WO1998058183A1

WO1998058183A1 - Greasing device for a telescopic propeller shaft

Info

Publication number: WO1998058183A1
Application number: PCT/IT1998/000153
Authority: WO
Inventors: Edi Bondioli
Original assignee: Edi Bondioli
Priority date: 1997-06-18
Filing date: 1998-06-11
Publication date: 1998-12-23
Also published as: ITFI970146A0; AU7788298A; ITFI970146A1; IT1293125B1

Abstract

A manifold sleeve (18) is fitted to the outer tubular splined component (5) toward the opposite end of this from the universal joint (1); a feeder sleeve (16) is positioned on said outer tubular splined component (5) next to where it enters the universal joint (1); and a tube (20) runs along the outside of said outer splined component (5) between the nipple of the greasing device (22) on said feeder sleeve (16) and an annular manifold depression or channel (18A, 18B) formed in the inside surface of said manifold sleeve (18), level with holes (24) in said outer splined component for the admission of lubricant between the sliding surfaces of the two splined components (5, 7).

Description

GREASING DEVICE FOR A TELESCOPIC PROPELLER SHAFT DESCRIPTION

The invention relates to an improved greasing device for providing efficient lubrication between the two splined components of a telescopic shaft for a mechanical driveline, generally but not necessarily combined with two universal joints or with other components of a driveline transmitting rotary motion.

The objects and advantages will be obvious from the text that follows.

The greasing device in question - for a telescopic propeller shaft comprising two sliding splined components, an inner and an outer, fitted to two respective universal joints, one at each end, with forked attachments or other equivalent members - according to the invention basically comprises: a manifold sleeve fitted to the outer tubular splined component toward the opposite end of this from the universal joint; a feeder sleeve positioned on said outer tubular splined component next to where it enters the universal joint; and a tube running along the outside of said outer splined component between a grease nipple on said feeder sleeve and an annular manifold depression or channel formed in the inside surface of said manifold sleeve, level with holes in said outer splined component for the admission of lubricant into the space between the two splined components.

Said manifold sleeve can be attached to the outer splined component by a screw inserted radially through the manifold sleeve and ending in one of said holes formed in said outer splined component.

The holes for the admission of lubricant between the two splined components can be formed both level with depressions in the sleeve and in the splines of said splined components.

To prevent dust or other matter from getting in, and to limit the loss of lubricant cup-shaped plugs or equivalent members can be inserted in the ends of the splined components, both of which are tubular and fitted into their respective universal joints.

If using universal-jointed telescopic shafts equipped with mutually engaging protective guard tubes, a ring that is free to rotate in an annular indentation in the sleeve may be provided around said manifold sleeve so that one of the guide tubes can bear against said ring when deformed by an extemal load. The guard tube fitted to the outer splined component contains at least one hole level with the grease nipple, to enable periodical topping up of lubricant.

A clearer understanding of the invention will be gained by following the description and accompanying drawing, which latter shows a practical, non-restrictive example of the invention. In the drawing :

Fig. 1 shows an overall external view of a shaft with universal joints and protective covering;

Figs. 2 and 3 show in larger dimensions and partly in section the two ends of said shaft;

Fig. 4 shows a section IV-IV as marked in Fig. 3;

Figs. 5, 6 and 7 show, separately, a manifold sleeve in axial section, in the view VI-VI and in the section VII-VII marked in Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 shows, separately, in side view and partial section, a contact ring that fits on the sleeve of Fig. 5 - 7; and

Figs. 9 and 10 show, separately, a feeder sleeve, in axial view and in section X-X as marked in Fig. 9.

As shown in the accompanying drawing, the numerals 1 and 3 are general references for two universal joints or other end components of the telescopic propeller shaft to which the greasing device in question is fitted. In particular, 1A denotes the fork to which the outer telescopic tubular splined shaft 5 is fitted, while 3A denotes the forked member in which the internal tubular splined shaft 7 is fitted; the two shafts are coupled rotationally but can slide axially with respect to each other in order to vary the distance between the two universal joint ends 1 and 3 or the like. The numerals 9 and 11 denote two plugs or cups inserted into the ends of the tubular shafts 5 and 7 arranged in correspondence of the forks 1A and 3A, respectively, said cups having profiles such as to match the inside shape of the tubular shafts, so as to close them in order to prevent the ingress of dust or the like into the cavity defined by the two tubular shafts. In a manner known per se each of the two forks 1A and 3A is provided with an end boot 12 and 14, respectively, forming part of a protective covering for the rotating parts of the telescopic^" propeller shaft in question; this protective covering also includes two guard tubes 12A and 14A attached to the two ends 12 and 14, respectively, and these can slide with respect to each other in such a way as to enclose and isolate the tubular shaft 5, 7 from the exterior, for operator safety requirements. The protective covering 12, 12A, 14, 14A will advantageously be held in position by a chain or the like to prevent it from rotating spontaneously by friction with the internal rotating parts on which the protective covering sits.

On that end of the outer tubular splined component 5 which is fitted to the fork 1A is a feeder sleeve 16, while toward the opposite end of said outer tubular splined component 5 a manifold sleeve 18 is fitted. A connecting tube 20 runs between the two sleeves 16 and 18 to carry the lubricant from the feeder sleeve 16 to the manifold sleeve 18.

