JP2008249072A - Fixed type constant velocity universal joint - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fixed type constant velocity universal joint with a cage having improved strength and durability. <P>SOLUTION: In the fixed type constant velocity universal joint, an inclined face 2e or a stepped portion is formed on an outer spherical face 2a between guide grooves 2b of an inside joint member 2. A peripheral width size W2 of one columnar portion 10 between pockets 5 of the cage 4 is greater than a peripheral width size W1 of the other columnar portion 10. The outer spherical face 2a on which the inclined face 2e or the stepped face of the inside joint member 2 is formed is arranged corresponding to the columnar portion 10 having a greater peripheral width size. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a fixed type constant velocity universal joint used in automobiles and various industrial machines.

  In automobiles and similar vehicles, rotational power can be transmitted at a constant speed even when there is angular displacement or axial displacement between the two axes in the power transmission path that transmits the driving force from the engine to the wheels. Possible constant velocity universal joints are arranged. The constant velocity universal joint includes a fixed constant velocity universal joint that does not perform plunging motion (axial displacement) and a sliding constant velocity universal joint that performs plunging motion.

  As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the fixed type constant velocity universal joint includes a plurality of guide grooves 1b extending in the axial direction on a concave spherical inner peripheral surface 1a (hereinafter referred to as an inner spherical surface). The outer ring 1 formed at equal intervals, the inner ring 2 formed with a plurality of guide grooves 2b extending in the axial direction on the convex spherical outer spherical surface 2a (hereinafter referred to as outer spherical surface), and the inner and outer rings A plurality of balls 3 disposed between the guide grooves 1b and 2b, and an inner spherical surface 1a of the outer ring 1 and an outer spherical surface 2a of the inner ring 2, and a plurality of pockets 5 for accommodating the balls 3 are penetrated in the circumferential direction. The cage 4 provided is a main component.

  In order to assemble the inner ring into the cage, as shown in FIG. 9, the guide groove 2 b of the inner ring 2 is stretched over the inlet portion 4 a of the cage 4. The projecting portion 2c between the guide grooves 2b of the inner ring 2 is inserted into the pocket 5 of the cage 4 while being rotated in the direction of the arrow A around the straddled guide groove 2b, and the inner ring 2 is moved into the cage 4 Put in. Then, the inner ring 2 is rotated 90 ° in the cage 4 to be spherically engaged and assembled.

By the way, in order to make it possible to increase the maximum value of the operating angle formed by the axis of the outer ring and the axis of the inner ring, the dimension of the inner ring in the axial direction may be increased and the guide groove of the inner ring may be formed longer. If the axial dimension of the convex part becomes larger than the pocket of the cage as the axial dimension of the inner ring is increased, the convex part cannot be inserted into the pocket during assembly. In order to solve this problem, as shown in FIG. 10, there is one in which the tip (outer spherical surface 2a) of the convex portion 2c of the inner ring 2 is cut out to form an inclined surface 2e or a stepped surface (for example, Patent Documents). 1 or Patent Document 2). By providing the inclined surface 2 e, the convex portion 2 c can be inserted into the pocket 5 while avoiding interference with the column portion 10 adjacent to the pocket 5.
DE 195 14 868 C1 Japanese Patent No. 3678026

  However, in the joint of Patent Document 1, when a high torque is applied in a state where the joint has a large operating angle, the inclined portion formed on the outer spherical surface of the inner ring may bite into the inner surface of the pillar portion of the cage. . This inner ring biting phenomenon may cause an excessive load on the cage.

  Therefore, in view of such a situation, the present invention intends to provide a fixed type constant velocity with improved strength and durability of the cage.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, an outer joint member in which a plurality of guide grooves extending in the axial direction on the inner spherical surface are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, and a plurality of guide grooves extending in the axial direction on the outer spherical surface at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. An inner joint member formed, a plurality of balls arranged between the guide grooves of the two joint members, an inner spherical surface of the outer joint member and an outer spherical surface of the inner joint member, and the balls A fixed type constant velocity universal joint including a cage in which a plurality of pockets to be accommodated are provided at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction, and an inclined surface is formed on one of outer spherical surfaces between guide grooves of the inner joint member. Alternatively, in the fixed type constant velocity universal joint formed with a stepped surface, one circumferential width dimension of the pillar portion between the pockets of the cage is formed larger than the circumferential width dimension of the other pillar portions, An inclined surface or an inner joint member is formed on a column having a large circumferential width. The outer spherical surface formed with stepped surfaces are those placed in correspondence.

