JP2018159404A - Hollow power transmission shaft, external joint member for constant velocity universal joint and drive shaft - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a hollow power transmission shaft that reduces the number of component to be used and man-hours for assembly works and stably prevents grease from flowing into a constant velocity universal joint.SOLUTION: There is provided a hollow power transmission shaft in which a male spline is fitted to an end part of a female spline in a member to be connected. A plastic working closing part for closing an opening part of a hollow part is provided on a side of a shaft outer end relative to a male spline formation part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a hollow power transmission shaft, an outer joint member of a constant velocity universal joint, and a drive shaft.

  For example, in a power transmission system of an automobile, a power transmission shaft that transmits power from a reduction gear (differential) to drive wheels is used. A sliding type constant velocity universal joint is connected at one end of the power transmission shaft, and a fixed type constant velocity universal joint is connected at the other end of the power transmission shaft to constitute a drive shaft.

  In this case, it is connected to the speed reducer side via a sliding type constant velocity universal joint, and is connected to the driving wheel side via the other end, so-called fixed side constant velocity universal joint. As this power transmission shaft, a solid shaft has been widely used in the past and at present. However, in recent years, there has been a demand for hollowing out the power transmission shaft from the viewpoint of reducing the weight of the automobile, improving the function by increasing the rigidity of the power transmission shaft, and improving the quietness of the vehicle interior by optimizing the tuning of the primary natural frequency of bending. It is increasing.

  For example, a pipe material is drawn to form a hollow shaft material having a large diameter portion in the middle in the axial direction and a small diameter portion on both sides in the axial direction, and this hollow shaft material is machined as required. After processing, a hollow power transmission shaft is manufactured by performing heat treatment.

  In the hollow power transmission shaft, there is a possibility that grease enclosed in the constant velocity universal joint may enter the hollow power transmission shaft. Therefore, conventionally, there is one in which a sealing plug is attached to the opening end of the hollow power transmission shaft (Patent Document 1). The sealing plug in this case is made of a material having elasticity and excellent oil resistance, for example, rubber such as chloroprene rubber and nitrile rubber.

  Also, there is a type in which the opening is closed with a stopper insert made of shape memory alloy and a sealing plug made of elastomer (Patent Document 2). In this case, the sealing plug is provided with a hole, and the stopper insert is inserted into the hole.

  Furthermore, a hollow power transmission shaft is filled with a foamed resin to seal the hollow part (Patent Document 3), and an end part is plastically processed to close the opening (Patent Document 3). Patent Document 4).

JP-A-6-281010 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-682333 JP 2006-46408 A JP 2007-64266 A

  When the sealing plug described in Patent Document 1 is used, the rubber sealing plug needs to be press-fitted into the hollow part with a relatively large force. Moreover, since the sealing plug is in the form of a part molded in a required shape and size, the manufacturing cost is high. Moreover, in the thing of patent document 2, since a stopper insert is a complicated shape and is comprised with a shape memory alloy, it becomes high cost and is inferior to productivity. Moreover, as a component to be used, a rim member made of a shape memory alloy having an L-shaped cross section is required, and this rim member needs to be embedded in a sealing plug. For this reason, there is also a problem that the number of parts increases.

  Furthermore, in the thing of patent document 3, a filling operation is required, and although it is cheaper than the case where the said sealing plug is used, it takes time and effort to assemble, and the foaming rate is influenced by temperature, humidity, etc. As a result, there is a drawback that the variation in the molded product is large and difficult to manage.

  In the thing of patent document 4, in order to have a spline diameter required for a drive shaft and to block an opening, it is necessary to use a thing with a considerably large outer diameter or a thick wall when using a raw pipe. This increases the material cost.

  Accordingly, in view of the above problems, the present invention provides a hollow power transmission shaft that can reduce the number of parts to be used, reduce the number of assembly steps, and stably prevent the inflow of grease in a constant velocity universal joint. It is to provide.

  A hollow power transmission shaft of the present invention is a hollow power transmission shaft that transmits a rotational torque with a male spline formed at least in part, and the hollow portion is formed on the outer end side of the shaft with respect to the portion where the male spline is formed. A plastic working blocking portion for closing the opening is provided.

