DE102022116964A1 - Sliding joint outer component, sliding joint and method for producing an outer sliding joint component - Google Patents

Abstract

Sliding joint outer component (1), which in an assembled state with a sliding joint inner component (2) forms a ball sliding joint (10), in particular a DO sliding joint, the sliding joint outer component (1) having a receiving area (7) extending along a longitudinal direction (L). ) for receiving the sliding joint inner component (2), wherein in an assembled state of the ball sliding joint (10), the sliding joint inner component (2) engages in the receiving area (7) via an opening on a first end face (11) of the sliding joint outer component (1) and can be displaced along the longitudinal direction (L) and tilted relative to the longitudinal direction (L), with at least one raceway (8) for a rolling body shaped as a ball being formed on an inside (21) of the sliding joint outer component (1) in the receiving area (7), whereby On an outside (22) of the sliding joint outer component (1) opposite the inside (21), a material recess (5) is formed, which extends, preferably along a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction (L), up to the first end face (11) of the sliding joint outer component (1) extends.

Description

The present invention relates to an external sliding joint component, a sliding joint and a method for producing an external sliding joint component.

Constant velocity joints, which are also referred to as homokinetic joints, are basically known from the prior art. They enable torque transmission from a first shaft to a second shaft attached at an angle to it without changing the angular velocity of a rotary movement. Constant velocity joints are used particularly in vehicle construction to create drive shafts. A special form of constant velocity joints are constant velocity sliding joints, i.e. H. sliding joints. In so-called sliding joints, the constant velocity joint makes it possible to change the length of the drive shaft, which is composed of the first shaft and the second shaft. For this purpose, the constant velocity joint has an outer constant velocity joint component which is arranged on one of the (shaft) components to be connected and has a pocket that is open towards the other (shaft) component. In this pocket, an internal constant velocity joint component of the constant velocity joint is arranged to be longitudinally displaceable. The constant velocity joint components connected to one another in a longitudinally displaceable manner make it possible to change the length of the drive shaft.

In order to transmit torque with constant velocity joint components, these components have raceways in which rolling elements are guided. The rolling elements are responsible for transmitting the torque. When the constant velocity joint components move relative to one another in a longitudinally displaceable manner, the rolling elements roll in these raceways, while at the same time torque transmission is made possible.

Out of CN 103 244 571 B a fixed joint, namely a Rzeppa joint, is known, in which the outer joint component has material recesses on its outside, which serve to reduce the weight of the component. Such a fixed joint is not a sliding joint component.

Based on the prior art, the present invention is dedicated to sliding joint components and sets itself the task of providing sliding joint external components that are even lighter, easier to manufacture and suitable for high torques.

This object is achieved by a sliding joint outer component according to claim 1, by a sliding joint according to claim 8 and a method for producing a sliding joint outer component according to claim 10. Further embodiments can be found in the dependent claims and the description.

According to a first aspect, an outer sliding joint component is provided which, in an assembled state with an inner sliding joint component, forms a ball sliding joint, in particular a DO sliding joint (double-offset sliding joint) or a cross-groove joint (or VL sliding joint). ,
wherein the sliding joint outer component has a receiving area extending along a longitudinal direction, in particular in the form of a kind of pocket, for receiving the sliding joint inner component, wherein in an assembled state of the ball sliding joint, the sliding joint inner component engages into the receiving area via an opening on a first end face of the sliding joint outer component and along can be displaced in the longitudinal direction and tilted relative to the longitudinal direction, with at least one raceway for a rolling element shaped as a ball being formed on an inside of the sliding joint outer component in the receiving area,
wherein a material recess is formed on an outside of the sliding joint outer component opposite the inside, in particular in relation to a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, which extends, preferably along a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction, up to the first end face of the sliding joint outer component.

