US 12,188,527 B2
Propeller shaft
Kenichiro Ishikura, Hitachinaka (JP); and Kenichi Sugiyama, Hitachinaka (JP)
Assigned to HITACHI ASTEMO, LTD., Hitachinaka (JP)
Appl. No. 17/434,977
Filed by HITACHI ASTEMO, LTD., Hitachinaka (JP)
PCT Filed Jan. 28, 2020, PCT No. PCT/JP2020/002899
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Aug. 30, 2021,
PCT Pub. No. WO2020/179286, PCT Pub. Date Sep. 10, 2020.
Claims priority of application No. 2019-037167 (JP), filed on Mar. 1, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2022/0136565 A1, May 5, 2022
Int. Cl. F16D 3/223 (2011.01); F16D 3/84 (2006.01)
CPC F16D 3/223 (2013.01) [F16D 3/84 (2013.01); F16D 2003/22326 (2013.01)] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A propeller shaft comprising:
a rotational shaft; and
a constant-velocity joint provided on this propeller shaft,
wherein the constant-velocity joint includes
an inner race member connected to the rotational shaft of the propeller shaft,
a rolling member disposed on an outer periphery of the inner race member in a radial direction with respect to a direction of a rotational axis of the rotational shaft,
a tubular outer race member provided on an outer periphery of the rolling member in the radial direction and configured in such a manner that a rotational force of the rotational shaft is transmitted thereto via the rolling member, and
a centering member formed as a different member from the outer race member,
the outer race member having a first end portion and a second end portion that are both end portions of the outer race member in the direction of the rotational axis,
the centering member including a centering portion provided at the first end portion side of these end portions and formed so as to be smaller than a maximum diameter of the outer race member in the radial direction, and
wherein the centering portion is formed so as to protrude toward a vehicle rear side such that the centering portion aligns an opening portion of a vehicle-side counterpart component to be fitted into the opening portion of the vehicle-side counterpart component, thereby centering the vehicle-side counterpart component relative to the outer race member.