torque transmitting member

Abstract

The utility model discloses a torque transmission component, its subject is to provide with anti -drop structure and can inhibit the torque transmission component of assembly nature deterioration. Torque transmission component, (a) as the intermediate shaft of the first component is the cylindrical shape with the axis as the center, has the hole portion of the opening to the driving shaft side in the axis direction and has the bottom, (b) as the driving shaft of the second component has the protruding portion of the cylindrical shape to the intermediate shaft side in the axis direction, (c) the inner diameter of hole portion is greater than the outer diameter of protruding portion, (d) the difference between the inner diameter of hole portion and the outer diameter of protruding portion is less than the size difference of the regulation, (e) in the state that protruding portion inserts into hole portion and fills the grease between the inner periphery surface of hole portion and the outer periphery surface of protruding portion, the intermediate shaft is linked with the driving shaft.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a torque transmission component, which includes a first component and a second component, and transmits torque between the first component and the second component. Background Technology

[0002] It is known that retaining rings are used in torque transmission components that connect the drive shaft and differential gear in a vehicle. For example, the torque transmission component described in Patent Document 1 is such a component. The retaining ring is inserted into a groove provided on the outer circumferential surface of the drive shaft. A gap is formed between the retaining ring and the side of the groove to prevent the diameter of the retaining ring from expanding or shrinking. Furthermore, Patent Document 2 discloses that the retaining ring is centered by injecting grease into the groove into which it is inserted, thereby improving the assemblability of the drive shaft. "Centering" refers to the operation required when assembling components attached to various devices, adjusting the connecting parts to a coaxial position or positioning them.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2006-322518

[0004] Patent Document 2: Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 2-39746 Utility Model Content

[0005] In the torque transmission component described in Patent Document 1, the diameter of the retaining ring expands when the drive shaft is assembled to the differential gear, thus deteriorating the assemblability. Furthermore, when the drive shaft is inserted into the interior of the differential gear, the retaining ring contacts the mating part of the differential gear, thus easily deteriorating the operability, and the retaining ring may break or fall off and remain inside the differential gear as a foreign object.

[0006] This utility model was developed in light of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a torque transmission component with an anti-detachment structure that can suppress the deterioration of assembly.

[0007] The present invention aims to provide a torque transmission component comprising a first component and a second component, wherein (a) the first component is cylindrical about an axis, having a hole opening toward the second component side in the direction of the axis and having a bottom; (b) the second component has a cylindrical protrusion protruding toward the first component side in the direction of the axis; (c) the inner diameter of the hole is larger than the outer diameter of the protrusion; (d) the difference between the inner diameter of the hole and the outer diameter of the protrusion is less than a predetermined dimensional difference; and (e) the first component and the second component are connected when the protrusion is inserted into the hole and grease is filled between the inner circumferential surface of the hole and the outer circumferential surface of the protrusion.

[0008] Utility Model Effect

[0009] According to the torque transmission component of this utility model, (a) the first component is cylindrical about an axis, having a hole that opens toward the side of the second component in the axial direction and has a bottom; (b) the second component has a cylindrical protrusion that protrudes toward the side of the first component in the axial direction; (c) the inner diameter of the hole is larger than the outer diameter of the protrusion; (d) the difference between the inner diameter of the hole and the outer diameter of the protrusion is less than a predetermined dimensional difference; (e) the first component and the second component are connected with the protrusion inserted into the hole and grease filling the space between the inner circumferential surface of the hole and the outer circumferential surface of the protrusion. Thus, with grease filling the space between the inner circumferential surface of the hole and the outer circumferential surface of the protrusion, a sealed space is formed within the hole. If the second component attempts to disengage from the first component along the axial direction, the sealed space becomes a negative pressure below atmospheric pressure. This negative pressure prevents the second component from disengaging from the first component along the axial direction. Therefore, for example, in order to prevent the second component from coming off the first component along the axial direction, it is not necessary to use a snap ring-based anti-loosening structure or a bolt and nut-based anti-loosening structure. Attached Figure Description

[0010] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating the state of the torque transmission component according to an embodiment of the present invention at the instant before the assembly of the intermediate shaft of the drive axis begins.

[0011] Figure 2 This means that in Figure 1 The diagram shows the state of the intermediate stage of the assembly of the drive shaft intermediate shaft in the torque transmission component shown.

[0012] Figure 3 This means that in Figure 1 The diagram shows the state of the intermediate shaft of the drive axis after assembly in the torque transmission component shown. Detailed Implementation

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, in the embodiments, the drawings are appropriately simplified or modified, and the dimensions and shapes of the parts may not be accurately depicted.