  Thereby, the intensity | strength of one pillar part of a holder | retainer can be improved. Since the outer spherical surface on which the inclined surface or step surface of the inner joint member is formed corresponding to the column portion whose strength has been improved, the inclined portion or the step portion is provided when the inner ring takes a high operating angle. Even if the outer spherical surface digs into the column portion, the column portion can sufficiently withstand the excessive load caused by the column.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the fixed type constant velocity universal joint according to the first aspect, the circumferential width dimension of one pocket of the cage is smaller than the circumferential width dimension of the other pockets, The circumferential width dimension of the column part adjacent to one side of the one pocket is formed larger than the circumferential width dimension of the other column parts, and the inclined surface of the inner joint member is formed on the column part having the large circumferential width dimension. Or it arrange | positions corresponding the outer spherical surface which formed the level | step difference surface.

  The column with a large circumferential width has a strength that can sufficiently withstand an excessive load caused by an outer spherical surface having an inclined portion or a stepped portion strongly biting into the column when the inner ring takes a high operating angle. . Further, when the balls are sequentially incorporated into the pockets of the cage, the balls are finally incorporated into a pocket having a small circumferential width dimension.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the fixed type constant velocity universal joint according to the first aspect, the circumferential width dimension of one pocket of the cage is smaller than the circumferential width dimension of the other pockets, The circumferential width dimension of the column part adjacent to both sides of the one pocket is formed to be larger than the circumferential width dimension of the other column parts, and the inner joint is connected to one of the column parts having the larger circumferential width dimension. The outer spherical surface on which the inclined surface or step surface of the member is formed is arranged correspondingly.

  Similarly to claim 2, the invention of claim 3 can be a cage that can withstand an excessive load from the inner ring at a high operating angle. Further, when the balls are sequentially incorporated into the pockets of the cage, the balls are finally incorporated into the pockets having a small circumferential width.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the fixed type constant velocity universal joint according to the third aspect, an inclined surface or a step surface is formed on two adjacent outer spherical surfaces of the inner joint member, and the inclined surface or the step surface is formed. The two formed outer spherical surfaces are arranged so as to correspond to the two column portions each having a large circumferential width.

  Since the two outer spherical surfaces forming the inclined surface or step surface of the inner joint member are arranged corresponding to the pillar portions having improved strength, the inclined portion or the step portion when the inner ring takes a high operating angle. Even if the outer spherical surface having a strong bite into the pillar portion, the pillar portion can sufficiently withstand an excessive load caused by the pillar portion.

  A fifth aspect of the present invention is the fixed type constant velocity universal joint according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the number of balls is 5 to 8.

  The present invention can be applied to any of the fixed type constant velocity universal joints using 5 to 8 balls.

  According to the fixed type constant velocity universal joint of the present invention, the strength of one or two column portions can be improved. Since the outer spherical surface forming the inclined surface or stepped surface of the inner joint member is arranged in correspondence with the column portion with improved strength, the inclined portion or stepped portion is formed at the high operating angle and high torque load of the joint. Even if the outer spherical surface has a strong bite into the column portion and an excessive load is applied, it can sufficiently withstand. Thereby, it is possible to maintain a smooth rotational motion of the joint.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the fixed type constant velocity universal joint according to the present invention will be described. Although FIG. 8 shows a general fixed type constant velocity universal joint, it is used for convenience to explain the basic configuration of the fixed type constant velocity universal joint of the present invention.

  As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the fixed type constant velocity universal joint of the present invention includes an outer ring 1 as an outer joint member, an inner ring 2 as an inner joint member, and a plurality of balls as torque transmission members. 3 and the retainer 4 are main components. This joint does not perform plunging motion, and the joint center O is fixed regardless of the operating angle.

  The outer ring 1 includes a mouse portion 6 and a stem portion 7. The stem portion 7 is coupled to a rotating shaft (not shown) so that torque can be transmitted. The mouse portion 6 has a bell shape with one end opened, and a plurality of guide grooves 1b extending in the axial direction are formed on the inner spherical surface 1a at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. The guide groove 1 b extends to the opening end of the mouse portion 6.

  The inner ring 2 has an outer spherical surface 2a, and a plurality of guide grooves 2b extending in the axial direction are formed in the outer spherical surface 2a at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. Further, the inner ring 2 is formed with a spline (or serration) hole 2d for coupling with the shaft 8 so that torque can be transmitted.

