Propeller shaft

Abstract

To provide a propeller shaft in which a first propulsion shaft and a second propulsion shaft can be connected without variously processing the second propulsion shaft.SOLUTION: A propeller shaft comprises a first propulsion shaft, a second propulsion shaft, and a joint part connecting the first propulsion shaft and the second propulsion shaft. The joint part comprises: a joint body part comprising a first end part connected to the first propulsion shaft, and a second end part provided on the side opposite to the first end part, in which a male spline part provided along a rotation axis of the propeller shaft is formed in an outer periphery, in the direction of the rotation axis of the propeller shaft; a cylindrical adapter member comprising a female spline engaged with the male spline, in an inner periphery, and an insertion hole provided at a position opposed to the female spline, into which the second propulsion shaft is inserted, in the direction of the rotation axis of the propeller shaft; and a fixing member provided on the second propulsion shaft for fixing the adapter member and the second propulsion shaft.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a propeller shaft. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a propeller shaft in which a male thread provided on an outer flange connected to a first propeller shaft is screwed into a female thread provided on an outer flange connected to a second propeller shaft. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 6-42538 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the propeller shaft connection structure described in Patent Document 1, when attempting to connect the first and second propeller shafts, it is necessary to screw together male and female threads, which poses the problem that it is not easy to install the propeller shaft on a vehicle, and to make it easier, various machining processes are required on the second propeller shaft. One object of the present invention is to provide a propeller shaft that can be easily mounted on a vehicle without requiring various machining processes to be performed on the second propeller shaft. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In one embodiment of the present invention, a propeller shaft has a first propeller shaft, a second propeller shaft, and a joint portion connecting the first propeller shaft and the second propeller shaft, the joint portion is characterized by comprising: a joint main body portion having a first end portion connected to the first propeller shaft in the direction of the rotational axis of the propeller shaft, and a second end portion provided opposite the first end portion and having a male spline portion provided along the rotational axis of the propeller shaft on its outer periphery; a female spline portion that engages with the male spline portion on its inner periphery in the direction of the rotational axis of the propeller shaft, a cylindrical adapter member provided at a position opposite the female spline portion and having an insertion hole into which the second propeller shaft is inserted; and a fixing member provided on the second propeller shaft and fixing the adapter member to the second propeller shaft. Effect of the Invention

[0006] Therefore, the present invention can provide a propeller shaft that can be easily mounted on a vehicle without requiring various machining processes to be performed on the second propeller shaft. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a propeller shaft according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the propeller shaft of the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a propeller shaft according to a second embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a propeller shaft according to a third embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a propeller shaft according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a propeller shaft according to a fifth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] [Embodiment 1] FIG. 1 is a view showing a propeller shaft of the first embodiment, and FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the propeller shaft of the first embodiment.

[0009] (Propeller shaft configuration) The propeller shaft 100 includes a first propeller shaft 1 that connects to a differential gear (not shown), a joint section 3 that is composed of a Cardan joint 7, a joint main body section 4, and an adapter member 5, and a second propeller shaft 2 that is connected to the output shaft of a transmission that connects to an engine, which is a drive source (not shown). The first propeller shaft 1 may be connected to an output shaft of a transmission, and the second propeller shaft 2 may be connected to a differential gear. Also, W is a weld.

[0010] (Configuration of the joint body) The joint body 4 has a first end 4a that is connected to the first propeller shaft 1 via a Cardan joint 7 on the rotational axis P of the propeller shaft 100, and a second end 4b that is provided on the opposite side (right side in the figure) from the first end 4a and has a male spline portion 4c that is provided along the rotational axis P of the propeller shaft 100. In this way, the first end 4a of the joint body 4 and the first propeller shaft 1 are connected via a Cardan joint 7, which eliminates the need for fastening with bolts and nuts, making it easier to attach the propeller shaft to the vehicle. The male spline portion 4c is formed with a male spline recess 4c1 for accommodating a circlip 10 therein. In addition, a seal receiving recess 4d for receiving an O-ring (seal member) 9 is formed between the first end 4a and the second end 4b.

