A driveshaft assembly

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of automobile manufacturing, and particularly relates to a transmission shaft assembly. One end of a spline shaft fork is connected to a universal joint, the other end of the spline shaft fork is arranged in one end of a spline sleeve, the spline shaft fork and the spline sleeve are in sliding connection, the other end of the spline sleeve is connected to a rear-end universal joint assembly, a dust cover is arranged on the outer wall of the spline sleeve, the dust cover is connected to the spline shaft fork, an inner dust seal, a gasket and an outer dirt removal seal are arranged between the dust cover and the spline sleeve, the inner dust seal is close to the front-end universal joint assembly, the outer dirt removal seal is close to the rear-end universal joint assembly, and the gasket is arranged between the inner dust seal and the outer dirt removal seal. Compared with the prior art, the transmission shaft assembly forms a double-layer sealing structure by arranging the inner dust seal, the gasket and the outer dirt removal seal, can reduce the linearity of the sand invasion path, strengthen the sealing redundancy, prevent external sand from invading the spline interior, and avoid spline pair wear and even ablation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of automobile manufacturing technology, and in particular to a drive shaft assembly. Background Technology

[0002] The driveshaft on tractor-trailer, cargo, or dump trucks is generally composed of universal joints, shaft tubes, and sliding splines. It is mainly located between the transmission and the drive axle and is primarily used to transmit the torque output from the engine and transmission to the drive axle during vehicle operation. At the same time, it needs to compensate for the changes in the length of the transmission system caused by the up-and-down movement of the drive axle due to uneven road surfaces under high-speed rotation conditions. Therefore, a sliding spline assembly composed of parts with inner and outer involute splines is generally required to accommodate the real-time changes in the length of the driveshaft assembly during vehicle operation.

[0003] The sliding spline pair of the commercial vehicle drive shaft assembly mainly consists of a spline shaft fork assembly (with external splines), a spline sleeve assembly (with internal splines), a dust cover, and a dust seal from the inside out. Since the involute spline needs to withstand large torque while meeting the sliding conditions of real-time tension or compression, lithium-based grease needs to be used at the spline position to achieve the function of reducing friction. At the same time, it is necessary to ensure the sealing effect of the dust seal to prevent the flow of internal and external air or the intrusion of mud and sand.

[0004] However, in current mass-produced products, the sealing structure of the aforementioned sliding spline pairs of drive shafts generally adopts a dust seal press-fitted at the end of the dust cover. It typically includes one or two lips, which are interference-fitted with the outer circumferential surface of the spline sleeve to block external air. In addition, the lips face outwards, pushing away the mud and sand impurities attached to the spline sleeve when the drive shaft assembly is compressed, preventing impurities from being brought into the interior during the compression to extension cycle. When the dust seal lips wear down, external mud and sand and air can easily invade the interior with the extension and contraction of the sliding spline pair, causing grease contamination or drying, accelerating the wear of the spline pair or even burning.

[0005] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a drive shaft assembly to solve the above-mentioned technical problems. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide a drive shaft assembly that can prevent external mud and sand from entering the spline and prevent the spline pair from wearing or even burning.

[0007] To achieve this objective, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0008] A drive shaft assembly includes a front universal joint assembly, a drive shaft tube, and a rear universal joint assembly. The front universal joint assembly and the rear universal joint assembly are respectively connected to both ends of the drive shaft tube. The front universal joint assembly includes a dust cover, an inner dust seal, a gasket, an outer dirt seal, a splined shaft fork, a splined sleeve, and a universal joint. One end of the splined shaft fork is connected to the universal joint, and the other end of the splined shaft fork passes through one end of the splined sleeve. The splined shaft fork and the splined sleeve are connected to each other. The sleeve is slidably connected, with the other end of the spline sleeve connected to the rear universal joint assembly. The dust cover is fitted onto the outer wall of the spline sleeve and is connected to the spline shaft fork. The inner dust seal, the gasket, and the outer dirt-removing seal are spaced apart between the dust cover and the spline sleeve. The inner dust seal is close to the front universal joint assembly, and the outer dirt-removing seal is close to the rear universal joint assembly. The gasket is positioned between the inner dust seal and the outer dirt-removing seal.

