System to be coupled to a cardan shaft, related cardan shaft and operation method of said system

Abstract

A cardan shaft slip distance change detection system for determining the amount of length change of the cardan shaft, including a moveable element and a stationary element associated with a telescopic approach to compensate for the change of distance caused by the vehicle's axle movements. At least two conductive elements are configured as one of them connected to a fixed point, another to the moveable element. A power element is provided to supply power to at least one of the conductive elements. A detection unit measures the electrical value change provided by the electrical interaction between the conductive elements and correlating it with the distance between the conductive elements.

Claims

1. A cardan shaft slip distance change detection system for determining the amount of length change of the cardan shaft, comprising a moveable element and a stationary element associated with a telescopic approach to compensate for the change of distance caused by the vehicle's axle movements, characterized by comprising: at least two conductive elements configured as one of them connected to a fixed point, another to the moveable element, a power element to supply power to at least one of the conductive elements, a detection unit for measuring the electrical value change provided by the electrical interaction between the conductive elements and correlating it with the distance between the conductive elements.

2. A cardan shaft slip distance change detection system according to claim 1, characterized by said conductive elements are plates.

3. A cardan shaft slip distance change detection system according to claim 2, characterized by said detection unit is configured to be detect electrical values which is a capacitance value provided by the conductive elements and/or is changed by the relationship of said capacitance value.

4. A cardan shaft slip distance change detection system according to claim 1, wherein said conductive elements are coils.

5. A cardan shaft slip distance change detection system according to claim 4, wherein said detection unit is configured to be detect electrical values which is a current induced between said conductive elements and/or is changed by the relationship of said current values.

6. A cardan shaft slip distance change detection system according to claim 1, said conductive element comprising at least one carrier element to provide mounting to the moveable element.

7. A cardan shaft slip distance change detection system according to claim 1, said conductive element comprising at least one carrier element to provide assembly to the stationary element.

8. A cardan shaft slip distance change detection system according to claim 1, said conductive element comprising at least one carrier element to provide assembly to the center bearing.

9. A cardan shaft slip distance change detection system according to claim 6, wherein said carrier element is made of an insulating material.

10. A cardan shaft comprises a moveable element and a stationary element associated telescopically with each other, in order to compensate the change of the distance caused by the axle movements of the vehicle and a slip distance change detection system according to claim 1.

11. A cardan shaft slip distance change detection method for determining the amount of length difference in the cardan shaft comprising a moveable element and a stationary element associated with a telescopic approach to compensate for the change of distance caused by the vehicle's axle movements, characterized in that: measuring the electrical value change caused by electrical interaction between at least two conductive elements, which is electrical power is applied one of them, which is one of the them is connected to said movable element and another is connected at a fixed point, and correlating it with distance between the conductive elements.

12. A cardan shaft slip distance change detection method according to claim 11, wherein said conductive elements are plates.

13. A cardan shaft slip distance change detection method according to claim 12, characterized by measuring the capacitance values is provided by said conductive elements and/or the electrical values changed by the relation of the capacitance value provided by said plates.

14. A cardan shaft slip distance change detection method according to claim 11, wherein said conductive elements are wires which are wound around the moveable element and the stationary element.

15. A cardan shaft slip distance change detection method according to claim 14, characterized by measuring induced current or the electrical values which are changed by the interaction between the induced current.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of a cardan shaft.

(2) FIG. 1.A is a representative cross-sectional view of an embodiment in which the moveable element is selected as a slip yoke shaft.

(3) FIG. 1.B is a representative cross-sectional view of an embodiment in which the stationary element is selected as a tube sleeve.

(4) FIG. 1.C is a representative sectional view of an embodiment of the structure of the moveable and stationary elements that are respectively selected as slip yoke shaft and tube sleeve.

(5) FIG. 1.D is a representative sectional view of an embodiment of the structure of the moveable and stationary elements that are respectively selected as slip stub and sleeve yoke.

(6) FIG. 1.E is a representative sectional view of an embodiment of the structure of the moveable and stationary elements that are respectively selected as the slip yoke shaft and sleeve yoke.

(7) FIG. 2 is a representative front view of an embodiment of a cardan shaft with a distance determining system.

(8) FIG. 2.A illustrates a detailed view of a position of the contact zone of the stationary element and the moveable element shown in FIG. 2.

(9) FIG. 2.B illustrates a detailed view of another position of the contact zone of the stationary element and the moveable element shown in FIG. 2.

(10) FIG. 2.C illustrates a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a carrier element.

(11) FIG. 2.D. is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a moveable element assembled with a carrier element.

(12) In FIG. 2.E is a detail section view of the assembling area illustrated in FIG. 2.D.

(13) FIG. 2.F is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a carrier element.

(14) FIG. 2.G is a representative cross-sectional front view of an embodiment of a stationary element which is assembled with a carrying plate.

