JP3323956B2 - Method and apparatus for straightening a joint shaft - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a coupling shaft.
ng shaft, in particular a three joint assembly vehicle drive shaft with a central shaft bearing
assembly vehicle drive sh
aft) straightening the joint axis (straight)
en) Methods and apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A drive shaft assembly of a vehicle includes a universal joint yoke bearing stub or a slip joint attached to each end of the yoke bearing stub.
And one or a plurality of tubular members having each member such as one part. Each such member is typically pushed into the hollow interior of the tubular member and secured by a circumferential weld joint formed between the end of the tubular member and the surface of the insert. The driveshaft assembly is utilized as the torque transmitting component of the power train and is most commonly located below the vehicle between a transmission or other gearbox and the drive axle.

In some applications, a three joint drive shaft assembly is used where the required length and operating speed of the drive shaft causes excessive radial misalignment of a single tubular member (commonly referred to as runout). It's being used. Such a drive shaft assembly includes a coupling shaft connected to two interconnected tubular members or transmissions and a drive shaft connected to a drive axle. The coupling shaft has a universal joint yoke mounted at one end connected to the transmission and a midship tube shaft mounted at the other end.
The central tube shaft is supported by a central shaft support bearing assembly mounted on the vehicle frame and is often connected to the drive shaft by a slip yoke assembly.

[0004] In operation, it is important that the tubular member of the drive shaft assembly remain relatively straight and balanced. A lack of straightness or radial alignment will cause noise, vibration and noise in the vehicle.
Excessive radial misalignment can result in breakage of the tubular member of the drive shaft assembly.

[0005] To prevent such problems, typical drive shaft manufacturing methods straighten the tubular member and subsequently balance it. This straightening is performed by placing the shaft in a straightening device having a hydraulic press that presses the shaft to achieve radial alignment. In the balancing operation, a balancing tester having a complicated configuration of a spindle, a shaft and a bearing is required to generate a smooth high-speed rotation of the shaft so that a vibration sensor can detect a balancing region of the shaft.

The joint shaft of a three joint drive shaft assembly has conventionally been
The strain is corrected before mounting on the center shaft support bearing assembly as follows. Journal Cross (jo
a tube yoke with a round cross or flange, and a midship tube shaf
t) is fixed at opposite ends of the tubular member of the joint shaft prior to the straightening operation. The joint shaft is rotatably mounted in the strain straightening press away from the open joint or flange at one end and away from the center end of the intermediate tube shaft at the other end. Rotate the joint shaft and take a run-out reading on the support surface of the central tube shaft near the end of the tubular member. The joint shaft is then positioned so that the hydraulic press applies a force to the joint shaft, causing the joint shaft to flex permanently to achieve radial alignment. This process is repeated at various points along the tubular member of the joint shaft. After the straightening operation, the joint shaft is balanced before or after assembly to the drive shaft. The more effective the straightening operation, the easier and faster it is to balance the joint shaft or the entire drive shaft assembly.

The above method is suitable for straightening a drive shaft mounted at each end by a universal joint yoke or flange. However, it is disadvantageous for straightening the joint shaft because it corrects the strain with respect to the virtual center line formed by supporting the joint shaft at its two ends. The actual center line that results after the joint shaft is mounted on the vehicle is in fact quite different from the virtual center line used during such straightening operations. The reason for this is that the coupling shaft is practically mounted on the vehicle at a distance from the universal joint yoke at one end thereof and away from the support surface of the central tube shaft supported within the central shaft support bearing. In addition, run-out readings are conventionally taken on the support surface of the central tube shaft adjacent the end of the tubular member. However, this deflection is much greater at the end of the central tube axis than is measured at the support surface. Since the coupling shaft mates with the drive shaft at the end of the central tube shaft, it is the run-out that occurs at this location that has the greatest effect on the alignment of the entire drive.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a method for straightening a joint shaft having a tubular member having a central tube shaft fixed at one end mounted in a center shaft support bearing assembly. According to the invention, the joint shaft is rotatably supported by the opposite end of the central tube shaft and a central shaft support bearing rotatably supporting the central tube shaft of the joint shaft. The joint shaft rotates with respect to the measuring means for measuring its radial misalignment. Radial misalignment is then measured at one or more locations along the central tube axis. Applying force to the joint shaft permanently destroys the radial misalignment that is perceived by permanently bending the joint shaft.

[0009] The present invention also relates to a distortion correcting device for correcting a distortion of a joint shaft provided with a tubular member having a central tube shaft fixed to one end thereof, wherein the central tube shaft is mounted in a central shaft support bearing assembly. The apparatus of the present invention includes a frame to which a headstock is attached so as to rotatably support the joint shaft at an end opposite to the central tube shaft. Further, a strain correction head for supporting the joint shaft on a center shaft support bearing is mounted on the frame. Extending from the frame are measuring means for measuring the radial misalignment of the joint shaft. The press is also attached to the frame and a force is applied to the joint shaft to permanently flex the joint shaft, thereby reducing the observed radial misalignment.