[0009] As a preferred technical solution of the above-mentioned drive shaft assembly, the dust cover includes a mounting part and an extension part. The two ends of the mounting part are respectively connected to the extension part and the spline shaft fork. The diameter of the extension part is larger than the diameter of the mounting part. The inner dust seal, the gasket and the outer dirt-removing seal are spaced apart between the extension part and the spline sleeve.

[0010] As a preferred technical solution of the aforementioned drive shaft assembly, the extension portion has an inwardly protruding flange at one end near the rear universal joint assembly, and the flange abuts against the external dirt removal seal.

[0011] As a preferred technical solution of the aforementioned drive shaft assembly, the inner dust seal includes a frame, an inner lip, and an outer lip. The inner lip and the outer lip are spaced apart on the inner wall of the frame, and both the inner lip and the outer lip are interference-fitted with the outer wall of the spline sleeve. The frame is provided with a first mounting surface and a first positioning surface. The first mounting surface is interference-fitted with the inner wall of the extension portion, and the first positioning surface is located at the end of the frame near the gasket, and the first positioning surface abuts against the gasket.

[0012] As a preferred embodiment of the aforementioned drive shaft assembly, both the inner lip and the outer lip are made of nitrile rubber or fluororubber.

[0013] As a preferred technical solution of the aforementioned drive shaft assembly, the gasket includes a second mounting surface, an inner positioning surface, an outer positioning surface, and a grease reservoir surface. The second mounting surface is interference-fitted with the inner wall of the extension portion. The inner positioning surface abuts against the first positioning surface, and the outer positioning surface abuts against the outer cleaning seal, so that the skeleton, the outer wall of the spline sleeve, and the grease reservoir surface together form a grease reservoir cavity, which is used to store lubricating grease.

[0014] As a preferred embodiment of the aforementioned drive shaft assembly, the gasket is disc-shaped.

[0015] As a preferred embodiment of the aforementioned drive shaft assembly, the external cleaning seal includes a third mounting surface, a second positioning surface, a cleaning seal lip, and an inner circular mating surface. The third mounting surface is interference-fitted with the inner wall of the extension portion, the second positioning surface abuts against the outer positioning surface, the inner circular mating surface is interference-fitted with the outer wall of the spline sleeve, and the cleaning seal lip protrudes from the inner circular mating surface along the axial direction close to the rear universal joint assembly, and the cleaning seal lip is interference-fitted with the outer wall of the spline sleeve.

[0016] As a preferred technical solution for the aforementioned drive shaft assembly, the external dirt-removing seal is made of polyurethane.

[0017] As a preferred technical solution for the aforementioned drive shaft assembly, the inner dust seal, the gasket, and the outer dirt-removing seal are integrally formed.

[0018] Beneficial effects of this invention:

[0019] This invention provides a driveshaft assembly. The driveshaft assembly includes a front universal joint assembly, a driveshaft tube, and a rear universal joint assembly. The front and rear universal joint assemblies are respectively connected to the two ends of the driveshaft tube. The front universal joint assembly includes a dust cover, an inner dust seal, a gasket, an outer cleaning seal, a splined shaft fork, a splined sleeve, and a universal joint. One end of the splined shaft fork is connected to the universal joint, and the other end of the splined shaft fork passes through one end of the splined sleeve, with the splined shaft fork and splined sleeve slidably connected. The other end of the splined sleeve is connected to the rear universal joint assembly. The dust cover is fitted onto the outer wall of the splined sleeve and is connected to the splined shaft fork. The inner dust seal, gasket, and outer cleaning seal are spaced apart between the dust cover and the splined sleeve, with the inner dust seal closer to the front universal joint assembly and the outer cleaning seal closer to the rear universal joint assembly. The gasket is positioned between the inner dust seal and the outer cleaning seal. Compared to existing technologies, this drive shaft assembly forms a double-layer sealing structure by setting an inner dust seal, a gasket, and an outer dirt-removing seal. This reduces the straightness of the mud and sand intrusion path, enhances the sealing redundancy, prevents external mud and sand from entering the spline, and avoids wear or even burning of the spline pair. Attached Figure Description

[0020] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments of the present invention will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the content of the embodiments of the present invention and these drawings without creative effort.

