Protective cover

Abstract

Protective cover for a shaft output of a transfer case, comprising a rigid, inelastic protective cover body (1), wherein the protective cover body (1) has essentially the shape of a truncated cone shell to surround a shaft (2) in the region of the shaft output, with a first opening (3) at a first axial end and a second opening (4) at a second axial end of the protective cover body (1) opposite the first end, wherein the first opening (3) is larger than the second opening (4), wherein the second opening (4) is configured to surround the shaft (2), wherein in the region of the first opening (3) a flange section (5) of the protective cover body (1) located at the top in the installation position is configured to be attached to a housing (6) of the transfer case, wherein in the region of the first opening (3) a section of the protective cover body (1) located at the bottom in the installation position is configured toa drain opening (7) is provided in the flange section (5) attached to the housing (6) of the transfer case, characterized in that in the area of ​​the first opening (3) a section of the protective cover body (1) lying at the bottom in the installation position is designed such that, when the flange section (5) is attached to the housing (6) of the transfer case, a gap (9) exists between the protective cover body (1) and the housing (6) of the transfer case, so that the gap (9) forms the drain opening (7), wherein the protective cover body (1) is designed in two parts, wherein the protective cover body (1) comprises an upper protective cover body part (11) which forms the flange section (5) of the protective cover body (1) lying at the top in the installation position, and wherein the protective cover body (1) comprises a lower protective cover body part (12) which forms the section of the protective cover body (1) lying at the bottom in the installation position.the flange section (5) attached to the housing (6) of the transfer case provides the drain opening (7), whereby the parts of the protective cover body (1) can be clipped together.

Description

Field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a protective cover for a shaft output of a transfer case and a transfer case comprising a shaft at a shaft output of the transfer case and a protective cover for the shaft output. State of the art

[0002] Transfer cases in motor vehicles are used to distribute an input torque among several outputs. The input torque and / or the output torques can be fed into or out of the transfer case via rotatably mounted shafts. At such shaft outputs of a transfer case, there is the problem that, for example, water or dirt could penetrate the transfer case and damage the transmission. Therefore, it is known to take protective measures in the area of ​​a shaft output of a transfer case to prevent water ingress. In particular, seals are used at the shaft outputs to prevent water ingress, for example, three sealing rings at the three shaft outputs.

[0003] Known protective measures to prevent water from entering a transfer case include, for example, the use of underbody protection in this area or the use of centrifugal discs, which throw water outwards through a rotating element and thus prevent water from entering through a radially inner clearance.

[0004] The use of deformable and / or elastic pleated sleeves in the area of ​​shaft outputs is also known. These fit as tightly as possible against components of the transfer case and sometimes also against the shafts themselves in order to prevent the ingress of water.

[0005] DE 706 519 A discloses a rubber pleated sleeve for sealing swinging half-axles of motor vehicles against the drive housing with a longitudinally extending parting joint, wherein the parting joint of the sleeve is held together by a fully detachable zipper. Summary of the invention

[0006] It is an object of the invention to provide a protective cover for a shaft output of a transfer case that effectively prevents water from entering the transfer case and can be manufactured and assembled cost-effectively. A further object is to provide a transfer case comprising a shaft output and a protective cover for the shaft output, with the aforementioned advantages.

[0007] The problem is solved by a protective cover for a shaft output of a transfer case having the features according to claim 1.

[0008] The protective cover comprises a rigid, inelastic protective cover body. The protective cover can in particular be made of a rigid plastic, sheet metal or aluminum. The protective cover body essentially has the shape of a truncated cone to surround a shaft in the region of the shaft output, with a first opening at a first axial end and a second opening at a second axial end of the protective cover body opposite the first end, wherein the first opening is larger than the second opening. The second opening or an edge of the second opening is designed to surround the shaft. In the region of the first opening, a flange section of the protective cover body, which is located at the top in the installed position, is designed to be fastened to a housing of the transfer case.A section of the protective cover body located at the bottom in the area of ​​the first opening in the installed position is designed to provide a drain opening when the flange section is fastened to the housing of the transfer case.

[0009] According to the invention, a protective cover body is designed similarly to a pleated cuff, but neither in terms of shape nor material, it is designed to be deformable or elastic. Rather, the rigid protective cover body is designed such that it can be attached to the gearbox housing via a flange at the axial end of the distributor housing in the upper installed position. However, a drainage opening remains at the bottom in the lower installed position, either as a gap towards the gearbox housing or as an opening formed in the protective cover body.

[0010] Due to its construction from a rigid, inelastic material, the protective cover can be manufactured and installed easily and cost-effectively. The inventive design cannot completely prevent water from entering the interior of the protective cover, but a drainage opening is provided at the bottom of the protective cover so that water penetrating the protective cover can drain downward through the drainage opening before entering the transfer case.