In contrast to the sliding joint outer components from the prior art, in the sliding joint outer component according to the invention it is provided that the material recess extends to the first end face. The sliding joint outer component thus ends on the first end face with an outer circumference which contains the material recess or a part of the material recess. The material recess has the particular advantage that an additional weight reduction is possible in this way, since the material recess is not closed in an area that is offset from the first end face in the longitudinal direction towards a bottom of the pocket-shaped receiving area. Rather, the material recess continues to the first end face. In addition, a corresponding material recess proves to be advantageous because it can be used as a rotation lock for a bellows element, in particular a bellows or a sleeve. The rotation lock serves the particular purpose of counteracting rotation of the bellows element over the sliding joint outer component.

Such bellows elements connect the sliding joint inner component and the sliding joint outer component in the assembled state, in particular to prevent lubricants from escaping from the joint area. In addition, the joint is protected from external influences by a corresponding bellows element. In the case of typical ball sliding joints, standardized bellows elements are regularly used, which have a circular and/or elliptical receiving opening, which in turn rests in an end section of the sliding joint outer component in the assembled state. Due to the modulation on the outside of the sliding joint outer component in the end section, due to the material recess extending to the first end face, it is advantageously possible to counteract a rotation of the bellows element by means of a positive connection that acts along a circumferential direction. This proves to be particularly advantageous in the case of high-speed applications or applications with high torque, where the joints have to be dimensioned larger in order to withstand the loads over time. A reduction in weight through the material recesses on the outside has a particularly positive effect here. Applications with comparatively high torques include drive shafts that are driven by an electric motor.

In particular, DO joints prove to be advantageous because they are designed to be significantly smaller than tripods and therefore in themselves already have a weight advantage over tripods. This weight advantage is further enhanced by the material cutouts. This proves to be particularly advantageous when using DO joints with material recesses in connection with electric motors because of the high torques that can be expected here.

In particular, the sliding joint outer component forms part of a shaft or a first shaft and/or the sliding joint inner component forms part of a shaft or a second shaft. In the assembled state, the sliding joint outer component and the sliding joint inner component form at least a portion of the shaft, which can be angled and its length can be changed. In particular, the term internal sliding joint component does not mean the cage and/or a rolling element, but rather a component that protrudes from the external sliding joint component in the assembled state.

The direction of rotation follows in particular the direction along which a rotational movement of the sliding joint outer component occurs during operation, in particular in a plane that runs perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. Preferably, an axis of symmetry runs parallel to the longitudinal direction, with respect to which the receiving area has rotational symmetry compared to a rotation about the axis of symmetry by an angle of 360 ° / N, where N is greater than 1. In particular, it is provided that the material recess is designed as a course that recesses radially inwards with respect to the axis of symmetry.

Another advantage of forming the material recess, which extends to the first end face, is the advantage when producing the outer contour. In particular, the external geometry described allows the external geometry with a material recess to be formed by a cupping and/or stretching process, preferably a single cupping and/or stretching process. In particular, a complex post-processing step in which the material recess is formed by machining can be dispensed with. In particular, the sliding joint outer component is characterized in that the surface of the sliding joint outer component on the outside in the area of the material recess shows that no machining took place here. Instead, the fiber courses that are typical for hot forming and/or warm forming can be seen on the sliding joint outer component.

Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the receiving area extends essentially along the longitudinal direction. The sliding joint outer component has a cylindrical and/or sleeve-shaped shape, particularly in the receiving area. The receiving area is preferably formed by a lateral surface which surrounds the receiving area in a closed manner. At an end of the sliding joint outer component opposite the first end face, for example, a shaft element and/or a mounting area can be formed, via which a shaft can be mounted on the sliding joint outer component. In particular, it is provided that the receiving area of the sliding joint outer component is preferably pot-shaped and/or tulip-shaped. Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the raceways extend essentially along the longitudinal direction on the inside of the receiving area. In particular, the raceways for balls are characterized by their essentially circular arc-shaped or circular arc segment-shaped, elliptical and / or Gothic contours in a sectional plane, which are perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. Corresponding raceways differ in particular from those used, for example, in tripod joints because, for example, no ball track or balls are provided as rolling elements in tripods.