  According to the hollow power transmission shaft of the present invention, the opening portion of the hollow portion is closed by the plastic working blocking portion on the shaft outer end side with respect to the formation portion of the male spline. For this reason, the penetration | invasion of the grease etc. from the member to be connected, for example, a constant velocity universal joint, can be prevented.

  The plastic processing blockage portion can be a non-thermosetting treatment portion. That is, the plastic working blockage portion is provided on the outer end side of the shaft with respect to the male spline forming portion (fitting portion with the female spline), and therefore does not contribute to torque transmission. For this reason, it is not necessary to heat-treat the plastic processing blockage.

  The outer joint member of the constant velocity universal joint of the present invention has a constant velocity universal structure comprising a mouth portion having a track groove on which the torque transmitting member rolls on its inner diameter surface and a stem portion protruding from the bottom wall of the mouth portion. It is an outer joint member of a joint, and uses the hollow power transmission shaft in which a male spurn and a plastic working closed part are formed at an end part of the stem part.

  According to the outer joint member of the constant velocity universal joint of the present invention, in the stem portion, the opening portion of the hollow portion is closed by the plastic processing blocking portion on the outer end side of the shaft from the formation portion of the male spline. For this reason, the penetration | invasion of the grease etc. from a mouse | mouth part can be prevented.

  The drive shaft of the present invention includes a pair of constant velocity universal joints spaced apart in the axial direction, and an intermediate shaft that is provided between the two constant velocity universal joints and integrally rotates with the inner joint member of both constant velocity universal joints. The hollow power transmission shaft having a male spline and a plastic working closed portion formed at both ends is used for the intermediate shaft.

  According to the drive shaft of the present invention, it is possible to prevent intrusion of grease or the like from each constant velocity universal joint.

  A method for manufacturing a hollow power transmission shaft according to the present invention is a method for manufacturing a hollow power transmission shaft in which a male spline is formed at least in part to transmit rotational torque, and the outer end of the shaft is more than the portion where the male spline is formed. On the side, a plastic working closed portion for closing the opening of the hollow portion by plastic working is formed.

  According to the method for manufacturing a hollow power transmission shaft of the present invention, a separate member such as a sealing plug is not required, and further, a closed portion is formed by plastic processing without filling a foamed resin or the like inside. can do. As a result, the opening of the hollow portion is closed by the plastic working blocking portion on the outer end side of the shaft with respect to the site where the male spline is formed. For this reason, the penetration | invasion of the grease etc. from the member to be connected, for example, a constant velocity universal joint, can be prevented.

  The plastic working is any one of swaging, radial forging, or pressing. Here, the swaging process (rotary cold forging process) is generally a process in which a divided tool called a die is rotated and stretched while striking a base material. A radial forging process is generally This is a process of repeatedly pressing in the radial direction. In general, pressing is a process of forming a material into the shape of a tool by sandwiching the material between a pair of tools and applying a strong force with the tool (plastic processing) )It is to be.

  The plastic working may be cold plastic working, or the plastic working may be hot plastic working. Here, plastic working at room temperature is called “cold plastic working”, and generally plastic working at 600 ° to 900 ° is called warm plastic working, and plastic working is performed at a temperature higher than that. Is called hot plastic working.

  In the present invention, it is possible to prevent intrusion of grease or the like from a member to be connected, for example, a constant velocity universal joint. In addition, the sealing plug, which has been conventionally required, is not required, the number of parts and the number of assembly steps can be reduced, and the productivity is excellent. Further, since there is no need to fill the inside with a filler such as a foamed resin, there is no filling step and there is no problem that it is difficult to manage. Furthermore, since it is not necessary to eliminate the hollow portion more than necessary, it is possible to prevent the material cost from being increased by increasing the outer diameter or increasing the thickness.