[0011] Preferably, in the region of the second opening, an edge portion of the protective cover body is designed to surround the shaft in a non-sealing manner, so that at least in some sections, a gap is formed between the edge portion of the protective cover body and the shaft. Particularly preferably, the gap between the edge portion of the protective cover body and the shaft is formed over its entire circumference. Such a gap between the protective cover body and the shaft allows the shaft to rotate freely without friction losses. Any water that penetrates can be discharged through the drain opening.

[0012] Preferably, in the region of the first opening, a section of the protective cover body located at the bottom in the installed position is designed such that, when the flange section is fastened to the housing of the transfer case, there is a gap between the protective cover body and the housing of the transfer case, so that the gap forms the drain opening.

[0013] Alternatively or additionally, in the region of the first opening, a section of the protective cover body located at the bottom in the installed position can have the drain opening, i.e. the opening can be formed in the protective cover body.

[0014] The protective cover body or an upper protective cover body part can be glued and / or screwed and / or positively fastened, in particular clipped, to the housing of the transfer case.

[0015] Preferably, the protective cover body is formed in several parts, particularly preferably in two parts, wherein the parts of the protective cover body can preferably be clipped together.

[0016] The protective cover body may include an upper protective cover body portion that forms the upper flange portion of the protective cover body in the installed position and may include a lower protective cover body portion that forms the lower portion of the protective cover body in the installed position, which provides the drain opening when the flange portion is attached to the housing of the transfer case.

[0017] The upper protective cover body section can then be glued or otherwise secured to the transfer case housing via the flange section. The lower protective cover body section can be clipped to the upper protective cover body section.

[0018] According to the invention, a transfer case can comprise a shaft and a protective cover, as described above, on the shaft output of the transfer case, such that the protective cover body surrounds the shaft in the region of the shaft output, wherein the second opening surrounds the shaft, wherein in the region of the first opening the flange section of the protective cover body which is at the top in the installed position is fastened to the housing of the transfer case, preferably glued, wherein in the region of the first opening the section of the protective cover body which is at the bottom in the installed position provides the drain opening. There is preferably a gap between the protective cover body and the housing of the transfer case, such that the gap forms the drain opening.

[0019] In the region of the second opening, an edge section of the protective cover body preferably surrounds the shaft in a non-sealing manner, so that at least in sections a gap is formed between the edge section of the protective cover body and the shaft, particularly preferably a gap is formed over the entire circumference between the edge section of the protective cover body and the shaft.

[0020] The flange section of the protective cover body located at the top in the area of ​​the first opening in the installation position is preferably glued to the housing of the transfer case.

[0021] Within the protective cover body, a centrifugal disc may also be attached to the shaft to remove water from the protective cover body, particularly through the drain opening. Brief description of the drawings

[0022] The invention is described below by way of example with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a sectional view of a protective cover according to the invention in an installed state with a shaft. Fig. 2 is a sectional view of another protective cover according to the invention in an installed state with a shaft. Fig. 3 is a three-dimensional representation of a protective cover according to the invention in the installed state without a shaft. Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the protective cover according to the invention in the installed state without a shaft according to Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a side view of the protective cover according to the invention in the installed state without a shaft according to Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a three-dimensional representation of a protective cover according to the invention according to Fig. 3, but during installation. Fig. Figure 7 is a sectional view of the protective cover according to the invention during installation according to Fig. 6. Fig. Figure 8 is a side view of the protective cover according to the invention during installation according to Fig. 6. Detailed description of the invention

[0023] In Fig. 1 shows a transfer case according to the invention, comprising a housing 6 of the transfer case and a shaft 2 at a shaft output of the transfer case as well as a protective cover according to the invention.

[0024] The protective cover for the shaft output of the transfer case comprises a solid, inelastic protective cover body 1, preferably made of plastic, which essentially has the shape of a truncated cone to surround the shaft 2 in the region of the shaft output, with a larger first opening 3 at a first axial end and a smaller second opening 4 at a second axial end of the protective cover body 1 opposite the first end.

[0025] The second opening 4 surrounds the shaft 2 in a non-sealing manner, so that at least in sections a gap 8 is formed between the edge section of the protective cover body 1 and the shaft 2, preferably a gap 8 is formed over the entire circumference between the edge section of the protective cover body 1 and the shaft 2.

[0026] In the area of ​​the larger, first opening 3, a flange section 5 of the protective cover body 1 is formed at the top in the installed position, which is bonded to the housing 6 of the transfer case. In addition to a permanent bonding of the flange section 5, the protective cover can be attached to the housing 6 during assembly, for example, using double-sided adhesive tape.

[0027] In the area of ​​the first opening 3, a section of the protective cover body 1 is designed at the bottom in the installed position such that, when the flange section 5 is fastened to the housing 6 of the transfer case, a drain opening 7 in the form of a gap 9 is formed between the protective cover body 1 and the housing 6 of the transfer case.

