 22-2, 22-3, 22-4 are fixed so as to match the number and the drilling position, for example, four nuts 24.
-1, 24-2, 24-3, 24-4 and four bolts 26-1, 26-2 screwed to these nuts 24-1, 24-2, 24-3, 24-4. 26-3, 26-4
Consists of.

Further, the connecting means 14 is to be a length adjusting means for connecting the tubular member 12 and the other first shaft portion 8 to a predetermined length to adjust the length of the propeller shaft 6. It also has a length adjustment function.

That is, as shown in FIG. 5, four nuts 24-1, 24-2, 24- are provided on the inner surface of the first shaft portion 8.
3 and 24-4 are fixed and these nuts 24-1 and 24
-2, 24-3, 24-4 with bolts 26-1, 26-
In order to make the length of the propeller shaft 6 according to the specifications by screwing 2, 26-3 and 26-4 respectively, the tubular member 12
Four hole portions 22-1, 22-2 formed at equal intervals around the circumference,
A plurality of, for example, eight length adjusting hole portions 28 are formed at positions moved in the axial direction of the propeller shaft 6 with respect to 22-3 and 22-4.

In the length adjusting hole 28, first and second length adjusting holes 28a-1 and 28b-1 are formed from the front and rear positions of the hole 22-1, that is, from the first shaft portion 8 side. Hole 2
Similarly, 2-2, 22-3, and 22-4 are also provided with first and second length adjusting hole portions (not shown), respectively.

The propeller shaft 6 also has an unbalance adjusting means 30 for adjusting the balance. The imbalance adjusting means 30 is, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7,
The holes 22-2, 22-3, 22-4 and the first and second holes
In order to be located at an intermediate position with respect to the length adjusting hole portions 28a-1, 28b-1, ..., A total of 12 engaging holes are provided in the cylindrical member 12 at four circumferentially equidistant intervals and three in the axial direction. Parts 32a-1, 32
b-1, 32c-1, 32a-2, 32b-2, 32c
-2, 32a-3, 32b-3, 32c-3, 32a-
4, 32b-4, 32c-4 and the engagement hole portions 32a-1, 32b-1, 32 on the inner surface of the first shaft portion 8.
c-1, 32a-2, 32b-2, 32c-2, 32a
-3, 32b-3, 32c-3, 32a-4, 32b-
4, 32c-4, and nuts 34a-1, 34b-1, which are fixed as necessary at positions corresponding to the drilling position.
34c-1, 34a-2, 34b-2, 34c-2, 3
4a-3, 34b-3, 34c-3, 34a-4, 34
b-4 and 34c-4, and a balance adjustment bolt 36 having a predetermined weight and screwed into a desired nut 34.

Next, the operation will be described.

When the vehicle is switched from four-wheel drive to two-wheel drive, the nuts 24-1, 24-2, 24-3, 24- are provided in the four-wheel drive state (4WD) shown in FIG. 4 and the bolts 26-1, 26-2, 26-3, and 26-4 are released from the screwed states, and the hole portions 22-1, 22-2, and 22 are released.
-3, 22-4 to bolts 26-1, 26-2, 26-
By removing 3 and 26-4 respectively, the cylindrical member 12 becomes slidable with respect to the first shaft portion 8,
The two-wheel drive state (2WD) shown in FIG. 3 is established.

Further, when switching from the two-wheel drive to the four-wheel drive, contrary to the above-described switching from the four-wheel drive to the two-wheel drive, the holes 22-1 and 22-2. , 22-3, 2
2-4 nuts 24-1, 24-2, 24-3, 24-
By screwing the bolts 26-1, 26-2, 26-3, and 26-4 into 4 respectively, the second shaft portion 10 is fixed to the first shaft portion 8 via the tubular member 12. , The four-wheel drive state (4WD) shown in FIG.

As a result, the propeller shaft 6 can be composed of the first and second shaft portions 8 and 10, there is no need to form it with a long member, the manufacture is easy, the cost can be reduced, and it is economical. Is advantageous to the first,
By connecting the second shaft portions 8 and 10, it is possible to function as one propeller shaft 6, and there is no problem.

Also, the first and second shaft portions 8, 10
Since the tubular member 12 and the connecting means 14 can be used for mounting, the assembling property can be improved.

Further, by adding the drive switching function to the connecting means 14 so that the connecting means 14 functions as the drive switching means, the drive switching between the two wheels and the four wheels can be easily performed. The free axle mechanism is unnecessary, the number of parts does not increase, the total weight of the differential gear does not become large, and the weight balance of the vehicle is good, which is practically advantageous.