[0011] (Adapter part configuration) The adapter member 5, which is connected to the joint body 4 and the second propeller shaft 2, is formed in a cylindrical shape. The inner surface of the adapter member 5, whose outer diameter D2 is smaller than the outer diameter D1 of the Cardan joint 7 and the outer diameter D3 of the first propeller shaft 1, is provided with a large diameter section 5c of inner diameter d2 against which the O-ring 9 abuts from the left side of the figure, a medium diameter section 5d of inner diameter d3 in which a female spline section 5a that meshes with the male spline section 4c of the joint body section 4 is formed, a small diameter section 5e of inner diameter d4, and an insertion hole 5b of inner diameter d1 in which a female spline section 5f is formed on its inner surface. In this way, the joint main body 4 and the adapter member 5 can be connected by meshing the male spline portion 4c of the joint main body 4 with the female spline portion 5a of the adapter member 5, making it possible to easily connect them and facilitating installation of the propeller shaft on a vehicle. Furthermore, since the outer diameter D2 of the adapter member 5 is smaller than the outer diameter D1 of the Cardan joint 7 and the outer diameter D3 of the first propeller shaft 1, the adapter member 5 can be prevented from becoming large. Furthermore, the female spline portion 5a of the medium diameter portion 5d is formed with a female spline recess 5a1 with which the circlip 10 accommodated in the male spline recess 4c1 of the joint body 4 is engaged. The relationship between the inner diameters is inner diameter d2 of large diameter portion 5c>inner diameter d3 of medium diameter portion 5d>inner diameter d4 of small diameter portion 5e>inner diameter d1 of insertion hole 5b. In addition, the inner diameter d4 of the small diameter portion 5e is formed to be larger than the outer diameter D4 of a nut (fixing member) 6 described later that is provided between the female spline portion 5a and the insertion hole 5b, and the outer diameter D4 of the nut 6 is formed to be larger than the inner diameter d1 of the insertion hole 5b. In this way, since the inner diameter d2 of the large diameter portion 5c > the inner diameter d3 of the medium diameter portion 5d > the inner diameter d4 of the small diameter portion 5e, the thickness of the adapter member 5 increases toward the second propeller shaft 2, which ensures the strength of the adapter member 5 and allows the driving torque from the second propeller shaft 2 to be reliably transmitted to the first propeller shaft 1. Furthermore, since the outer diameter D4 of the nut 6 is larger than the inner diameter d1 of the insertion hole 5b, the second drive shaft 2 can be connected to the adapter member 5 reliably. Furthermore, since the joint body 4 is provided with a seal accommodating recess 4d for accommodating an O-ring 9 that abuts against the inner circumferential surface of the large diameter portion 5c of the adapter member 5, dust is less likely to enter the male spline portion 4c of the joint body 4 and the female spline portion 5a of the adapter member 5, thereby improving durability. Furthermore, since the joint body 4 and the adapter member 5 are connected by the circlip 10, the connection can be achieved with a single touch.

[0012] (Configuration of the second propulsion shaft) The second drive shaft 2 has a male threaded portion 2b formed at its left end as viewed in the figure, and a male spline portion 2a that meshes with the female spline portion 5f of the adapter member 5 formed on the right side of the male threaded portion 2b as viewed in the figure. Further, the nut 6, whose outer periphery is hexagonal, has a flange portion 6a on the side of the insertion hole 5b of the adapter member 5, and a female thread portion 6b in the center. Therefore, the second drive shaft 2 inserted into the insertion hole 5b of the adapter member 5 has the male spline portion 2a meshing with the female spline portion 5f of the adapter member 5, and the male threaded portion 2a is positioned within the medium diameter portion 5d of the adapter member 5 and screwed into the nut 6, thereby fixing the adapter member 5 and the second drive shaft 2. This allows the adapter member 5 and the second drive shaft 2 to be securely fixed with less rattle compared to a circlip or snap ring, and since the outer periphery of the nut 6 is hexagonal, it can be easily fastened. Further, the flange portion 6a of the nut 6 is located on the small diameter portion 5e of the adapter member 5 and abuts against the wall surrounding the insertion hole 5b of the adapter member 5. This makes it possible to increase the contact surface of the nut 6 with the adapter member 5, thereby stabilizing the fastening force.

[0013] Next, the effects will be described. The functions and effects of the propeller shaft of embodiment 1 are listed below.

[0014] (1) The joint portion 3 of the propeller shaft 100 connecting the first propeller shaft 1 and the second propeller shaft 2 comprises a joint body portion 4 having a first end portion 4a connecting with the first propeller shaft 1 on the rotation axis P of the propeller shaft 100, and a second end portion 4b provided on the opposite side to the first end portion 4a and having a male spline portion 4c provided along the rotation axis P of the propeller shaft 100 on its outer periphery, an adapter member 5 having a female spline portion 5a that meshes with the male spline portion 4c on its inner periphery, an insertion hole 5b provided opposite the female spline portion 5a and into which the second propeller shaft 2 is inserted, and a nut 6 for fixing the adapter member 5 to the second propeller shaft 2. Therefore, by meshing the male spline portion 4c of the joint main body 4 with the female spline portion 5a of the adapter member 5, the joint main body 4 and the adapter member 5 can be connected together, making it possible to easily connect the joint main body 4 and facilitating installation of the propeller shaft on a vehicle.