Furthermore, it is provided that the sliding joint in the assembled state has a cage element in which the rolling elements, i.e. H. the balls are stored. Preferably, the materials used from which the sliding joint outer component is formed are steels that can be formed at warm, warm and/or cold temperatures, preferably inductively hardenable steels, in particular Cf 53, C 45, C50 SAE J 403 1050, S 45 CJ C50, C55 and C60.

• - Bereitstellen eines Rohlings, vorzugsweise eines stangenförmigen Rohling, und
• - Umformen des Rohlings in das Verschiebegelenkaußenbauteils mittels Warmumformung und/oder Halbwarmumformung in einem Umformvorgang, der bevorzugt mehrere Umformschritte bzw. mehrere mehrstufige Umformschritte umfasst, wobei auf ein Kaltkalibrieren an der Funktionsfläche, insbesondere an der gesamten Funktionsfläche, des umgeformten Verschiebegelenkaußenbauteils verzichtet wird, wobei insbesondere
• - zum Verzichten auf ein Kaltkalibrieren beim Umformen, beispielsweise nach dem Warmumformen und/oder Halbwarmumformen, auf eine prägende oder plastifizierendes Einwirkung auf das Verschiebegelenkaußenbauteil bei einer Temperatur unterhalb von 120 °C, bevorzugt unterhalb von 80 °C und besonders bevorzugt unterhalb von 50 °C verzichtet wird und/oder
• - das Umformen innerhalb eines Zeitintervalls abgeschlossen ist, das kürzer als 25 Sekunden und bevorzugt kürzer als 20 Sekunden und besonders bevorzugt kürzer 10 Sekunden ist. Die Funktionsfläche wird bevorzugt durch die Innenseite des Aufnahmebereichs gebildet und umfasst die Laufbahnen. Insbesondere wird beim Umformen auf das Kaltkalibrieren verzichtet.

It is preferably provided that the production of the sliding joint outer component, which can be connected indirectly or directly via a functional surface to the sliding joint inner component to form a joint, in particular a constant velocity joint, comprises the following method steps:

• - Providing a blank, preferably a rod-shaped blank, and
• - Forming the blank into the sliding joint external component by means of hot forming and/or warm forming in a forming process which preferably comprises several forming steps or several multi-stage forming steps, with cold calibration on the functional surface, in particular on the entire functional surface, of the formed sliding joint external component being dispensed with, in particular
• - to avoid cold calibration during forming, for example after hot forming and/or warm forming, for a shaping or plasticizing effect on the sliding joint outer component at a temperature below 120 ° C, preferably below 80 ° C and particularly preferably below 50 ° C is waived and/or
• - the forming is completed within a time interval that is shorter than 25 seconds and preferably shorter than 20 seconds and particularly preferably shorter than 10 seconds. The functional surface is preferably formed by the inside of the receiving area and includes the raceways. In particular, cold calibration is not required during forming.

It is conceivable that cold calibration is dispensed with, at least on the functional surfaces. It has surprisingly been found that it is possible, within the scope of hot forming and/or warm forming, to define the functional surfaces of a cardan shaft component, in particular its geometry, in such a way that they meet the increased tolerance requirements for the production of cardan shaft components. In particular, it has surprisingly been found that it is possible to design functional surfaces in such a way that they have the desired geometry even after warm forming and/or hot forming, which in particular ensure optimal torque transmission with reduced friction. By dispensing with cold calibration after the forming step, an additional work step in the process for producing a cardan shaft component or a cardan joint is advantageously dispensed with, whereby the manufacturing process is accelerated and the cost of producing the cardan shaft component can be reduced. In addition, the effort for production planning can be reduced.