FIG. 3 is a half-sectional view of the hollow power transmission shaft of the present invention. It is a principal part expanded sectional view of the hollow-shaped power transmission shaft shown in FIG. It is a principal part expanded side view of the hollow-shaped power transmission shaft shown in FIG. It is a principal part expanded sectional view before the thermosetting process of the hollow-shaped power transmission shaft shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing of the drive shaft in which the hollow-shaped power transmission shaft shown in FIG. 1 was used. It is a side view which shows the principal part of the constant velocity universal joint which has a hollow-shaped power transmission shaft in a cross section. FIG. 5 is a half-sectional view of a hollow power transmission shaft showing another embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 shows a hollow power transmission shaft S according to the present invention, and this hollow power transmission shaft S is used for a drive shaft, for example, as shown in FIG. That is, in general, the drive shaft is provided between a pair of constant velocity universal joints that are spaced apart in the axial direction and the two constant velocity universal joints, and is an intermediate that rotates integrally with the inner joint member of both constant velocity universal joints. And a shaft. The drive shaft in this case includes a fixed type constant velocity universal joint 1, a sliding type constant velocity universal joint 2, and a hollow power transmission shaft S as an intermediate shaft connecting these constant velocity universal joints. In this example, a Barfield type constant velocity universal joint is used for the fixed type constant velocity universal joint 1, and a tripod type constant velocity universal joint is used for the sliding type constant velocity universal joint 2.

  The fixed type constant velocity universal joint 1 includes an outer joint member 5 in which a plurality of track grooves 3 extending in the axial direction are formed on the inner spherical surface 4, and an inner side in which a plurality of track grooves 6 extending in the axial direction are formed on the outer spherical surface 7. A joint member 8; a plurality of balls 9 interposed between the track grooves 3 of the outer joint member 5 and the track grooves 6 of the inner joint member 8; and the inner spherical surface 4 of the outer joint member 5 and the inner joint. A cage 10 is provided between the outer spherical surface 7 of the member 8 and holds the ball 9. That is, the ball 9 as a torque transmission member rolls on the track groove 3 of the outer joint member 5 and the track groove 6 of the inner joint member 8.

  The sliding type constant velocity universal joint 2 is provided with an outer joint member 12 provided with three grooves 11 extending in the axial direction on the inner periphery and provided with roller guide surfaces 11a opposed to each other on the inner wall of each groove 11, and a radial direction. A tripod member 14 as an inner joint member provided with three leg shafts 13 protruding in the direction, and a torque transmission means rotatably supported by the leg shaft 13 and rotatably inserted in the groove 11 of the outer joint member 12 As a roller 15. In this case, the roller 15 is fitted onto the outer diameter surface of the leg shaft 13 via a plurality of rollers 16 disposed along the circumferential direction. The tripod member 14 includes a boss portion 17 and the leg shaft 13 extending from the boss portion 17 in the radial direction.

  The hollow power transmission shaft S has male splines (spline shafts) 21A and 21B formed at both ends thereof, and one male spline 21A is fitted into the inner joint member 8 of the fixed type constant velocity universal joint 1 and the other male spline 21A. The spline 21B is fitted into the tripod member 14 of the sliding type constant velocity universal joint 2. A female spline (spline hole) 23 is formed in the shaft hole 22 of the inner joint member 8, and one male spline 21A of the shaft S is fitted into the shaft hole 22 of the inner joint member 8, so that a female spline (spline hole) is formed. 23. Further, the other male spline (spline shaft) 21 B of the shaft S is fitted into the axial hole 24 of the boss portion 17 of the tripod member 14 and meshes with the female spline (spline hole) 25 of the axial hole 24.

  The fixed type constant velocity universal joint 1 is provided with a boot 30A for sealing the opening of the outer joint member 5, and the sliding type constant velocity universal joint 2 is used for sealing the opening of the outer joint member 12. Boots 30B are attached. The boots 30A and 30B include a large-diameter attachment portion 30a, a small-diameter attachment portion 30b, and a bellows portion 30c that constitutes a bent portion that connects the large-diameter attachment portion 30a and the small-diameter attachment portion 30b. The large-diameter mounting portions 30a of the boots 30A and 30B are fastened and fixed by the fastening bands 32 at the boot mounting portions 31A and 31B formed on the outer diameter surface on the opening side of the outer joint members 5 and 12, and the small-diameter mounting portions. Reference numeral 30b denotes a predetermined portion of the shaft S (boot mounting portions 33A and 33B) that is fastened and fixed by a fastening band 32.

  The shaft S is a hollow power transmission shaft, and as shown in FIG. 1, an intermediate large-diameter portion 50 and medium-diameter portions connected to both sides of the intermediate large-diameter portion 50 via taper portions 51A and 51B. 52A, 52B, a small diameter portion 54 extending from one middle diameter portion 52A to one end portion via a taper portion 53, and a male extending from the small diameter portion 54 to one end portion side via a taper portion 55. A spline forming portion 56 and a male spline forming portion 57 extending from the other middle diameter portion 52B to the other end side are provided. The male splines 21A and 21B are formed in the male spline forming portions 56 and 57, respectively. ing.

