The Field of the Invention

The Invention relates to drive shaft sliding group providing longitudinal motion for drive shaft on axial direction and comprising respectively, yoke shaft, tube sleeve, protective cover, sealing element and clamp.

Background of the Invention

In all of heavy vehicles used in cargo carrying, torque of engine is transmitted to driving axles by drive shaft. Drive shafts which are rotary components expose to considerable amount of torque values under vehicle working conditions. Basic duty of drive shaft in vehicle is to take rotary motion and torque generated by engine from gear box and transmit to differential via driving axle. Therefore, drive shaft in vehicle is placed between gear box and differential but in heavy duty vehicle having more than axle as per vehicle configuration (6x4, 8x4), it is placed between differentials located on driving axles in the rear and thus driving transmission is provided. Drive shafts eliminate negative impacts that might be caused by driving axle movements on transmission organs system because of angular and axial movement capabilities. Drive shaft basically comprises a connection flange, drive joint enabling shaft to move angularly, sliding part enabling drive shaft to move axially, sound damper for noise and vibration absorption.

Axial movement (opening/sliding) of said sliding group in drive shafts is limited, in other words, tube sleeve and yoke shaft constituting sliding group are capable to move in certain amount in respect to one another. In case axial movement exceeds such limitation during travel of drive shaft and assembly onto vehicle, contact between tube sleeve and yoke shaft disconnected and sliding group separates. To prevent the disconnection in present status, a sealing element mounted onto tube sleeve and a protrusion on end of the tube sleevebushing are used. Big amount of chipping is made from outer diameter of tube sleeve and so a protrusion is provided on the end of the tube sleeve. The operations conducted to produce the protrusion increase the cost of the sliding group. When maximum distance allowed in axial motion of sliding group is achieved, this form and the lips of the sealing element contact each other and provide locking.

In the related art several studies have been conducted and new products have been developed to eliminate problems arising from such protrusions formed in tube sleeve. One of those studies is patent application numbered TR201807402 entitled “A Yoke Shaft for Drive Shaft Applications”. The invention comprises uniform neck cone extending in a certain slope between casing inserting diameter and neck part in conical form of narrowing extension, limiting tube sleeve on sloped body and at least one matting surface contacting lower matting area of tube sleeve on said uniform neck cone in a manner to provide a simpler, lighter and more resistant structure for neck part joining the yoke section of the yoke shaft and shaft section of the yoke shaft in drive shaft used to provide movement of vehicle by transmitting rotation movement and power of engine to differential in engine vehicles.

Another study is the invention of patent numbered US5299982A and entitled “Slip joint seal for a driveshaft”. The invention relates to a slip joint seal for a driveshaft located between two universal joint yokes. A male splined shaft rotates with a first yoke and a female splined shaft rotates with a second yoke, with the two being mechanically engaged for slidable but nonrotational movement during operation of the driveshaft. A sealing sleeve extends from the first yoke around the male splined shaft and is of a larger diameter than the female splined shaft. The female splined shaft has a single, outwardly-facing, annular seal at its outer end, away from the second yoke, which seal engages the inner surface of the sealing sleeve. The female splined shaft also has a grease fitting for supplying grease to the shafts, with excess grease being capable of passing by the seal, which also acts as a wiper to remove contaminants within the sealing sleeve.

As a result, the need for a drive shaft sliding group eliminating the disadvantages available in the related art and inadequacy of existing solutions has necessitated development in the related art.

Brief Description of the Invention

Present invention relates to drive shaft sliding group providing longitudinal motion for drive shaft on axial direction and comprising respectively, yoke shaft, tube sleeve, protective cover, sealing element and clamp in order to achieve above mentioned needs and eliminate all disadvantages and provide some additional advantages.

Acting from present status of the related art, primary purpose of the invention is to provide elimination of need for conduct of chipping on the outer diameter of tube sleeve by help of housing groove form provided on end point of tube sleeve in drive shaft sliding group developed hereunder.

