Propeller Shaft Boot Mounting with Stepped Shaft Diameters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional propeller shafts face difficulties in assembling the boot member due to the need for expanding the boot member's inside diameter to accommodate protruding portions, leading to deteriorated workability, and adjusting the mounting groove diameters to reduce insertion load results in the protruding portion being difficult to mount.
Innovation Solution
A propeller shaft design with a cylindrical tube having varying thicknesses and a boot member with a protruding portion and boot band tightening portion, where the sleeve shaft and collar shaft flange portions expand radially to facilitate easier insertion and sealing, and the boot member is formed by blow molding for improved manufacturing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the outside diameters of the shaft portions are set to the same diameter on the front and rear sides of the mounting grooves, then the protruding portion can be mounted in the mounting groove, but the inside diameter of the boot member needs to be expanded by a large protruding amount, deteriorating the workability of the assembling operation
Solution Approach 1:
The shaft portion is designed with different outside diameters at different locations: a first outside diameter portion with a smaller diameter at the front side of the mounting groove, and a second outside diameter portion with a larger diameter at the rear side. This local variation in diameter allows the boot member to be inserted more easily while still enabling the protruding portion to be properly mounted in the groove.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the diameter parameter of the shaft portion along the insertion direction of the boot member. By setting the first outside diameter (front side) smaller than the second outside diameter (rear side), the boot member experiences less resistance during insertion, improving workability while maintaining proper mounting capability.
2Ease of operation
If the outside diameters on the front and rear sides of the mounting groove are decreased to reduce the insertion load of the boot member, then the insertion load is reduced, but the protruding portion may get over the mounting groove, making it difficult to mount
Solution Approach 1:
Different sections of the shaft portion have different diameters optimized for their specific functions: the first outside diameter portion has a smaller diameter to reduce insertion load and improve ease of operation, while the second outside diameter portion has a larger diameter to ensure the protruding portion can be properly mounted in the groove, maintaining manufacturing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The shaft portion is segmented into different diameter sections: a first outside diameter portion and a second outside diameter portion. This segmentation allows each section to be optimized independently - the first section for easy insertion and the second section for proper mounting of the protruding portion.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design enhances the workability of inserting the boot member by reducing the diameter increasing amount of the protruding portion, ensuring proper mounting, and improving sealing and durability while reducing manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
the boot member is formed by blow molding for improved manufacturing efficiency
Data Source
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AI summary
This propeller shaft (PS) has: a boot member (7) having one end thereof fixed to a sleeve shaft (2) and the other end thereof fixed to a stub shaft (3); and a boot band (8) that fixes the boot member (7) to the sleeve shaft (2) and the stub shaft (3). A protrusion (74) that fits in fitting grooves (26) formed on the outer circumferential surfaces of the sleeve shaft (2) and the stub shaft (3) is provided on the inner circumferential side of the one end and the other end of the boot member (7). The present invention has: a first outer diameter section (231) that has a larger diameter than the inner diameter (D1) of the protrusion (74), provided in the sleeve shaft (2) and the stub shaft (3) further on the tip side than the fitting grooves (26); and a second outer diameter section (232) that has a larger diameter than the external diameter (X1) of the first outer diameter section (231), provided further on the base end side than the fitting grooves (26).