JP2010174960A - Constant-velocity joint - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a constant-velocity joint, in which a shaft member can be easily removed from an inner ring without large drawing load. <P>SOLUTION: The constant-velocity joint 10 includes an inner race 11, an outer race 12, and a ball 13 transmitting torque between both 11 and 12, in which axial positioning of the inner race 11 to a drive shaft 1 is performed by a snap ring 16 provided on the outer circumference of the drive shaft 1. The drive shaft 1 is formed into a cylindrical shape having a minor-diameter part 1b on the outer circumference of one end thereof, a lid-like member 17, which can be removed, when disassembling the joint 10, by a removing tool 19 inserted into the drive shaft 1 from the other end side, is engaged with the one end, and a circumferential groove 18 for holding the snap ring 16 is formed by the lid-like member 17 and the minor diameter part 1b of the drive shaft 1. The lid-like member 17 includes a through-hole 173 engageable with a top end part 191 of the removing tool 19. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a constant velocity joint that connects a drive shaft and a driven shaft so that torque can be transmitted.

  For example, in a front-wheel drive vehicle or a four-wheel drive vehicle, a connecting portion between a front wheel serving as a steering / drive wheel and a drive shaft, etc., while rotating the drive shaft and the driven shaft at an equal angular speed, Constant velocity joints that allow changes in the crossing angle (joint angle) with the shaft are used. As such a constant velocity joint, a structure in which a plurality of balls are held between an inner race (inner ring) and an outer race (outer ring) and torque is transmitted through a contact point of the balls is known.

  In this type of constant velocity joint, the first shaft member (one of the drive shaft and the driven shaft) and the inner race are connected so as to be integrally rotatable by spline fitting or the like, and the second shaft member (the drive shaft and the driven shaft is connected). The other side of the drive shaft) and the outer race are integrally connected. Then, the inner race is positioned with respect to the first shaft member in the axial direction by a snap ring such as a snap ring or a circlip (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Specifically, a circumferential groove is formed on the outer peripheral surface of one end of the first shaft member, and a retaining ring is held in the circumferential groove. The retaining ring is projected from the outer peripheral surface of the first shaft member, and is engaged with the engaging surface formed on the inner race, thereby positioning the inner race in the axial direction.

JP 2000-074083 A

  In the constant velocity joint as described above, when the inside of the joint is inspected or the boot for replacing grease (lubricant) inside the joint is replaced, the joint disassembling work is performed. In order to remove the first shaft member from the inner race during this disassembling operation, a load (extraction load) is applied to the first shaft member in the axial direction, and the above-described retaining ring and the engagement surface of the inner race It is necessary to release the engagement.

  On the other hand, during traveling, even if a large load is applied to the first shaft member, it is necessary to always ensure the engagement state between the retaining ring and the engagement surface of the inner race. For this reason, the above-mentioned extraction load at the time of disassembly work becomes very large. Therefore, when removing the first shaft member from the inner race, there is a possibility that components such as a retaining ring for positioning the inner race in the axial direction may be damaged.

  In the constant velocity joint described in Patent Document 1, it is possible to remove the first shaft member (intermediate shaft) from the inner race without performing complicated work, and an outer race or the like is attached to the vehicle. Internal inspection and boot replacement in the state are possible. In this configuration, the first shaft member is removed from the inner race by hitting a tool inserted into the shaft hole of the outer race. Therefore, when removing the first shaft member from the inner race, there is a possibility that a large impact may be applied to the first shaft member, and there is a concern that the components such as the retaining ring are damaged.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a constant velocity joint in which a shaft member can be easily detached from an inner race without applying a large pulling load. .

  In the present invention, means for solving the above-described problems are configured as follows. That is, the present invention is a constant velocity joint, in which an inner ring that is fitted to a first shaft member (one of a drive shaft and a driven shaft) so as to rotate integrally therewith, and a second shaft member (the drive shaft and An outer ring integrally connected to the other of the drive shafts, and a ball that is interposed between the inner ring and the outer ring and transmits torque therebetween, and is arranged in the axial direction of the inner ring with respect to the first shaft member. The positioning is performed by a retaining ring provided on the outer periphery of the shaft member. A small-diameter portion is provided at one end of the first shaft member, and at least one of the first and second shaft members is formed with a through hole extending in the axial direction. One end of the member is engaged with a lid-like member that can be removed by a tool inserted into the through-hole when the constant velocity joint is disassembled, and the lid-like member and the first shaft member are A circumferential groove for holding the retaining ring is formed by the small-diameter portion, and the lid-like member is provided with an engaging portion that can be engaged with the tip portion of the tool.

