Claims:WE CLAIM:
1. An overload fuse arrangement (100) with transmission shaft for vehicle transmission system, comprising of:
an output shaft (10) configured to position in a front side of transmission shaft;
an input shaft (20) configured to position in a rear side of transmission shaft;
an intermediate shaft (30) configured to position between the output shaft (10) and the input shaft (20);
a rigid coupler (50) having two ends, wherein one end of rigid coupler (50) is permanently connected with the input shaft (20), and the other end of rigid coupler (50) is connected with the intermediate shaft (30); and
characterized in that the power is transmitted from output shaft (10) to the fuse or fuse coupler (40) to the intermediate shaft (30) and to the rigid coupler (50) such that the fuse or fuse coupler (40) is failed when an operator drives the vehicle at overload condition thereby protecting transmission components.

2. The overload fuse arrangement (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the overload fuse arrangement (100) is a shear tube with telescopic arrangement.

3. The overload fuse arrangement (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the shear tube with telescopic arrangement is made of steel material.

4. The overload fuse arrangement (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fuse or fuse coupler (40) is made of light material as compared with the other components in the transmission system.

5. The overload fuse arrangement (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the light material is steel.

6. The overload fuse arrangement (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the output shaft (10) is acting as a drive shaft, and the input shaft (20) is acting as a driven shaft or pinion shaft.