(15) FIG. 2.H illustrates a detailed sectional view of the assembling area in FIG. 2.G.

(16) FIG. 2.I is a representative cross-sectional view from the front view of embodiment of the cardan shaft assembled with the carrying plate.

(17) FIG. 3 illustrates a representative front view of an embodiment of the cardan shaft according to the invention.

(18) FIG. 3.A illustrates another position of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3.

(19) FIG. 3.B is a sectional front view of an embodiment of a carrier element.

(20) FIG. 3.C is a cross-sectional front view of an embodiment of a moveable element assembled with the carrier element.

(21) FIG. 3.D illustrates a detailed sectional view of the assembling area in FIG. 3.C.

(22) FIG. 3.E is a representative cross-sectional front view of an embodiment of a carrier element.

(23) FIG. 3.F illustrates a representative cross-sectional front view of an embodiment of a stationary element which is assembled with a carrying plate.

(24) FIG. 3.G illustrates a detailed sectional view of the assembling area in FIG. 3.F.

(25) FIG. 3.H illustrates a representative cross-sectional front view of an embodiment of the cardan shaft assembled with the carrying plate.

DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCE NUMBERS OF THE FIGURES

(26) 1. Cardan shaft 10. Moveable element 11. Yoke 111. Support 12. Shaft 20. Stationary element 201. Stationary element support 21. Housing 211. Aperture 30. Detection unit 40. Conductive element 41. Carrier element 411. Carrier element support 412. Carrier element opening 50. Center bearing 60. Cross

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(27) In this detailed description, a system for connecting to a cardan shaft (1) of the invention, the associated cardan shaft (1) and the method of operation of the respective system are explained only by illustrative examples which will have no limiting effect but have been provided for a better understanding of the subject.

(28) The invention relates to a system for determining the amount of change in distance and distance between the components of the cardan shaft (1), between the engine transmission assembly and the differential, the amount of offset between the transmission group and the differential, a cardan shaft (1) with the related system and a related method.

(29) The invention relates to cardan shaft (1) slip distance change detection system for determining the amount of length change of the cardan shaft (1), comprising a moveable element (10) and a stationary element (20) associated with a telescopic approach to compensate for the change of distance caused by the vehicle's axle movements, characterized by comprising;

(30) at least two conductive (40) elements configured as one of them connected to a fixed point, another to the moveable element (10),

(31) a power element to supply power to at least one of the conductive elements (40),

(32) a detection unit (30) for measuring the electrical value change provided by the electrical interaction between the conductive elements (40) and correlating it with the distance between the conductive elements (40).

(33) Hereby, term of the “distance” expression is defined by the length of the shaft-sleeve relationship between the moveable element (10) and the stationary element (20), term of the “telescopic” expression defines the structure of the cardan shaft (1), which enables the change of the length of the cardan shaft (1) by the shaft-sleeve relationship between the moveable element (10) and the stationary element (20). Furthermore, term of the “detection unit” (30) expression refers to structures comprising at least one electronic circuit capable of detecting change of electrical interaction caused by change of distance between mentioned conductive elements (40), by using certain measurement methods.

(34) In FIG. 1, a cardan shaft (1) configuration and in FIG. 1 A-C the moveable element (20) and stationary element (30), which are the basic elements of the cardan shaft (1), are illustrated. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1-1.B, the length variation provided by the cardan shaft (1) to compensate the movement of the vehicle is provided by the shaft (12) part of the moveable element (10), the stationary element (20) inserted into the housing (21) from the opening (211), and mentioned relationship is provided by the vertical movement of the shaft (12) in the housing (21). In this embodiment, the moveable and stationary elements (10, 20) are selected as slip yoke shaft and tube sleeve, respectively.

(35) Said moveable and stationary elements (10, 20) should not be restricted to FIG. 1-1.C. FIGS. 1.D and 1.E illustrate the embodiments and interconnections between. In the section illustrated in FIG. 1.D, the moveable element (10) is selected as the slip stub and the stationary element (20) as the tube yoke. In this embodiment, yoke shaft is in the form of a sleeve and the slip stub moves in the mentioned sleeve structure. In the section illustrated in FIG. 1.E, the moveable element (10) is selected as tube yoke and the stationary element (20) as sleeve yoke. In this embodiment, again, yoke shaft is in the form of a tube and the yoke shaft moves in the mentioned sleeve structure. The types of the cardan shaft (1) can be varied with mentioned basic elements (10, 20), although the limiting feature associated with mentioned cardan shaft (1) is that the moveable and stationary elements (10, 20) exhibit telescopic features.

(36) The embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 2-3.H are described with the structure in which the moveable and stationary element (10, 20) is selected as a slip yoke shaft and tube sleeve for better understanding of the subject, but this structure is not to be construed as limiting and as described above, it is obvious that said moveable and stationary elements (10, 20) and the like can be applied to the subject matter of the invention.