  Further, the circumferential groove 58 in the boot mounting portion 33A described above is formed on the taper 53 side of the one intermediate diameter portion 52A, and the boot mounting described above is slightly closer to the taper portion 51B than the middle of the other intermediate diameter portion 52B. A circumferential groove 59 in the portion 33B is formed.

  Circumferential grooves 60, 60 are formed at the ends of the male splines 21A, 21B, and retaining rings 61, 61 are mounted in the circumferential grooves 60, 60, respectively (see FIG. 5). In this case, as shown in FIG. 5, each retaining ring 61 is fitted with the male splines 21 </ b> A and 21 </ b> B and the female splines 23 and 25 of the inner joint members 8 and 14 of the constant velocity universal joints 1 and 2. , 61 is engaged with the inner joint members 8, 14. As a result, the retaining rings 61, 61 constitute a shaft retaining member.

  Further, plastic working blocking portions 62 and 62 for closing the opening portion of the hollow portion (shaft hollow portion) F are formed on the outer end side of the shaft from the formation portions M and M of the male splines 21A and 21B. That is, the formation site M.I. M is a fitting portion between the male splines 21A and 21B and the female splines 23 and 25. In this case, the plastic working blocking portions 62 and 62 are provided on the shaft end side from the circumferential grooves 60 and 60, respectively, and the hollow shaft opening is reduced in diameter so that the hollow portion F of the shaft S is opened. The part is sealed.

  The plastic working blockers 62 and 62 are formed by plastic working such as swaging, radial forging, or press working. Here, the swaging process (rotary cold forging process) is generally a process in which a divided tool called a die is rotated and stretched while striking a base material. A radial forging process is generally This is a process of repeatedly pressing in the radial direction. In general, pressing is a process of forming a material into the shape of a tool by sandwiching the material between a pair of tools and applying a strong force with the tool (plastic processing) )It is to be.

  Further, this plastic working may be cold plastic working performed at room temperature or hot plastic working performed at a temperature of 600 ° C. to 900 ° C. or higher. That is, plastic working at room temperature is called “cold plastic working”, and generally plastic working at 600 ° C. to 900 ° C. is called warm plastic working, and plastic working at a temperature higher than that is called plastic working. This is called hot plastic working. In this case, of course, it may be warm plastic working performed at 600 ° C to 900 ° C.

  By the way, this shaft S is heat-cured as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and a heat-cured portion H (range shown by cross-hatching) is formed as shown in FIGS. Is done. In this case, the plastic working blocking portions 62 and 62 are not subjected to thermosetting. That is, the plastic working blocking portions 62 and 62 are non-thermosetting processing portions.

  The thermosetting treatment is performed by a publicly known quenching means such as induction quenching or carburizing quenching. In this case, as shown in FIG. 2, after the plastic working closed portions 62 and 62 are molded so that the shaft opening is reduced in diameter and sealed, thermosetting treatment may be performed. As shown in FIG. 4, after forming the plastic working part 63 in the opened state and performing the thermosetting treatment in this state, the opening 63a of the plastic working part 63 is shown in FIG. As such, it may be closed. Thus, if the thermosetting process is performed in the state having the opening 63a, the adverse effect of the expansion of the air inside the shaft due to the heat treatment can be avoided.

  In the present invention, at the plastic working blocking portion 62, the opening portion on the outer end side of the shaft with respect to the fitting portion between the male splines 21A, 21B and the female splines 23, 25 (the forming portions M, M of the male splines 21A, 21B). Is blocked. For this reason, the penetration | invasion of the grease etc. from the member to be connected, for example, the constant velocity universal joints 1 and 2, can be prevented. In addition, the sealing plug, which has been conventionally required, is not required, the number of parts and the number of assembly steps can be reduced, and the productivity is excellent. Further, since there is no need to fill the inside with a filler such as a foamed resin, there is no problem of being difficult to manage because there is no filling man-hour. Furthermore, since it is not necessary to eliminate the hollow portion more than necessary, it is possible to prevent the material cost from being increased by increasing the outer diameter or increasing the thickness.

