Lightweight transmission shaft assembly structure

Abstract

The light-weight transmission shaft assembly structure comprises a sliding sleeve, a universal joint fork and a carbon fiber shaft tube, the sliding sleeve is arranged on the inner edge face of one end of the carbon fiber shaft tube in a sleeved mode, and the universal joint fork is arranged on the inner edge face of the other end of the carbon fiber shaft tube in a sleeved mode. Protruding points are evenly arranged on the outer edge face, connected with the carbon fiber shaft tube, of the sliding sleeve and the outer edge face, connected with the carbon fiber shaft tube, of the universal joint fork. According to the light-weight transmission shaft assembly structure, the density of the carbon fiber shaft tube is 1 / 1.9 of that of a steel material and 1 / 1.7 of that of an aluminum alloy material, and the shaft tube is made of the carbon fiber material, so that the weight can be reduced, the length of the shaft tube of the transmission shaft can be increased, and one carbon fiber transmission shaft can replace two steel transmission shaft assemblies on a whole vehicle; and the effect of reducing the weight of the whole vehicle is achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of drive shaft technology, and more specifically, to a lightweight drive shaft assembly structure. Background Technology

[0002] One of the development directions of the automotive industry is energy conservation and emission reduction. Relevant data shows that reducing a car's weight by 10% can save approximately 6%-8% on fuel. Therefore, lightweight design of various automotive components while ensuring safe operation is currently the mainstream trend in automotive development. The most direct way to achieve this goal is to reduce the car's weight. As a chassis component, the driveshaft assembly needs to undergo lightweight design to reduce weight and thus achieve energy conservation and emission reduction.

[0003] Carbon fiber has attracted great attention from designers due to its light weight and high strength. However, the connection between carbon fiber and metal parts has been previously achieved through adhesive bonding, bolting, and other methods. These methods are insufficient in strength for drive shaft assemblies that bear high torque, such as those in heavy vehicles, and the torsional fatigue life does not meet the requirements of the whole vehicle. At the same time, these connection methods are inefficient and not suitable for mass production. Therefore, it is necessary to propose a lightweight drive shaft assembly structure to solve the above problems. Utility Model Content

[0004] This invention provides a lightweight drive shaft assembly structure that is simple in structure, low in cost, light in weight, and safe and reliable, in order to solve the technical bottleneck caused by the insufficient connection strength between existing carbon fiber and aluminum alloy, which hinders the lightweighting of the drive shaft.

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, a lightweight drive shaft assembly structure is provided, including a sliding sleeve, a universal joint fork, and a carbon fiber shaft tube. The sliding sleeve is fitted onto the inner edge surface of one end of the carbon fiber shaft tube, and the universal joint fork is fitted onto the inner edge surface of the other end of the carbon fiber shaft tube. Protrusions are uniformly provided on the outer edge surfaces of the sliding sleeve and the universal joint fork that connect with the carbon fiber shaft tube.

[0006] In a preferred embodiment of the above scheme, the sliding sleeve is a steel sliding sleeve or an aluminum alloy sliding sleeve.

[0007] Based on the above scheme, the universal joint fork is preferably made of steel or aluminum alloy.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment of the above scheme, the sliding sleeve and the universal joint fork are connected to the carbon fiber shaft tube via splines.

[0009] Based on the above-mentioned scheme, preferably, the protrusions are arranged in at least 2-3 rows along the axial direction on the surfaces of the sliding sleeve and the universal joint fork, and each row includes 6-8 protrusions arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the sliding sleeve.

[0010] Based on the above-mentioned preferred embodiment, the two ends of the drive shaft assembly are connected to the gearbox and the drive axle respectively. Both the gearbox and the drive axle are provided with fork-shaped flanges. The fork-shaped flanges are provided with semi-circular grooves. The universal joint fork is inserted into the semi-circular groove and locked by the bearing cover.

