JP2004156699A - Constant speed joint - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a constant speed joint capable of favorably maintaining durability in wide angle use while restricting increase of size due to application to the wide angle use. <P>SOLUTION: An inner ball groove 16 in an outer race 12 comprises an inner arc groove part 16b, formed on the tip side of the outer race, and having an inner ball groove center line L5 extended in arc form, and an inner ball second straight groove part 16c connected to an outer race base end side end of the inner ball arc groove part 16b, and having the inner ball center line L5 extended straight. In this constitution, even when this constant speed joint takes a wide angle, groove depth of the inner ball groove 16 on the outer race base end side can be secured. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a constant velocity joint for connecting two shafts so as to be relatively tiltable while maintaining constant rotation transmission.
[0002]
[Prior art]
For example, in a front-wheel drive vehicle or a four-wheel drive vehicle, a drive shaft and a driven shaft are rotated at a constant angular velocity between a drive shaft and a driven shaft at a connection portion between the front wheel serving as a steering / drive wheel and the drive shaft. A constant velocity joint is used which allows the tilt with the above. As one of such constant velocity joints, a Barfield type constant velocity joint is known. FIG. 6 shows an example of this barfield type constant velocity joint.
[0003]
As shown in FIG. 6, the bar-field type constant velocity joint usually includes an outer race 51, an inner race 61, and a plurality of balls 70 rotatably held therebetween. .
[0004]
Here, the outer race 51 has a substantially spherical inner spherical surface 52, in which an inner race 61 having a substantially spherical outer spherical surface 62 is accommodated. Further, a ball groove 53 and a ball groove 63 are formed on the inner spherical surface 52 of the outer race 51 and the outer spherical surface 62 of the inner race 61 at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the constant velocity joint when viewed from the front. The number is formed. Each ball 70 is provided with a cage 71 interposed between the inner spherical surface 52 and the outer spherical surface 62, with the above-mentioned circumferential interval kept constant, and the ball groove 53 of the outer race 51 and the inner race 61 are formed. It is arranged so as to be able to roll between the ball groove 63.
[0005]
Therefore, in such a constant velocity joint, the shaft 64 of the inner race 61 can freely swing (tilt) with respect to the shaft 54 of the outer race 51 through the movement of each ball 70 along the ball grooves 53 and 63. FIG. 6 shows a state in which the tilt angle (joint angle) is 0 °. On the other hand, since the displacement of the ball 70 in the circumferential direction is restricted by the side walls of the ball grooves 53 and 63, the relative rotation of the outer race 51 (the shaft 54) and the inner race 61 (the shaft 64) around the axis is prevented. Will be regulated. With such a joint structure, the shaft 54 and the shaft 64 are connected so as to be relatively tiltable while maintaining constant speed transmission of rotation.
[0006]
The constant velocity joint illustrated in FIG. 6 is also an undercut-free type wide-angle constant velocity joint in which a wide angle is achieved without causing an undercut in the ball groove. In such a constant velocity joint, the ball groove 53 of the inner spherical surface 52 has a straight groove portion 53a provided on the distal end side of the outer race 51 and an arc groove portion 53b provided on the base end side of the outer race 51. Of these, the linear groove portion 53a extends in such a manner that the groove center line of the ball groove 53 (the locus of the center of the ball 70 rolling in the groove) is parallel to the rotation axis L1 of the shaft 54. The arc groove portion 53b extends in an arc around the point O1 at which the groove center line of the ball groove 53 is offset by a predetermined distance from the joint center O on the rotation axis L1 to the tip end of the outer race 51. ing. The point O1 is set on the rotation axis L1 as a point corresponding to a connection position between the straight groove 53a and the arc groove 53b.
[0007]
Corresponding to the ball groove 53 of the inner spherical surface 52, the ball groove 63 of the outer spherical surface 62 is also provided with a linear groove portion 63a having a groove center line extending straight at the base end side of the outer race. An arcuate groove 63b is provided on the side where the groove center line extends in an arcuate shape. By setting the profile shape of the ball grooves 53 and 63, the limitation of the joint angle due to the interference between the inner edge of the opening of the outer race 51 and the shaft 64 connected to the inner race 61 is eased, and the joint angle can be further widened. It is now acceptable.