  Since the plastic working blocking portions 62 and 62 are provided on the outer end side of the shaft with respect to the formation portions M and M (fitting portions with the female splines 23 and 25) of the male splines 21A and 21B, these plastic processing blocking portions are provided. 62 and 62 do not contribute to torque transmission. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the plastic working blocking portions 62 and 62 are not subjected to thermosetting treatment. For this reason, it is easy to perform plastic working on the plastic working closed portions 62, 62, and it is not necessary to perform useless thermosetting, which contributes to cost reduction.

  Further, the plastic working blockage 62 can be formed by plastic processing such as publicly known swaging processing, radial forging processing, or press processing, so that it can be stably and reliably formed with existing equipment, and the cost can be reduced. Contribute to. Further, it may be cold, warm or hot, and plastic working at an optimum temperature is possible depending on the material used.

  Incidentally, in the shaft shown in FIG. 1 and the like, circumferential grooves 60 and 60 to which retaining rings 61 and 61 are attached are formed at the ends of the male splines 21A and 21B. In other words, male splines 21A and 21B forming portions M and M, that is, fitting portions with the female splines 23 and 25, are formed on the side opposite to the plastically closed portion from the circumferential groove 60.

  If such circumferential grooves 60, 60 are formed, the spline portion at the end of the circumferential groove 60 is formed as shown by the phantom line in FIG. 21A and 21B may be so-called “sag”, that is, the diameter may be reduced. Thus, if “sag” occurs, the retaining ring 61 (see FIG. 5) fitted (attached) to the circumferential groove 60 may come off via this “sag” portion, The function of cannot be demonstrated. For this reason, it is necessary to shape | mold the plastic processing obstruction | occlusion part 62 so that "sag" may not be formed.

  Next, FIG. 6 shows a double offset type sliding type constant velocity universal joint, and an outer joint member 75 having a plurality of axially extending track grooves 73 formed on the inner diameter surface 74 and a plurality of axially extending tracks. An inner joint member 78 having a groove 76 formed on the outer diameter surface 77; a plurality of balls 79 interposed between the track groove 73 of the outer joint member 75 and the track groove 76 of the inner joint member 78 to transmit torque; And a cage (retainer) 80 for holding the ball 79 interposed between the inner diameter surface 74 of the outer joint member 75 and the outer diameter surface 77 of the inner joint member 78.

  The center of curvature O1 of the spherical outer peripheral surface 80a of the cage 80 and the center of curvature O2 of the spherical inner peripheral surface 80b of the cage 80 are offset to the opposite side in the axial direction with respect to the joint center O. The outer joint member 75 includes a cup portion 81 having a track groove 73 formed in the inner diameter surface 74 and a hollow power transmission shaft S1 as a long stem portion protruding from the bottom wall portion 81a of the cup portion 81. .

  The long stem portion S1 includes a large-diameter portion 82a on the base end side, a medium-diameter main body portion 82c provided continuously from the large-diameter portion 82a via a taper portion 82b, and a small-diameter provided continuously to the medium-diameter main body portion 82c. A portion 82d and a male spline 82e connected to the small diameter portion 82d. And the base end boss | hub part 82f provided in a row by the large diameter part 82a of the base end side is joined to the bottom wall part 81a of the cup part 81 via joining means, such as welding.

  A circumferential groove 83 is formed on the taper portion 82b side of the large-diameter portion 82a on the proximal end side. That is, a support bearing (not shown) is mounted on the large-diameter portion 82a, and a retaining ring (not shown) mounted in the circumferential groove 83 constitutes a retaining prevention for the support bearing. That is, the inner ring of the support bearing is fitted on the large-diameter portion 82a and is sandwiched between the end surface 82f1 of the base end boss portion 82f and a retaining ring (not shown). The outer ring of the support bearing is fixed to the transmission case via a bracket (not shown). The outer joint member 75 is rotatably supported by a support bearing. By providing such a support bearing, the outer joint member 75 can be prevented from swinging during operation or the like as much as possible.

  Also in this long stem portion, that is, in the hollow power transmission shaft S1, the plastic processing blocking portion 62 is provided on the outer end side of the shaft with respect to the formation portion M of the male spline 82e (fitting portion with the female spline (not shown)). ing. The plastic working blocking portion 62 is also a non-thermosetting processing portion, and is formed by plastic working such as swaging, radial forging, or press working, like the shaft S shown in FIG. Also, it may be cold, warm, or hot.