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the drive shaft assembly provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of the drive shaft assembly provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 3 This is a partial structural schematic diagram of the drive shaft assembly provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the dust cover provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the external decontamination seal provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the internal dust seal provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the gasket provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] In the picture:

[0029] 1. Dust cover; 11. Mounting part; 12. Extension part; 13. Flanged edge;

[0030] 2. Inner dust seal; 21. First mounting surface; 22. First positioning surface; 23. Inner lip; 24. Outer lip;

[0031] 3. Gasket; 31. Second mounting surface; 32. Inner positioning surface; 33. Outer positioning surface; 34. Grease reservoir surface;

[0032] 4. External cleaning seal; 41. Third mounting surface; 42. Second positioning surface; 43. Cleaning seal lip; 44. Inner circle mating surface;

[0033] 5. Splined shaft fork; 6. Splined sleeve;

[0034] 100. Front universal joint assembly; 200. Drive shaft tube; 300. Rear universal joint assembly. Detailed Implementation

[0035] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the invention and not intended to limit it. Furthermore, it should be noted that, for ease of description, the accompanying drawings show only the parts relevant to the present invention, and not all of the structures.

[0036] In the description of this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "connected," "linked," and "fixed" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0037] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can include direct contact between the first and second features, or contact between the first and second features through another feature between them. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature includes the first feature directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature includes the first feature directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0038] In the description of this embodiment, the terms "upper," "lower," "left," and "right," etc., refer to the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for ease of description and simplification of operation, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the present invention. In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used only for distinction in description and have no special meaning.

[0039] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the present invention provides a drive shaft assembly. The drive shaft assembly includes a front universal joint assembly 100, a drive shaft tube 200, and a rear universal joint assembly 300. The front universal joint assembly 100 and the rear universal joint assembly 300 are respectively connected to the two ends of the drive shaft tube 200. The front universal joint assembly 100 includes a dust cover 1, an inner dust seal 2, a gasket 3, an outer dirt seal 4, a spline shaft fork 5, a spline sleeve 6, and a universal joint.

[0040] Specifically, one end of the spline shaft fork 5 is connected to the universal joint, and the other end of the spline shaft fork 5 passes through one end of the spline sleeve 6, and the spline shaft fork 5 and the spline sleeve 6 are slidably connected. The other end of the spline sleeve 6 is connected to the rear universal joint assembly 300. The dust cover 1 is fitted on the outer wall of the spline sleeve 6 and is connected to the spline shaft fork 5. The inner dust seal 2, the gasket 3 and the outer dirt-removing seal 4 are spaced apart between the dust cover 1 and the spline sleeve 6. The inner dust seal 2 is close to the front universal joint assembly 100, and the outer dirt-removing seal 4 is close to the rear universal joint assembly 300. The gasket 3 is placed between the inner dust seal 2 and the outer dirt-removing seal 4. Compared to existing technologies, this drive shaft assembly forms a double-layer sealing structure by setting an inner dust seal 2, a gasket 3, and an outer dirt removal seal 4. This reduces the straightness of the mud and sand intrusion path, strengthens the sealing redundancy, prevents external mud and sand from entering the spline, and avoids wear or even burning of the spline pair.

[0041] Optionally, such as Figure 4 As shown, the dust cover 1 includes a mounting part 11 and an extension part 12. The two ends of the mounting part 11 are respectively connected to the extension part 12 and the spline shaft fork 5. The diameter of the extension part 12 is larger than the diameter of the mounting part 11. The inner dust seal 2, the gasket 3, and the outer dirt-removing seal 4 are spaced apart between the extension part 12 and the spline sleeve 6. Further, the end of the extension part 12 near the rear universal joint assembly 300 has an inwardly protruding flange 13, which abuts against the outer dirt-removing seal 4. Specifically, the diameter of the extension portion 12 is larger than the diameter of the mounting portion 11, forming a stepped surface between the mounting portion 11 and the extension portion 12. The inner dust seal 2 abuts against the stepped surface, and the two ends of the gasket 3 abut against the inner dust seal 2 and the outer dirt-removing seal 4, respectively. The outer dirt-removing seal 4 abuts against the flange 13, which enables the inner dust seal 2, gasket 3 and outer dirt-removing seal 4 to be pressed into the extension portion 12, thereby improving the stability of the inner dust seal 2, gasket 3 and outer dirt-removing seal 4.