If we talk about forming steps, these concern individual sections of the entire forming process, i.e. H. of the forming process. The forming process preferably comprises several forming steps, for example several warm forming steps, whereby the individual forming steps can be carried out in several stages, for example. A multi-stage cup or stretching process should be considered here, for example. While the forming or a forming process/operation usually provides for several forming steps, the last forming step of which is cold calibration, it is particularly preferably provided that the last forming step that is usual according to the prior art, i.e. H. cold calibration is dispensed with. Cold calibration concerns the last forming step in the forming process or during forming. This cold calibration is therefore part of the forming process and is preferably carried out exclusively through a shaping and plasticizing effect. In other words: there is no exclusive shaping and plasticizing effect. Even if cold calibration is carried out at room temperatures or lower temperatures (compared to hot forming / warm forming), the expert will attribute this step to forming. In other words: Forming according to the prior art includes several forming steps, the last forming step of which is cold calibration, with which the last forming of the internal and/or external shape, in particular of the functional surfaces, is carried out by means of a shaping or plasticizing effect. This part of the forming is omitted. The forming can be followed by rework. For example, following the forming, machining and/or hardening is carried out in order to give the cardan shaft component the finished shape and texture.

During forming, cold calibration of the functional surfaces is preferably dispensed with, ie a subsection or a partial work step during forming is dispensed with. It has surprisingly been found that cold calibration, ie the last forming step, can be dispensed with without impairing the functional surfaces of the cardan shaft component. For example, in the prior art, cold calibration takes place in the form of ironing and/or dimensional stamping. In the present case, ironing and/or dimensional embossing is preferably dispensed with. It is also conceivable to carry out a cold calibration as the last forming step in the forming process.

It has also been found to be advantageous that a flat end surface can be realized on the first end face, which can be realized in particular uniformly and within a narrow dimensional tolerance range (reduced height differences, manageable constant length). This makes additional processing of metal removal unnecessary.

In particular, a material recess is to be understood as a course that recedes from a circular or elliptical course on the outside. In other words: While the outside in the areas outside the material recess specifies a geometric shape/size for a circular outer contour of the external sliding joint component in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, the material recesses are correspondingly recessed courses compared to this imaginary general circular course , which affects all radially outer areas on the outer circumference of the sliding joint outer component. Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the material recess extends along the outside along the longitudinal direction. In other words: The material recess essentially follows the longitudinal direction of the receiving area or the sliding joint outer component. In particular, it is provided that the outside in the end section is modulated, in particular height-modulated, along the circumferential direction in a plane running perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. Preferably, it is provided that material recesses are arranged equidistantly on the outside along the circumferential direction and/or more than three material recesses are formed.

It is preferably provided that the material recess has a maximum depth measured perpendicular to the longitudinal direction or in the radial direction, which assumes a value between 1 and 10 mm, preferably between 2 and 8 mm and particularly preferably between 3 and 6 mm. In other words: it has been shown that significant material removal is possible, which can be distinguished from thickness modulations in the wall thickness caused by manufacturing technology or modulations in the course of the wall of the receiving area. It is provided that the depth, in particular the maximum depth, is determined by the radially dimensioned maximum distance between the outside and an imaginary circle that touches the outer sections of the outside.

Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the material recess has a substantially constant cross section along its extent, in particular along the entire extent, the cross section being dimensioned in a plane running perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. This results particularly advantageously if the external component has been produced by a hot forming or warm forming process in which the material recess is produced without additional machining. In this case, the material recess extends, viewed in the longitudinal direction, to the first side. The person skilled in the art will preferably limit the cross section of the material recess for the sliding joint outer component by the outside and on the opposite side by the imaginary circular course, which affects the radially outer side sections of the sliding joint outer component.

Preferably, the material recess extends along the longitudinal direction over the entire area of the sliding joint outer component in which the receiving area is arranged. The dimension of the receiving area is preferably determined by a pot depth of the cup-shaped receiving area. Furthermore, it is provided that the material recess is uninterrupted in the longitudinal direction, i.e. H. There are no areas along the longitudinal direction in which the material recess is filled with material.

It is preferably provided that in an end section of the sliding joint outer component, which comprises the first end face, the outside has a course that deviates from a circle and/or ellipse. This is particularly the case when the material recesses extend to the first end face. As already stated, the sliding joint outer component differs from the sliding joint outer components usual in the prior art, which typically provide a circular and/or elliptical outer circumference in the end section in order to be able to attach standardized bellows elements here.