[0010] The novel method and apparatus for straightening is advantageous because it straightens about a centerline that more closely approximates the centerline that occurs when the joint shaft is mounted on a vehicle. Accordingly, the joint shaft is subjected to higher initial strain correction and balancing than before. Further, by supporting the joint shaft with a central shaft support bearing and measuring run-out at the end of the central tube shaft, the magnitude of the radial misalignment of the joint shaft can be more accurately indicated.

The above and other advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0012]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional straightening method and apparatus having a joint shaft of a three joint drive shaft assembly. The joint shaft 10 includes a tubular member 12. A yoke 1 for a universal joint is provided at one end of the tubular member 12.
4 is attached, and the central pipe shaft 16 is attached to the other end of the tubular member 12. The central tube shaft 16 is provided with a support surface 18 near the end of the tubular member 12. The other end of the central tube shaft 16 is provided with an external spline so as to engage with the drive shaft via a sliding yoke device (not shown).

In a conventional method of straightening the joint shaft 10, the joint shaft 10 is at one end away from the open joint or flange and at the other end the center of the central tube shaft 16, as shown in FIG. It is rotatably mounted in the straightening press away from the press. The joint shaft 10 is rotated about its longitudinal axis and uses the indicator 20 to
Take a reading of the run-out of the support surface 18 of the central tube shaft 16 near the end of 2. The joint shaft 10 is then positioned such that a radial force is exerted by the hydraulic press 22 on the joint shaft 10 in a lateral direction to permanently deflect the joint shaft to achieve radial alignment. Generally, a strain correction pedestal is located below the tubular member 12 and the central tube shaft 16 to limit the amount of force applied to the joint shaft. This process is repeated to read runout at various points along the tubular member 12 of the joint shaft 10.

A method and apparatus for straightening a joint shaft according to the present invention is illustrated in FIG. Joint shaft 1 shown in FIG.
The 0s use the same reference numerals for the same and similar parts as shown in FIG. That is, the joint shaft 10 is fixed to the strain correcting device of the present invention by rotatably supporting an open joint or a flange attached to a tube yoke 14 fixed to one end of the tubular member 12. The straightening device of the present invention also supports the joint shaft 10 in a central shaft support bearing assembly 24 that rotatably supports the central tube shaft 16 of the joint shaft 10. Sleeve 26 is positioned over the end of central tube shaft 16 to form a smooth cylindrical reference surface. The sleeve 26 is provided with means for preventing relative rotation between the sleeve and the end of the central tube shaft 16, for example, internal splines or the like. The joint shaft 10 rotates relative to the indicator 28 about its longitudinal axis to measure radial misalignment at one or more locations along the sleeve 26 of the central tube shaft 16. Force is applied to the joint shaft 10, for example, by a hydraulic press 29, eliminating any inconsistencies observed by permanently flexing the joint shaft 10.

FIG. 3 shows the straightening device according to the invention in more detail. As described above, the assembly of the joint shaft 10 is completed prior to the strain correcting operation. That is, the tube yoke 14
Inserted into one end of the tubular member 12 and secured to the end of the tubular member 12 by a circumferential weld joint formed between the end of the tubular member 12 and the surface of the inserted tube yoke 14. Is done. Similarly, central tube shaft 16 is inserted into the opposite end of tubular member 12 and is secured by a circumferential weld joint formed between the opposite end of tubular member 12 and the surface of central tube shaft 16. You. The central shaft support bearing assembly 24 includes:
It is pressed against the support surface of the central tube shaft 16.

The straightening device 30 includes a frame 32 on which a horizontally arranged plate or table 34 is mounted.
The hydraulic press 29 arranged in the up-down direction includes a frame 32
And the longitudinal axis of the hydraulic press 29 is positioned such that it intersects the longitudinal axis of the joint shaft 10 mounted within the straightening device 30. The fluid pressure press 29
A ram member 42 having a curved surface may be provided to substantially match the outer surface of the joint shaft 10.

A headstock 36 rotatably supporting a mounting member 38
Is mounted close to one end of the table 34. The mounting member 38 rotatably supports one end of the joint shaft by supporting the end and the outer diameter of the bearing race of the journal cloth attached to the tube yoke 14. Close to the opposite end of the table 34 is mounted a central bearing straightening head 40 which supports the central shaft bearing assembly 24, as will be described in greater detail below. The headstock 36 and the central bearing straightening head 40 are mounted on rails (not shown) and are slidable in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the joint shaft mounted in the straightening device 30. The joint shaft 10 attached to the headstock 36 and the central bearing straightening head 40 is provided with the headstock 36 and the central bearing straightening head 4.
It can be moved vertically with respect to the table 34 and the hydraulic press 29 together with the zero. The headstock 36 and the central bearing straightening head 40 can be moved independently of each other to accommodate various lengths of the joint shaft 10.

