SE2350248A1

SE2350248A1 - Propeller shaft assembly for a motor vehicle

Info

Publication number: SE2350248A1
Application number: SE2350248A
Authority: SE
Inventors: Goutam Mandal; Ranjeet Singh
Original assignee: Volvo Truck Corp
Priority date: 2023-03-06
Filing date: 2023-03-06
Publication date: 2024-01-12

Abstract

The invention relates to a propeller shaft assembly (6) for a motor vehicle, comprising:- a tubular member (9) having a wall member that defines an interior circumferential surface, - a tubular damper (10) arranged inside the tubular member (9) and locked to the interior circumferential surface (14), and- a spring (11) arranged inside the tubular damper (10).

Description

PROPELLER SHAFT ASSEMBLY FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE TECHNICAL FIELD id="p-1" id="p-1" id="p-1" id="p-1"

[0001] by a rotating shaft and, more particularly, by a propeller shaft. In particular aspects, the The disclosure relates generally to the attenuation of noise and vibration generated disclosure relates to a propeller shaft assembly for a motor vehicle. The disclosure can be applied in heavy-duty vehicles, such as trucks, buses, and construction equipment. Although the disclosure may be described with respect to a particular vehicle, the disclosure is not restricted to any particular vehicle.

BACKGROUND [0002] shafts or propeller shafts, many of which are constructed of thin-walled hollow tubes. These Power transfer from rotating machinery is typically accomplished through rotating propeller shafts are known to be susceptible to generate sound and vibration at frequencies that may be undesirable and, therefore, may require attenuation. id="p-3" id="p-3" id="p-3" id="p-3"

[0003] However, the integration of the universal joint and propeller shaft is difficult. [0004] this solution adds too much cost and the durability will be reduced. [0005] there is a high probability of wear of the rubber seal over time due to the high speed rotation.

It is known to use a composite propeller shaft to reduce noise and vibration.

It is also known to minimize the angle between the aXle and the propeller shaft, but Finally, a rubber seal sandwiched between two shafts can be used. But in this case, SUMMARY [0006] vehicle comprises: According to a first aspect of the disclosure, a propeller shaft assembly for a motor - a tubular member having a wall member that defines an interior circurnferential surface, - a tubular damper arranged inside the tubular member and locked to the interior circun1ferential surface, and - a spring arranged inside the tubular damper.

Docket No.: [P2022-l05 lSE0l] id="p-7" id="p-7" id="p-7" id="p-7"

[0007] vibrations from the gear box to the chassis-mounted components, as the vibrations are absorbed The first aspect of the disclosure may seek to reduce the transmission of torque by the embedded rubber. Due to the reduction in vibration, a technical benefit may include a change in frequency and thus an increase in durability of the structural components. [0008] surface in such a manner that there is no relative movement between the tubular member and In some examples, the tubular damper is locked to the interior circumferential the tubular damper. id="p-9" id="p-9" id="p-9" id="p-9"

[0009] In some examples, the tubular member, the tubular damper and the spring are coaxial. id="p-10" id="p-10" id="p-10" id="p-10"

[0010] In some examples, the spring is a helical spring. id="p-11" id="p-11" id="p-11" id="p-11"

[0011] In some examples, the spring forces the tubular damper into contact With the tubular member. id="p-12" id="p-12" id="p-12" id="p-12"

[0012] In some examples, the spring is locked to the tubular member. id="p-13" id="p-13" id="p-13" id="p-13"

[0013] In some examples, the spring is molded inside the tubular member. id="p-14" id="p-14" id="p-14" id="p-14"

[0014] In some examples, rubber is used for the molding. id="p-15" id="p-15" id="p-15" id="p-15"

[0015] In some examples, molten rubber is poured into a slotted tubular member, holding the spring concentric to said tubular member. [0016] surface by means of ribs of the tubular damper that cooperate With grooves practiced in the In some examples, the tubular damper is locked to the interior circurnferential Wall member of the tubular member from the interior circumferential surface. id="p-17" id="p-17" id="p-17" id="p-17"

[0017] In some examples, the tubular member comprises steel. id="p-18" id="p-18" id="p-18" id="p-18"

[0018] In some examples, the tubular member comprises a low carbon steel or aluminum composites. id="p-19" id="p-19" id="p-19" id="p-19"

[0019] In some examples, the tubular damper comprises rubber. id="p-20" id="p-20" id="p-20" id="p-20"