Purpose of the invention is to provide reduction in unit cost in comparison to present applications by means of locking member with protrusion placed in housing groove. Another purpose of the invention is to provide locking as a result of contact of locking member and sealing element lips when maximum allowed distance in axial movement of sliding group is achieved, by help of locking member mounted to housing groove on tube sleeve.

A further purpose of the invention is to enable application of protrusion or circular cross-sectional form on the locking member as an alternative, as the housing groove can be machined at the end point of tube sleeve according to the form of the locking member.

Another purpose of the invention is to provide longitudinal movement of drive shaft in axial direction by means of tube sleeve.

The structural and characteristics features of the invention and all advantages will be understood better in detailed descriptions with the figures given below and with reference to the figures, and therefore, the assessment should be made taking into account the said figures and detailed explanations.

Brief Description of Figures

In order to make the embodiment and additional members being subject of the present invention as well as the advantages clearer for better understanding, it should be assessed with reference to the fallowing described figures.

Figure 1 is a schematic general view of drive shaft sliding group of invention as mounted on drive shaft.

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional schematic general view of drive shaft sliding group in a preferred application of the invention.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional schematic general view of drive shaft sliding group in another preferred application of the invention.

Figure 4 is a schematic general view of groove on end part of tube sleeve.

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional schematic detailed view of drive shaft sliding group at the point of locking in a preferred application of the invention.

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional schematic detailed view of drive shaft sliding group at the point of locking in another preferred application of the invention.

Reference Numbers

10. Drive shaft sliding group

11 . Yoke shaft 12. Tube sleeve

13. Protective cover

14. Sealing element

15. Clamp

16. Locking member

17. Housing groove

20. Drive shaft

Detailed Description of the Invention

In this detailed description, the drive shaft sliding group (10) of the invention is described in a manner not forming any restrictive effect and only for purpose of better understanding of the matter.

Drive shaft sliding group (10) of the invention provides longitudinal motion for drive shaft (20) shown in figure 1 on axial direction. Drive shaft sliding group (10) shown in Figure 2 and Figure 3 displaying preferred applications basically comprises, respectively yoke shaft (11 ), tube sleeve (12), protective cover (13), sealing element (14) and clamp (15). Yoke shaft (11) which is one of the members constituting said drive shaft sliding group (10) provides longitudinal movement to drive shaft (20) in axial direction. Tube sleeve (12) which is located by being interlocked with yoke shaft (11) and another one of the members constituting said drive shaft sliding group (10) provide longitudinal movement to drive shaft (20) in axial direction. A protective cover (13) is provided to protect said yoke shaft (11) and tube sleeve (12) against external factors. A sealing element (14) is provided for providing sealing during axial movements of said yoke shaft (11 ) and tube sleeve (12). A clamp (15) is provided for fixing said sealing element (14) onto protective cover (13). As shown in figure 4 housing groove (17) is obtained by means of chipping on end part of tube sleeve (12) only. Locking member (16) mounted to housing groove (17) formed on end part of said tube sleeve (12) and sealing element (14) provide locking.

Feature of said drive shaft sliding group (10) is that housing groove (17) form is provided on end point of tube sleeve (12) only without chipping from outer diameter of tube sleeve (12). In addition, it comprises locking member (16) with protrusion of unit price to reduce cost in comparison to current applications costs for placement in said housing groove (17). Locking member (16) is mounted into housing groove (17) on the tube sleeve (12). When maximum distance allowed in axial motion of drive shaft sliding group (10) is achieved, locking member (16) and sealing element (14) lips shown in figure 5 and figure 6 contact each other and provide locking. As shown in figure 2 and figure 5, figure 3 and figure 6, locking member (16) may have varying geometries. In such case housing groove (17) to be machined on end point of tube sleeve (12) is also machined in a manner matching locking member (16) form. Locking member (16) can be used in two different geometries alternatively, namely clamp and cylinder form.