Half-shaft joint structure

Abstract

The present invention provides a half shaft joint structure capable of reducing noise and vibration generated by shaking of a half shaft on a vehicle body side. The half shaft joint structure is adapted to connect a driving device of a vehicle and one of a pair of frames provided in a width direction of the vehicle, and includes: an inner joint connected to a driving shaft of the driving device; and a half shaft joint connected to a half shaft provided between the pair of frames, and the inner joint and the half shaft joint are connected and provided at a portion corresponding to the one of the pair of frames.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a half-shaft joint structure applicable to vehicle structures. Background Technology

[0002] In existing technologies (e.g., Japanese Patent Publication No. 2009-011786), the half-shaft in the half-shaft joint structure connects the vehicle's drive unit and frame, and an inboard joint is provided on the drive unit side. However, when the drive unit is located on the frame side, the half-shaft wobble increases, making it difficult to absorb the wobble to improve structural rigidity. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the half-shaft joint structure used to connect the drive unit in order to reduce the noise and vibration generated by the half-shaft wobble on the vehicle body side. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This invention provides a half-shaft joint structure that can reduce the noise and vibration generated by the swaying of the half-shaft on the side of the vehicle body.

[0004] The present invention provides a half-shaft connector structure suitable for connecting a vehicle drive unit and one of a pair of frames arranged in the width direction of the vehicle, and includes: an inner connector connected to the drive shaft of the drive unit; and a half-shaft connector connected to a half-shaft disposed between the pair of frames, wherein the inner connector and the half-shaft connector are connected at a location corresponding to one of the frames.

[0005] In the half-shaft connector structure of the embodiment of the present invention, the half-shaft connector structure further includes: a housing disposed between the drive shaft and the half-shaft, and the inner connector and the half-shaft connector are installed in the same housing.

[0006] In the half-shaft connector structure of an embodiment of the present invention, the half-shaft connector structure further includes: a seat body supporting the housing and the half-shaft, and the seat body is mounted on the vehicle frame.

[0007] In the half-shaft connector structure of an embodiment of the present invention, a bearing component is provided between the seat and the housing.

[0008] In the half-shaft connector structure of the embodiment of the present invention, the half-shaft connector is a roller or ball structure that is movable in the axial direction.

[0009] In the half-shaft joint structure of an embodiment of the present invention, the drive device is disposed on the side of the frame opposite to the half-shaft joint in the width direction, and the inner joint is located further outward than the half-shaft joint in the width direction.

[0010] Based on the above, in the half-shaft connector structure of the present invention, the inner connector is connected to the drive shaft of the drive unit, the half-shaft connector is connected to the half-shaft, and the inner connector and the half-shaft connector are connected and arranged on one of the frame sides. Thus, the connector on the half-shaft side, i.e., the half-shaft connector, is arranged on the frame side and further connected to the drive unit through the inner connector, thereby enabling the drive unit to absorb the swaying of the half-shaft. Accordingly, the half-shaft connector structure of the present invention can reduce the noise and vibration generated by the swaying of the half-shaft on the vehicle body side.

[0011] To make the above features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, embodiments are described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0012] Figure 1 This is a front view schematic diagram of a half-shaft connector structure according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0013] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The diagram shown is a partial enlarged view of the half-shaft joint structure near the inner joint and the half-shaft joint.

[0014] Figures 3 to 6 yes Figure 2 The diagram shows a partially enlarged view of the half-shaft joint structure in other variations.

[0015] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0016] 50: Vehicles;

[0017] 52: Drive unit;

[0018] 52a: Drive shaft;

[0019] 54a, 54b: Chassis;

[0020] 56: Half shaft;

[0021] 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D: Half-shaft joint structure;

[0022] 110, 110A, 110B, 110C, 110D: Inner connectors;

[0023] 120, 120A, 120B, 120C, 120D: Half-shaft connectors;

[0024] 130: Casing;

[0025] 140: base;

[0026] 150: Bearing components;

[0027] W: Width direction. Detailed Implementation

[0028] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherein, Figure 1 This is a front view schematic diagram of a half-shaft connector structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The diagram shown is a magnified view of a portion of the half-shaft connector structure near the inner connector and the half-shaft connector. Figures 3 to 6 yes Figure 2 The diagram shows a partially enlarged view of the half-shaft joint structure in other variations. The following will be accompanied by... Figure 1 and Figure 2 This embodiment describes the specific structure of the half-shaft connector structure 100, and provides an explanation of its configuration. Figures 3 to 6 The following describes the specific structure of the half-shaft connector structure in other variations of this embodiment, but this is only one example of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0029] Please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 In this embodiment, the half-shaft connector structure 100 is adapted to connect the drive unit 52 of the vehicle 50 and one of the two frames 54a and 54b arranged in the width direction W of the vehicle 50, and includes an inner connector 110 and a half-shaft connector 120. The inner connector 110 is connected to the drive shaft 52a of the drive unit 52. The half-shaft connector 120 is connected to the half-shaft 56 arranged between the two frames 54a and 54b, and the inner connector 110 and the half-shaft connector 120 are connected at the corresponding position of one of the frames 54a (for example, the inner connector 110 is located inside the half-shaft connector 120 in the width direction W).