  Accordingly, also in the long stem portion 82, the opening portion on the outer end side of the shaft with respect to the formation portion M of the male spline 82e is blocked by the plastic working blocking portion 62, so that the same effect as the shaft shown in FIG. Play.

  Next, FIG. 7 shows a hollow power transmission shaft S2 used as a stub shaft in the power transmission shaft, and constant velocity universal joints (not shown) are connected to both ends of the hollow power transmission shaft S2. The hollow power transmission shaft S2 includes a pair of end hollow shaft portions 90A and 90B, and an intermediate cylinder 91 interposed between the end hollow shaft portions 90A and 90B.

  One end hollow shaft portion 90A has a large-diameter portion 92a on the intermediate cylinder 91 side, a medium-diameter portion 92c connected to the large-diameter portion 92a via a taper portion 92b, and a taper to the medium-diameter portion 92c. A small-diameter portion 92e provided continuously through the portion 92d, and a male spline forming portion 92g extending from the small-diameter portion 92e toward the end portion via the tapered portion 92f. In the middle diameter portion 92c, a circumferential groove 93 is formed on the tapered portion 92d side.

  A male spline 94A is formed in the male spline forming portion 92g. Further, the male spline 94A has a circumferential concave groove 95 formed at the end on the side opposite to the tapered portion 92f, and the shaft is located more than the formation part M (fitting part with the female spline (not shown)) of the male spline 94A. A plastic working blocking portion 62 is formed on the outer end side. That is, the plastic working blocking portion 62 is provided on the shaft end side of the circumferential groove 95, and the shaft opening is reduced in diameter and sealed.

  The other end hollow shaft portion 90B includes a large-diameter portion 96a on the intermediate cylinder 91 side, a small-diameter portion 96c connected to the large-diameter portion 96a via a taper portion 96b, and a male spline extending from the small-diameter portion 96c. A forming portion 96d. Further, a circumferential concave groove 97 is formed on the small diameter portion 96c on the tapered portion 96b side.

  A male spline 94B is formed in the male spline forming portion 96d. Further, the male spline 94B has a circumferential groove 95 formed at the end on the small diameter portion 96c side, and is located on the outer side of the shaft more than the formation part M (fitting part with the female spline (not shown)) of the male spline 94B. A plastic working blocking portion 62 is formed on the end side. That is, the plastic working blocking portion 62 is provided on the shaft end side of the circumferential groove 95, and the shaft opening is reduced in diameter and sealed.

  One end hollow shaft portion 90A and the intermediate cylindrical body 91 are such that the end surface 92a1 of the large-diameter portion 92a of the end hollow shaft portion 90A and the one end surface 91a of the intermediate cylindrical body 91 abut each other through a joining means. It is joined. The other end hollow shaft portion 90B and the intermediate cylindrical body 91 are joined to each other by the end surface 96a1 of the large diameter portion 96a of the end hollow shaft portion 90B and the one end surface 91b of the intermediate cylindrical body 91 abutting each other. Are joined through. As a joining means in this case, for example, friction welding or the like can be used. Here, the friction welding is a method in which members to be joined (for example, metal, resin, etc.) are rubbed together at high speed, and the members are softened by the frictional heat generated at the same time and simultaneously applied with pressure.

  As a joining means, electron beam welding or laser welding may be used. Electron beam welding uses thermoelectrons emitted by heating the cathode with a filament. When these thermoelectrons are accelerated using an electromagnetic field created by a voltage difference and collided with an object to be welded In this method, welding is performed using the heat generated by impact. Laser welding is a method of joining by irradiating a laser beam mainly on a metal as a heat source and locally melting and solidifying the metal.

  The both plastic processing closed portions 62 and 62 of the shaft S2 are non-thermosetting processing portions, and like the shaft S shown in FIG. 1 and the like described above, plastic processing such as swaging processing, radial forging processing, or press processing. Molded with. Also, it may be cold, warm, or hot.

  Accordingly, also in this shaft S2, at the plastic working blocking portions 62, 62, the openings on the outer end side of the shaft with respect to the formation portions M, M (fitting portions with the female splines (not shown)) of the male splines 94A, 94B. Since the portion is closed, the same effect as the shaft shown in FIG.