It is preferably provided that in a direction measured perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, a wall thickness of the receiving area in the area of the material recess assumes a value between 1 and 15 mm, preferably between 2 and 10 mm and particularly preferably between 3 and 6 mm. It has been found that it is advantageously possible to dimension the material recess in such a way that in the area of the material recess in the radial direction, ie in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, wall thicknesses for the in particular tulip-shaped receiving area of the sliding joint outer component can be achieved, the values between 4 and 5 mm and still withstand the expected loads that occur, for example, when a ball joint is used to transmit driving forces that come from an electric machine, for example. A correspondingly thin wall proves to be particularly advantageous because it not only allows particularly light joint components and joints, but also reduces the amount of material required to produce corresponding joint components.

It is preferably provided that the material recess is arranged between two areas, viewed along a circumferential direction, in each of which a raceway is formed. It is also conceivable that several material recesses are formed on the inside on the outside between the areas with the respective raceway. The one and/or several material recesses can be arranged along the circumferential direction centrally between two areas that are predetermined by the position of the raceway, or can be offset from a central position along the circumferential direction. The material recess is preferably designed as a type of groove and/or groove which extends along the longitudinal direction on the outside of the sliding joint outer component.

It is preferably provided that means for axially securing a shaped bellows, for example in the form of a collar element and/or a groove, are formed in the end section of the sliding joint outer component. It is particularly preferably provided that the collar elements and/or the groove, viewed along the circumferential direction, are arranged in segment regions of the outer circumference in which no material recess is formed. In other words: In areas without material recesses, a means for axially securing the shaped bellows is preferably formed. Preferably, it is provided that for axial securing a positive connection is realized between the bellows element and the outside of the sliding joint outer component, the positive connection acting along a direction running parallel to the longitudinal direction.

The collar element and/or the groove can be arranged at the level of the first end face of the sliding joint outer component and/or can be arranged offset along the longitudinal direction in the direction of the second end relative to the first end face.

Preferably, it is provided that the wall thickness of the sliding joint outer component varies in the receiving area in the circumferential direction. In principle, it is also conceivable that the wall thickness of the sliding joint outer component in the receiving area remains constant along the direction of rotation. The design with varying wall thickness proves to be particularly advantageous in cases in which a thickening in the transition area between the material recess and the area in which a raceway is formed on the inside of the receiving area is intended to increase the load capacity of the corresponding sliding joint outer component. In other words: The load capacity of the sliding joint outer component can be increased by appropriate thickening in this transition area.

Another object of the present invention is a sliding joint with an outer sliding joint component according to the invention. All of the advantages and properties described for the sliding joint external component apply analogously to the sliding joint and vice versa.

Preferably, it is provided that the sliding joint comprises a shaped bellows, wherein the shaped bellows, in the assembled state, has an inside contour at the end facing the sliding joint outer component, which is designed to be complementary to the outside of the sliding joint outer component. As already indicated, this makes it advantageously possible for inward-facing sections of the shaped bellows to engage in corresponding areas with the material recess on the outside of the sliding joint outer component. This in turn enables a positive connection in the circumferential direction, which has an advantageous effect on securing the forming bellows against rotation in the mounted sliding joint.

In particular, the sliding joint is a DO sliding joint.

A further subject of the present invention is a method for producing an outer sliding joint component according to the invention, wherein the outer sliding joint component is carried out in a forming process, particularly preferably in a massive forming step, in particular in a stretching and / or cupping process. All of the advantages and properties described for the sliding joint outer component can be transferred analogously to the method for producing the sliding joint outer component and vice versa. For example, the forming or the forming process includes extrusion.

