JPH0747973B2 - Connection mechanism - Google Patents

Description

Description: FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention comprises, in particular, a tube shaft end made of fiber composite material and open, and a connecting sleeve coaxial with this tube shaft end. A connection mechanism for a drive shaft of an automobile of the type having a connection element with a fitting element, the connection mechanism having a close fitting state with the connection sleeve in a peripheral direction.

[Conventional technology]

DE PS 3007896 shows a connecting mechanism of known method in which the tube end can slide on a sleeve with an outer tooth profile, which allows the tooth profile to cut into the tube surface. On the outside, the connecting portion is stably gripped by the ring body that secures this mechanism.

DE 3828018 also states that a metallic mating element, also with an external tooth profile, is pressed against the tube end of a composite tube by cutting the tooth profile into the adhesive material and expanding it radially with the tube end. It is shown. At the same time, the connection of the pressed sleeves, which are joints, reduces the cross-sectional area of the fiber composite tube.

Finally, from US 4722717 is known a connection mechanism between the open end of a fiber composite shaft and a connecting sleeve, in which complementary longitudinal and peripheral grooves are provided at the tube end. It is provided on the inner surface and on the outer surface of the sleeve inserted therein, and will enclose short fiber sections in this groove as required. After the curable resin is cured, it is introduced so as to form an integrally bonded state in the circumferential direction and the axial direction.

In the latter case, it is true that a connection is created between the tube end and the connecting element, which is not only capable of transmitting rotational moments but is also fixed axially. Due to their structural integrity, the first two mechanisms can withstand high loads both circumferentially and axially, at least for pressure.

The deformation mode at the time of a frontal collision is such that a recent automobile can obtain a certain stepwise deformation characteristic.

When using the connecting mechanism in a longitudinal drive shaft (cardan shaft) of an automobile having a rear wheel drive system or an all-wheel drive system, a fiber composite material shaft or other lightweight shaft in which an intermediate link is usually omitted in order to reduce the weight It is considered to have a very high rigidity as a fundamental defect. The planned energy absorption of the vehicle is hindered by connecting the rear axle block structure and the front axle structure of the vehicle via the longitudinal axis.

[Object of the Invention]

In view of the above, the present invention has as its object to obtain an axis that positively influences the demand for energy absorption in a desirable manner in the case of a head-on collision.

[Means for Solving the Problems]

According to the invention, the aforementioned object is to provide that the connecting sleeve has a longitudinal tooth profile, the tube shaft end has a cylindrical surface, and at least one connecting element is in close contact with the tube shaft end on one side, And, on the other hand, tightly fits in the longitudinal tooth profile and a compressive or buckling force axially generated between the tube shaft and the connecting sleeve is axial between the tube shaft end and the connecting sleeve. Greater than the adhesive force acting on the tube axis, the tube axis is wrapped around an additional fiber winding to change the axial energy absorption so that the tube wall thickness is changed,
Furthermore, the fitting element includes a mechanism for axially breaking the tube shaft end as the tube shaft slides on the connecting sleeve, and the mechanism is provided toward the tube shaft end. Achieved by the featured connection mechanism.

Further, similarly, according to another configuration of the present invention, the outer periphery of the connection sleeve has a polygonal cross section, the tube shaft end has a circumferential surface, and at least one connection element has one side. In close contact with the end of the tube axis and in the other side in close contact with the surface of the connecting sleeve having the polygonal cross section, and the compressive force or buckling force generated in the axial direction between the tube axis and the connecting sleeve is applied to the tube axis. Greater than the axial adhesion force between the end and the connecting sleeve, and further, the mating element axially breaks the tube shaft end as the tube shaft slides over the connecting sleeve. This is achieved by a connecting mechanism characterized in that a mechanism for providing is provided toward the tube shaft end.

[Action]

The connection mechanism of the present invention achieves its purpose with a structurally simple structure, and it is possible to transmit the necessary torque without any problem. In normal operation, the connection mechanism is limited to, for example, a shaft so as to ensure the action of a sliding link. Although it accepts the force in the longitudinal direction, the rear axle block can be removed from the front body structure in the event of a collision or an accident, so that there is no obstacle to the folded portion of the airbag and its activation.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the longitudinal adhesive force acting between the tube end and the sleeve causes the shaft at the tube end of the non-destructive frontal collision of the vehicle in the areas of pedestrian protection and low speed protection. It is larger than the direction breaking force, that is, the so-called 5km impact of a car does not cause any change in the joint.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment, after disconnection of the connection by a suitable mechanism, the tube end is broken directly in the connection mechanism,
In the subsequent process of vehicle deformation, shaft hardness does not have a negative effect.

In this case, the tube axis has a wall thickness that changes in the axial direction in accordance with the amount of energy absorption that changes in the axial direction, which complements the front structure of the vehicle and affects the deformation characteristics. The process of force generation on the tube axis is transmitted to the front structure in a non-periodic manner.

As a mechanism for breaking the pipe axis, at the pipe end sliding on the sleeve, a cone provided with crushing and slicing blades radially arranged on the cone portion is also used. A squeezing blade, which is likewise arranged on the conical cone, is suitable. Further suitable are a plurality of peripheral distribution breaking wedges that provide longitudinal slits to the tube.