[0015] (2) The first end 4 a of the joint body 4 is connected to the first propeller shaft 1 via the Cardan joint 7 . This eliminates the need for fastening with bolts and nuts, making it easier to attach the propeller shaft to the vehicle.

[0016] (3) The outer diameter D2 of the adapter member 5 is smaller than the outer diameter D1 of the Cardan joint 7. Therefore, the adapter member 5 can be prevented from becoming large.

[0017] (4) The outer diameter D2 of the adapter member 5 is smaller than the outer diameter D3 of the propeller shaft 1. Therefore, the adapter member 5 can be prevented from becoming large.

[0018] (5) A seal accommodating recess 4d is provided between the first end 4a and the second end 4b of the joint body 4, and an O-ring 9 is accommodated in the seal accommodating recess 4d and abuts against the inner surface of the large diameter portion 5c of the adapter member 5. Therefore, dust is less likely to enter the male spline portion 4c of the joint body 4 and the female spline portion 5a of the adapter member 5, improving durability.

[0019] (6) The adapter member 5 includes a large diameter portion 5c against which the O-ring 9 abuts, and a medium diameter portion 5d whose inner diameter d3 is smaller than the inner diameter d2 of the large diameter portion 5c and in which the female spline portion 5a is formed. The thickness of the adapter member 5 increases toward the second propeller shaft 2, ensuring the strength of the adapter member 5 and enabling the driving torque from the second propeller shaft 2 to be reliably transmitted to the first propeller shaft 1.

[0020] (7) The adapter member 5 is provided with a small diameter portion 5e between the medium diameter portion 5e and the insertion hole 5b, the small diameter portion 5e having an inner diameter d4 smaller than the inner diameter d3 of the medium diameter portion 5d and larger than the outer diameter D4 of the nut 6. The thickness of the adapter member 5 increases toward the second propeller shaft 2, ensuring the strength of the adapter member 5 and enabling the driving torque from the second propeller shaft 2 to be reliably transmitted to the first propeller shaft 1.

[0021] (8) A male spline recess 4c1 is formed in the male spline portion 4c of the joint body portion 4, and a female spline recess 5a1 is formed in the female spline portion 5a of the adapter member 5, and a circlip 10 is provided between the male spline recess 4c1 and the female spline recess 5a1. Therefore, the joint body 4 and the adapter member 5 can be connected with a single touch.

[0022] (9) The nut 6, which serves as a fixing member that screws into the male threaded portion 2b of the second propeller shaft 2, is provided between the female spline portion 5a and the insertion hole 5b, and has an outer diameter d4 larger than the inner diameter d1 of the insertion hole 5b. Therefore, compared with a circlip or a snap ring, there is less backlash and the adapter member 5 and the vehicle-side shaft 2 can be fixed securely.

[0023] (10) The outer circumference of the nut 6 is hexagonal. Therefore, it can be easily fastened.

[0024] (11) The nut 6 has a flange portion 6a on the side of the insertion hole 5b of the adapter member 5. Therefore, since the flange portion 6a is located at the small diameter portion 5e of the adapter member 5 and abuts against the wall surrounding the insertion hole 5b of the adapter member 5, the contact surface area of ​​the nut 6 with the adapter member 5 can be increased, thereby stabilizing the fastening force.

[0025] [Embodiment 2] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a propeller shaft according to the second embodiment.

[0026] In the first embodiment, the Cardan joint 7 and the joint body 4 are used, but in the second embodiment, a constant velocity joint 8 is used as the joint body. The constant velocity joint 8 is composed of an outer ring 8a, an inner ring 8b, a cage 8c that holds balls 8d, and a seal member S that seals the gap between the outer ring 8a and the inner ring 8b. The first end 8a1 of the outer ring 8a on the left side in the drawing and the first propeller shaft 1 are connected at a welded portion W. Further, a male spline portion 4c is formed on the second end portion 4b on the right side in the drawing of the inner ring 8b. The other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment, so the same components are given the same reference numerals and the description is omitted. Therefore, in addition to the advantageous effects of the first embodiment, the second embodiment has the advantageous effect of reducing the number of parts, thereby making it possible to reduce costs.