[0008]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-153149 A (Pages 4-5, FIGS. 5 and 6)
[0009]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, widening the joint angle like the above-mentioned constant velocity joint naturally expands its use, and also increases the degree of freedom of design for using the joint. In this case, it cannot be denied that the following problem occurs with the widening of the angle.
[0010]
That is, since torque is transmitted via the ball 70 when the shafts 54 and 64 rotate, each of the balls 70 is in the ball grooves 53 and 63 by such a torque load, and the load is applied to each of the balls 70. Move to one edge according to the direction. On the other hand, in the undercut-free type constant velocity joint as described above, the linear grooves 53a and 63a are formed in the ball grooves 53 and 63, respectively. For this reason, when the joint angle is widened, on the side opposed to this, especially on the base end side of the ball groove 53 of the inner spherical surface 52 on the outer race 51 side, from the viewpoint of the type and physique of the outer race 51, Inevitably, a portion having a small groove depth is formed. In the portion where the groove depth is small, the ball 70 is sufficiently supported by the side surface of the ball groove 53 against the action of the force F accompanying the torque transmission between the outer race 51 and the inner race 61 as shown in FIG. And difficult to do. Therefore, if the force F is further increased in such a wide-angle state, the ball 70 rides on the edge 53e of the ball groove 53, and the edge 53e and the ball 70 are damaged. For example, there is a possibility that durability may be reduced.
[0011]
Conventionally, as shown in Patent Document 1, for example, a constant velocity joint in which all ball grooves of the outer race and the inner race are all linear grooves has been proposed. However, in such a constant velocity joint, the outer race itself has to have substantially the same outer diameter on the opening side and the base end side, which leads to an increase in the size of the constant velocity joint itself. Also.
[0012]
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a constant velocity joint that can appropriately maintain durability during wide-angle use while suppressing an increase in physique due to wide-angle. To provide.
[0013]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
Hereinafter, the means for achieving the above object and the effects thereof will be described.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, an outer race having a substantially spherical inner spherical surface having a plurality of ball grooves formed therein and having an open front end side, and a plurality of ball grooves respectively corresponding to the ball grooves of the outer race are formed. In a constant velocity joint having an inner race having a substantially spherical outer spherical surface and a plurality of balls interposed between the corresponding ball grooves of the outer race and the inner race, the ball groove of the outer race is located in the middle of the outer race. The groove center line is formed to have an arc-shaped groove extending in an arc shape, and the groove center line is connected to the arc groove portion, and the groove center line is linearly extended to the base end side of the outer race. Is the gist.
[0014]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the constant velocity joint according to the first aspect, the groove center line of the linear groove portion extends at a speed equal to a tangential direction of the groove center line of the arc groove portion. Configure the joint.
[0015]
On the other hand, according to the third aspect of the present invention, an outer race having a substantially spherical inner spherical surface with a plurality of ball grooves formed and an opening at the tip end side, and a plurality of ball grooves respectively corresponding to the ball grooves of the outer race are formed. In a constant velocity joint having an inner race having a substantially spherical outer spherical surface and a plurality of balls interposed between corresponding ball grooves of the outer race and the inner race, a ball groove of the outer race has an outer race. A first straight groove portion formed on the distal end side and having a groove center line extending linearly; and an arc groove portion connected to the first straight groove portion in the middle of the outer race and having a groove center line extending in an arc shape. And a second linear groove connected to the arc-shaped groove and having a groove center line linearly extended on the base end side of the outer race. To.
[0016]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the present invention, both the groove center lines of the first and second straight groove portions extend in a tangential direction to a groove center line of the arc groove portion. As a result, an equivalent speed joint is configured.