A simple projection provided at the ends of the tube at axial intervals is likewise possible. In order to break the tube, it is important that there is no substantial change in cross-sectional area at the joint before the end of the tube.

It can also be formed as a connecting element collar-shaped member. It is made of fiber composite material or a suitable plastic or resin, glued to the end of the tube and then plugged onto the sleeve. In order to directly join the end of the tube and the sleeve, it is preferable that the adhesive layer is provided via a slit extending in the axial direction that substantially divides the collar member in the circumferential direction in the radial direction.

Corresponding coupling areas can be provided in the coupling element and can be used as such in the case of supply and exhaust holes in the sleeve or in the tube section for introducing resin, in particular short fiber mixed resin. .

The use of a separating material is usually preferred, although a proper selection of the constituent materials is sufficient in order not to create an undesired adhesion between the toothed sleeve and the connecting element. If this choice is not sufficient, the connection between the sleeve and the connecting element will break axially before final assembly and will move relative to each other with little force without being properly secured.

Pipes that are destroyed by a shaft wedge, a cone with a splaying or crushing blade, or a cutting wedge to provide temporary control of pipe breakage and deterministic force changes. It makes sense for the ends of the to change the wall thickness in the longitudinal direction.

〔Example〕

FIG. 1 shows the end 7 of a tube shaft 20 of a fiber composite material according to the prior art.
Has been inserted into the connecting sleeve 1 of the mating member via the connecting element 8 and the separating layer 9.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the joint portion, showing the connecting sleeve 1.
Has a toothed mold 2 such as a spline on the outer circumference, and a hardening resin, particularly a fiber-reinforced hardening resin, is interposed as a connecting element 8 between the tube shaft end 7 and the toothed mold 2, and on the one hand, a tooth mold is formed via a separation layer 9. 2 and on the other hand it is in close contact with the tube shaft end 7. Reference numerals 4 and 5 denote two flanges provided on the connection sleeve 1 and define both ends of the tooth mold 2 extending in the axial direction, reference numeral 6 denotes an exhaust hole portion, reference numeral 3 denotes a conical portion, and a pipe shaft. A limit for the fitting of the end 7 onto the connecting sleeve 1 is defined.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 2 according to another example, in which the connecting sleeve 1 has a polygonal outer periphery, and a separating material layer 9 is provided on the outer surface of the connecting sleeve 1. A resin layer is interposed as a connecting element 8 to tightly join the tube shaft end 7 and the sleeve 1.

In the example of FIG. 4, a collar member 13 is separately inserted as a connecting element between the sleeve 1 and the tube shaft 20. The collar-shaped member is provided with a plurality of slits 14 extending in the axial direction along the circumferential direction thereof, and the collar-shaped member 13 is substantially divided in the diametrical direction by these slits. Through the slit, the sleeve 1 and the tube shaft end 7 are directly joined via an adhesive layer. The collar-like member 13 has a radially projecting peripheral flange 15 arranged axially adjacent to the conical portion 3 of the fitting element. Further, the peripheral flange 15 has a conical shape on its inner surface, and is formed with a large number of radially arranged blades which are a mechanism for breaking the tube shaft end 7 described later in the axial direction. To be done. This also applies to the conical portion 3 in other examples. A ring-shaped space is formed between the collar-shaped member 13 and the tube shaft end 7 by the reference numeral 12, and in reality, the adhesive layer leaked through the slit fills the space.

FIG. 5 shows, on the contrary, a configuration in which the sleeve 1 of the fitting element surrounds the distal end portion 7 of the tube shaft 20, and flanges 4 and 5 are formed on both inner surfaces of both ends of the connecting sleeve 1 to form the tooth mold 2. The axial length is defined, and further, an inwardly conical conical portion 3 is formed continuously with the inner flange 4 to define the axial position of the tube shaft distal end 7 when in use. Further, an opening 16 is formed to accommodate the end 7 of the tube shaft 20 which is destroyed when an axial stress of a predetermined value or more is applied to the tube shaft 20. (This opening 16 is completely different from the exhaust hole 6 in FIG. 1 in terms of its working surface.) FIG. 6 shows a case where the connecting portion shown in FIG. The tube shaft 20 slides towards the sleeve 1 and the tube shaft end 7 is widened by the cone 3. It is removed from the tooth mold 2 between the flanges 4 and 5, but the closed tube form is not lost.

In the example shown in FIG. 5, the tube shaft 20 is pushed into the sleeve 1 through the opening 16, while the tube shaft end 7 is crushed by the conical portion 3. However, according to one embodiment of the invention, a plurality of blades (not shown) arranged radially are provided on this conical portion 30 as a mechanism for axially breaking the tube shaft end 7. It is advantageous to facilitate the crushing.

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of the connecting mechanism of the present invention, in which the tube wall 10 of the tube shaft 20 is gradually thickened toward the sleeve 1. With this method, the destructive force becomes smaller.

