Motor vehicles – Transmission mechanism – With particular drive coupling
Reexamination Certificate
1998-06-24
2001-02-06
Dickson, Paul N. (Department: 3618)
Motor vehicles
Transmission mechanism
With particular drive coupling
C464S173000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06182785
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a dust cover structure for a power transmission member. The dust cover structure of the present invention is preferably used for a front wheel side propeller shaft of a four wheel drive vehicle, such as a buggy.
2. Description of Background Art
Japanese Patent Publication No. Sho 63-27208 discloses a power transmission structure of a four wheel drive vehicle which includes a generally conical rubber boot attached between large and small diameter power transmission shafts which form a constant velocity joint section.
When a large diameter spline section is formed at the end of the power transmission shaft and is used for connection, it is necessary to seal the joint with sealing material. Since a fastening allowance of the sealing material constantly varies because of vibration of the transmission shaft, especially at the axle side thereof, it is desired to provide more secured sealing. Accordingly, use of the above-mentioned boot type dust cover has been considered. However, because of the need to pass through the large diameter spline section, one end of the dust cover must first be connected to the small diameter side of the power transmission shaft before attaching a large diameter opening of the boot to the large diameter side of the power transmission shaft. This renders the attachment of the dust cover difficult. Therefore, an easier way of assembling the dust cover would be preferable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In order to solve the above problem, a dust cover structure according to the present invention includes a power transmission member for transmitting output power of an engine to an axle side, with a large diameter spline section formed at one end thereof being fitted with splines of a tubular joint section placed on the axle side. The power transmission member is accommodated inside a cover member and the dust cover structure includes a generally tubular dust cover for covering the outer periphery between a large diameter section of the power transmission member having approximately the same diameter of the spline section and the tubular joint section.
The dust cover attaching structure can be incorporated into a saddle-ridden vehicle, and can also be incorporated into a front wheel side propeller shaft of a front wheel drive vehicle.
The dust cover structure of the present invention includes both the spline section formed at the end of the power transmission member and a large diameter section having approximately the same diameter as the spline section. In assembly, even if the dust cover is previously attached to the outer periphery of an open end of the tubular joint section, it is still possible to connect the power transmission member by inserting both ends of the member into the dust cover so as to fit with the spline section formed thereon.
Unlike the known conical boot, it is unnecessary to attach the dust cover to the generally small diameter section of the power transmission member beforehand. This eliminates the cumbersome assembling task of the large diameter side or the tubular joint side, which had to be carried out within a relatively limited space, and simplifies the entire dust cover assembling process.
In addition, the provision of the dust cover significantly improves the sealing reliability. This is particularly preferable for the saddle-ridden vehicle which requires a highly secured sealing, such as a four wheel buggy for running on rough land.
The dust cover of the present invention is particularly effective when incorporated into the front wheel side propeller shaft of a four wheel drive vehicle in which the dust cover is attached at both ends of the propeller shaft.
Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4224808 (1980-09-01), Gehrke
patent: 4778026 (1988-10-01), Uchida et al.
patent: 5098344 (1992-03-01), Zollinger
patent: 5183351 (1993-02-01), Schneider
patent: 5911286 (1999-06-01), Boutin
patent: 63-277208 (1988-06-01), None
Handa Akio
Seki Bunzo
Yamaguchi Atsuko
Birch & Stewart Kolasch & Birch, LLP
Dickson Paul N.
Fleming Faye M.
Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
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