  Also in this shaft S2, the thermosetting process is performed, and the thermosetting part H is formed as shown by cross hatching. In this case, the thermosetting portion H is provided in the end hollow shaft portion 90A and the end hollow shaft portion 90B, and is not provided in the intermediate cylinder 91. The end hollow shaft portion 90A is from the tapered portion 92b to the vicinity of the circumferential groove 91, and the end hollow shaft portion 90B is from the tapered portion 96b to the vicinity of the circumferential groove 95.

  As described above, the embodiment of the present invention has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made. In the drive shaft shown in FIG. The tripod type is used for the sliding constant velocity universal joint, but the fixed constant velocity universal joint is an undercut-free type, but the sliding constant velocity universal joint is a cross groove type or A double offset type or the like may be used. Also, when using a cross-groove type constant velocity universal joint as a sliding type constant velocity universal joint, it may be a float type or non-float type. When using a tripod type, a single roller type or a double roller It may be a type.

  In the constant velocity universal joint using the outer joint member 75 having a long stem portion as shown in FIG. 6, a double offset type is used, but a tripod type sliding constant velocity universal joint may be used. In the hollow power transmission shaft S2 shown in FIG. 7, the constant velocity universal joint connected to the end is a fixed type constant velocity universal joint or a sliding type constant velocity universal joint. As a bar field type or an undercut free type, a sliding type constant velocity universal joint may be a double offset type, a tripod type, or a cross groove type.

  The power transmission structure is not limited to the drive shaft, but may be a propeller shaft, and may be a drive shaft of a rear wheel drive vehicle, a front drive shaft of a front wheel drive vehicle, and a 4WD vehicle. Good. In addition to such a power transmission system of an automobile, the present invention can also be used for various general machines, electric machines, transportation machines, and the like having a rotating shaft.

  Further, in the hollow power transmission shaft S2 shown in FIG. 7, the thermosetting portion H is not provided in the intermediate cylinder 91, but the thermosetting portion H may be provided also in the intermediate cylinder 91. In the thermosetting portion H of the hollow power transmission shafts S and S2 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 7, it is provided over the entire thickness, but only the surface portion may be provided, and conversely, the hollow shape shown in FIG. In the thermosetting processing part H of the power transmission shaft S1, it is provided only on the surface part, but may be provided on the entire thickness.

8 Inner joint member 14 Tripod member 21A Male spline 21B Male spline 23, 25 Female spline 62 Plastic working blocking part 75 Outer joint member 81 Mouse part (cup part)
94A Male spline 94B Male spline M Mating part (formation part of male spline)
F Hollow part

Claims (8)

A hollow power transmission shaft in which a male spline is formed at least in part to transmit rotational torque,
A hollow power transmission shaft, characterized in that a plastic working blocking portion for closing the opening of the hollow portion is provided on the outer end side of the shaft with respect to the formation site of the male spline.   The hollow power transmission shaft according to claim 1, wherein the plastic processing blocking portion is a non-thermosetting processing portion. An outer joint member of a constant velocity universal joint comprising a mouth portion having a track groove on which the torque transmission member rolls on an inner diameter surface and a stem portion protruding from the bottom wall of the mouth portion,
The outside of the constant velocity universal joint using the hollow power transmission shaft according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a male spline and a plastic working closed portion are formed at an end portion of the stem portion. Joint member. A drive shaft comprising a pair of constant velocity universal joints spaced apart in the axial direction and an intermediate shaft provided between the two constant velocity universal joints and integrally rotating with the inner joint member of both constant velocity universal joints. And
3. A drive shaft using the hollow power transmission shaft according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a male spline and a plastic working closed portion are formed at both ends of the intermediate shaft. A method of manufacturing a hollow power transmission shaft in which a male spline is formed at least in part to transmit rotational torque,
A method of manufacturing a hollow power transmission shaft, comprising: forming a plastic processing blocking portion that closes an opening portion of a hollow portion by plastic processing closer to a shaft outer end side than a formation portion of a male spline.   6. The method of manufacturing a hollow power transmission shaft according to claim 5, wherein the plastic working is any one of swaging, radial forging, or press working.   6. The method for manufacturing a hollow power transmission shaft according to claim 5, wherein the plastic working is cold plastic working.   6. The method for manufacturing a hollow power transmission shaft according to claim 5, wherein the plastic working is hot plastic working.

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