FIG. 8 shows another embodiment, in which the thickness of the tube wall 11 is gradually reduced toward the sleeve 1. In this method, the destructive power becomes gradually larger.

The thickness of the tube walls 10 and 11 is formed by gradually winding fiber windings, and can be set according to the breaking force of the step. Furthermore, depending on the case, it is possible to wind it in a taper shape without steps, and the breaking force at that time becomes a linear function.

FIG. 9 shows the progress of destruction on the vertical axis and time on the horizontal axis. A curve A corresponds to the mechanism shown in FIG. 7, and gradually increases with time. Curve B corresponds to the mechanism shown in FIG. 8 and gradually decreases with time. Curve D is prior art, eg US Pat.
It shows the state of destruction of 22717.

Therefore, it is easy to apply the stepped pipe walls 10 and 11 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 to the connection mechanism shown in the conventional examples of FIGS. 1 to 6, and In the sense of controlling the destructive force, it brings further effects.

〔effect〕

The connection mechanism of the present invention normally safely and reliably transmits torque, and gradually absorbs energy in the event of a collision,
It secures a time margin for activating other safety devices such as airbags, and at the same time, is unlikely to expand the damage elsewhere.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 shows an example of a conventional connecting mechanism. FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the connection portion of FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing another example of the connection mechanism. FIG. 4 is a view showing still another example. FIG. 5 is a view showing an example in which the tube axis is inside the sleeve. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state at the time of destruction. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a view showing another mode of the same. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the state of destruction over time. [Explanation of symbols] 1 ... Sleeve, 2 ... Tooth shape, 3 ... Conical portion, 4,5 ...
Flange, 6 ... Exhaust hole part, 7 ... Pipe shaft end, 8 ... Connecting element, 9 ... Separating material layer, 10,11 ... Pipe wall, 13 ... Color connecting element, 14 ... Slit, 15 …… Ring-shaped space,
16 …… opening, 20 …… tube axis.

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A connection mechanism between a tube shaft end, which is made of fiber composite material in particular and is open, and a fitting element which is provided coaxially with this tube shaft end. A connection mechanism in a drive shaft of a motor vehicle of the type in which the connection mechanism has a connection element in a tight fit with the connection sleeve in the peripheral direction, the connection sleeve (1) having a longitudinal tooth profile (2). The tube shaft end (7) has a cylindrical surface, at least one connecting element (8; 13) is in close contact with the tube shaft end (7) on the one hand and tightly on the other hand in the longitudinal direction. The compression force or the buckling force which is fitted in the tooth profile (2) and which is generated in the axial direction between the pipe shaft (20) and the connecting sleeve is axially formed between the pipe shaft end (7) and the connecting sleeve. Greater than the adhesive force that acts on the tube axis, the tube axis absorbs energy in the axial direction. As of,
An additional fiber winding is wrapped around the tube axis to form the tube wall (1
0; 11), the fitting element has a mechanism for breaking the end of the tube axis along the axial direction when the tube axis slides on the connecting sleeve. A connection mechanism characterized by being provided toward the shaft end. 2. A connection mechanism between the end of an open tube shaft, which is made of fiber composite material in particular, and a fitting element which is provided coaxially with the tube shaft end, the connection element comprising: In the connection mechanism in a drive shaft of a motor vehicle of the type in which the connection mechanism has a connection element in a close fitting state with the connection sleeve in the peripheral direction, the outer periphery (21) of the connection sleeve (1) has a polygonal cross section. The tube shaft end (7) has a circumferential surface, at least one connecting element (8) being in close contact with the tube shaft end on the one hand and the polygonal cross-section connecting sleeve (1) on the other hand. ), The compression force or buckling force acting in the axial direction between the tube shaft (20) and the connecting sleeve acts axially between the tube shaft end (7) and the connecting sleeve. Greater than the adhesive strength, and the mating element Connection mechanism, wherein the time of moving on connection sleeve slips tube axis, are provided towards the mechanism for destroying along the tube axis ends axially tube axis terminal. 3. The connection mechanism according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the wall thickness of the tube shaft gradually increases toward the sleeve (1). 4. The connection mechanism according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the wall thickness of the tube shaft gradually decreases toward the sleeve (1). 5. The connecting mechanism according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the connecting element is a collar-shaped member (13) that joins the tube shaft end (7). 6. The collar-shaped member (13) is substantially diametrically divided by a plurality of slits (14) formed in the circumferential direction, and the connecting sleeve (1) and the tube shaft end ( 7) The connection mechanism according to claim 5, wherein the surface and the surface are directly bonded by an adhesive layer filling the slit. 7. A connection sleeve (1) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it is fitted by sliding insertion into the end of the tube shaft. Connection mechanism. 8. A mechanism for axially breaking the tube shaft end (7) is provided in the conical part (3) forming the sleeve joint of the fitting element. The connection mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the connection mechanism is any one of claims 1 to 7. 9. A mechanism for axially breaking the tube shaft end (7) is formed on the inner surface of a radially projecting peripheral flange (15) of the collar member (13). The connection mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: 10. Connection mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that the connection sleeve (1) surrounds the outside of the tube shaft end (7). .