Abstract

A propeller shaft made of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (hereafter referred to as “CFRP”), a lightweight material, was developed and used on the 2005 model year LEGEND.To utilize the characteristics of carbon fiber (CF) which is an anisotropic material, the CFRP tube was produced using filament winding molding method. The winding angles of CF was set at 30 degrees to help ensure tube torsional strength. The press-fitting allowance of the metallic stub shaft in the CFRP tube at the joint was optimized, and adequate margin in strength and durability was assigned with respect to other metallic members to help ensure reliability.The press-fitted portion of the stub shaft was designed such that the tube broke when subjected to the specific axial load, and the ability of the vehicle to absorb shocks during a collision was ensured. A 30% savings in weight was achieved in the developed CFRP propeller shaft compared to the conventional steel tube propeller shaft.

References

1. (1) Yamane, Y., et al.: Development of a Lightweight CFRP Hood and Rear Spoiler, Honda R&D Technical Review, Vol. 15, No. 1, p. 209-214
2. (2) Kawarada, K., et al.: Development of New Composite Propeller shaft, TOYOTA Technical Review, Vol. 43, No. 2
3. (3) JP, 09-175202, A (1997)

Author (organization or company)

• Tomohiro SAKURABA（Tochigi R&D Center）
• Shinji WADA（Tochigi R&D Center）
• Shunnosuke KAI（Tochigi R&D Center）
• Yasushi SUGIURA（Tochigi R&D Center）

Publication Information

Article of Honda R&D Technical Review Vol.17 No.1 (46 - 49)

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Citation Information