JP2786709B2 - Power transmission shaft - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a power transmission shaft in which a constant velocity universal joint is attached to an end of a shaft member such as a drive shaft or a propeller shaft of an automobile.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, drive shafts and propeller shafts of automobiles have generally been formed by mechanically connecting a steel constant velocity universal joint to an end of a steel shaft.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

As important as improving engine performance and the characteristics of the fuel itself, reducing vehicle weight is an important issue in improving fuel efficiency of automobiles.

Therefore, a main object of the present invention is to reduce the weight of a power transmission shaft in which a constant velocity universal joint is attached to an end of the shaft member as described above.

[Means for solving the problem]

The present invention provides an outer ring of a constant velocity universal joint in a power transmission shaft having a hybrid structure including a steel inner member conforming to an outer ring mouse shape and an outer member formed outside the outer member. The object has been achieved by forming a reinforced composite material, integrally connecting the members with each other, and interposing an intermediate member made of an elastic material between the inner member and the outer member.

The fiber reinforced composite material includes, for example, fiber reinforced plastic (FRP), but other fiber reinforced composite materials can be used as long as they have higher specific strength than steel.

An elastic material such as rubber is suitable as the elastic material constituting the intermediate member.

[Action]

Since the half of the outer ring of the constant velocity universal joint and the entire shaft member are made of a fiber-reinforced composite material, the power transmission shaft of the present invention is significantly reduced in weight compared to the conventional all-steel one. I do.

The steel inner member has a function of withstanding rolling fatigue and wear due to contact with a ball or a cage. Further, since the inner member and the outer member made of the fiber-reinforced composite material are arranged in parallel to the torque, the torsional strength is shared by the rigidity ratio of the members. Therefore, the steel inner member may be thinner than a conventional outer ring made entirely of steel, and further weight reduction is realized.

The connection between the steel inner member and the fiber reinforced composite material outer member is performed at an irregular cross section of both via the intermediate member, so that a reliable connection is obtained.

The intermediate member functions as a vibration damping material or a vibration absorbing material.

〔Example〕

 Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a power transmission shaft that receives a constant velocity universal joint (10) at both ends of a shaft member (2). In this embodiment, the constant velocity universal joints (10) are of the same type, and an inner ring (12) fixed to a shaft (4) and an inner member (14).
a) and an outer member (14b), an outer ring (14), a plurality of balls (16) interposed between the inner and outer rings (12, 14) for transmitting torque, and a ball (16). The cage (18) is a main component, and a flexible boot (6) prevents foreign matter such as dust from entering the inside of the universal joint.

The inner member (14a) of the outer ring (14) is formed by pressing a steel plate into an outer ring mouth shape, that is, a cup shape in which the race grooves (17) for the ball (16) are equally distributed in the circumferential direction of the inner diameter surface. Have been. The inner member (14a) can be made by forging or cutting in addition to press working. An outer member (14b) made of fiber reinforced plastic is integrally formed on the outer diameter surface of the inner member (14a), and the connection between the inner member (14a) and the outer member (14b) is as shown in FIG. Then, through the intermediate member (14c), the process is performed in a modified cross section of both. The outer member (14b) and the shaft member (2) are integrally formed of fiber reinforced plastic.

The inner member (14a) and the outer member (1
4b) and the intermediate member (14c) is interposed. The intermediate member (14c) can be formed by, for example, vulcanizing and bonding rubber to the outer diameter surface of the inner member (14a).

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the outer member (14b) and the shaft member (2) are separately formed, joined together and integrally joined by a blind rivet (20). As in this embodiment, the constant velocity universal joints attached to both ends of the shaft member (2) may be of different types. Also,
As a means for connecting the outer member (14b) and the shaft member (2), it is also possible to employ bonding or a combination of bonding and blind rivet or other mechanical connection.

Although the drive shaft and the propeller shaft of an automobile have been described as examples, the present invention can be widely applied to other power transmission shafts. Further, the invention is not limited to the shaft member having constant velocity universal joints attached to both ends of the shaft member as illustrated in the drawings, but may be applied to a shaft member attached to only one end.

〔The invention's effect〕

As described above, the power transmission shaft of the present invention has a structure in which half of the outer race of the constant velocity universal joint and all of the shaft members are made of a fiber-reinforced composite material. The weight is greatly reduced. Therefore, the weight of the power transmission shaft can be reduced. For example, in the case of a power transmission shaft used in an automobile, it is possible to contribute to improvement of fuel efficiency.

Further, since the intermediate member made of the elastic material is interposed, the vibration is cut off or absorbed, and the propagation of the vibration through the power transmission system is prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

 FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a transverse sectional view, and FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing another embodiment. 2: Shaft member 10: Constant velocity universal joint 14: Outer ring 14a: Inner member 14b: Outer member 14c: Intermediate member

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A power transmission shaft having a constant velocity universal joint attached to an end of a shaft member, wherein an outer ring of the constant velocity universal joint is formed on a steel inner member conforming to the shape of an outer ring mouse, and on an outer side thereof. A hybrid structure comprising an outer member, wherein the outer member and the shaft member are made of a fiber-reinforced composite material and are integrally connected to each other, and a gap between the inner member and the outer member. A power transmission shaft characterized in that an intermediate member made of an elastic material is interposed in the power transmission shaft.