[0011] This utility model discloses a lightweight driveshaft assembly structure. The density of carbon fiber shaft tube is 1 / 4.9 that of steel and 1 / 1.7 that of aluminum alloy. By using carbon fiber material for the shaft tube, the weight can be reduced and the length of the driveshaft shaft tube can be increased. In the whole vehicle, one carbon fiber driveshaft can replace two steel driveshaft assemblies to achieve the effect of reducing the weight of the whole vehicle.

[0012] On the other hand, this utility model improves the connection method between the sliding sleeve and the carbon fiber shaft tube. By setting a spline connection with protrusions on the surface of the sliding sleeve (universal joint fork), the connection strength between the two can be effectively improved. For high torque drive shaft assemblies, bench tests may meet industry standards, with a static torsional strength test safety factor ≥2.5 and a minimum life of torsional fatigue test ≥200,000 cycles. Attached Figure Description

[0013] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort. In the drawings:

[0014] Figure 1 This is a structural schematic diagram of the lightweight drive shaft assembly of this utility model;

[0015] Figure 2 This is another state diagram of the lightweight drive shaft assembly structure of this utility model;

[0016] Figure 3 For the utility model Figure 1 EE cross-sectional view;

[0017] Figure 4 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the sliding sleeve (and universal joint fork) of this utility model;

[0018] Figure 5 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the fork-shaped flange of this utility model;

[0019] Explanation of icon numbers:

[0020] 1. Sliding sleeve; 11. Protrusion; 2. Universal joint fork; 3. Carbon fiber shaft tube; 4. Spline; 5. Gearbox; 6. Drive axle; 7. Fork-shaped flange; 71. Semicircular groove. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The following embodiments are used to illustrate the present invention, but are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0022] It should be understood that, when used in this specification and the appended claims, the term "comprising" indicates the presence of a descriptive feature, integral, step, operation, element, and / or component, but does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integrals, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or sets.

[0023] To keep the drawings concise, only the parts relevant to this invention are shown schematically in each figure, and they do not represent the actual structure of the product. Furthermore, for ease of understanding, in some figures, only one of the components with the same structure or function is schematically depicted, or only one is labeled. In this document, "one" not only means "only one," but can also mean "more than one."

[0024] It should also be further understood that the term “and / or” as used in this application specification and the appended claims means any combination of one or more of the associated listed items and all possible combinations, and includes such combinations.

[0025] In the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, the directional indications (such as up, down, left, right, front, and back) used to explain the structure and movement of the various components of this invention are relative rather than absolute. These descriptions are appropriate when these components are in the positions shown in the drawings. If the descriptions of the positions of these components change, these directional indications also change accordingly.

[0026] Furthermore, in the description of this application, the terms "first," "second," etc., are used only to distinguish descriptions and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0027] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the specific implementation methods of this utility model will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the drawings described below are merely some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings and other implementation methods can be obtained based on these drawings without any creative effort.

[0028] Please see Figure 1 and combined Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, a lightweight drive shaft assembly structure of the present invention includes a sliding sleeve 1, a universal joint fork 2, and a carbon fiber shaft tube 3. The sliding sleeve 1 is fitted on the inner edge surface of one end of the carbon fiber shaft tube 3, and the universal joint fork 2 is fitted on the inner edge surface of the other end of the carbon fiber shaft tube 3. Protrusions 11 are evenly provided on the outer edge surfaces of the sliding sleeve 1 and the universal joint fork 2 that connect with the carbon fiber shaft tube 3.

[0029] Among them, the sliding sleeve 1 is a steel sliding sleeve 1 or an aluminum alloy sliding sleeve 1, and the universal joint fork 2 is a steel universal joint fork 2 or an aluminum alloy universal joint fork 2.

[0030] To further improve the connection strength between the sliding sleeve 1 and the universal joint fork 2 and the carbon fiber shaft tube 3, an interacting spline 4 is provided between the sliding sleeve 1 and the universal joint fork 2 and the carbon fiber shaft tube 3. The spline 4 enhances the strength to withstand torsional forces. For details, please refer to [link to specific structural description]. Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown.