[0028] As in the design of the transfer case of the Fig. 2, a centrifugal disc 13 can be attached to the shaft 2 within the protective cover body 1.

[0029] The Fig. 3 to Fig. 8 show that the protective cover body 1 can be formed in two parts. Fig. 6 to 8 show the two parts of the protective cover body 1 during assembly, before their connection to each other, the Fig.3 to 5 show the protective cover after the connection has been made, so that the two parts of the protective cover body 1 are clipped together by means of a clip connection 10.

[0030] The protective cover body 1 comprises an upper protective cover body part 11, which forms the flange section 5 of the protective cover body 1 located at the top in the installed position, and a lower protective cover body part 12, which forms the section of the protective cover body 1 located at the bottom in the installed position, which, when the flange section 5 is fastened to the housing 6 of the transfer case, provides the drain opening 7. The upper protective cover body part 11 and the lower protective cover body part 12 are clipped together by means of a clip connection 10.

[0031] The protective cover can be centered, for example, via lugs distributed around the circumference of the transfer case. Only the upper protective cover body part 11 can be attached, in particular glued, to the housing 6 of the transfer case. The lower protective cover body part 12 can be attached only to the upper protective cover body part 11. A gap 9 can thus be easily formed on the lower protective cover body part 12 toward the housing 6 as a drainage opening 7. List of reference symbols 1 protective cover body 2nd wave 3 first opening 4 second opening 5 Flange section 6 housings 7 Drain opening 8 gap 9 gap 10 clip connection 11 upper protective cover body part 12 lower protective cover body part 13 centrifugal disc

Claims

[1] A protective cover for a shaft output of a transfer case, comprising a rigid, inelastic protective cover body (1), wherein the protective cover body (1) has substantially the shape of a truncated cone in order to surround a shaft (2) in the region of the shaft output, with a first opening (3) at a first axial end and a second opening (4) at a second axial end of the protective cover body (1) opposite the first end, wherein the first opening (3) is larger than the second opening (4), wherein the second opening (4) is designed to surround the shaft (2), wherein in the region of the first opening (3), a flange section (5) of the protective cover body (1), which is located at the top in the installed position, is designed to be fastened to a housing (6) of the transfer case, wherein in the region of the first opening (3), a section of the protective cover body (1), which is located at the bottom in the installed position, is designed toto provide a drain opening (7) in the flange section (5) attached to the housing (6) of the transfer case, characterized bythat in the region of the first opening (3), a section of the protective cover body (1) which is located at the bottom in the installed position is designed such that, when the flange section (5) is fastened to the housing (6) of the transfer case, a gap (9) exists between the protective cover body (1) and the housing (6) of the transfer case, so that the gap (9) forms the drain opening (7), wherein the protective cover body (1) is designed in two parts, wherein the protective cover body (1) comprises an upper protective cover body part (11) which forms the flange section (5) of the protective cover body (1) which is located at the top in the installed position, and that the protective cover body (1) comprises a lower protective cover body part (12) which forms the section of the protective cover body (1) which is located at the bottom in the installed position and which provides the drain opening (7) when the flange section (5) is fastened to the housing (6) of the transfer case,wherein the parts of the protective cover body (1) can be clipped together., [2] Protective cover according to claim 1, characterized by in that in the region of the second opening (4) an edge section of the protective cover body (1) is designed such that it surrounds the shaft (2) in a non-sealing manner, so that at least in sections a gap (8) is formed between the edge section of the protective cover body (1) and the shaft (2), preferably a gap (8) is formed over the entire circumference between the edge section of the protective cover body (1) and the shaft (2). [3] Transfer case comprising a shaft (2) at a shaft output of the transfer case and a protective cover according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the protective cover body (1) surrounds the shaft (2) in the region of the shaft output, wherein the second opening (4) surrounds the shaft (2), wherein in the region of the first opening (3) a flange section (5) of the protective cover body (1), which is at the top in the installed position, is fastened to a housing (6) of the transfer case, wherein in the region of the first opening (3) a section of the protective cover body (1), which is at the bottom in the installed position, provides a drain opening (7), wherein a gap (9) exists between the protective cover body (1) and the housing (6) of the transfer case, so that the gap (9) forms the drain opening (7). [4] Transfer case according to claim 3, characterized byin that in the region of the second opening (4) an edge section of the protective cover body (1) surrounds the shaft (2) in a non-sealing manner, so that at least in sections a gap (8) is formed between the edge section of the protective cover body (1) and the shaft (2), preferably a gap (8) is formed over the entire circumference between the edge section of the protective cover body (1) and the shaft (2). [5] Transfer case according to claim 3 or 4, characterized by that the flange section (5) of the protective cover body (1) located at the top in the area of ​​the first opening (3) in the installed position is glued to the housing (6) of the transfer case. [6] Transfer case according to claim 3, 4 or 5, characterized by that a centrifugal disc (13) is attached to the shaft (2) within the protective cover body (1).

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