In particular, it is provided that the material recesses are or are defined by the manufacturing process without them being produced by post-machining. In particular, it is provided that material recesses are formed on the manufactured sliding joint outer component, the surface of which shows that no machining was used to form the material recess. This can be recognized, for example, by the corresponding fiber courses on the surface. In particular, it has proven to be advantageous to produce the sliding joint outer components by a corresponding stretching and/or cupping process, since this advantageously results in modulation on the first end face in the axial direction or along a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction as part of the material reduction in the area of the material recess Direction can be reduced through the molding process. In other words: When producing an external sliding joint component in which an outside is realized without material recess, i.e. H. an outer circumference, which preferably or usually has a circular or elliptically shaped outer circumference, height modulations result on the first end face after the forming process, which extend in the axial direction or in the longitudinal direction. In comparison to these formed sliding joint external components, it has been found that these increases or variations on the first end face can be reduced during the targeted production of material recesses during the stretching and/or cupping process. This proves to be particularly advantageous for any post-processing steps on the first end face of the sliding joint outer component.

It is preferably provided that the material recess is produced during the forming process, in particular by the stretching and/or cupping process.

Further advantages and features result from the following description of preferred embodiments of the object according to the invention with reference to the attached figures. Individual features of the individual embodiments can be combined with one another within the scope of the invention.

• 1 und 2 ein Kugel-Verschiebegelenk gemäß dem Stand der Technik
• 3 und 4 ein Kugel-Verschiebegelenk gemäß einer beispielhaften Ausführungsform der vorliegende Erfindung

It shows:

• 1 and 2 a ball sliding joint according to the prior art
• 3 and 4 a ball sliding joint according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention

In the 1 and 2 a ball sliding joint 10 is shown according to the prior art. The ball sliding joint 10 comprises an outer sliding joint component 1 and an inner sliding joint component 2. The inner sliding joint component 2 is arranged in a receiving area 7 of the sliding joint outer component 1 in the assembled or assembled state. An interface area in which the sliding joint inner component 2 engages with the sliding joint outer component 1 is surrounded by a bellows element 3, which protects the interface area between the sliding joint inner component 2 and the sliding joint outer component 1 and in particular also prevents the escape of lubricant from this interface area 1 Ball displacement joint 10 shown as an example is a DO (double offset) joint.

To accommodate the sliding joint inner component 2 in the sliding joint outer component 1, a receiving area 7 is provided, which is designed in particular as a hollow body area or forms part of a hollow body, in particular a hollow body tube. A corresponding hollow body area or hollow body section is preferably tulip-shaped or cup-shaped. On the inside of the receiving area 7, raceways 8 are provided, which are intended for balls in the case of a ball sliding joint. This means that ball sliding joints differ in particular from tripods, whose raceways 8 are designed for rolling elements that typically differ from balls. The raceways 8 extend in particular along a longitudinal direction L, along which the receiving area 7 of the sliding joint outer component 1 also extends. The sliding joint outer component 1 preferably comprises, in addition to the receiving area 7, a shaft area 16 at the opposite second end of the sliding joint outer component 1.

Furthermore, it is provided that on a first end face 11 of the sliding joint outer component 1, the receiving area 7 has an opening through which the sliding joint inner component 2 can be inserted into the sliding joint outer component 1 and is stored therein. The raceways 8 are preferably distributed equidistantly along a circumferential direction U, which preferably runs in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L. The direction of rotation U runs parallel to the direction along which the sliding joint outer component 1 rotates.

To attach the bellows element 3 to the sliding joint outer component 1, a groove 9 extending along the circumferential direction U is provided on an outside 22 of the receiving area 7, into which a collar element formed on the inside 21 of the bellows element 3 can engage in order to axially secure the bellows element 3 ensure. The portion between the groove 9, i.e. H. the means for axially securing the bellows element 3 and the first end face 11 is to be understood in particular as the end region 15 or as part of the end section of the sliding joint outer component 1. Seen in the longitudinal direction, the sliding joint outer component is delimited by the first end face 11 and a second end face 12.

In the 3 and 4 a ball sliding joint 10 is shown according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In particular, it is provided here that the sliding joint outer component 1 has a material recess 5 which, viewed in the longitudinal direction L, extends to the first end face 11 of the sliding joint outer component 1. As a result, in the end section 15 there is an external geometry of the outside 22 of the sliding joint external component 1, which deviates from a circle and/or an ellipse. In particular, it is provided that, due to the material recess 5, the outside 22 of the sliding joint outer component 1, in particular in the end section 15, is modulated as seen in the circumferential direction U.