[0042] Optionally, such as Figure 5 As shown, the external decontamination seal 4 includes a third mounting surface 41, a second positioning surface 42, a decontamination seal lip 43, and an inner circular mating surface 44. The third mounting surface 41 is press-fitted with the inner wall of the extension portion 12, the second positioning surface 42 abuts against the outer positioning surface 33, and the inner circular mating surface 44 is press-fitted with the outer wall of the spline sleeve 6. The decontamination seal lip 43 protrudes from the inner circular mating surface 44 along the axial direction close to the rear universal joint assembly 300, and the decontamination seal lip 43 is press-fitted with the outer wall of the spline sleeve 6. Further, the external decontamination seal 4 is made of polyurethane. Specifically, the external dirt removal seal 4 is made of polyurethane material and is located at the outer end of the dust cover 1. The dirt removal seal lip 43 faces outward. It uses the high strength and high wear resistance of the material to remove mud and sand impurities adhering to the outer wall of the spline sleeve 6. All the inner holes on the inner side of the dirt removal seal lip 43 are fitted with the spline sleeve 6 with a large interference fit. It utilizes the low coefficient of friction of the material to improve the sealing effect without significantly increasing the sliding resistance.

[0043] Optionally, such as Figure 6 As shown, the inner dust seal 2 includes a skeleton, an inner lip 23, and an outer lip 24. The inner lip 23 and the outer lip 24 are spaced apart on the inner wall of the skeleton, and both the inner lip 23 and the outer lip 24 are press-fitted with the outer wall of the spline sleeve 6. The skeleton is provided with a first mounting surface 21 and a first positioning surface 22. The first mounting surface 21 is press-fitted with the inner wall of the extension portion 12, and the first positioning surface 22 is located at the end of the skeleton near the gasket 3, and the first positioning surface 22 abuts against the gasket 3. Further, both the inner lip 23 and the outer lip 24 are made of nitrile rubber or fluororubber. Specifically, the inner lip 23 and the outer lip 24 are made of nitrile rubber or fluororubber and are located on the inner wall of the dust cover 1 with the lips facing outward. Their resistance to media protects the outer polyurethane material external dirt seal 4 from corrosion by the internal lubricating grease. Their high resilience allows for the formation of a long-lasting auxiliary seal on the inner side after long-term use of the drive shaft assembly, in the event of wear on the external dirt seal 4. This seal blocks external air and maintains the performance of the internal lubricating grease. By complementing the properties of nitrile rubber or fluororubber and polyurethane materials, the problem of easy wear and seal failure of traditional single-material sealing structures under dynamic sliding conditions is solved. The staggered layout of the double-layer seal reduces the straightness of the mud and sand intrusion path and enhances the sealing redundancy.

[0044] Optionally, such as Figure 7 As shown, the gasket 3 includes a second mounting surface 31, an inner positioning surface 32, an outer positioning surface 33, and a grease reservoir surface 34. The second mounting surface 31 is interference-fitted with the inner wall of the extension portion 12. The inner positioning surface 32 abuts against the first positioning surface 22, and the outer positioning surface 33 abuts against the outer cleaning seal 4, so that the outer wall of the skeleton, the spline sleeve 6, and the grease reservoir surface 34 together form a grease reservoir cavity for storing lubricating grease. Furthermore, the gasket 3 is disc-shaped. Specifically, the gasket 3 is made of spring steel and is located between the outer dirt seal 4 and the inner dust seal 2. Together with the outermost flange 13 of the dust cover 1, it provides axial positioning support for the outer dirt seal 4, preventing it from shifting due to axial force when pushed and cleaned by the dirt seal lip 43 during the compression of the drive shaft assembly. At the same time, this disc-shaped gasket 3 and the inner dust seal 2 form an annular grease reservoir, which stores long-lasting grease at the factory. Through the elastic deformation of the gasket 3 during sliding, it continuously provides grease to the inner lip 23 and the outer lip 24 to achieve long-lasting lubrication. Under the conditions that the sliding spline pair needs to frequently extend and retract, the external environment is full of mud and sand, and the assembly is maintenance-free, it can prevent the internal lubrication failure due to the wear and failure of the dust seal, and even the wear and burning problem, thus ensuring the high durability of the sliding spline pair of the drive shaft assembly.

[0045] Optionally, the inner dust seal 2, gasket 3, and outer dirt-removing seal 4 are integrally molded. Specifically, the inner dust seal 2, gasket 3, and outer dirt-removing seal 4 are integrated components, which can simplify the assembly process. By utilizing the material properties, the lip thickness of the outer dirt-removing seal 4 can be extended to the same width as the component, thereby increasing its lip structure rigidity. This prevents the lip from being squeezed by the mating spline sleeve 6 during assembly at the factory or reassembly after user maintenance, thus reducing assembly difficulty and improving assembly efficiency and reliability.