[0020] In some examples, the tubular damper comprises natural rubber, ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber (i.e. EPDM rubber), or any other rubber composition. id="p-21" id="p-21" id="p-21" id="p-21"

[0021] In some examples, a motor vehicle comprises a propeller shaft assembly described above. [0022] In some examples, the motor vehicle is a truck. [0023] In some examples, the motor vehicle comprises an engine generating a torque outpout, distributed through the propeller shaft assembly. id="p-24" id="p-24" id="p-24" id="p-24"

[0024] In some examples, the engine is coupled to an axle through a gear box and the propeller shaft assembly. id="p-25" id="p-25" id="p-25" id="p-25"

[0025] [0026] shaft described above comprises: In some examples, the axle is a rear axle.

According to a second aspect of the disclosure, a method for assembling a propeller - providing a tubular member having a wall member that defines an interior circumferential surface, - providing a tubular damper, - providing a spring, - arranging the spring inside the tubular damper, and - locking the tubular damper including the spring so arranged to the interior circumferential surface of the tubular member. id="p-27" id="p-27" id="p-27" id="p-27"

[0027] In some examples, the spring forces the tubular damper into contact with the tubular member. id="p-28" id="p-28" id="p-28" id="p-28"

[0028] In some examples, the spring is locked to the tubular member. id="p-29" id="p-29" id="p-29" id="p-29"

[0029] In some examples, the spring is arranged inside the tubular damper by molding the spring inside the tubular damper. id="p-30" id="p-30" id="p-30" id="p-30"

[0030] The above aspects, accompanying claims, and/or examples disclosed herein above and later below may be suitably combined with each other as would be apparent to anyone of ordinary skill in the art. [0031] claims, and drawings, and in part will be readily apparent therefrom to those skilled in the art Additional features and advantages are disclosed in the following description, or recognized by practicing the disclosure as described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION oF THE DRAWINGS id="p-32" id="p-32" id="p-32" id="p-32"

[0032] With reference to the appended drawings, below follows a more detailed description of aspects of the disclosure cited as examples. [0033] FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a motor vehicle including a propeller shaft assembly of the invention according to one example. id="p-34" id="p-34" id="p-34" id="p-34"

[0034] FIG. 2 is a detail view of FIG. 1. id="p-35" id="p-35" id="p-35" id="p-35"

[0035] FIG. 3 is a partial cross-section and perspective view of a propeller shaft assembly of the invention according to one example. id="p-36" id="p-36" id="p-36" id="p-36"

[0036] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the propeller shaft assembly of FIG. 3. 4 [0037] FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of a propeller shaft assembly of the prior art. [0038] FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of a propeller shaft assembly of the invention according to one example allowing to compare a propeller shaft to the invention to a propeller shaft assembly of FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0039] Aspects set forth below represent the necessary information to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure. [0040] The consumers of modern automotive vehicles are increasingly inﬂuenced in their purchasing decisions and in their opinions of the quality of a vehicle by their satisfaction with the vehicle°s sound quality. In this regard, consumers increasingly expect the interior of the vehicle to be quiet and free of noise from the power train and drive line. Consequently, vehicle manufacturers and their suppliers are under constant pressure to reduce noise to meet the increasingly stringent expectations of consumers. id="p-41" id="p-41" id="p-41" id="p-41"

[0041] significant role in sound quality of a vehicle as they can provide the forcing function that excites Drive line components and their integration into a vehicle typically play a specific driveline, suspension and body resonances to produce noise. Since the noise can be tonal in nature, it is usually readily detected by the occupants of a vehicle regardless of other noise levels; Common driveline excitation sources can include driveline imbalance and/or runout, fluctuations in engine torque, engine idle shake, and motion variation in the meshing gear teeth of the hypoid gear set (i.e., the pinion gear and the ring gear of a differential assembly). [0042] Modem automative propeller shafts are commonly formed of relatively thin-walled steel or Propeller shafts are typically employed to transmit rotary power in a driveline. aluminium tubing and as such, can be receptive to various driveline excitation sources which can typically cause the propeller shaft to vibrate. id="p-43" id="p-43" id="p-43" id="p-43"