[0017]
In each of the configurations described in claims 1 to 4, the ball groove on the inner surface of the outer race in which the depth of the ball is difficult to secure the groove depth, that is, the ball groove on the inner side of the outer race is defined by the groove center line. Is a straight groove extending linearly, so that a sufficient groove depth can be ensured even in such a portion. Here, the groove center line indicates a locus through which the center of the ball rolling in the ball groove passes. In addition, the setting of the profile shape of the ball groove can be performed without increasing the size of the constant velocity joint. Therefore, according to each of the above-described configurations, it is possible to preferably maintain the durability of the joint during wide-angle use, while suppressing an increase in physique due to wide-angle.
[0018]
By the way, when the profile shape of the ball groove of the outer race inner spherical surface is set as described above, the ball groove of the inner race outer spherical surface also has a corresponding profile shape. That is, in the configuration of the first aspect, the ball groove of the outer race of the inner race has a configuration in which the arc groove is provided in the middle of the outer race, and the linear groove is connected to the front end side of the outer race. In the configuration described in claim 3, the ball groove of the inner race outer spherical surface extends from the base end side of the outer race toward the tip end side thereof in a straight groove corresponding to the first straight groove of the outer race, an arc groove, and a second groove. The linear groove portions corresponding to the linear grooves are continuously provided.
[0019]
Further, in the configuration according to the third and fourth aspects, the portion of the ball groove on the inner surface of the outer race on the tip side of the outer race is also a linear groove portion (first linear groove portion) whose groove center line extends straight. In this manner, it is possible to widen the angle of the constant velocity joint in a preferable mode that does not cause undercut.
[0020]
Furthermore, in the configuration according to the second and fourth aspects, the straight groove portion (the first straight groove portion and the second straight groove portion) and the arc groove portion are continuously and smoothly connected. For this reason, the ball can be smoothly rolled in the ball groove, thereby further improving the durability of the ball and the ball groove, and preventing the generation of abnormal noise.
[0021]
On the other hand, in the invention according to claim 5, in the constant velocity joint according to claim 3 or 4, the groove center line of the first straight groove portion extends in parallel with the rotation axis of the outer race. It constitutes an equivalent speed joint.
[0022]
According to such a configuration, it is possible to appropriately reduce the limitation of the joint angle due to the interference between the inner diameter of the opening of the outer race and the shaft connected to the inner race, while suppressing the expansion of the opening of the outer race.
[0023]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
[0024]
As shown in FIG. 1, the constant velocity joint according to the present embodiment mainly includes, for example, an outer race 12 integrally connected to a shaft 11 serving as a driven shaft, and a shaft 21 serving as a driving shaft, for example. The inner races 22 are connected to the ends of the inner races, and a plurality of balls 30 interposed between the inner races 22 to transmit torque. FIG. 1 shows only one of the plurality of balls 30 for convenience. The constant velocity joint has a cage 31 for holding the ball 30.
[0025]
Here, the outer race 12 has a substantially hemispherical shape (cup shape) in the inside of a closed lid having an opening 13 formed at the end, and an inner spherical surface 15 having a substantially spherical shape is formed on the inner periphery thereof. . The inner sphere 15 is formed with the same number of inner sphere ball grooves 16 as the balls 30 extending in the direction of the rotation axis L3 of the shaft 11 at equal intervals in the circumferential direction when the outer race 12 is viewed from the front. Have been. In FIG. 1, only one of the inner ball grooves 16 is shown for convenience.
[0026]
On the other hand, the outer periphery of the inner race 22 is an outer spherical surface 25 formed in a substantially spherical shape according to the shape of the inner spherical surface 15 of the outer race 12. The outer spherical surface 25 has the same number of outer spherical ball grooves 26 as the balls 30 so as to be paired with the inner spherical ball grooves 16 of the outer race 12, respectively. Each outer ball ball groove 26 extends in the direction of the rotation axis L4 of the shaft 21. Further, a through hole 23 provided with a spline 24 is formed inside the inner race 22, and the end of the shaft 21 is fitted into the through hole 23 so that the inner race 22 and the shaft 21 can be integrally rotated. Have been.
[0027]
The cage 31 is formed in a substantially annular shape, and is disposed between the inner spherical surface 15 of the outer race 12 and the outer spherical surface 25 of the inner race 22. The cage 31 has the same number of ball holding windows 32 as the balls 30 at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. Each ball 30 is interposed between a pair of the inner ball ball groove 16 and the outer ball ball groove 26 while being housed in the ball holding window 32 of the cage 31.