[0046] Furthermore, the above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and the technical principles employed. Those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, and various obvious changes, readjustments, and substitutions can be made without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, although the present invention has been described in detail through the above embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and may include many other equivalent embodiments without departing from the concept of the present invention, the scope of which is determined by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A drive shaft assembly, comprising a front universal joint assembly (100), a drive shaft tube (200), and a rear universal joint assembly (300), wherein the front universal joint assembly (100) and the rear universal joint assembly (300) are respectively connected to both ends of the drive shaft tube (200), characterized in that, The front universal joint assembly (100) includes a dust cover (1), an inner dust seal (2), a gasket (3), an outer dirt seal (4), a splined shaft fork (5), a splined sleeve (6), and a universal joint. One end of the splined shaft fork (5) is connected to the universal joint, and the other end of the splined shaft fork (5) passes through one end of the splined sleeve (6), and the splined shaft fork (5) and the splined sleeve (6) are slidably connected. The other end of the splined sleeve (6) is connected to the rear universal joint assembly (300). The dust cover (1) The dust cover (1) is fitted onto the outer wall of the spline sleeve (6), and the dust cover (1) is connected to the spline shaft fork (5). The inner dust seal (2), the gasket (3), and the outer dirt seal (4) are spaced apart between the dust cover (1) and the spline sleeve (6). The inner dust seal (2) is close to the front universal joint assembly (100), and the outer dirt seal (4) is close to the rear universal joint assembly (300). The gasket (3) is located between the inner dust seal (2) and the outer dirt seal (4). The dust cover (1) includes a mounting part (11) and an extension part (12). The two ends of the mounting part (11) are respectively connected to the extension part (12) and the spline shaft fork (5). The diameter of the extension part (12) is larger than the diameter of the mounting part (11). The inner dust seal (2), the gasket (3) and the outer dirt seal (4) are spaced apart between the extension part (12) and the spline sleeve (6). The inner dust seal (2) includes a skeleton, an inner lip (23) and an outer lip (24). The inner lip (23) and the outer lip (24) are spaced apart on the inner wall of the skeleton, and both the inner lip (23) and the outer lip (24) are press-fitted with the outer wall of the spline sleeve (6). The skeleton is provided with a first mounting surface (21) and a first positioning surface (22). The first mounting surface (21) is press-fitted with the inner wall of the extension (12). The first positioning surface (22) is located at the end of the skeleton near the gasket (3), and the first positioning surface (22) abuts against the gasket (3). The gasket (3) includes a second mounting surface (31), an inner positioning surface (32), an outer positioning surface (33), and a grease reservoir surface (34). The second mounting surface (31) is interference-fitted with the inner wall of the extension (12). The inner positioning surface (32) abuts against the first positioning surface (22), and the outer positioning surface (33) abuts against the outer cleaning seal (4), so that the skeleton, the outer wall of the spline sleeve (6), and the grease reservoir surface (34) together form a grease reservoir cavity, which is used to store lubricating grease.

2. The drive shaft assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The extension part (12) has a flange (13) protruding inward at one end near the rear universal joint assembly (300), and the flange (13) abuts against the external decontamination seal (4).

3. A drive shaft assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, Both the inner lip (23) and the outer lip (24) are made of nitrile rubber or fluororubber.

4. A drive shaft assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The gasket (3) is disc-shaped.

5. A drive shaft assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The external cleaning seal (4) includes a third mounting surface (41), a second positioning surface (42), a cleaning seal lip (43), and an inner circle mating surface (44). The third mounting surface (41) is interference-fitted with the inner wall of the extension (12). The second positioning surface (42) abuts against the outer positioning surface (33). The inner circle mating surface (44) is interference-fitted with the outer wall of the spline sleeve (6). The cleaning seal lip (43) protrudes from the inner circle mating surface (44) along the axial direction close to the rear universal joint assembly (300), and the cleaning seal lip (43) is interference-fitted with the outer wall of the spline sleeve (6).

6. A drive shaft assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that, The external decontamination seal (4) is made of polyurethane.

7. A drive shaft assembly according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The inner dust seal (2), the gasket (3), and the outer dirt seal (4) are integrally formed.

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