[0043] FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a motor vehicle including a propeller shaft assembly of the invention according to one example. [0044] A motor vehicle 1 has a differential assembly 2. It should be appreciated that the vehicle 1 may be an automobile, a truck, a van or a sport utility vehicle, for example. As used herein, the term vehicle is not limited to just an automobile, a truck a van or a sport utility vehicle, but may also include any self-propelled or towed conveyance suitable for transporting a burden. The vehicle 1 may include an engine 3, such as a gasoline or diesel fueled internal combustion engine, for example. The engine 3 may further be a hybrid-type engine that combines an internal combustion engine with an electric motor. The engine 3 and the differential assembly 2 are coupled to a frame or other chassis structure 4. The engine 3 is coupled to the differential assembly through a gear box 5 and a propeller shaft assembly 6. The gear box 5 may be configured to reduce the rotational velocity and increase the torque output of the engine 3. The rear differential assembly 2 transmits output torque from the propeller shaft assembly 6 to a pair of driven wheels 7 via a rear axle 8. id="p-45" id="p-45" id="p-45" id="p-45"

[0045] FIG. 2 is a detail view of FIG. 1. The torque generated by the engine 3 is transmitted to the rear axle 8 via the gear box 5 and the propeller shaft assembly 6. As the propeller shaft rotates at very high speeds, torsion is created in the propeller shaft, resulting in noise and vibration. The impact of vibration can be quite severe on the life of the structural components. id="p-46" id="p-46" id="p-46" id="p-46"

[0046] of the invention according to one example. The propeller shaft assembly 6 comprises a tubular FIG. 3 is a partial cross-section and perspective view of a propeller shaft assembly member 9 forn1ing an outer tube of the propeller shaft assembly 6. The tubular member 9 can be a metallic member, typically a steel member. A tubular damper 10 is arranged inside the tubular member 9 and is locked to the tubular member 9. The tubular damper 10 may be a rubber damper. Moreover, a spring 11 is arranged inside the tubular damper 10, typically in such a way that the spring 11 forces the tubular damper 10 into contact with the tubular member 9. The tubular member 9, the tubular damper 10 and the spring 11 extend longitudinally and are preferably coaxial. id="p-47" id="p-47" id="p-47" id="p-47"

[0047] When torque is transmitted from the engine 3 to the rear axle 8, the propeller shaft will attempt to twist, which is opposed by the damper 10 (the shock absorber) and the coil spring 11. The distortion energy of the twisted propeller shaft will be absorbed by the tubular damper 10 and the spring 11 instead of being transferred to other structural components, thus improving the durability of the motor vehicle structure. The spring 11 is advantageously placed inside the tubular damper 10 with a partial spring torsion condition, so that the spring can absorb the shock for both clockwise and counterclockwise torsion. The spring 11 can absorb the twisting shocks. id="p-48" id="p-48" id="p-48" id="p-48"

[0048] The spring 11 is typically a helical spring that can be locked to the tubular damper 10, for FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the propeller shaft assembly of FIG. 3. instance by molding the spring 11 inside the tubular damper 10. The tubular damper 10, equipped with the spring 11, is inserted into the tubular member 9. A lock between the tubular damper 10 and the tubular member 9 can be achieved using ribs 12 of the tubular damper 10 that engage grooves 13 practiced in the wall of the tubular member 9 from an interior circun1ferential surface 14 of the tubular member 9. Thus, in this example, the tubular damper 10 has a globally cylindrical shape with the ribs 12 as protruding elements. Similarly, in this example, the outer tubular member 9 has a globally cylindrical shape with the grooves 13 made in the wall of the tubular member 9 from the interior circumferential surface 14. Thus, the tubular damper 10 can be locked to the interior circumferential surface 14 using a male/female type locking system. There is therefore no relative movement between the tubular member 9 and the tubular damper 10, so there is less wear and tear in the propeller shaft assembly 6. id="p-49" id="p-49" id="p-49" id="p-49"

[0049] the tubular damper 9 and the spring 11 will absorb the vibrations generated. The assembly lf torsion occurs in the propeller shaft due to torque ﬂuctuations, the assembly of absorbs the shock resulting from the sudden twisting of the propeller shaft during the engine stroke and from the sudden engagement/disengagement of the clutch and gearbox. [0050] as explained above will be absorbed in the propeller shaft assembly 6 rather than being Thus, vibrations that arrive in the propeller shaft assembly 6 from various sources transferred to other structural components. [0051] FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of a propeller shaft assembly 6a of the prior art. In this propeller shaft assembly 6a, which lacks a damper, the propeller shaft assembly twists (the axis X" of the twisted shaft assembly 6a° is offset from the nominal axis X of the shaft assembly 6a by an angle 0) which will cause vibrations in the motor vehicle. id="p-52" id="p-52" id="p-52" id="p-52"