[0027] [Embodiment 3] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a propeller shaft according to the third embodiment.

[0028] In the first embodiment, the second drive shaft 2 and the adapter member 5 are connected and fixed by the nut 6, but in the third embodiment, this is done by a circlip 60. The other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment, so the same components are given the same reference numerals and the description is omitted. Therefore, in addition to the effects and advantages of the first embodiment except for the effects (9)-(11), the third embodiment has the effect that the second propeller shaft 2 and the adapter member 5 can be easily connected and fixed.

[0029] [Embodiment 4] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a propeller shaft according to the fourth embodiment.

[0030] In the third embodiment, the second drive shaft 2 and the adapter member 5 are connected and fixed by the circlip 60, but in the third embodiment, this is performed by a snap ring 61. The other configurations are the same as those in the third embodiment, so the same components are given the same reference numerals and the description is omitted. Therefore, in addition to the advantageous effects of the third embodiment, the fourth embodiment has the advantageous effect of being able to fix the circlip more firmly than the third embodiment.

[0031] [Embodiment 5] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a propeller shaft according to the fifth embodiment.

[0032] In the first embodiment, the second end 4b of the joint main body 4 is inserted into the inner circumference of the cylindrical adapter member 5, and the joint main body 4 and the adapter member 5 are connected by the male spline portion 4c and the female spline portion 5a. In the fifth embodiment, however, the second end 40b of the joint main body 40 is made cylindrical, and a female spline portion 40c is formed on its inner circumference, and a male spline portion 50a that meshes with the female spline portion 40c of the joint main body 40 is formed on the outer circumference of the cylindrical adapter member 50, and the male spline portion 50a of the adapter member 50 is inserted into the inner circumference of the cylindrical second end 40b of the joint main body 40, and the joint main body 40 and the adapter member 50 are connected by the meshing of the male spline portion 40c and the female spline portion 50a. A circlip 10 for fixing the joint body 40 and the adapter member 50 is provided between the male spline portion 40c and the female spline portion 50a. S is a seal member. Further, the outer diameter D2 of the adapter member 5 is smaller than the outer diameter D1 of the Cardan joint 7 and the outer diameter D3 of the propeller shaft 1, and the outer diameter D4 of the nut 6 is larger than the inner diameter d1 of the insertion hole 50b. The other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment, so the same components are given the same reference numerals and the description is omitted. Therefore, in addition to the advantageous effects of the first embodiment, the fifth embodiment has an advantageous effect that the length of the adapter member 50 in the direction of the rotation axis P can be shortened.

[0033] Other Embodiments The above describes an embodiment for carrying out the present invention, but the specific configuration of the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the embodiment, and design changes and the like that do not deviate from the gist of the invention are also included in the present invention. For example, in embodiment 1, the first propeller shaft 1 and the first end 4a of the joint body 4 are connected via a Cardan joint 7, but the first propeller shaft 1 and the first end 4a of the joint body 4 may also be directly connected by a weld W. [Explanation of symbols]

[0034] 100 propeller shaft, 1 first propeller shaft, 2 second propeller shaft, 3 joint portion, 4 joint body portion, 4a first end portion, 4b second end portion, 4c male spline portion, 4c1 male spline recess portion, 4d seal receiving recess portion, 40 joint body portion, 40a first end portion, 40b second end portion, 40c female spline portion, 5 adapter member, 5a female spline portion, 5a1 female spline recess portion, 5b insertion hole, 5c large diameter portion, 5d medium diameter portion, 5e small diameter portion, 50 adapter member, 50a male spline portion, 50b insertion hole, 6 nut (fixing member), 6a flange portion, 60 circlip (fixing member), 61 snap ring (fixing member), 7 cardan joint, 8 constant velocity joint (joint body portion), 8a1 first end portion, 8b1 second end portion, 9 O-ring (sealing member), 10 Circlip, D1 Outer diameter of cardan joint, D2 Outer diameter of adapter member, D3 Outer diameter of propeller shaft, D4 Outer diameter of nut, d1 Inner diameter of insertion hole, d2 Inner diameter of large diameter part, d3 Inner diameter of medium diameter part, d4 Inner diameter of small diameter part, P Rotation axis of propeller shaft