Furthermore, the connecting means 14 having a drive switching function is provided with holes 22-1, 22-2, 22-3, 22.
-4 and nuts 24-1, 24-2, 24-3, 24-
4 and these nuts 24-1, 24-2, 24-3,
Bolts 26-1, 26-2, 26- that are screwed into 24-4
With the configuration of 3, 26-4, the configuration is simple, the manufacturing is easy, the cost can be reduced, and it is economically advantageous, and the two wheels and the four wheels can be obtained by only attaching and detaching the bolts.
The drive of the wheels can be switched, and in particular, the switching work can be facilitated during work such as vehicle inspection and towing.

When adjusting the length of the propeller shaft 6, as shown in FIG. 1, for example, the second length adjusting hole portion 28 is used.
In the case where the bolt is screwed into b-1, the bolt is first removed, and the bolt is removed at a predetermined position, for example, the first length adjusting hole portion 28a-.
As shown in Fig. 5, by screwing the bolts into 1,
The length of the propeller shaft 6 is shortened by the distance between the first and second length adjusting hole portions 28a-12 and 8b-1.

As a result, the length of the propeller shaft 6 can be easily adjusted by the connecting means 14 having the function of adjusting the length so that the propeller shaft 6 can function as the length adjusting means. The propeller shaft 6 can be shared, the cost can be reduced, and it is economically advantageous.

Further, the connecting means 14 is provided with four holes 2
2 and 4 nuts 24, 4 bolts 26 screwed to these nuts 24, and 8 length adjusting hole portions 28 make the structure simple and easy to manufacture. Therefore, the cost can be reduced and it is economically advantageous, and the length of the propeller shaft 6 can be adjusted by changing the hole 22 and the length adjusting hole 28 to be used. It is easy and practically advantageous.

When adjusting the balance of the propeller shaft 6, as shown in FIG. 7, for example, the engaging hole 32b-
The balance adjustment bolts 36 of a predetermined weight are respectively screwed into the nuts 34b-1 and 34b-3 of the Nos. 1 and 32b-3 to eliminate the unbalanced state of the propeller shaft.

As a result, the imbalance adjusting means 3
The balance of the propeller shaft 6 can be adjusted by 0, and smooth rotation can be secured.

Further, the unbalance adjusting means 30 is
A total of twelve engaging hole portions 32, nuts 34 that are fixed as necessary at positions on the inner surface of the first shaft portion 8 that match the number of these engaging hole portions 32 and the drilling position, and a desired nut 34. Balance adjustment bolt 36 with a predetermined weight
With the above configuration, it is only necessary to engage the balance adjustment bolt 36 with the nut 34 in the engagement hole portion 32, which facilitates the balance adjustment work, is advantageous in practical use, and has a simple configuration. , Easy to manufacture, low cost, and economically advantageous.

The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, but various application modifications are possible.

For example, in the embodiment of the present invention, the two wheels and the four wheels are connected to the connecting means for connecting the first shaft and the second shaft so as to function as one propeller shaft.
Although it has been described that the wheel drive switching function and the propeller shaft length adjusting function are added, the connecting means is
It is also possible to use it for a normal two-wheel drive vehicle (2WD vehicle) and only adjust the length of the propeller shaft.

[0046]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, a four-wheel drive type propeller shaft is divided into a first shaft portion on the transmission side and a second shaft portion on the differential gear side. The one end of the tubular member is fixedly provided on one shaft portion, and the other shaft portion is slidably inserted on the other end side of the tubular member so that the tubular member and the other shaft portion are connected to each other. Since the drive switching means for intermittently switching between the two-wheel drive and the four-wheel drive is provided, the drive switching means can easily switch between the two-wheel drive and the four-wheel drive, and the conventional free axle mechanism is unnecessary. Therefore, the number of parts does not increase, the total weight of the differential gear does not become large, the weight balance of the vehicle is good, and it is practically advantageous, and at the same time, the first and second shuffles are provided. Parts are those capable of improving the assembling property when installing the. Further, if the drive switching means is composed of the hole, the nut, and the bolt screwed into the nut, the structure is simplified, the manufacture is easy, the cost can be reduced, and it is economically advantageous. At the same time, it is possible to switch between the two-wheel drive and the four-wheel drive simply by attaching and detaching the bolts, which can facilitate the switching work particularly during work such as vehicle inspection and towing.