(37) FIG. 2-2.I illustrates a configuration and alternatives in which inductive interaction between the mentioned conductive elements (40) is provided. In this embodiment, one of the conductive elements (40) is positioned on the opposite faces of the moveable element (10) and the other on the stationary element (20). Hereby, the conductive elements (40) may be coils or wires that are wound to the moveable element (10) and the other to the stationary element (20) to provide the inductive interference effect. Hereby, one of the conductive elements (40) induces current on another. At least one conductive element (40) is supplied by a power supply (not shown in the figures) to provide mentioned interference. Preferably, the power supply is configured to transmit power wirelessly.

(38) In FIG. 2.A, the conductive elements (40) are shown as wound wires, with a distance “A”, between the wound wires. In FIG. 2.B, with the movement of the moveable element (10), the distance is reached to “B”. The distance “B” is greater than the distance “A”. As the distance between the two conductive elements (40) increases, the interference and the corresponding transmitted power and similar electrical values decrease, as the distance decreases, the interference and consequently the transmitted power and similar electrical values increase.

(39) In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the coil or wound wires are positioned or wound to provide an inductive interference effect on a carrier element (41). In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2.C, wound wires are shown. The carrier element (41) shown in FIG. 2.C is configured to be able to be assembled on the moveable element (10), in particular, in the area where the yoke (11) portion and the shaft (12) portion engage.

(40) The carrier element (41) comprises a shell and a carrier element opening (412). The carrier element (41) is comprised of two layers and the carriage member opening (412) has a width greater than the other. The layer having a wider carrier element opening (412) allows the carrying member (41) to pass to the yoke (11) portion, while the layer having the narrower carrier element opening (412) allows the conveying member (41) to enclose the shaft (12) portion forming a positioning surface for the conductive element (40). This layered structure enables the formation of a carrier element support (411) on the carrier element (41). Said carrier element support (411) is compatible with the support (111) formed at the point where it joins the shaft (12) of the yoke (11), as shown in FIG. 2.E. Said assembling structure can be seen in FIGS. 2.D and 2.E.

(41) In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2.F, wound wires are shown. The carrying member (41) illustrated in FIG. 2.F is configured to be assembled on the stationary element (20), in particular, in the portion of the opening (211). The shaft (12) portion of the moveable element (10) passes through the opening (412) portion of mentioned carrier element (41) and enters the housing (21).

(42) The carrier element (41) comprises a shell and a carrier element opening (412). The carrier element (41) is comprised of two layers and the carrier element opening (412) of one of these layers has a width greater than the other. The layer having the wider carrier element opening (412) allowing the carrier element (41) to engage the stationary element (20) to the shell, while the layer having the narrower carrier element opening (412) provides the carrier element (41) to enclose the portion of the opening (211) and a positioning surface for the conductive element (40). This layered structure enables the formation of a carrier element support (411) on the carrier element (41). Said carrier element support (411) is compatible with the stationary element support (201) formed in the opening (211), as shown in FIG. 2.H. Said mounting structure can be seen in FIGS. 2.G and 2.H.

(43) The carrier elements (41) may be positioned on at least on the fixed member (20) and or the moveable element (10), but preferably a carrier element (41, 41) is placed on both the stationary element (20) and the moveable element (10), as illustrated in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2.I.

(44) The carrier elements (41) are preferably made of insulating material. Accordingly, the carrier element (41) becomes an electrically isolated structure from the rest of the cardan shaft.

(45) While said detection unit (30) is preferably located on the stationary element (20), said position is not restrictive. The detection unit (30) maintains its function in an equal manner within different positions. In the embodiments of FIG. 2, the detection unit (30) is configured to measure and/or detect the induced current and/or other electrical values which are induced between the conductive elements in order to determine the inductive interaction. Said structure may comprise a memory unit for storing the data obtained and/or cable or wireless transmission units known in the art for transmitting the data to an external memory unit.

(46) In FIG. 3-3.H, a configuration and alternatives thereof are illustrated in which said conductive elements (40) provide capacitive interaction between them. In this embodiment, one of the conductive elements (40) is positioned on the opposite faces of the moveable element (10) and the other on the stationary element (20). In this embodiment, the conductive elements (40) are plates, preferably planar plates. Hereby, the interaction between the conductive elements (40) creates a capacitive effect. The conductive elements (40) are supplied by a power supply (not shown in the figures) to provide mentioned interference. Preferably, the power supply is configured to transmit power wirelessly.

(47) In FIG. 3, there is a distance “C” between the conductive elements (40). In FIG. 3A, the distance to the “D” value is reached by the movement of the moveable element (10). The distance “C” is greater than the distance “D”. As the distance between the two conductive elements “40” increases, the capacitance and thus the total load and similar electrical values decrease, as the distance decreases, the capacitance and consequently the total load and the like electrical values increase.