Claims

1. A propeller shaft having a first propeller shaft, a second propeller shaft, and a joint portion connecting the first propeller shaft and the second propeller shaft, The joint portion is a joint body portion having a first end portion connected to the first propeller shaft in a direction of a rotation axis of the propeller shaft, a second end portion provided on the opposite side to the first end portion and having a male spline portion provided along the rotation axis of the propeller shaft on an outer periphery thereof, and a seal accommodating recess portion between the first end portion and the second end portion; a cylindrical adapter member having an inner periphery including a female spline portion that meshes with the male spline portion in the direction of the rotation axis of the propeller shaft, and an insertion hole into which the second propeller shaft is inserted, the insertion hole being provided at a position opposite to the female spline portion; a seal member that is accommodated in the seal accommodating recess of the joint body and that abuts against an inner circumferential surface of the adapter member; a fixing member provided on the second drive shaft and fixing the adapter member and the second drive shaft; Equipped with the adapter member has a large diameter portion with which the seal member comes into contact, a medium diameter portion having an inner diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the large diameter portion and in which the female spline portion is formed, and a small diameter portion between the medium diameter portion and the insertion hole, the small diameter portion having an inner diameter smaller than the medium diameter portion and larger than the outer diameter of the fixing member, A propeller shaft comprising:

2. A propeller shaft having a first propeller shaft, a second propeller shaft, and a joint portion connecting the first propeller shaft and the second propeller shaft, The joint portion is a joint body portion having a first end portion connected to the first propeller shaft in a direction of a rotation axis of the propeller shaft, and a second end portion provided on the opposite side to the first end portion and having a male spline portion formed on an outer periphery along the rotation axis of the propeller shaft; a cylindrical adapter member having an inner periphery including a female spline portion that meshes with the male spline portion in the direction of the rotation axis of the propeller shaft, and an insertion hole into which the second propeller shaft is inserted, the insertion hole being provided at a position opposite to the female spline portion; a male spline recess formed in the male spline portion of the joint body, a female spline recess formed in the female spline portion of the adapter member, and a circlip provided between the male spline recess and the female spline recess; a fixing member provided on the second drive shaft and fixing the adapter member and the second drive shaft; Equipped with A propeller shaft comprising:

3. The propeller shaft according to claim 1 or 2, the first end connects to the first propeller shaft via a Cardan joint; A propeller shaft comprising:

4. The propeller shaft according to claim 3, The adapter member has an outer diameter smaller than an outer diameter of the Cardan joint. A propeller shaft comprising:

5. The propeller shaft according to claim 1 or 2, the joint body is a constant velocity joint, a first end of the constant velocity joint is welded to the first propeller shaft; A propeller shaft comprising:

6. 6. The propeller shaft according to claim 5, The outer diameter of the adapter member is formed to be smaller than the outer diameter of the first propeller shaft. A propeller shaft comprising:

7. The propeller shaft according to claim 1 or 2, The fixing member is provided between the female spline portion and the insertion hole of the adapter member, and has an outer diameter larger than an inner diameter of the insertion hole. A propeller shaft comprising:

8. 8. The propeller shaft according to claim 7, The fixing member is a nut. A propeller shaft comprising:

9. 9. The propeller shaft according to claim 8, The nut has a hexagonal outer periphery. A propeller shaft comprising:

10. 9. The propeller shaft according to claim 8, The nut has a flange portion on the insertion hole side of the adapter member. A propeller shaft comprising:

11. The propeller shaft according to claim 1 or 2, The fixing member is a circlip provided between the insertion hole of the adapter member and the second drive shaft. A propeller shaft comprising:

12. The propeller shaft according to claim 1 or 2, The fixing member is a snap ring provided between the insertion hole of the adapter member and the second drive shaft. A propeller shaft comprising:

13. A propeller shaft having a first propeller shaft, a second propeller shaft, and a joint portion connecting the first propeller shaft and the second propeller shaft, The joint portion is a joint body portion having, in a direction of a rotation axis of the propeller shaft, a first end portion connected to the first propeller shaft, and a second end portion formed in a cylindrical shape on the opposite side to the first end portion, the second end portion having a female spline portion provided along the rotation axis of the propeller shaft on an inner periphery thereof; an adapter member having, on an outer periphery in the direction of the rotation axis of the propeller shaft, a male spline portion that meshes with the female spline portion, and an insertion hole provided at a position opposite to the male spline portion and into which the second propeller shaft is inserted; a fixing member provided between the male spline portion and the insertion hole, fixed to the second drive shaft, the fixing member having an outer diameter larger than an inner diameter of the insertion hole of the adapter member; Equipped with A propeller shaft comprising:

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