Further, the propeller shaft is divided into a first shaft portion on the transmission side and a second shaft portion on the differential gear side, and one end of a tubular member is fixedly attached to one of the shaft portions. Length adjusting means for adjusting the length of the propeller shaft by connecting the other shaft portion to the other end of the cylindrical member so as to be slidable and connecting the tubular member and the other shaft portion to a predetermined length. Since the propeller shaft is provided, the length of the propeller shaft can be easily adjusted, the length can be adjusted according to the difference in specifications, the propeller shaft can be standardized, the cost can be reduced, and it is economical. It is advantageous. Further, the length adjusting means is constituted by four hole portions, four nuts, four bolts screwed into these nuts, and eight length adjusting hole portions. Is simple, easy to manufacture,
The cost can be reduced and it is economically advantageous, and
The length of the propeller shaft can be adjusted by changing the used hole and the length adjusting hole, which facilitates the length adjusting work and is practically advantageous.

Further, the propeller shaft is divided into a first shaft portion on the transmission side and a second shaft portion on the differential gear side, and one end of a tubular member is fixedly attached to one of the shaft portions. The other shaft part is slidably inserted into the other end of the cylindrical member, and connecting means for connecting the tubular member and the other shaft part is provided. Since the unbalance adjusting means for adjusting the balance is provided, the balance of the propeller shaft can be adjusted by the unbalance adjusting means, and smooth rotation can be ensured. The imbalance adjusting means includes a total of twelve engaging hole portions, and a nut fixed to the inner surface of the first shaft portion at a position corresponding to the number of these engaging hole portions and the drilling position as needed. If it is configured with a balance adjustment bolt of a predetermined weight that is screwed into a desired nut, it is only necessary to engage the balance adjustment bolt with the nut in the engagement hole portion, and the balance adjustment work becomes easy and practically advantageous. In addition, the structure is simple, the manufacturing is easy, the cost can be reduced, and it is economically advantageous. Further, since the propeller shaft can be composed of the first and second shaft portions, there is no need to form it with a long member, the manufacture is easy, the cost can be reduced, and it is economically advantageous, and the connecting means is also provided. By connecting the first and second shaft portions with each other, it is possible to function as one propeller shaft, and there is no problem.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an enlarged sectional view of a notch of a connecting portion of a propeller shaft showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a mounted state of a propeller shaft.

FIG. 3 is a two-wheel drive (2W drive) by the drive switching function of the connecting means.
FIG. 6D is a cutaway sectional view of an essential part of a connecting means portion of a propeller shaft showing a state D).

FIG. 4 is a four-wheel drive (4W) by a drive switching function of a connecting means.
FIG. 6D is a cutaway sectional view of an essential part of a connecting means portion of a propeller shaft showing a state D).

FIG. 5 is a cutaway sectional view of an essential part of a connecting means portion of a propeller shaft when a length is adjusted by a length adjusting function of the connecting means.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a connecting means portion of a propeller shaft showing a balance adjusting means.

7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 〓-〓 of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 Transmission of 4 wheel drive vehicle (full-time 4WD vehicle) 4 Differential gear 6 Propeller shaft 8 First shaft portion 10 Second shaft portion 12 Cylindrical member 14 Coupling means 30 Unbalance adjusting means

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A propeller shaft of a four-wheel drive system in which a driving force from an engine is transmitted to a differential gear through a transmission to drive four wheels of a front wheel and a rear wheel, and the propeller shaft is a first shaft portion on a transmission side. And a second shaft portion on the side of the differential gear are provided separately, one end of the tubular member is fixedly provided on one of the shaft portions, and the other shaft portion is slidable on the other end side of the tubular member. The propeller shaft structure is characterized in that it is provided by being inserted into the drive shaft and provided with a drive switching means for switching between two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive by intermittently connecting the tubular member and the other shaft portion. 2. A propeller shaft for transmitting a driving force from an engine to a differential gear through a transmission, wherein the propeller shaft is divided into a first shaft portion on the transmission side and a second shaft portion on the differential gear side. , One end of the tubular member is fixedly provided on one of the shaft portions, and the other shaft portion is slidably inserted on the other end side of the tubular member, and the tubular member and the other shaft portion are provided. A propeller shaft structure, characterized in that a length adjusting means for adjusting the length of the propeller shaft is provided by connecting and to a predetermined length. 3. A propeller shaft for transmitting a driving force from an engine to a differential gear through a transmission, wherein the propeller shaft is divided into a first shaft portion on the transmission side and a second shaft portion on the differential gear side. , One end of the tubular member is fixedly provided on one of the shaft portions, and the other shaft portion is slidably inserted on the other end side of the tubular member, and the tubular member and the other shaft portion are provided. The propeller shaft structure is characterized in that a connecting means for connecting the propeller shaft and an unbalance adjusting means for adjusting the balance of the propeller shaft is provided on an outer peripheral portion of the tubular member.