[0030] Specifically, in this embodiment, as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the vehicle 50 has a pair of frames 54a and 54b, and a drive unit 52 disposed near one of the frames 54a. A half-shaft 56 is disposed between the pairs of frames 54a and 54b, and is connected to the drive shaft 52a of the drive unit 52 via a half-shaft connector structure 100. The half-shaft connector structure 100 connecting the half-shaft 56 and the drive shaft 52a is disposed on the corresponding frame 54a, such that the half-shaft 56 is connected to the drive shaft 52a of the drive unit 52 via a half-shaft connector 120 and an inner connector 110 of the half-shaft connector structure 100. The inner connector 110 and the half-shaft connector 120 are disposed near one of the corresponding frames 54a.

[0031] With the above settings, as Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, in the half-shaft connector structure 100 of this embodiment, the inner connector 110 is connected to the drive shaft 52a of the drive unit 52, and the half-shaft connector 120 is connected to the half-shaft 56. The inner connector 110 and the half-shaft connector 120 are connected on one of the frame 54a sides. Thus, the connector on the half-shaft 56 side, i.e., the half-shaft connector 120, is positioned on the frame 54a side and further connected to the drive unit 52 via the inner connector 110, allowing the drive unit 52 to absorb the shaking of the half-shaft 56. Accordingly, the half-shaft connector structure 100 can reduce the noise and vibration generated by the shaking of the half-shaft 56 on the vehicle body side (i.e., the frame 54a side). However, the present invention is not limited thereto and can be adjusted according to requirements.

[0032] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the half-shaft connector structure 100 also includes a housing 130. The housing 130 is disposed between the drive shaft 52a and the half-shaft 56, and the inner connector 110 and the half-shaft connector 120 are installed within the same housing 130. That is, the inner connector 110 and the half-shaft connector 120 are configured as a single component sharing the same housing 130. Thus, compared to separating the inner connector 110 and the half-shaft connector 120 (each with its own housing), using the inner connector 110 and the half-shaft connector 120 installed within the same housing 130 reduces the configuration space for these connectors and lowers manufacturing costs, and facilitates installation between the drive shaft 52a and the half-shaft 56. However, the present invention does not limit the specific structure and arrangement of the housing 130; it can be adjusted according to requirements.

[0033] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the half-shaft connector structure 100 also includes a seat 140. The seat 140 supports the housing 130 and the half-shaft 56, and is mounted on the frame 54a. A bearing component 150 is provided between the seat 140 and the housing 130. That is, the seat 140 connects to the housing 130, which houses the inner connector 110 and the half-shaft connector 120, and further connects to the half-shaft 56 via the half-shaft connector 120 within the housing 130, to assist in transmitting the rocking motion of the half-shaft 56 to the drive unit 52. The housing 130 is supported on the seat 140 by the bearing component 150. Thus, by configuring the seat 140 and the bearing component 150, the structural strength between the inner connector 110, the half-shaft connector 120, and the half-shaft 56, all installed within the same housing 130, can be improved. Furthermore, the drive unit 52 can more effectively absorb the swaying of the half-shaft 56, thereby reducing noise and vibration generated on the vehicle body side (i.e., the frame 54a side) due to the swaying of the half-shaft 56. However, the present invention does not limit the specific structure and configuration of the seat 140; it can be adjusted according to requirements.

[0034] Therefore, in this embodiment, as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the axle connector 120 is a roller or ball structure movable in the axial direction (corresponding to the width direction W). That is, the axle connector 120 is configured as a component surrounding the end of the axle 56, maintaining a gap with the outer circumferential surface of the axle 56, and is able to move along the axle 56 in the axial direction (width direction W). Thus, compared to a ball bearing type connector, the axle connector 120, configured as a movable roller or ball structure, can absorb the rocking motion of the axle 56 by moving relative to it in the axial direction, thereby reducing noise and vibration generated by the rocking motion of the axle 56 on the vehicle body side (i.e., the frame 54a side). However, the present invention does not limit the specific structure of the axle connector 120, which can be adjusted according to requirements.