Dated this 12th day of March 2020

, Description:OVERLOAD FUSE ARRANGEMENT WITH TRANSMISSION SHAFT FOR VEHICLE TRANSMISSION SYSTEM
FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to the field of transmission systems in automotive vehicles and more particularly, the invention relates to fuse arrangement with transmission shaft for vehicle transmission system to protect transmission components at overload condition.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
In general, connection shafts and drive units are common components in automotive vehicles. The drive unit has an output shaft or an input shaft for receiving a joint. Typically, the drive unit is an axle, transfer case, transmission, power take-off unit or other torque device, all of which are common components in the automotive vehicles. Typically, one or more joints are assembled to the shaft to form a propeller or drive shaft assembly. It is the propeller shaft assembly which is connected, for instance, at one end to the output shaft of a transmission and, at the other end, to the input shaft or pinion shaft of a differential. The shaft is solid or tubular with ends adapted to attach the shaft to an inner race of the joint thereby allowing an outer race connection to the drive unit. The inner race of the joint is typically press-fit, splined, or pinned to the shaft making the outer race of the joint available to be bolted or press-fit to a hub connector, flange or stub shaft of the particular drive unit. At the other end of the propeller shaft, the same typical or traditional connection is made to a second drive unit when connecting the shaft between the two drive units. Optionally, the joint may be coupled to a shaft for torque transfer utilizing a direct torque flow connection.
Typically, in many off road vehicle environments considerable torque is applied through both the various shafts as well as their respective joints. All Terrain Vehicles and Utility Vehicles often have drivelines that are subject to unusually high torque values during unusual or extreme events. These events often arise when the vehicle lands after jumping off irregular terrain. The impact upon landing generates considerable torque in the drivelines. This torque is typically subsequently imparted into the individual components of the constant velocity joint. When the torque imparted into constant velocity (CV) joint components exceeds design considerations, the components can experience failure. A common design response to these extreme conditions has been to increase the size of the CV joint components in order to increase their maximum torque weathering capacity.
In addition to the extreme conditions, designers are utilizing higher capacity engines in vehicle designs. These higher capacity engines increase the power passed through the drivelines and therefore increase the overload torques experienced during extreme conditions. Existing methods of compensation require continued upsizing of the drivelines in order to accommodate the increased power and resulting increased overload torques. Continued upsizing, however, results in increases in mass of the driveline components with subsequent mass increases to the vehicle itself. Upsizing, therefore, poses undesirable restrictions on vehicle designers.
Referring may be made to Figure 1 illustrating schematic view of arrangement for conventional transmission shaft in a vehicle transmission system. In the transmission system having an output transmission shaft (10) and an input or pinion shaft (20) such that the output shaft (10) is shown in front transmission and the input shaft (20) in shown in rear transmission of the transmission system. Further, a connecting coupler (70) is placed between the output shaft (10) and the input shaft (20). The power is transmitted from the output shaft (10) to the input shaft (20), if the operator drives the vehicle with overload torque will fail the transmission components and failure of the system.
Hence, following prior art documents are disclosed to the overload protection of transmission system in automotive vehicles.
US patent number 5, 186 079 relates to A torque fuse for a vehicle driveline has a sleeve splined at one end to the vehicle power transmission output shaft with the other end clip-splined to the driveshaft yoke. An intermediate pre-weakened frangible area of the sleeve is designed to rupture at a torque level less than the critical torque level of the driveshaft. A washer swaged into the sleeve enables the sleeve to be bolted to the end of the transmission output shaft. An auxiliary tail stick bolted to the transmission case has an auxiliary bearing to support transverse loads on the sleeve at the yoke end thereof.
European patent number 0821172 relates to a torque transmitting element with predetermined region of failure. This prior art document is directed to a component part that is made of cast-iron or a bronze alloy. It enables an adequate resistance ability to be achieved in relation to vibration loading. The reduction of the supporting cross-section is matched to the function of the intended break point. The material property is matched to the resistance ability in relation to vibration loading. The design of the torque limiter ensures that the torque termination is activated both by quasi-static overload and by overload through vibration loading. The supporting cross-section is reduced by an all-round notch groove. The breaking process in the event of overload is controlled by the notch groove.
PCT application number 2010109486 relates to a torque transmission system for coupling an extruder screw shaft having a critical torque level with the output shaft of a driving means, the torque transmission system comprising a coupler configured to engage with the output shaft of the driving means and an adaptor configured to be engaged by the coupler, the adaptor further configured to engage the extruder screw shaft, the adaptor defining a pre weakened area designed to rupture at a torque level less than the critical torque of the extruder screw shaft.
US publication number 2019093711 relates to a power transmission shaft performs a fuse-like function when excessive torque is applied to a power input side. The power transmission shaft includes: a main shaft connected to a power device; flanges connected to the power device and provided at both sides of the main shaft; and a flexible coupling extending in the radial direction of the main shaft. The power transmission shaft includes a power shutoff unit which shuts off power by breaking the main shaft or the flanges when torque greater than a predetermined level is applied. When excessive torque is applied to the power input side, the power transmission shaft performs a fuse-like function with respect to the excessive torque, thereby enhancing safety, preventing sparks from occurring at the time of the breakage, facilitating the production thereof, and effectively preventing vibration while sufficiently supporting the speed or load in the event of a high rotation rate.
US publication number 2009253521relates to an automotive shaft assembly is provided including a first bar shaft having a first connection end and a second bar-shaft having a second connection end. A connection tube rotationally engages the first connection to the second connection end and includes a shear diameter configured to experience shear failure in the presence of an overload torque such that the first connection end is rotationally disengaged the said second connection end.
US patent number 2,773,369 relates to tractors and more particularly to safety means for limiting the torque transmitted from the tractor transmission to rear wheels. In the tractors having low speed transmission, the combination comprising a drive shaft, a driven shaft in alignment therewith, a metallic sleeve telescoped over the shafts and having a splined connection with each of them, said sleeve having a circumferential groove formed therein between said splined connection, disengageable means for preventing telescopic movement between said sleeve and either of said shafts, one of said shafts extending into said sleeve beyond said groove so that upon shearing of said sleeve at said groove both halves of said sleeve are maintained in their normal axial relation in place on said shafts.