  The guide groove 1b of the outer ring 1 and the guide groove 2b of the inner ring 2 form a pair, and one ball 3 is incorporated so as to be able to roll one by one on a track constituted by each pair of guide grooves 1b, 2b. The ball 3 is interposed between the guide groove 1b of the outer ring 1 and the guide groove 2b of the inner ring 2, and transmits torque.

  The cage 4 includes a pair of annular portions 9 and 9 and a plurality of column portions 10 disposed between the annular portions 9 and 9 at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction. Each ball 3 is accommodated in a pocket 5 formed between the pillar portions 10. In this case, the number of balls 3, the number of guide grooves 1b and 2b of the inner and outer rings 1 and 2, and the number of pockets 5 are six. Although the number of these balls 3 etc. is arbitrary, if an example is given, it will be 5-8 pieces. The cage 4 is slidably interposed between the outer ring 1 and the inner ring 2, contacts the inner spherical surface 1 a of the outer ring 1 at the outer spherical surface 4 b of the cage 4, and is formed by the inner spherical surface 4 c of the cage 4. It contacts the outer spherical surface 2a of the inner ring 2.

  Hereinafter, a specific configuration of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a front view of the inner ring 2 and the cage 4 as viewed from the axial direction, and the outer ring 1 and the ball 3 are not shown. In FIG. 1, the circumferential width dimensions of the pockets 5 of the cage 4 are all formed to the same dimension L1 except for one. Only one pocket 5 is formed to have a circumferential width dimension L2 smaller than the circumferential width dimension L1 of the other pockets 5.

  In the conventional cage, as shown in FIG. 2 of the development of the cage, the circumferential width of all the pockets 5 is formed to the same dimension L1, and further, the interval between the pockets 5, in other words, the column portion 10 is formed. The circumferential width dimension is also set to the same dimension W1. On the other hand, in the cage of the present invention, the pair of left and right side edges 11, 11 of one pocket 5a is narrowed by the same dimension δ, and the circumferential width dimension is reduced from L1 to L2. Since the pair of left and right side edges 11 and 11 are narrowed by the same dimension δ, the circumferential width dimension of the column portions 10a and 10a on both sides of the pocket 5a increases from W1 to W2. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the circumferential width W2 of the column portions 10a, 10a on both sides of the pocket 5a having a small width L2 is larger than the circumferential width W1 of the other columns 10. It is formed.

  Further, the inner ring 2 shown in FIG. 1 has an inclined portion 2e (or a step portion) formed on one of the outer spherical surfaces 2a between the guide grooves 2b. The inclined portion 2e is formed by cutting out one end of the outer spherical surface 2a in the axial direction. When the inner ring 2 is assembled into the retainer 4, the convex portion 2c of the inner ring 2 is the side edge of the pocket 5 of the retainer 4 ( It is provided in order to avoid interference with the column 10) (see FIG. 10). The inclined portion 2e may be formed in a convex curved surface shape or a concave curved surface shape in addition to the tapered shape. Or you may form a level | step difference surface instead of the inclination part 2e.

  And the outer spherical surface 2a in which the inclined surface 2e was formed is arrange | positioned so as to correspond to the pillar part 10a of the large width dimension W2. For example, the outer spherical surface 2a on which the inclined surface 2e is formed is disposed so as to correspond to the left column portion 10a of the pair of column portions 10a and 10a having the width W2, as shown in FIG. Or you may arrange | position corresponding to the right pillar part 10a as shown in FIG.

  In addition, when two adjacent outer spherical surfaces 2a and 2a of the inner ring 2 are provided with inclined surfaces 2e or stepped surfaces, respectively, the two outer spherical surfaces 2a and 2a are respectively formed into pillar portions 10a and 10a having a large width dimension W2. It arrange | positions so that it may correspond to 10a.

  Further, of the left and right side edges 11, 11 of the pocket 5a, only one side edge 11 may be narrowed to the inside, and only the circumferential width dimension of the columnar part 11a on one side may be increased to W2. And the outer spherical surface 2a which formed the inclined surface 2e is arrange | positioned corresponding to the pillar part 11a which enlarged the width dimension.