(48) In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the plates are positioned on the carrying member (41) to provide capacitance change. The carrier element (41) illustrated in FIG. 3.B is configured to be assembled to the moveable element (10), in particular, in the region where the portion of the yoke (11) and the shaft (12) are joined.

(49) The carrier element (41) comprises a shell and a carrier element opening (412). The carrier element (41) is composed of double layers and the width of the sections of the carrier element opening (412) is greater than the other. The layer having the wider carrier element opening (412) allows the carrier member (41) to pass to the yoke portion (11), while the layer having the narrower carrier element opening (412) allows the carrier element (41) to enclose the shaft (12) portion forming a positioning surface for the conductive element (40). This layered structure enables the formation of a carrier element support (411) on the carrier element (41). Mentioned carrier element support (411) is compatible with the support (111) formed at the point where it joins the shaft (12) of the yoke (11), as shown in FIG. 3.D. Said mounting structure can be seen in FIGS. 3C and 3.D.

(50) The carrier element (41) illustrated in FIG. 3.E is configured to be assembled on the stationary member (20), in particular, on the portion of the opening (211). The shaft (12) portion of the moveable element (10) passes through the opening (412) portion of said carrier element (41) and enters the housing (21).

(51) The carrier element (41) comprises a shell and a carrier element opening (412). The carrier element (41) consists of two layers and one of these layers is larger than the width of the support element opening (412). The layer having the wider carrier element opening (412) allows the carrier element (41) to engage the stationary element (20) to the shell portion while the layer having the narrower carrier element opening (412) provides the carrier element (41) with the portion of the opening (211) sealed therein. It forms a positioning surface for the conductive element (40). This layered structure enables the formation of a carrier element support (411) on the carrier element (41). Said carrier element support (411) is compatible with the stationary element support (201) formed in the opening (211), as illustrated in FIG. 3.G. Said assembling structure can be seen in FIGS. 3.F and 3.G.

(52) The carrier elements (41) may be positioned on at least one of the stationary element (20) and the moveable element (10), but preferably, there are carrier elements (41) on both the stationary element (20) and the moveable element (10) as in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3.H.

(53) While the aforementioned detection unit (30) is preferably disposed on the stationary element (20), said position is not restrictive. The detection unit (30) maintains its function in an equivalent manner within different positions.

(54) In the embodiments of FIG. 3-3.H, the detection unit (30) is configured to measure and/or detect capacitance and/or other electrical values which are provided between the conductive elements in order to determine the capacitive interaction. Said structure may comprise a memory unit for storing the data obtained and/or cable or wireless transmission units known in the art for transmitting the data to an external memory unit.

(55) The invention relates to a cardan shaft (1), comprising a slip distance change detection device, and a moveable element (10) and a stationary element (20) associated with a telescopic approach to each other to compensate for the change of distance caused by the vehicle's axle movements according to any of the embodiments set forth in the foregoing and the claims.

(56) In said cardan shaft (1), the elements of said slip distance change detection system are integrated to the cardan shaft (1).

(57) In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the cardan shaft (1) comprises a center bearing (50). The center bearing (50) is a structure having a ball bearing in the middle in order to provide the necessary support and to provide coupling of the cardan shafts (1) to the chassis on the vehicle. The embodiment according to the invention can also be used as a fixed point in which the center bearing (50) is positioned in the conductive elements (40). Said center bearing (50) can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 3A.

(58) It has been noted that the power supply of the cardan shaft (1) detection system and a cardan shaft (1) of the system can be wireless. Hereby, the structure described in the utility model of the relevant wireless transmission which is disclosed in document with TR2017/08500 application number can be used.

(59) A cardan shaft (1) slip distance change detection method for determining the amount of length difference in the cardan shaft (1) comprising a moveable element (10) and a stationary element (20) associated with a telescopic approach to compensate for the change of distance caused by the vehicle's axle movements, characterized in that; measuring the electrical value change caused by electrical interaction between at least two conductive elements (40), which is electrical power is applied one of them, which is one of the them is connected to said movable element (10) and another is connected at a fixed point, and correlating it with distance between the conductive elements (40).

(60) Said conductive elements (40) may be selected from the coil, wound wire or plates, as in the system and the cardan shaft mentioned above. The coil and the wound wire provide inductive electrical interference, while the plates provide capacitive electrical interference. Within the method, the electrical values measured by the relation of the capacitance value provided by mentioned plates and/or by the relation of said capacitance value are measured, and the electrical values varying between mentioned inductors and the relationship of mentioned are measured.

(61) The scope of protection of the invention is set forth in the attached claims and said scope cannot be limited to the embodiments described in the detailed description. Therefore it is obvious that a skilled person in the art can provide similar embodiments in the light of the foregoing without departing from the main theme of the invention.