[0028]
In the constant velocity joint configured as described above, the shaft 21 connected to the inner race 22 is freely movable with respect to the outer race 12 through the movement of each ball 30 along the inner ball ball groove 16 and the outer ball ball groove 26. Swing (tilt). FIG. 1 shows a state in which the tilt angle (joint angle) is 0 °. On the other hand, since the displacement of the ball 30 in the circumferential direction is restricted by the side walls of the inner ball ball groove 16 and the outer ball ball groove 26, the axis of the outer race 12 (the shaft 11) and the inner race 22 (the shaft 21) are formed. Relative relative rotation is restricted. With such a joint structure, the shaft 11 and the shaft 21 are connected so as to be relatively tiltable while maintaining constant speed transmission of rotation.
[0029]
Next, the profile shapes of the inner spherical ball groove 16 and the outer spherical ball groove 26 in the constant velocity joint of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 shows a side sectional structure of the outer race 12, and FIG. 3 shows a side sectional structure of the inner race 22, respectively. Lines L5 and L6 indicated by two-dot chain lines in FIGS. 2 and 3 indicate the trajectories through which the centers of the balls 30 rolling on the respective inner ball ball grooves 16 and outer ball ball grooves 26 pass. In this embodiment, these lines L5 and L6 are the groove center lines of the inner ball ball groove 16 and the outer ball ball groove 26. Also, in the outer race 12, the end side (the left side in FIGS. 1 and 2) where the opening 13 is provided is referred to as a “tip” side, and the opposite end side (the right side in FIGS. 1 and 2). It is called the "base end" side. In the inner race 22, the left side in FIGS. 1 and 3 is referred to as a “proximal end” side, and the right side in FIGS. 1 and 3 is referred to as a “distal end” side.
[0030]
As shown in FIG. 2, each inner spherical ball groove 16 formed in the outer race 12 includes an inner spherical arc groove portion 16 b extending in an arc around the point O1 on the rotation axis L3 of the shaft 11, An inner sphere first straight groove portion 16a and an inner sphere second straight groove portion 16c connected to both ends of the inner sphere arc groove portion 16b and linearly extended are provided. The point O on the rotation axis L3 indicates the center of the constant velocity joint.
[0031]
Here, the center line L5 of the inner sphere groove of the inner sphere arc groove portion 16b has an arc shape from a plane A passing through the point O1 and perpendicular to the rotation axis L3 of the shaft 11 to a plane B inclined at an angle Φ1 in the clockwise direction. It is stretched. Incidentally, the point O1 which is the arc center of the inner spherical arc groove portion 16b is set at a position offset by a predetermined distance from the joint center O on the rotation axis L3 toward the tip end of the outer race 12, as described above. ing. As described above, this point O1 is actually set on the rotation axis L3 as a point corresponding to the connection position between the inner sphere first straight groove 16a and the inner sphere arc groove 16b. It is.
[0032]
Further, the inner sphere first straight groove portion 16a (first straight groove portion) is arranged such that the inner sphere groove center line L5 is parallel to the rotation axis L3 from the plane A to the further tip side of the outer race 12. Stretched. In the constant velocity joint having the inner ball first linear groove 16a, the limitation of the joint angle due to the interference between the inner diameter of the outer race 12 and the shaft 21 (FIG. 1) is eased, so that the expansion of the opening 13 of the outer race 12 is suppressed. At the same time, it is possible to widen the angle as a constant velocity joint.
[0033]
Further, the inner sphere second straight groove portion 16c (second straight groove portion) is further from the plane B to the base end side of the outer race 12, and the inner sphere groove center line L5 is set to the inner sphere of the inner sphere arc groove portion 16b. It extends so as to be tangential to the groove center line L5. Therefore, the connecting portion between the inner spherical arc groove portion 16b and the inner spherical second linear groove portion 16c is formed smoothly and continuously, and the ball 30 can be smoothly rolled in those grooves. . Therefore, the durability of the ball 30, the inner ball groove 16, and the like is maintained, and the occurrence of abnormal noise can be suppressed. Further, by forming the connecting portion in this manner, the outer race 12 can be manufactured at low cost by forging with an integral mold for molding.