[0014] Example

[0015] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating the state of the torque transmission component 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention at the instant before the assembly of the drive shaft 50 to the intermediate shaft 30 begins.

[0016] The torque transmission component 10 includes an intermediate shaft 30 and a drive shaft 50. The torque transmission component 10 is a component that transmits torque from one of the intermediate shaft 30 to the other after the drive shaft 50 is assembled to the intermediate shaft 30. The "intermediate shaft 30" and "drive shaft 50" respectively correspond to the "first component" and "second component" in this utility model.

[0017] The intermediate shaft 30 is cylindrical, centered on the axis CL. The intermediate shaft 30 has a cylindrical shaft portion 32 at one end 30t along the axis CL, and a cylindrical shaft portion 34 at the other end opposite to the end 30t along the axis CL. An inner wall 36 separates these inner circumferential portions between the shaft portions 32 and 34. Thus, the shaft portion 32 has a hole 32e that opens towards the end 30t along the axis CL and has a bottom. "End 30t side" corresponds to the drive shaft 50 side along the axis CL, i.e., the "second component side" in this invention. The inner circumferential surface 32i of the shaft portion 32 at one end 30t (opening side) along the axis CL is circular, centered on the axis CL, and has an inner diameter Di [m]. The inner diameter Di is also the inner diameter of the hole 32e. A fitting portion 32s is provided on the inner circumferential surface 32i of the shaft portion 32 on the side opposite to the end 30t along the axis CL (inner wall 36 side). The mating portion 32s is, for example, an internal circumferential tooth that is mated by a spline. For example, in the axial direction CL, the other end of the shaft portion 34, opposite to the shaft portion 32, is connected to a side gear of a differential gear (not shown).

[0018] The drive shaft 50 has a cylindrical shaft portion 58 centered on the axis CL and a cylindrical protrusion 52 protruding from the shaft portion 58 toward one end 50t on the axis CL. "One end 50t side" corresponds to the intermediate shaft 30 side in the direction of the axis CL, i.e., the "first component side" in this invention. The diameter of the shaft portion 58 is larger than that of the protrusion 52. The protrusion 52 has a first shaft portion 54 located on the end 50t side in the direction of the axis CL and a second shaft portion 56 located on the opposite side of the end 50t in the direction of the axis CL. A fitting portion 54s is provided on the outer peripheral surface 54o of the first shaft portion 54, capable of fitting with the fitting portion 32s of the intermediate shaft 30. The fitting portion 54s is, for example, an outer peripheral tooth fitted by a spline. The outer peripheral surface 56o of the second shaft portion 56 is circular centered on the axis CL and has an outer diameter Do [m]. The outer diameter Do is also the outer diameter of the protrusion 52. The outer peripheral surface 56° is equivalent to the "outer peripheral surface of the protrusion" in this utility model.

[0019] The inner diameter Di is larger than the outer diameter Do, but the difference between the inner diameter Di and the outer diameter Do, ΔD (=Di-Do), is less than the specified dimensional difference ΔD_pred[m]. The specified dimensional difference ΔD_pred is an experimentally or design-determined dimensional difference that ensures assemblability within permissible limits and maintains the sealed space described later at a negative pressure below atmospheric pressure.

[0020] A groove 56d is provided on the outer peripheral surface 56o of the second shaft portion 56, extending from one end 50t to the opposite side. The groove width of the groove 56d is circumferential, and its depth is directed toward the inner circumference. For example, the centerline of the groove 56d in the groove width direction extends along the axis CL. The groove width in the groove 56d gradually tapers from one end 50t in the axis CL direction toward the opposite side.

[0021] Before assembling the drive shaft 50 to the intermediate shaft 30, grease 70 is applied to the outer peripheral surface 56o of the second shaft portion 56. The grease 70 is a high-viscosity lubricating oil.

[0022] Figure 2 This means that in Figure 1 The diagram shows the state of the drive shaft 50 during the intermediate stage of its assembly toward the intermediate shaft 30 in the torque transmission component 10. Figure 2 This indicates the state at which the fitting part 54s begins to fit with the fitting part 32s and the second shaft part 56 begins to be inserted into the hole part 32e.

[0023] There is a gap extending along the axis CL between the fitting portion 32s and the fitting portion 54s. Therefore, if the drive shaft 50 is inserted into the hole 32e of the intermediate shaft 30, the air in the hole 32e is discharged in the direction of arrow A via the groove 56d. In this case, the air in the hole 32e is discharged while pushing aside the grease 70. In addition, in the groove 56d, air flows easily from one end 50t in the axis CL direction toward the opposite side, while air does not flow easily in the opposite direction.