[0031] Specifically, the protrusions 11 of this utility model are arranged in at least 2-3 rows along the axial direction on the surface of the sliding sleeve 1 and the universal joint fork 2, and each row includes 6-8 protrusions 11 arranged in the circumferential direction of the sliding sleeve 1. The distribution of the protrusions 11 is such that the center line of the sliding sleeve 1 forms an angle with the center line of the part in the axial direction. When the carbon fiber shaft tube 3 is wound, the protrusions 11 are wrapped inside the carbon fiber shaft tube 3, which can improve the strength to withstand torsional force and also improve the ability to withstand axial tensile force.

[0032] Furthermore, the two ends of the drive shaft assembly of this utility model are respectively connected to the gearbox 5 and the drive axle 6. Both the gearbox 5 and the drive axle 6 are provided with fork-shaped flanges 7. The fork-shaped flanges 7 are provided with semi-circular grooves 71. The universal joint fork 2 is inserted into the semi-circular grooves 71 and covered by the bearing cap. It is then locked by bolts and nuts. For details, please refer to [link to specific structure]. Figure 5 As shown.

[0033] This utility model discloses a lightweight driveshaft assembly structure. The density of the carbon fiber shaft tube 3 is 1 / 4.9 that of steel and 1 / 1.7 that of aluminum alloy. The use of carbon fiber material for the shaft tube can reduce weight and increase the length of the driveshaft shaft tube. In the whole vehicle, one carbon fiber driveshaft can replace two steel driveshaft assemblies to achieve the effect of reducing the weight of the whole vehicle.

[0034] On the other hand, this utility model improves the connection method between the sliding sleeve 1 and the universal joint fork 2 and the carbon fiber shaft tube 3. By setting protrusions 11 on the surface of the sliding sleeve 1 and the universal joint fork 2 in combination with the spline 4, the connection strength between the two can be effectively improved. For high torque drive shaft assemblies, bench tests may meet industry standards, the safety factor of static torsional strength test is ≥2.5, and the minimum life of torsional fatigue test is ≥200,000 cycles.

[0035] Finally, the method described in this application is merely a preferred embodiment and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this utility model. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, or improvements made within the spirit and principles of this utility model should be included within the scope of protection of this utility model.

Claims

1. A lightweight drive shaft assembly structure, characterized in that, It includes a sliding sleeve, a universal joint fork, and a carbon fiber shaft tube. The sliding sleeve is fitted onto the inner edge surface of one end of the carbon fiber shaft tube, and the universal joint fork is fitted onto the inner edge surface of the other end of the carbon fiber shaft tube. Protrusions are evenly provided on the outer edge surfaces of the sliding sleeve and the universal joint fork that connect with the carbon fiber shaft tube.

2. The lightweight drive shaft assembly structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The sliding sleeve is a steel sliding sleeve or an aluminum alloy sliding sleeve.

3. The lightweight drive shaft assembly structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The universal joint fork is a steel universal joint fork or an aluminum alloy universal joint fork.

4. The lightweight drive shaft assembly structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The sliding sleeve and the universal joint fork are connected to the carbon fiber shaft tube by splines.

5. The lightweight drive shaft assembly structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The protrusions are arranged in at least 2-3 rows along the axial direction on the surfaces of the sliding sleeve and the universal joint fork, and each row includes 6-8 protrusions arranged in the circumferential direction of the sliding sleeve.

6. The lightweight drive shaft assembly structure as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The drive shaft assembly is connected to the gearbox and the drive axle at both ends, respectively. Both the gearbox and the drive axle are provided with fork-shaped flanges. The fork-shaped flanges are provided with semi-circular grooves. The universal joint fork is inserted into the semi-circular groove and locked by the bearing cover.

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