[0034]
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, each outer ball groove 26 formed on the outer spherical surface 25 of the inner race 22 is formed corresponding to the profile shape of each inner ball ball groove 16 of the outer race 12. .
[0035]
In other words, each outer sphere ball groove 26 corresponding to the inner sphere arc groove portion 16b has an outer sphere extending in an arc around a point O2 offset by a predetermined distance from the joint center O toward the tip end of the inner race 22. An arc groove 26b is provided. The outer spherical arc groove portion 26b extends in an arc shape from a plane a perpendicular to the rotation axis L4 of the shaft 21 to a plane b inclined at an angle Φ2 in a counterclockwise direction.
[0036]
Each outer ball ball groove 26 corresponding to the inner ball first linear groove portion 16a, that is, the outer ball ball groove 26 extending from the tip end of the inner race 22 to the plane a is formed with the inner ball first linear groove portion 16a. Is formed as an outer sphere first linear groove 26a that is linearly extended in a shape corresponding to the shape of the outer sphere. Further, the outer spherical ball groove 26 extending from the plane b to the base end of the inner race 22 corresponds to the inner spherical second linear groove portion 16c, and its outer spherical groove center line L6 corresponds to the outer spherical arc groove portion. The outer ball second linear groove 26c extends tangentially to the outer ball groove center line L6 of 26b.
[0037]
By the way, in such a constant velocity joint, as described above, a portion having a small groove depth is usually formed on the base end side of the outer race as the joint angle is widened. In this regard, in the constant velocity joint of the present embodiment, the inner sphere ball groove 16 on the base end side of the outer race 12 is the inner sphere second straight groove portion 16c among the portions where the groove depth becomes smaller, A sufficient groove depth is ensured. The reason will be described below with reference to FIG.
[0038]
FIG. 4 shows a state of the base end side of the outer race 12 when the constant velocity joint is at the maximum joint angle θ. At this time, as shown in FIG. 4, the position of the ball 30 on the base end side of the outer race 12 is determined by a line in which the center P of the ball 30 passes through the joint center O and is perpendicular to the rotation axis L3 (FIG. The position is such that the ball rides on a straight line inclined by θ / 2 with respect to the inner dashed line (indicated by the middle broken line) and the ball 30 comes into contact with the inner ball ball groove 16. Then, at the position of the ball 30 at this time, the magnitude of the groove depth (D) with the conventional constant velocity joint can be compared. Incidentally, in the conventional constant velocity joint, the inner spherical ball groove 16 has an arc shape centered on a point O1 offset from the joint center O to the tip end side of the outer race 12 as shown by a dashed line in FIG. I was Therefore, the groove center line L7 of the inner ball ball groove 16 at the base end portion of the outer race 12 is also naturally extended in the direction away from the outer race 12 inward, and the inner ball ball groove when the maximum joint angle θ is taken. As shown by D1 in FIG. 4, the groove depth of the groove 16 is smaller than other parts.
[0039]
On the other hand, in the constant velocity joint of the present embodiment, since the inner ball ball groove 16 on the base end side of the outer race 12 is the inner ball second linear groove portion 16c, when the maximum joint angle θ is taken. However, the center line L5 of the inner spherical groove at this portion is located closer to the outer race 12 than the conventional constant velocity joint. The groove depth at this time is clearly larger than the above-mentioned conventional groove depth D1, as indicated by D2 in FIG. Therefore, even at the base end side of the outer race 12, the ball 30 can be supported by a sufficiently deep groove, so that the ball 30 can be suitably prevented from riding on the groove edge.
[0040]
Generally, in such a constant velocity joint, it is desirable to set the profile length of the ball groove as short as possible in order to maintain the durability performance. That is, when the joint itself rotates at the same rotation speed, the shorter the profile length of the ball groove is, the smaller the contact moving speed between the ball and the ball groove is, which is advantageous in durability.
[0041]
In this regard, even in the constant velocity joint of the present embodiment, the provision of the linear groove portions (the inner linear first linear groove portion 16a and the inner spherical second linear groove portion 16c) in the inner spherical ball groove 16 allows the same ball to be formed. As compared with the case where all the grooves are arc grooves, the amount of movement of the ball 30 in the inner ball ball groove 16 can be suppressed shorter. That is, it is advantageous in durability. However, the inner race second straight groove 16c on the base end side of the outer race 12 may be extended straight to the tip end side, as illustrated by a dashed line in FIG. It is not always advisable to extend the inner sphere first straight groove portion 16a straight to the base end side of the outer race 12, as exemplified by the chain line. This is because, in such a shape, the outer diameter of the outer race 12 is increased, or the length of the outer race 12 in the axial direction is increased, thereby increasing the size of the constant velocity joint itself. Also in this regard, in the constant velocity joint of the present embodiment, the increase in the physique is suitably suppressed by providing the inner spherical arc groove portion 16b between the inner spherical first straight groove portion 16a and the inner spherical second straight groove portion 16c. Have been.
[0042]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) In this embodiment, the inner sphere ball groove 16 of the portion located on the base end side of the outer race 12 is the inner sphere second linear groove portion 16c in which the inner sphere groove center line L5 extends linearly. Thereby, also at the base end side of the outer race 12, a groove depth capable of sufficiently supporting the ball 30 is ensured, and it is possible to appropriately suppress the ball 30 from climbing on the groove edge. Therefore, the durability as a constant velocity joint can be suitably maintained.
[0043]
(2) In this embodiment, the inner spherical first linear groove portion 16a and the inner spherical second linear groove portion 16c are arranged such that the inner spherical groove center line L5 is tangential to the inner spherical groove center line L5 of the inner spherical arc groove portion 16b. It is structured to be stretched. Therefore, the inner sphere first straight groove 16a, the inner sphere second straight groove 16c, and the inner sphere arc groove 16b are continuously and smoothly connected, and the ball 30 is smoothly connected in the inner sphere ball groove 16. Can be rolled. As a result, it is possible to further improve the durability, suppress the generation of abnormal noise, and the like.
[0044]
(3) In this embodiment, the center line L5 of the inner ball groove 16 extends parallel to the rotation axis L3 of the outer race 12 (the shaft 11). The inner sphere first straight groove 16a formed as described above. With such a configuration, the restriction on the joint angle due to the interference between the inner diameter of the outer race 12 and the shaft 21 can be eased without enlarging the opening 13 of the outer race 12. Therefore, an increase in the physique of the constant velocity joint due to the wide angle can be suitably suppressed.
[0045]
(4) For the durability performance as a constant velocity joint, it is desirable to set the profile length of the ball groove as short as possible. In this regard, in this embodiment, the use of the linear grooves (the inner sphere first linear groove 16a and the inner sphere second linear groove 16c) can sufficiently meet such a demand.
[0046]
It should be noted that the constant velocity joint according to the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, but may be realized by appropriately modifying the embodiment, for example, as follows.
[0047]
In the above embodiment, the inner sphere ball groove 16 of the portion located on the distal end side of the outer lace 12 is defined by the inner sphere first straight line whose inner sphere groove center line L5 extends in parallel to the rotation axis L3 of the outer lace 12. The groove 16a was formed. Instead, the center line L5 of the inner sphere groove is inclined in a direction away from the rotation axis L3 as long as the outer diameter and the physique of the outer race 12 are not changed. The structure may be stretched. In this case, the restriction on the joint angle due to the interference between the inner diameter of the outer race 12 and the shaft 21 can be further relaxed.
[0048]
Further, the portion located on the distal end side of the outer race 12 does not necessarily have to be such an inner sphere first linear groove portion 16a, and a portion corresponding to the inner sphere first linear groove portion 16a as long as a wide angle joint angle can be secured. Is arbitrary.
[0049]
In the above embodiment, the inner spherical groove center line L5 of the inner spherical second linear groove portion 16c extends in a tangential direction to the inner spherical groove center line L5 of the inner spherical arc groove portion 16b. However, if the inner sphere groove center line L5 is smoothly connected at the connecting portion between the inner sphere second straight groove portion 16c and the inner sphere circular arc groove portion 16b, the inner sphere of the inner sphere second straight groove portion 16c is formed. The groove center line L5 does not necessarily have to be connected in the tangential direction. Even in such a case, since the ball 30 can be smoothly rolled in the inner ball ball groove 16, the durability can be improved and the generation of abnormal noise can be suppressed.
[0050]
Other technical ideas that can be grasped from the above embodiments are described below.
(5) The constant velocity according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the groove center line of the first linear groove portion extends obliquely in a direction away from a rotation axis of the outer race toward a tip end side of the outer race. Joint.
[0051]
(B) The groove center line of the circular arc groove portion is extended along an arc centered on a point on the rotation axis of the outer race, according to any one of (1) to (5) and (A). Constant velocity joint.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a partial sectional structure of a side part of a constant velocity joint according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a sectional view partially showing a side sectional structure of an outer race.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view partially showing a side sectional structure of the inner race.
FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a relationship between an inner sphere ball groove of an outer race and a ball position.
FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a modification of the shape of the inner ball ball groove of the outer race.
FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a partial sectional structure of a side portion of a conventional constant velocity joint.
FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a relationship between a ball groove and a ball accompanying torque transmission.
[Explanation of symbols]
11 ... shaft, 12 ... outer race, 13 ... opening, 15 ... inner spherical surface, 16 ... inner spherical ball groove, 16a ... inner spherical first linear groove, 16b ... inner spherical arc groove, 16c ... inner spherical second linear groove, Reference numeral 21: shaft, 22: inner race, 23: through hole, 24: spline, 25: outer sphere, 26: outer sphere ball groove, 26a: outer sphere first straight groove, 26b: outer sphere arc groove, 26c: outer sphere Second linear groove portion, 30 ball, 31 cage, 32 ball holding window, 51 outer race, 52 inner spherical surface, 53 ball groove, 53a linear groove portion, 53b arc groove portion, 53e edge portion, 54 Shaft, 61: inner race, 62: outer spherical surface, 63: ball groove, 63a: linear groove, 63b: arc groove, 64: shaft, 70: ball, 71: cage.

Claims (5)

An outer race having a substantially spherical inner spherical surface formed with a plurality of ball grooves and having a front end opened, and an inner race having a substantially spherical outer spherical surface formed with a plurality of ball grooves respectively corresponding to the ball grooves of the outer race. In a constant velocity joint having a race and a plurality of balls interposed between corresponding ball grooves of the outer race and the inner race,
The ball groove of the outer race is formed in the middle of the outer race, and has an arc groove portion whose groove center line extends in an arc shape, and the groove center line is connected to the arc groove portion and the groove center line extends linearly toward the outer race base end side. A constant velocity joint comprising a straight groove portion. The constant velocity joint according to claim 1, wherein a groove center line of the straight groove portion extends in a tangential direction to a groove center line of the arc groove portion. An outer race having a substantially spherical inner spherical surface formed with a plurality of ball grooves and having a front end opened, and an inner race having a substantially spherical outer spherical surface formed with a plurality of ball grooves respectively corresponding to the ball grooves of the outer race. In a constant velocity joint having a race and a plurality of balls interposed between corresponding ball grooves of the outer race and the inner race,
The outer race ball groove is formed on the outer race tip side and has a groove center line extending linearly, and a groove center line is connected to the first linear groove portion in the middle of the outer race so that the groove center line is formed. An arcuate groove extending in an arc shape, and a second linear groove connected to the arcuate groove and extending linearly to the base end side of the outer race is formed. Constant velocity joints. 4. The constant velocity joint according to claim 3, wherein the groove center lines of the first and second straight groove portions are both extended in a tangential direction to a groove center line of the arc groove portion. The constant velocity joint according to claim 3, wherein a groove center line of the first straight groove portion extends in parallel with a rotation axis of the outer race.

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