[0024] Figure 3 This means that in Figure 1 The diagram shows the state of the torque transmission component 10 after the drive shaft 50 is assembled to the intermediate shaft 30.

[0025] exist Figure 3In this state, the fitting portions 32s and 54s are engaged. That is, the intermediate shaft 30 and the drive shaft 50 are connected in a state where they cannot rotate relative to each other. Furthermore, a portion of the air inside the bore 32e is discharged through the groove 56d according to the volume of the protrusion 52 inserted into the bore 32e. In this state, the outer peripheral surface 56o of the second shaft portion 56 and the inner peripheral surface 32i of the opposite bore 32e are filled with grease 70. In addition, after the air is discharged through the groove 56d, the groove 56d is refilled with grease 70. Thus, the bore 32e becomes a sealed space whose opening is sealed by the protrusion 52 and the grease 70. The pressure inside the sealed space is the same as atmospheric pressure.

[0026] exist Figure 3 In this state, if the drive shaft 50 attempts to disengage from the intermediate shaft 30 along the axis CL, the volume of the sealed space increases while maintaining its sealed state. Consequently, the pressure within the sealed space becomes a negative pressure lower than atmospheric pressure. This negative pressure prevents the drive shaft 50 from disengaging from the intermediate shaft 30 along the axis CL.

[0027] According to this embodiment, (a) the intermediate shaft 30 is cylindrical with the axis CL as its center, and has a hole 32e with an opening toward the drive shaft 50 in the direction of the axis CL and a bottom; (b) the drive shaft 50 has a cylindrical protrusion 52 protruding toward the intermediate shaft 30 in the direction of the axis CL; (c) the inner diameter Di of the hole 32e is greater than the outer diameter Do of the protrusion 52; (d) the difference ΔD between the inner diameter Di of the hole 32e and the outer diameter Do of the protrusion 52 is less than a predetermined dimensional difference ΔD_pred; (e) the intermediate shaft 30 is connected to the drive shaft 50 when the protrusion 52 is inserted into the hole 32e and grease 70 is filled between the inner circumferential surface 32i of the hole 32e and the outer circumferential surface 56o of the protrusion 52. Thus, with grease 70 filling the space between the inner circumferential surface 32i of the hole 32e and the outer circumferential surface 56o of the protrusion 52, the intermediate shaft 30 and the drive shaft 50 are connected, thereby forming a sealed space within the hole 32e. If the drive shaft 50 attempts to disengage from the intermediate shaft 30 along the axial direction CL, the sealed space becomes a negative pressure below atmospheric pressure. This negative pressure prevents the drive shaft 50 from disengaging from the intermediate shaft 30 along the axial direction CL. For example, to prevent the drive shaft 50 from disengaging from the intermediate shaft 30 along the axial direction CL, it is not necessary to use a retaining ring-based anti-disengagement structure or a bolt and nut-based anti-disengagement structure.

[0028] Furthermore, the above are embodiments of the present invention, which can be implemented with various modifications and improvements based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art without departing from its spirit.

[0029] In the foregoing embodiments, the intermediate shaft 30 and the drive shaft 50 correspond to the "first component" and "second component" of this invention, respectively, but this invention is not limited to this approach. This invention is applicable to torque transmission components in various ways of transmitting torque.

[0030] Symbol Explanation

[0031] 10 - Torque transmission component, 30 - Intermediate shaft (first component), 32e - Hole, 32i - Inner circumferential surface, 50 - Drive shaft (second component), 52 - Protrusion, 56o - Outer circumferential surface (outer circumferential surface of the protrusion), 70 - Grease, CL - Axis, Di - Inner diameter (inner diameter of the hole), Do - Outer diameter (outer diameter of the protrusion), ΔD_pred - Specified dimensional difference.

Claims

1. A torque transmission component comprising a first component and a second component, wherein torque is transmitted between the first component and the second component, characterized in that, The first component is cylindrical about an axis, has an opening on the side facing the second component in the direction of the axis, and has a hole at the bottom. The second component has a cylindrical protrusion that projects toward the side of the first component in the direction of the axis. The inner diameter of the hole is larger than the outer diameter of the protrusion. The difference between the inner diameter of the hole and the outer diameter of the protrusion is less than a specified dimensional difference. With the protrusion inserted into the hole and grease filling the space between the inner circumferential surface of the hole and the outer circumferential surface of the protrusion, the first component is connected to the second component.

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