It is particularly preferred that this material recess 5 is the result of massive forming, in particular a cupping or stretching process. In contrast to such ball sliding joint external components 1, in which material recesses 5 are made on the outside 22 by post-machining, it is preferably provided that already during the forging process, i.e. H. During the cupping or stretching process, the outer side modulation is realized, which extends to the first end face 11 of the sliding joint outer component 1. This has the advantage, for example, that height modulations formed on the first end face 11, which extend along the longitudinal direction L, are reduced compared to a forging process that is carried out with the aim of forming a substantially circular outer circumference on the sliding joint outer component 1. This in turn simplifies post-processing, in particular in that less material has to be removed in order to form a flat end surface on the sliding joint outer component 1 on the first end face 11. This also protects the tool, as the amount of material removed is lower, especially when several components are produced.

It is preferably provided that the material recesses 5 are formed between the areas in which the raceways 8 are formed on the inside 21 of the receiving area 7.

The material recesses 5 preferably extend over more than 50%, preferably more than 70% and particularly preferably more than 80% of a total length of the receiving area 7.

In the in 4 In the illustrated embodiment of the sliding joint outer component 1, it is in particular provided that the means for axially securing the bellows element 3, in particular groove-shaped courses or grooves 9 on the outside 22 of the sliding joint outer component 1, are formed in the areas in which the raceways 8 on the inside 21 are trained. Thus, the groove-shaped means for axially securing the bellows element 3 are preferably arranged between two areas in which there is a material recess 5 in the outside 22. It is preferably provided that a shaped bellows element 3 'is provided for the sliding joint 10. In contrast to the bellows element 3, which is used and standardized for the circular outer shapes in the end region or end section of the sliding joint outer component 1, it is provided here that the collar element of the shaped bellows element 3 ', which is connected to the outside 22 of the sliding joint outer component 1, is complementary is designed to the geometric shape or the outside 22 of the sliding joint outer component 1.

In particular, the inwardly directed collar element of the shaped bellows element 3 'thus comprises partial areas which are intended for engagement in the groove sections, and preferably partial areas which engage in the valley-shaped sections of the material recess 5. These are therefore preferably individualized shaped bellows elements 3' that are adapted to the external geometry and are used here.

In the in 4 In the illustrated embodiment, it is preferably provided that a wall thickness W is essentially constant along the circumferential direction U. In particular, it is provided that the wall thickness W measured in the radial direction or measured perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L assumes a value between 1 and 15 mm, preferably between 2 and 10 mm and particularly preferably between 3 and 6 mm. Provided the wall thickness W is modulated, is preferably averaged along the circumferential direction U over the wall thickness W, in particular around the entire closed circumference of the sliding joint outer component 1. It has been found that with the forging production of the sliding joint outer component 1, comparatively thin wall thicknesses W for the sliding joint outer component 1 can be produced that still withstand the loads that are to be expected when using a sliding joint 10, especially when high rotation speeds are to be assumed. This proves to be an advantage in particular when the sliding joint external component 1 is used in shafts with high rotational speeds, since the associated weight loss of the DO sliding joint 10 has a positive effect on the required energy expenditure that must/can be used to rotate the corresponding shaft.

Preferably, it is provided that a shaft area 16 of the sliding joint outer component 1 is screwed to the receiving area 7, in particular the cup-shaped or tulip-shaped receiving area 7. In other words: The sliding joint external component 1 is manufactured from at least two individual components, with the receiving area 7 in particular being forged, in particular by a cupping or stretching process.

Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the material recess 5, viewed in the circumferential direction U, is preferably arranged centrally between two partial areas in which the raceways 8 are arranged on the inside 21 of the receiving area 7. Furthermore, it is conceivable that several material recesses 5 are arranged on the outside 22 in an area that is arranged between two sections, on the inside 21 of which the raceways 8 run. For example, it is conceivable that a type of groove structure in the longitudinal direction L is formed as a material recess 5. In other words: In addition to the embodiment shown here, in which only a single groove 9 or groove is arranged in the longitudinal direction L between two partial areas in which the raceways 8 run on the inside 21, it is also conceivable that several grooves 9 or Grooves are arranged between two areas, on the inside 21 of which the raceways 8 are arranged.