  Further, if the cage 4, the inner ring 2, the outer ring 1, and the ball 3 are set to dimensions that can be assembled, the circumferential width dimension of the two adjacent pockets 5, 5 of the cage 4 can be set to other dimensions. The circumferential width dimension of the column portion 10 between the two pockets 5 and 5 may be made larger than the other column portions 10 by making it smaller than the circumferential width size of the pocket 5. And the outer spherical surface 2a which formed the inclined surface 2e in correspondence with the pillar part 10 with the large circumferential direction width dimension is arrange | positioned correspondingly.

Hereinafter, a method for assembling the fixed type constant velocity universal joint of the present invention will be described.
First, a method for assembling the cage and the inner ring will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. The inner ring 2 is arranged so that the axis of the inner ring 2 forms 90 ° with respect to the axis of the cage 4. In this state, the guide groove 2 b of the inner ring 2 is straddled over the inlet portion 4 a of the cage 4. The projecting portion 2c between the guide grooves 2b of the inner ring 2 is inserted into the pocket 5 of the cage 4 while being rotated in the direction of the arrow A around the straddled guide groove 2b, and the inner ring 2 is moved into the cage 4 Put in. As the pocket 5 into which the convex portion 2c of the inner ring 2 is inserted, it is better to select the pocket 5 having a large circumferential width dimension L1 (see FIG. 1). Then, the inner ring 2 is rotated by 90 ° in the cage 4, and the outer spherical surface 2a on which the inclined surface 2e of the inner ring 2 is formed is disposed so as to correspond to either one of the column portions 10a having the large width dimension W2.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 4, the retainer 4 incorporating the inner ring 2 and the outer ring 1 are inclined relative to each other by 90 °, and after inserting the retainer 4 into the outer ring 1, the axis of the outer ring 1 and the inner ring 2. The retainer 4 is rotated by 90 ° with respect to the outer ring 1 so as to match.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 5, the cage 4 and the inner ring 2 are inclined with respect to the outer ring 1, and one of the pockets 5 of the cage 4 is exposed to the outside from the opening end of the outer ring 1. The first ball 3 is assembled in the pocket 5 exposed from the opening end of the outer ring 1, and then the pocket 5 not incorporating the ball 3 is sequentially exposed to incorporate the ball 3. The inclination angle α of the inner ring 2 with respect to the outer ring 1 when the ball is assembled is larger than the maximum operating angle β of the joint after the ball is assembled.

  The ball 3 is incorporated into the pocket 5 having the large circumferential width L1 first, and finally into the pocket 5 having the small circumferential width L2.

  Here, when all the balls 3 are assembled in the pockets 5 of the cage 4 and then the cage 4 and the inner ring 2 are inclined with respect to the outer ring 1, the balls 3 incorporated in each pocket 5 are shown in FIG. Thus, the inner ring 2 moves along the guide groove 2b. Then, as shown in FIG. 7 as viewed in the direction of arrow X in FIG. 6, the balls 3 in the pockets 5 at the positions of B2, B3, B5, and B6 move in the respective pockets 5 in the circumferential direction. As described above, in the fixed type constant velocity universal joint, when the torque is transmitted between the outer ring 1 and the inner ring 2 at an operating angle, the ball 3 moves in the pocket 5 in the circumferential direction. Therefore, it is necessary to set the circumferential width dimension of the pocket 5 on the basis of the movement amount of the ball 3 in the circumferential direction so that the ball 3 does not interfere with the pocket 5.

  The amount of movement of the ball 3 in the circumferential direction is proportional to the inclination angle (operating angle) of the inner ring 2 with respect to the outer ring 1. Since this inclination angle becomes the maximum inclination angle α when the ball is incorporated (see FIG. 5), the movement amount of the ball 3 in the circumferential direction is also maximum.

  In FIG. 7, in the pockets 5 at positions B2 to B6, the ball 3 may move in the circumferential direction when the ball is assembled. Accordingly, the pocket 5 at the positions B2 to B6 has the circumferential width dimension of the pocket 5 based on the circumferential movement amount of the ball 3 when the inclination angle of the inner ring 2 reaches the maximum α (see FIG. 5). Set.

  On the other hand, since the pocket 5 at the position B1 is finally assembled with the ball 3, it is not necessary to consider the circumferential movement amount of the ball 3 at the time of assembly when setting the circumferential width dimension thereof. Therefore, the circumferential width dimension of the pocket 5 at the position of B1 is the amount of movement of the ball 3 in the circumferential direction when the inclination angle β (maximum operating angle during torque transmission) is smaller than the maximum inclination angle α when assembled. What is necessary is just to set to a reference | standard. Thereby, the circumferential width dimension of the pocket 5 into which the ball 3 is finally incorporated can be set to a dimension L2 smaller than the circumferential width dimension L1 of the other pockets 5 at the positions B2 to B6. As described above, the present invention can reduce the width dimension of one pocket 5 among the plurality of pockets 5 and increase the width dimension of the column portions 10 and 10 on both sides thereof.

