Propeller Shaft Yoke Concave Portions Socket Wrench Access
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The reduction in bolt circle diameter of propeller shaft components leads to difficulties in inserting and detaching socket wrenches due to interference with the yoke's side surface, resulting in decreased efficiency and workability of connecting and tightening operations.
Innovation Solution
The propeller shaft features a bifurcated yoke structure with concave portions on its surface, allowing the socket wrench to slide smoothly and preventing interference during insertion and removal, facilitating easier handling and reducing stress concentration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If the bolt circle diameter is reduced to achieve weight reduction and component size reduction, then the weight and size of the propeller shaft components are reduced, but the socket wrench interferes with the side surface of the yoke portion making insertion and detachment difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The yoke portion is divided into multiple regions by introducing concave portions that segment the side surface. This segmentation creates distinct zones: a fastening tool insertion region with sufficient space for socket wrench access, and a structural region that maintains the reduced overall size. The concave portions act as separators that allow the socket wrench to be inserted without interfering with the yoke's side surface, thus resolving the contradiction between weight reduction and operational ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention addresses the two-dimensional conflict between reduced bolt circle diameter and socket wrench access by introducing a third dimensional element - concave portions that extend into the yoke's side surface. This creates additional spatial dimension for socket wrench insertion, allowing the tool to access the nut from a direction that avoids interference with the yoke's outer profile, thereby maintaining both compact size and operational accessibility.
2Volume of moving object
If the bolt circle diameter is reduced, then the size of the connecting components is reduced, but the gap between the nut and side surface of the yoke portion is limited restraining the socket wrench insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The yoke portion is segmented by introducing concave portions that create distinct functional zones. This segmentation allows the fastening operation to be performed in a dedicated insertion region without requiring excessive overall yoke volume. The concave portions provide the necessary clearance for socket wrench access while maintaining compact component dimensions, thus resolving the contradiction between volume reduction and operational simplicity.
3Strength
If the socket wrench requires pulling out linearly along a long length of axial direction, then the fastening is secured, but the detaching work becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The concave portions segment the yoke structure to create a dedicated socket wrench insertion region that provides sufficient axial clearance. This segmentation allows the socket wrench to be inserted deeply enough to engage the nut securely for fastening, while also providing the necessary space for linear extraction during detachment. The concave portions ensure that the socket wrench can move freely in the axial direction without interference, resolving the contradiction between fastening strength and detachment ease.
Data Source
AI summary
A propeller shaft includes a shaft part and a a first yoke having a fixing portion, a connecting portion, a first yoke portion and a first concave portion. The connecting portion is provided apart from a first concave portion in the direction of the rotation axis of the shaft part. An outside diameter of the connecting portion is greater than an outside diameter of the shaft part in a radial direction of the rotation axis of the shaft part.