Therefore, the above mentioned prior art documents fail to disclose the shear tube with telescopic arrangement including a fuse coupler which is used to protect the transmission components due to overload. Hence, there is requirement for unique arrangement of fuse coupler with transmission shaft for vehicle transmission system to avoid or minimize the failure of transmission components due to overload.
The information disclosed in this background of disclosure section is only for enhancement of understanding of the general background of the invention and should not be taken as acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that this information forms the prior art already known to person skilled in the art.
OBJECTIVE OF THE INVENTION
One or more problems of the conventional prior art may be overcome by various embodiment of the present invention.
It is the primary object of the present invention to provide fuse arrangement with transmission shaft for vehicle transmission system to avoid or minimize the failure of transmission components due to overload.
Another object of the present invention is to provide telescopic shear tube arrangement of the shafts to ease the complication in assembly and disassembly.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a simple and compact structure.
These and other objects and advantages of the present subject matter will be apparent to a person skilled in the art after consideration of the following detailed description taken into consideration with accompanying drawings in which the preferred embodiment of the present subject matter are illustrated.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One or more drawbacks of the conventional fuse arrangement with transmission shaft for transmission system and the additional advantages provided though the present invention relates to fuse arrangement with transmission shaft for vehicle transmission system to protect the transmission components at overload condition.
In an embodiment of the present subject matter relates to overload fuse arrangement with transmission shaft for vehicle transmission system, comprising an output shaft; an input shaft; an intermediate shaft which is positioned between the output shaft and the input shaft; a rigid coupler having two ends, wherein one end of rigid coupler is permanently fixed with the input shaft, and the other end of rigid coupler is connected with the intermediate shaft; and a fuse or fuse coupler positioned between the output shaft and the intermediate shaft.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter relates to that the power is transmitted from output shaft to the fuse or fuse coupler to the intermediate shaft and to the rigid coupler such that fuse or fuse coupler is failed when an operator drives the vehicle at overload condition thereby protecting transmission components.
To further understand the characteristics and technical contents of the present subject matter, a description relating thereto will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the drawings are illustrative only but not used to limit scope of the present subject matter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Figure 1 illustrates schematic view of arrangement for conventional transmission shaft; and
Figure 2: illustrates schematic view of arrangement for fuse coupler with transmission shaft, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
The present invention as embodied by a “overload fuse design for transmission system in automotive vehicles" succinctly fulfils the above-mentioned need(s) in the art. The present invention has objective(s) arising as a result of the above-mentioned need(s), said objective(s) being enumerated below. In as much as the objective(s) of the present invention are enumerated, it will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that, the enumerated objective(s) are not exhaustive of the present invention in its entirety, and are enclosed solely for the purpose of illustration. Further, the present invention encloses within its scope and purview, any structural alternative(s) and/or any functional equivalent(s) even though, such structural alternative(s) and/or any functional equivalent(s) are not mentioned explicitly herein or elsewhere, in the present disclosure. The present invention therefore encompasses also, any improvisation(s)/modification(s) applied to the structural alternative(s)/functional alternative(s) within its scope and purview. The present invention may be embodied in other specific form(s) without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof.
Throughout this specification, the use of the word "comprise" and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising" may imply the inclusion of an element or elements not specifically recited.
The present invention is thus directed to fuse design for transmission system to protect transmission components at over load in automotive vehicles. The following arrangement is capable of being adapted for various purposes including automotive vehicles drive axles, motor systems that use a propeller shaft, or other vehicles but not limited to the vehicle applications which require shaft assemblies for torque transmission.
Referring may be made to Figure 2 illustrating schematic view of overload fuse arrangement with transmission shaft for vehicle transmission shaft, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The overload fuse arrangement with transmission shaft, comprising an output shaft (10) configured to position in a front side of transmission shaft; an input shaft (20) configured to position in a rear side of transmission shaft; an intermediate shaft (30) configured to position between the output shaft (10) and the input shaft (20); a rigid coupler (50) having two ends, wherein one end of rigid coupler (50) is permanently connected with the input shaft (20), and the other end of rigid coupler (50) is connected with the intermediate shaft (30); and a fuse coupler (40) positioned between the output shaft (10) and the intermediate shaft (30).
In accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter relates to that the power is transmitted from the output shaft (10) to the fuse or fuse coupler (40) to the intermediate shaft (30) and to the rigid coupler (50) such that fuse or fuse coupler (40) is failed when an operator drives the vehicle at overload condition such that the fuse or fuse coupler (40) is made of light material i.e. steel, as compared with the other components in the transmission system thereby protecting transmission components.
In the present invention provides the torque overload protection by way of fuse coupler (40) such that the fuse coupler (40) is configured to experience failure when the operator drives the vehicle at overload condition such that the power is disconnected from the output shaft (10), therefore the vehicle does not functioning, once replace the fuse coupler (40) then only transmit the power to the output shaft (10).
In accordance with advantages of the present subject matter as compared with the prior art or existing technologies. The present invention is easy to identify the failure of fuse coupler and to facilitate the maintenance of the transmission system. Moreover, when the vehicle experiences undesirable overload torque, only the fuse coupler experiences the failure and damage is not transferred to the transmission components. The fuse coupler, connection tube, and protection sleeve may then be easily removed and replaced without need of any mechanic or technician.
It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to particular methodologies and materials described, as these may vary as per the person skilled in the art. Further, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the methodologies and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, the preferred methods and materials are described, as these may vary within the specification indicated. It is also to be understood that the terminology used in the description is for the purpose of describing the particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. One skilled in the art will realise the disclosure may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the disclosure or essential characteristics thereof.