It is preferably provided that the material recess 5 has a maximum depth T measured perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L or in the radial direction, which assumes a value between 1 and 10 mm, preferably between 2 and 8 mm and particularly preferably between 3 and 6 mm. In other words: it has been shown that significant material removal is possible, which can be distinguished from thickness modulations in the wall thickness W caused by manufacturing technology or modulations in the course of the wall of the receiving area 7. It is intended that the depth, in particular the maximum depth T, is determined by the maximum, radially dimensioned distance between the outer side 22 and an imaginary circle K, which affects the outer or the radially outermost sections of the outer side 22 outside the material recess 5.

List of reference symbols:

1

Sliding joint external component

2

Internal sliding joint component

5

material recess

3

Bellows element

3`

Forming bellows

7

Recording area

8th

career

9

Nut

10

sliding joint

11

first face

12

second end face

15

End section

16

Shaft area

21

inside

22

Outside

L

Longitudinal direction

U

Direction of circulation

K

Circle

T

depth

W

Wall thickness

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• CN 103244571 B [0004]

Claims (10)

Sliding joint external component (1), which in an assembled state with an internal sliding joint component (2) forms a ball sliding joint (10), in particular a DO sliding joint or a cross-groove joint, wherein the sliding joint outer component (1) has a receiving area (7) extending along a longitudinal direction (L) for receiving the sliding joint inner component (2), wherein in an assembled state of the ball sliding joint (10), the sliding joint inner component (2) via an opening on one first end face (11) of the sliding joint outer component (1) engages in the receiving area (7) and is displaceable along the longitudinal direction (L) and tiltable relative to the longitudinal direction (L), wherein at least one raceway (8) for a rolling body shaped as a ball is formed on an inside (21) of the sliding joint outer component (1) in the receiving area (7), wherein on an outside (22) of the sliding joint outer component (1) opposite the inside (21), a material recess (5) is formed, which extends, preferably along a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction (L), up to the first end face (11) of the Sliding joint outer component (1) extends. Sliding joint outer component (1) according to Claim 1 , wherein the material recess (5) has a cross section dimensioned in a plane running perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (L), the cross section of the material recess (5) being essentially constant along its extension, in particular along a direction running parallel to the longitudinal direction. Sliding joint outer part (1), according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in an end section (15) of the sliding joint outer component (1), which comprises the first end face (1), the outside (22) in a plane running perpendicular to the longitudinal direction has one of a circle and / or ellipse has a different course. Sliding joint external component (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in the area of the material recess (5) a wall thickness (W) of the receiving area (7) measured perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (L) has a value between 1 and 15 mm, preferably between 2 and 10 mm and particularly preferably between 3 and 6 mm. Sliding joint external component (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the material recess (5) has a maximum depth (T) measured perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (L), which is a value between 1 and 10 mm, preferably between 2 and 8 mm and particularly preferably between 3 and 6 mm. Sliding joint outer component (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in the end section (15) of the sliding joint outer component (1) means for axially securing a shaped bellows (3`), for example in the form of a collar element and/or a groove (9), are formed. Sliding joint outer component (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the wall thickness (W) of the sliding joint outer component (1) varies in the receiving area (7) as seen in the circumferential direction (U). Sliding joint (10) with an outer sliding joint component (1) according to one of the preceding claims. Sliding joint (10) according to Claim 8 , wherein a shaped bellows (3`) is provided, wherein the shaped bellows (3`) has an inside contour at its end facing the sliding joint outer component (1) in the assembled state, which is designed to be complementary to the outside of the sliding joint outer component (1). Method for producing an external sliding joint component (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the external sliding joint component (1) is produced in a forming process, in particular a stretching and/or cupping process and particularly preferably in a sequence of several forming steps.

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