When the hydraulic press 29 is operated to apply a force to the joint shaft 10, the strain correction pedestals 43, 46 are supported to support the central tube shaft 16 and the tubular member 12, respectively.
Is provided. The rectifying pedestal 43 thus acts to minimize the forces on the center shaft support bearing assembly 24. Each of the rectifying pedestals 43 and 45 is attached to the table 34 and is slidable in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the joint shaft 10 so that the central pipe shaft 16 and the tubular member 12 are respectively provided.
May have a top surface that is curved to substantially conform to the shape of. Each of the rectification receiving pedestals 43 and 45 is located immediately below the joint shaft 10, but by providing a slight clearance between them, if the fluid pressure press 29 is not activated, it will be activated again. Until this is done, the joint shaft 10 does not come into contact with these strain correction pedestals so as not to hinder the rotation of the joint shaft 10 and the reading of the run-out.

An indicator 28, such as a dial gauge, which measures the magnitude of the radial misalignment of the joint shaft 10,
It is attached to the frame 32. Indicator 28 is adjustably mounted on central bearing straightening head 40,
The run-out can be read by the sleeve 26 of the central tube shaft 16 of various lengths.

As can be seen in FIG. 4, the central shaft support bearing assembly 24 includes a tubular bearing 44 mounted within an elastic bearing holder 46 made of rubber or the like, and a bearing holder 46.
And a generally U-shaped bracket 48 surrounding the bracket. The central tube shaft 16 of the joint shaft 10 is rotatably mounted in an annular bearing 44. Central shaft support bearing assembly 24
Is positioned and held on the central bearing distortion correction head 40 by a pair of support pins 50. Each support pin 50
Extend upwardly from the central bearing distortion correcting head 40 and project through holes formed at each end of the bracket 48. The plunger 52, which reciprocates vertically in cylinder operation or lever operation, selectively engages the bracket 48 near its center, and until the ends of the bracket 48 engage the central bearing straightening head 40. 48 is urged toward the central bearing straightening head 40 while simultaneously compressing the bearing holder 46. In this manner, the joint shaft 10 is attached to the straightening device in much the same way that the joint shaft is subsequently attached to the vehicle.

To straighten the joint shaft 10, the open joint or flange mounted on the tube yoke 14 is rotatably supported in a conventional manner by the headstock 36 of the straightening device 30. The central shaft support bearing assembly 24 is supported by a central bearing straightening head 40, in which case the bracket 4 is positioned over cooperating pins 50 extending from the straightening head 40.
8. Locate the holes at each end. The central bearing straightening head 40 may be provided with various sets of interchangeable pins 50 that are spaced apart from one another and are located at different heights to accommodate brackets of various sizes. When actuated, the plunger 52 engages the bracket 48 near its center, and until the end of the bracket 48 engages the central bearing straightening head 40.
4 is urged toward the central bearing straightening head 40, and FIG.
As shown in the figure, the position shifts from the chain line position to the solid line position. Since the central shaft support bearing assembly 24 rotatably supports the central tube shaft 16, in this case, the joint shaft 10 is
0 to be rotatable.

A sleeve 26 with internal splines is positioned around the end of the central tube shaft 16 and has a smooth cylindrical reference surface that makes it easier to read run-out readings.
Indicator 28 is positioned to engage the surface of sleeve 26 and rotates joint shaft 10 about its longitudinal axis to measure the amount of radial misalignment. The joint shaft 10 is manually rotated or the headstock 36 is rotated by the straightening device 30 to rotate the joint shaft 10.
May be provided with a driving means (not shown) connected to the driving means.

The joint shaft 10 is rotated so that the observation point of the maximum runout of the joint shaft is closest to the ram member 42 of the fluid pressure press 29. Upon actuation of the hydraulic press 29, the ram member 42 engages at one point along a vertical line that includes the viewing vertex. Hydraulic press 29 corrects for any observed radial misalignment by applying force to joint shaft 10 and causing joint shaft 10 to flex permanently.

The straightening device 30 is clearly shown in FIG.
Additional indicators for measuring runout may be provided at various other locations along the zero and additional measuring and pressing steps may be performed in response to the reading of the additional runout.

Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the preferred embodiments, it is needless to say that the present invention can be variously modified without departing from the spirit thereof.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view of a conventional straightening device.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the straightening device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a straightening device according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged end view of the center shaft support bearing assembly attached to the straightening device of FIG. 3;

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 joint shaft 12 tubular member 16 center tube shaft 24 center shaft support bearing assembly 28 measuring means (indicator) 29 fluid pressure press 30 strain straightening device 32 frame 36 headstock 40 central bearing strain straightening head 42 ram member

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── front page of the continuation (72) inventor Magatto, El, Huffman United States Ohio 43450, Pem Baviru, Marshall Avi New 162 number (58) investigated the field (Int.Cl. ^7, DB name) G01M 1 / 38 F16C 23/00

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A method for straightening a joint shaft provided with a tubular member having one end fixed to a central tube shaft mounted in a central shaft support bearing assembly, comprising: a) connecting the joint shaft to the central tube. Rotatably supporting at the end of the joint shaft opposite the shaft; b) supporting the joint shaft in the central shaft support bearing assembly rotatably supporting the central tube axis of the joint shaft; c) rotating the joint axis about its longitudinal axis with respect to measuring means for measuring its radial misalignment; d) causing the radial misalignment at a location along the central tube axis. Measuring. E) applying a force to the joint shaft to permanently deflect the joint shaft to reduce the observed radial misalignment.