The feeder sleeve 16 incorporates an enlargement 16A containing a grease nipple 22 that is in communication with the tube 20; level with the grease nipple 22 is a hole 24 in the guard tube 12A so that by means of relative rotation between the guard tube 12A and the shaft 5 the hole 24 can be positioned over the grease nipple 22 to permit grease to be introduced into said grease nipple. On the inside of said sleeve 16 are fins 16B for centering said sleeve 16 relative to the shaft 5.

The manifold sleeve 18 includes in its internal surface an annular manifold depression or channel formed by a relatively deep annular groove 18A into which the tube 20 leads, and an annular or zonal depression 18B adjacent to the annular groove 18A; this internal depression 18A, 18B allows distribution of the lubricant arriving via the tube 20 into a series of holes 24 formed in the outer tubular shaft 5, so that the lubricant arriving via the tube 20 passes around the inner manifold 18A, 18B let into the manifold sleeve 18 and then through the holes 24 to reach the outer surface of the inner tubular shaft 7, thereby lubricating it by the relative movements between said two telescopic shafts 5 and 7. In one of these holes 24 there engages the end of a screw 26 which is screwed radially into a seat in the manifold sleeve 18 so as to keep said sleeve 18 in a position close to the opposite end of the tubular shaft 5 from the universal joint 1. To prevent lubricant escaping onto the outer surface of the tubular shaft 5, the internal profile of the manifold sleeve 18 copies the external profile of the shaft 5, thus effectively closing the inner annular manifold channel 18A, 18B off from the exterior of the tubular shaft.

On the outside of the manifold sleeve 18 is a shallow annular indentation 18C in which a ring 28 can sit and be free to rotate. With this arrangement any contact with the inner guard tube 14A caused by an external load on the latter in a radial direction will not have the effect of turning the guard tube 14A by friction because the ring 28 is able to slide around the sleeve 18.

The axial positions of the sleeves 18 and 16 on the outer tubular shaft 5 being fixed, the tube 20 is trapped between said two sleeves, being inserted in corresponding seats 16E and 18E in said sleeves. The fixing of the sleeve 18 ensures the communication between the tube 20, the inner manifold channel 18A and the depressions 18B and through the holes 24 to the outer surface of the inner splined tubular shaft 7. By feeding the relatively dense lubricant through the grease nipple 22, therefore, it will arrive between the outer surface of the shaft 7 and the opposing and relatively sliding inner surface of the shaft 5, and the relatively dense lubricant will spread along these surfaces partly under the action of the periodical and relatively continuous movements that occur axially between the two shafts 5 and 7 during operation. The lubricant may also be supplied at long intervals of time. In practice the presence of the plugs 9 and 11 prevents any significant leakage of lubricant which, in any case, is also retained inside the tube guard 12A, 14A of the protective covering.

It will be understood that the drawing shows only an example purely by way of a practical demonstration of the invention, which latter may be varied in its shapes and arrangements without thereby departing from the scope of the concept on which the invention is based. The presence of any reference numerals in the accompanying claims is for the purpose of facilitating the reading of the claims with reference to the description and drawing, and does not limit the scope of protection represented by the claims.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A greasing device for a telescopic propeller shaft comprising two sliding splined components, an inner and an outer, fitted to two respective universal joints, one at each end, with forked attachments or other equivalent members, characterized in that it comprises: a manifold sleeve (18) fitted to the outer tubular splined component (5) toward the opposite end of this from the universal joint (1) to which it is fixed; a feeder sleeve (16) positioned on said outer tubular splined component (5) next to where it enters the universal joint (1); and a tube (20) running along the outside of said outer splined component (5) between a grease nipple (22) on said feeder sleeve (16) and an annular manifold depression or channel (18A, 18B) formed in the inside surface of said manifold sleeve (18), level with holes (24) in said outer splined component (5) for the admission of lubricant into the space between the two splined components (5, 7).

2. The greasing device as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that said manifold sleeve (18) is attached to the outer splined component (5) by a screw (26) inserted radially through the manifold sleeve (18) and ending in one of said holes (24) formed in said outer splined component (5).

3. The greasing device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said holes (24) for the admission of lubricant between the two splined components (5, 7) are formed both level with depressions (18B) in the sleeve and in the splines of said components (5, 7).

4. The greasing device as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that cup-shaped plugs (9, 11) or equivalent members are inserted in the ends of the splined components (5, 7), both of which are tubular and fitted into their respective universal joints (1 , 2).

5. The greasing device as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims, for telescopic shafts with universal joints equipped with mutually engaging guard tubes (12A, 14A) with protective boots (12, 14), characterized in that a ring (28) is fitted around said manifold sleeve (18) and is free to rotate in an annular indentation (18C); against which ring (28) a guard tube (14A) can bear when deformed by an external load.

6. The greasing device as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the guard tube (12A) fitted to the outer splined component (5) contains at least one hole (23) level with the grease nipple (22).

7. The greasing device for a telescopic propeller shaft; the whole as described above and as illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawing.