JP2007032645A - Sliding type constant velocity universal joint - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sliding type constant velocity universal joint of DOJ type capable of simply mounting and dismounting a stop ring for preventing a ball from jumping out. <P>SOLUTION: This sliding type constant velocity universal joint of DOJ type is constituted by forming a clearance allowing a tool T for removing the stop ring 43 to be inserted into an annular channel part 42 by widening width (a width widened part 42a) of the annular channel part 42 onto an opening side in at least one section between linear guide channels 35 of an outer side joint member 31. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a propeller shaft (propulsion shaft) that transmits a rotational driving force from a transmission to a differential, and a rotational driving force from a differential to a wheel in a 4WD (four-wheel drive) vehicle or an FR (front engine rear wheel drive) vehicle. The present invention relates to a sliding constant velocity universal joint used for a transmission drive shaft, and more specifically, a slide attached to an inner peripheral surface of an outer joint member in order to disassemble the joint and make it easy to take out internal parts. The circlip for over-regulation can be easily removed.

In 4WD vehicles and FR vehicles, a propeller shaft is used for power transmission between a transmission (transmission) and a reduction gear device (differential). For example, in an FR-based 4WD vehicle, the power of the engine 1 is transmitted to the rear propeller shaft 4 and the front propeller shaft 5 via the transmission 2 and the power distribution device 3 as shown in FIG. It is transmitted to the rear wheel 8 and the front wheel 9 via the front differential 7. The propeller shafts 4 and 5 have constant velocity universal joints and slip joints, and absorb changes in length and angle due to changes in relative positions between the transmission 2 and the differentials 6 and 7. As the propeller shafts 4 and 5, a 2-joint type, a 3-joint type, or a 4-joint type is used depending on the structure and required characteristics of the vehicle. Some of the propeller shafts 4 and 5 adopt a structure that absorbs axial displacement between the transmission 2 and the differentials 6 and 7 when an excessive axial load due to an axial impact at the time of collision is applied. In such a propeller shaft, a double offset type sliding constant velocity universal joint (double offset joint; hereinafter referred to as “DOJ”) is used as a constant velocity universal joint (see Patent Documents 1 and 2).

Further, as shown in FIG. 3B, the intermediate shaft 11 of the drive shaft 10 disposed between the engine side and the drive wheel side is connected at one end thereof via a sliding constant velocity universal joint 12. Connected to differential 13. The other end of the intermediate shaft 11 is connected to a drive wheel 16 via a fixed type constant velocity universal joint 14 and a wheel bearing 15. Again, DOJ is used as the sliding constant velocity universal joint 12. In FIG. 3B, reference numerals 17 and 18 denote boots.

Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B of the present invention, the DOJ will be described. The DOJ is incorporated between the outer joint member 31, the inner joint member 32, and the outer joint member 31 and the inner joint member 32. The main components are a plurality of balls 33 and a cage 34 that is interposed between the outer joint member 31 and the inner joint member 32 and supports the balls 33. The outer joint member 31 has a cylindrical hole 36 in which a plurality of linear guide grooves 35 parallel to the axis thereof are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. The inner joint member 32 corresponds to the guide groove 35 of the outer joint member 31, and a plurality of linear guide grooves 37 parallel to the axis are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, and the outer peripheral surface is partially spherical. 38. The ends of the propeller shaft and the drive shaft are press-fitted into the inner diameter serration 32 a of the inner joint member 32.

The ball 33 is arranged on a ball track in which the guide groove 35 of the outer joint member 31 and the guide groove 37 of the inner joint member 32 form a pair to transmit torque. The cage 34 has a pocket 39 for accommodating the ball 33. The outer peripheral surface 38 of the inner joint member 32 and the inner peripheral surface 40 of the cage 34 are each composed of a partial spherical surface. The center of curvature O ₁ of this partial spherical surface is offset by a distance f 1 in the axial direction with respect to the joint center plane P including the center B of the ball 33. Further, the outer peripheral surface 41 of the cage 34 is also constituted by a partial spherical surface. The center of curvature O ₂ of the partial spherical surface is offset from the joint center plane P by a distance f2 in the axial direction. The offset amounts f1 and f2 are symmetrical with respect to the ball center B. Thereby, when an operating angle is given between the outer joint member 31 and the inner joint member 32, the cage 33 controls the ball 33 on the bisection surface of the operating angle to maintain the constant velocity of the joint. The Further, even in the state where there is an angular displacement between the outer joint member 31 and the inner joint member 32, the inner joint member 32 is smoothly displaced in the axial direction.

JP-A-11-227478 Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 4-117926

Since the sliding type constant velocity universal joint can be displaced not only in the angular direction but also in the axial direction, the maximum axial displacement of the joint is restricted by a circlip. That is, a step 45 located at the middle of the outer diameter φD3 of the circlip 43 and the inner diameter φD1 of the outer joint member 31 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the opening side of the outer joint member 31 with an inner diameter φD2. The groove portion 42 is formed. The magnitude relationship among φD1, φD2, and φD3 is φD1 <φD2 <φD3. A circlip 43 is attached to the groove portion 42, and the slide-over in which the ball 33 jumps out from the guide groove 35 of the outer joint member 31 due to the interference between the circlip 43 and the ball 33 is restricted. The circlip 43 is an elastic split ring. When the circlip 43 is slightly reduced in the radial direction and attached to the groove 42, the circlip 43 is fitted into the groove 42 with a self-restoring force. The open ends 43a and 43b of the circlip 43 are positioned in a range hidden between the guide grooves 35 between the guide grooves 35 of the outer joint member 31 as shown in FIG. This is because if the ball 33 interferes with the open end 43a or 43b of the circlip 43 when the joint slides out, the circlip 43 will be deformed if it worsens, and the retaining force will be reduced. This is because the maximum operating angle may not be secured.

By the way, although the DOJ is used for the propeller shaft and the drive shaft as described above, particularly in the case of the propeller shaft, the DOJ sub-assembly portion and the total assembly including the tube welded to the outer joint member 31 The manufacturer may be different. When the manufacturer is different, the DOJ sub-assembly part is once disassembled in the total assembly assembly manufacturer as follows.

  In other words, the sub-assembly manufacturer assembles the DOJ sub-assembly portion by optimizing the various clearances and the like by appropriately matching each component. Thereafter, the circlip 43 is assembled in the sub assembly portion so that internal parts such as the inner joint member 32 and the ball 33 are not scattered, and then shipped to a total assembly assembly manufacturer. The total assembly manufacturer removes the circlip 43 and takes out the inner joint member 32 inside the joint in the cassette state with the balls 33 and the cage 34, and fits the stub shaft into the inner diameter serration 32a of the inner joint member 32. After that, it is assembled in the outer joint member 31 again. The circlip 43 functions as a slide-over regulating member after being mounted on the vehicle.

  If the stub shaft is fitted to the inner joint member 32 in the sub-assy state as it is, an excessive load may be applied to the cage 34 and the cage 34 may be damaged. This is because a press-fit design is adopted between the inner joint member 32 and the stub shaft in order to restrict circumferential play. Further, if the tube is welded and joined to the outer joint member 31 in the sub-assy state as it is, there is a possibility that the mounting accuracy of the tube will deteriorate due to the internal parts of the joint, or that the internal parts of the joint may be adversely affected by heat during joining. is there. For the reasons described above, the total assembly assembly manufacturer once disassembles the DOJ sub-assembly unit supplied from the sub-assembly manufacturer.

The circlip 43 is entirely embedded in the groove 42. In such a state, it is difficult to cause the circlip 43 to be engaged with the open end with a general jig, and it is difficult to remove the circlip 43 from the groove 42. For this reason, a special dedicated jig is conventionally used to remove the circlip 43, but it is not always easy to handle this special jig, and it takes a lot of time to remove it. is there.

  The present invention solves the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a DOJ-type sliding constant velocity universal joint that can easily attach and detach a circlip.

  The invention according to claim 1 is an outer joint member in which a plurality of linear guide grooves are formed in an axial direction on a cylindrical inner peripheral surface, and a plurality of linear guide grooves in an axial direction on a spherical outer peripheral surface. A plurality of balls disposed on a ball track formed by a pair of the formed inner joint member, a guide groove of the outer joint member and a guide groove of the inner joint member, a pocket for accommodating the ball, and an inner peripheral surface of the outer joint member A convex spherical outer peripheral surface guided in contact with the inner surface, and a concave spherical inner peripheral surface guided in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the inner joint member, and the spherical center of the outer peripheral surface and the spherical center of the inner peripheral surface And a cage offset on the opposite side in the axial direction with respect to the joint center, and a circlip for preventing the ball from jumping into the annular groove formed on the inner peripheral surface on the opening side of the outer joint member. A sliding constant velocity universal joint, wherein the annular groove is Characterized in that the formation of the insertable gap a jig for removing the circlip in said annular groove by widening the opening side at least one point between the linear guide groove mutual side joint member.

  Thus, by inserting a sharp jig such as a driver into the gap of the annular groove from the opening side of the outer joint member, the circlip can be easily pulled inward in the radial direction, and can be easily detached. be able to.

  As described above, in the DOJ type sliding type constant velocity universal joint, the groove portion in which the circlip is fitted in at least one place between the linear guide grooves of the outer joint member is widened to the opening side. By inserting a sharp jig such as a driver into the gap of the annular groove from the opening side of the outer joint member, the circlip can be easily raised inward in the radial direction and can be easily detached. The workability in the total assembly of the propeller shaft and the drive shaft can be improved.

  Below, the sliding type constant velocity universal joint which concerns on embodiment of this invention is demonstrated based on FIG. 1 and FIG. As shown in FIGS. 2 (A) and 2 (B), the DOJ type sliding constant velocity universal joint of the present invention has a circlip 43 at least at one location between the linear guide grooves 35 of the outer joint member 31. The fitted annular groove 42 is widened to the opening side (widened portion 42a). The width of the widened portion 42 a is the same as the depth of the groove 42 or the bottom of the linear guide groove 35, and the widened portion 42 a smoothly continues to the bottom of the adjacent linear guide groove 35. In FIG. 2B, the region of the groove 42 is hatched for easy viewing. The width of the widened portion 42a may be such that a gap into which the jig T for removing the circlip 43 can be inserted is formed. Moreover, the location to be widened is not necessarily limited to one location, and the widening may be performed between the plurality of linear guide grooves 35 of the outer joint member 31 as necessary. In order to easily understand the position of the widened portion 42a, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 2B, the opening side end surface of the outer joint member 31 is located at a position corresponding to the widened portion 42a. Marking M by marking or paint application may be performed.

  As described above, the sliding type constant velocity universal joint of the present invention widens the annular groove 42 between the linear guide grooves 35 of the outer joint member 31 to the opening side. For example, by inserting a sharp jig T such as a driver, the circlip 43 can be easily raised inward in the radial direction, and can be easily detached.

Here, it is desirable that the open end 43 a or 43 b of the circlip 43 is positioned between the guide grooves 35 of the outer joint member 31 and in a range hidden from the guide grooves 35. This is because if the ball 33 interferes with the open end 43a or 43b of the circlip 43 when the joint slides out, the circlip 43 will be deformed if it worsens, and the retaining force will be reduced. This is because the maximum operating angle may not be secured. Further, the opening end 43a or 43b of the circlip 43 is arranged as close as possible to the widened portion 42a (position of the marking M) of the annular groove portion 42 as shown in FIG. Becomes smoother.

  The other structure of the sliding constant velocity universal joint is the same as the conventional one. That is, the DOJ is formed between the outer joint member 31, the inner joint member 32, the plurality of balls 33 incorporated between the outer joint member 31 and the inner joint member 32, and the outer joint member 31 and the inner joint member 32. The cage 34 which supports the ball 33 by interposing it is a main component.

  The outer joint member 31 has a cup shape, and a plurality of linear guide grooves 35 parallel to the axis are formed in the inner cylindrical hole 36 at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. On the side opposite to the open end of the outer joint member 31, a tube is welded in the case of a propeller shaft, and a differential is joined with a bolt or the like in the case of a drive shaft. The inner joint member 32 has a cylindrical shape as a whole, and its outer peripheral surface 38 is a partial spherical surface. A plurality of linear guide grooves 37 corresponding to the guide grooves 35 of the outer joint member 31 and parallel to the axis are formed on the outer peripheral surface 38 at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. An inner diameter serration 32a is formed at the center of the inner joint member 32, and an end of a propeller shaft or drive shaft is press-fitted into the inner diameter serration 32a.

The balls 33 are arranged on a ball track formed by the guide groove 35 of the outer joint member 31 and the guide groove 37 of the inner joint member 32 forming a pair to transmit torque. The cage 34 has a pocket 39 for accommodating the ball 33. The outer peripheral surface 38 of the inner joint member 32 or the inner peripheral surface 40 of the cage 34 is constituted by partial spherical surfaces that are slidably fitted to each other. The center of curvature O ₁ of this partial spherical surface is offset by a distance f 1 in the axial direction with respect to the joint center plane P including the center B of the ball 33. Further, the outer peripheral surface 41 of the cage 34 is constituted by a partial spherical surface that is in sliding contact with the cylindrical hole 36 of the outer joint member 31. The center of curvature O ₂ of the partial spherical surface is offset from the joint center plane P by a distance f2 in the axial direction. The offset amounts f1 and f2 are symmetrical with respect to the ball center B. Thereby, when an operating angle is given between the outer joint member 31 and the inner joint member 32, the cage 33 controls the ball 33 on the bisector of the operating angle to maintain the constant velocity of the joint. The

The embodiment of the present invention has been described above, but the present invention can be applied not only to a propeller shaft but also to a sliding type constant velocity universal joint for a drive shaft. It can also be used when parts are supplied individually to a total assembly manufacturer, etc., and assembled to a total assembly at the supplier.

(A) is an end view of the sliding type constant velocity universal joint according to the embodiment of the present invention, and (B) is a longitudinal sectional view taken along line BB in (A). (A) is an expanded sectional view of the C part of FIG. (A) is a schematic plan view of the power transmission system of 4WD vehicle, (B) is sectional drawing of the power transmission mechanism with respect to a wheel. (A) (B) is a figure similar to FIG. 2 (A) (B) in the conventional sliding type constant velocity universal joint.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Engine 2 Transmission 3 Power distribution device 4 Rear propeller shaft 5 Front propeller shaft 6 Rear differential 7 Front differential 8 Rear wheel 9 Front wheel 10 Drive shaft 11 Intermediate shaft 12 Sliding constant velocity universal joint 13 Differential 14 Fixed type constant velocity universal joint DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 15 Wheel bearing 16 Drive wheel 17, 18 Boot 31 Outer joint member 32 Inner joint member 32a Inner diameter serration 33 Ball 34 Cage 35 Linear guide groove 36 Cylindrical hole 37 Linear guide groove 38 Outer surface of inner joint member 39 Pocket 40 Cage the inner peripheral surface 41 the cage of the outer peripheral surface 42 an annular groove 42a groove widening 43 circlip 43a, 43b Sir open end 45 stages of the clip B ball center P joint central plane O ₁ cage circumference, the inner joint of The center of curvature of the center of curvature O ₂ cage outer peripheral surface of Zaigaishu surface

Claims (1)

  An outer joint member in which a plurality of linear guide grooves are formed in the axial direction on the cylindrical inner peripheral surface, an inner joint member in which a plurality of linear guide grooves are formed in the axial direction on the spherical outer peripheral surface, and the outer side A plurality of balls arranged on a ball track formed by a pair of guide grooves of the joint member and guide grooves of the inner joint member, a pocket for accommodating the balls, and a convex spherical shape that is contact-guided to the inner peripheral surface of the outer joint member And the concave spherical inner peripheral surface that is guided by contact with the outer peripheral surface of the inner joint member, and the spherical center of the outer peripheral surface and the spherical center of the inner peripheral surface are relative to the joint center. A sliding-type constant-velocity comprising a cage offset on the opposite side in the axial direction, and a circular clip formed on the inner peripheral surface of the opening side of the outer joint member, and a circlip that prevents the ball from jumping out A universal joint, wherein the annular groove portion is a straight line plan of the outer joint member. Sliding type constant velocity universal joint, characterized in that the formation of the insertable gap a jig for removing the circlip in said annular groove by widening the opening side at least one point between the groove cross.

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