[0052] FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of a propeller shaft assembly 6 of the invention. Due to the spring 11 arranged inside the tubular damper 10, the propeller shaft assembly 6 does not exhibit any torsion. id="p-53" id="p-53" id="p-53" id="p-53"

[0053] transmission of torque vibrations from the gear box to other chassis components (i.e., frame, Thus, due to the specific assembly of the propeller shaft of the invention, the rear axle, etc.) is avoided. The shock generated by the sudden engagement/disengagement of the clutch prior to transfer to the rear axle is absorbed. In addition, transmission noise due to strong vibrations or any shock to the propeller shaft is reduced. Finally, the durability of the structural components of the motor vehicle is increased by reducing vibrations. id="p-54" id="p-54" id="p-54" id="p-54"

[0054] The terrninology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as Well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, the terrn "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It Will be further understood that the terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes," and/or "including" When used herein specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. id="p-55" id="p-55" id="p-55" id="p-55"

[0055] It Will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be lin1ited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element could be terrned a first element Without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. id="p-56" id="p-56" id="p-56" id="p-56"

[0056] "vertical" may be used herein to describe a relationship of one element to another element as Relative terms such as "beloW" or "above" or "upper" or "loWer" or "horizontal" or illustrated in the Figures. It Will be understood that these terms and those discussed above are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the Figures. It Will be understood that When an element is referred to as being "connected" or "coupled" to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element, or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, When an element is referred to as being "directly connected" or "directly coupled" to another element, there are no intervening elements present. id="p-57" id="p-57" id="p-57" id="p-57"

[0057] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to Which this disclosure belongs. It Will be further understood that terms used herein should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent With their meaning in the context of this specification and the relevant art and Will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. id="p-58" id="p-58" id="p-58" id="p-58"

[0058] described above and illustrated in the draWings; rather, the skilled person Will recognize that It is to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the aspects many changes and modifications may be made Within the scope of the present disclosure and appended claims. In the draWings and specification, there have been disclosed aspects for purposes of illustration only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the inventive concepts being set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A propeller shaft assembly (6) for a motor vehicle (1), comprising: - a tubular member (9) having a Wall member that defines an interior circumferential surface, - a tubular damper (10) arranged inside the tubular member (9) and locked to the interior circun1ferential surface (14), and - a spring (11) arranged inside the tubular damper (10).

2. The propeller shaft assembly (6) of claim 1, Wherein the spring (11) is a helical spring.

3. The propeller shaft assembly (6) of claim 1 or 2, Wherein the spring (11) forces the tubular damper (10) into contact With the tubular member (9).

4. The propeller shaft assembly (6) of any claims 1-3, Wherein the spring (11) is locked to the tubular damper (10).

5. The propeller shaft assembly (6) of any claims 1-4, Wherein the spring (11) is molded inside the tubular damper (10).

6. The propeller shaft assembly (6) of any of claims 1-5, Wherein the tubular damper (10) is locked to the interior circumferential surface (14) by means of ribs (12) of the tubular damper (10) that cooperate With grooves (13) practiced in the Wall member of the tubular member (9) from the interior circumferential surface (14).

7. The propeller shaft assembly (6) of any of claims 1-6, Wherein the tubular member (9) comprises steel.

8. The propeller shaft assembly (6) of any of claims 1-7, Wherein the tubular damper (10) comprises rubber.

9. A motor vehicle (1) comprising a propeller shaft assembly (6) according to any of claims 1-

10. A motor vehicle (1) of claim 9, Wherein the motor vehicle (1) is a truck.

11. A motor vehicle (1) of claim 9 or 10, comprising an engine (3) generating a torque output, distributed through the propeller shaft assembly (6).

12. A motor vehicle (1) of claim 11, Wherein the engine (3) is coupled to an aXle (8) through a gear box (5) and the propeller shaft assembly (6).

13. A motor vehicle (1) of claim 12, Wherein the aXle (8) is a rear aXle.

14. A method for assembling a propeller shaft assembly (6) according to claim 1, the method comprising: - providing a tubular member (9) having a Wall member that defines an interior circumferential surface (14), - providing a tubular damper (10), - providing a spring (11), - arranging the spring (11) inside the tubular damper (10), and - locking the tubular damper (10) including the spring (11) so arranged to the interior circun1ferential surface (14) of the tubular member (9).

15. The method of claim 14, Wherein the spring (11) is arranged inside the tubular damper (10) by molding the spring (11) inside the tubular damper (10).