[0035] Furthermore, in this embodiment, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the drive unit 52 is disposed in the width direction W on the side of the frame 54a opposite to the half-shaft connector 120. As an example, the half-shaft 56 is disposed in the width direction W on the inner side of the frame 54a to facilitate connection of a pair of frames 54a, 54b. Therefore, the drive unit 52 is preferably disposed in the width direction W on the outer side of the frame 54a, opposite to the half-shaft connector 120 on the frame 54a. Furthermore, the inner connector 110 connected to the drive shaft 52a is located further outward in the width direction W than the half-shaft connector 120 connected to the half-shaft 56. In this way, without a complex structural arrangement, the drive shaft 52a can be connected via the inner connector 110 and the half-shaft 56 can be connected via the half-shaft connector 120. Furthermore, the drive shaft 52a connecting the inner connector 110 can extend to opposite sides of the frame 54a (from the outer drive unit 52 to the inner connector 110). The increased axial length of the drive shaft 52a between the inner connector 110 and the drive unit 52 allows the drive unit 52 to more effectively absorb the swaying of the half-shaft 56, thereby reducing noise and vibration generated by the swaying of the half-shaft 56 on the vehicle body side (i.e., the frame 54a side). However, the invention is not limited thereto and can be adjusted as needed.

[0036] In addition, although Figure 1 and Figure 2 The diagram shows that the inner connector 110 and the half-shaft connector 120 of the half-shaft connector structure 100 are installed within the same housing 130, but... Figures 3 to 6In the shown variations, the inner connectors 110A, 110B, 110C, and 110D of the half-shaft connector structures 100A, 100B, 100C, and 100D are not housed in the same housing as the half-shaft connectors 120A, 120B, 120C, and 120D, but rather have their own housings. Furthermore, the types of half-shaft connectors 120A, 120B, 120C, and 120D can be adjusted according to requirements, and the types of components (parts on the right side of each figure) connected to the half-shaft connectors 120A, 120B, 120C, and 120D via the half-shaft 56 can also be adjusted according to requirements. In addition, although in Figure 1 and Figure 2 The diagram shows that the inner connector 110 of the half-shaft connector structure 100 and the half-shaft connector 120 are connected on one of the frame sides 54, but... Figure 6 In the modified example shown, the inner connector 110D of the half-shaft connector structure 100D and the drive shaft 52a of the drive unit 52 are located on the left side of the frame (not shown here) in the attached drawing, while the half-shaft connector 120D of the half-shaft connector structure 100D and the half-shaft 56 are located on the right side of the frame (not shown here) in the attached drawing. The inner connector 110D and the half-shaft connector 120D are connected by the half-shaft 56 (please refer to...). Figure 3 and Figure 6 (Differences). Therefore, it can be seen that the present invention does not limit the specific structure of the half-shaft connector structures 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, and 100D, etc., which can be adjusted according to requirements.

[0037] In summary, in the half-shaft connector structure of the present invention, the inner connector is connected to the drive shaft of the drive unit, the half-shaft connector is connected to the half-shaft, and the inner connector and the half-shaft connector are connected and arranged on one of the frame sides. Thus, the connector on the half-shaft side, i.e., the half-shaft connector, is configured on the frame side and further connected to the drive unit through the inner connector, thereby enabling the drive unit to absorb the swaying of the half-shaft. Preferably, the half-shaft connector and the inner connector are installed in the same housing, which reduces the configuration space of the connector and lowers manufacturing costs. Accordingly, the half-shaft connector structure of the present invention can reduce the noise and vibration generated by the swaying of the half-shaft on the vehicle body side.

[0038] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and not to limit them; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features therein; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A half-shaft joint structure, suitable for connecting a vehicle's drive unit and one of a pair of frames disposed in the width direction of the vehicle, characterized in that, include: The inner connector is connected to the drive shaft of the drive device; as well as A half-shaft connector is attached to a half-shaft disposed between a pair of said frames, and The inner connector and the half-shaft connector are connected at a corresponding location on one of the vehicle frames.

2. The half-shaft joint structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: A housing is disposed between the drive shaft and the half shaft, and The inner connector and the half-shaft connector are installed in the same housing.

3. The half-shaft joint structure according to claim 2, characterized in that, Also includes: The base supports the housing and the half-shaft, and The seat is mounted on the vehicle frame.

4. The half-shaft joint structure according to claim 3, characterized in that, A bearing component is provided between the base and the housing.

5. The half-shaft joint structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The half-shaft joint is a roller or ball structure that is movable in the axial direction.

6. The half-shaft joint structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The drive unit is configured in the width direction on the side of the frame opposite to the half-shaft joint, and The inner connector is located further outward than the half-shaft connector in the width direction.

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