  As mentioned above, although one Embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, Of course, a various change can be added in the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention.

It is sectional drawing which shows the assembly | attachment state of the holder | retainer and inner ring | wheel of a fixed type constant velocity universal joint which concern on this invention. It is an expanded view of the said holder | retainer. It is sectional drawing which shows another assembly | attachment state of the said holder | retainer and an inner ring | wheel. It is sectional drawing which shows a mode that the said holder | retainer and an inner ring | wheel are assembled | attached to an outer ring | wheel. It is sectional drawing which shows a mode that a ball | bowl is integrated in the pocket of the said holder | retainer. It is a partially broken side view which shows the state which assembled | attached the said holder | retainer, the inner ring | wheel, the outer ring | wheel, and the ball | bowl. FIG. 7 is a view taken in the direction of arrow X in FIG. 6. (A) is sectional drawing which cut | disconnected the general fixed type constant velocity universal joint in the direction parallel to the axis, (B) is sectional drawing which cut | disconnected the said fixed type constant velocity universal joint in the direction orthogonal to the axis. It is sectional drawing which shows a mode that the retainer and inner ring | wheel of the conventional fixed type constant velocity universal joint are assembled | attached. It is sectional drawing which shows a mode that the retainer and inner ring | wheel of the conventional fixed type constant velocity universal joint are assembled | attached.

Explanation of symbols

1 outer ring 1a inner spherical surface 1b guide groove 2 inner ring 2a outer spherical surface 2b guide groove 2c convex portion 2d spline hole 2e inclined surface 3 ball 4 cage 4a inlet portion 4b outer spherical surface 4c inner spherical surface 5 pocket 10 column portion 11 side edge L1 circumferential direction Width dimension L2 Circumferential width dimension W1 Circumferential width dimension W2 Circumferential width dimension

Claims (5)

An outer joint member in which a plurality of guide grooves extending in the axial direction on the inner spherical surface are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction; an inner joint member in which a plurality of guide grooves extending in the axial direction on the outer spherical surface are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction; A plurality of balls disposed between the guide grooves of the two joint members, and a plurality of pockets disposed between the inner spherical surface of the outer joint member and the outer spherical surface of the inner joint member and surrounding the balls. A fixed type constant velocity universal joint provided with a cage penetrating at predetermined intervals in the direction, wherein an inclined surface or a step surface is formed on one of the outer spherical surfaces between the guide grooves of the inner joint member. Type constant velocity universal joint,
One circumferential width dimension of the pillar portion between the cage pockets is formed larger than the circumferential width dimension of the other pillar portions, and the inner joint member is formed on the pillar portion having the larger circumferential width dimension. A fixed type constant velocity universal joint, characterized in that an outer spherical surface on which an inclined surface or a step surface is formed is arranged correspondingly.   The circumferential width dimension of one pocket of the cage is made smaller than the circumferential width dimension of the other pockets, and the circumferential width dimension of the column adjacent to one side of the one pocket is the other It is formed larger than the circumferential width dimension of the column part, and the outer spherical surface on which the inclined surface or the stepped surface of the inner joint member is formed corresponding to the column part having the large circumferential width dimension is arranged. The fixed type constant velocity universal joint according to 1.   The circumferential width dimension of one pocket of the cage is formed to be smaller than the circumferential width dimension of the other pockets, and the circumferential width dimension of the column adjacent to both sides of the one pocket is the other. It is formed larger than the circumferential width dimension of the column part, and an outer spherical surface formed with an inclined surface or a stepped surface of the inner joint member is arranged in correspondence with either one of the column parts having a large circumferential width dimension. The fixed type constant velocity universal joint according to claim 1.   An inclined surface or a step surface is formed on two adjacent outer spherical surfaces of the inner joint member, and the two outer spherical surfaces formed with the inclined surface or the step surface are respectively formed into two column portions having a large circumferential width dimension. The fixed type constant velocity universal joint according to claim 3, wherein the fixed type constant velocity universal joint is arranged correspondingly.   The fixed type constant velocity universal joint according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the number of the balls is 5 to 8.

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