  According to the above configuration, since the first shaft member and the lid-like member are configured as separate members, the lid-like member can be easily removed from the first shaft member by using a tool when the constant velocity joint is disassembled. Can be removed. Thus, the first shaft member can be easily detached from the inner ring without applying a large pulling load to one of the first shaft members. Therefore, when the constant velocity joint is disassembled, the pulling load of the first shaft member can be reduced, and damage to parts such as a retaining ring can be avoided.

  Here, examples of the engaging portion of the lid-like member include a through-hole and a concave portion having a shape that matches the shape of the tip portion of the tool. In this case, it is possible to prevent the lubricant such as grease from leaking into the shaft member by configuring the engaging portion of the lid-like member to block the inside of the joint and the inside of the first shaft member.

  In the present invention, the lid-like member is preferably screwed to the first shaft member. In this configuration, the lid-like member can be easily detached from the first shaft member, and the constant velocity joint can be easily disassembled.

  A preferred application object of the constant velocity joint of the present invention is an outboard joint attached to an intermediate shaft of a vehicle drive shaft. In this configuration, the intermediate shaft of the drive shaft is the first shaft member. In this case, even if the intermediate shaft of the drive shaft is a hollow shaft, it is possible to easily replace a single boot for enclosing a lubricant, which has been difficult in the past.

  According to the present invention, since the first shaft member and the lid-like member are formed as separate members, the lid-like member can be easily removed from the first shaft member by using a tool when the constant velocity joint is disassembled. Can be removed. Thus, the first shaft member can be easily detached from the inner ring without applying a large pulling load to the first shaft member. Therefore, the pulling load of the first shaft member can be reduced, and damage to parts such as a retaining ring can be avoided.

It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the constant velocity joint which concerns on embodiment. FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing an axial positioning portion of an inner race with respect to a drive shaft in the constant velocity joint of FIG. 1. It is a figure which shows the state before disassembling a constant velocity joint. It is a figure which shows a mode that the tool for removal was inserted in the inside of a drive shaft from the state of FIG. 3 at the time of decomposition | disassembly of a constant velocity joint. It is a figure which shows a mode that a removal tool is rotated from the state of FIG. 4 at the time of decomposition | disassembly of a constant velocity joint, and a lid-shaped member is removed. It is a figure which shows a mode that the pulling-out load was applied from the state of FIG. 5, and the drive shaft was removed from the inner race at the time of decomposition | disassembly of a constant velocity joint. FIG. 3 is a view corresponding to FIG. 2 and showing a first modification of the lid-like member. FIG. 9 is a view corresponding to FIG. 2 and showing a modification 2 of the lid-like member. It is sectional drawing which shows the constant velocity joint which concerns on other embodiment.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  First, a schematic configuration of the constant velocity joint according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the constant velocity joint 10 connects the drive shaft 1 and the driven shaft 2 so as to transmit torque, and an inner race (inner ring) 11 connected to the end of the drive shaft 1; And an outer race (outer ring) 12 integrally connected to the driven shaft 2. The constant velocity joint 10 is interposed between the inner race 11 and the outer race 12, and includes a plurality of (for example, six) balls 13 and a plurality of balls 13 for transmitting torque therebetween. A holding cage 14 is provided.

  A through hole 111 penetrating in the direction of the rotation axis is formed in the inner race 11. A spline 112 extending in the rotation axis direction is provided on the inner periphery of the through hole 111. By inserting the end of the drive shaft 1 into the through-hole 111, the inner race 11 and the drive shaft 1 are connected so as to be integrally rotatable. Then, the inner race 11 is positioned in the axial direction with respect to the drive shaft 1 by a snap ring (retaining ring) 16 held in a circumferential groove 18 formed on one end side (right end side in FIG. 1) of the drive shaft 1. ing.

  The outer periphery of the inner race 11 is an outer spherical surface 113 formed in a substantially spherical shape. On the outer spherical surface 113, the same number of ball grooves 114 as the balls 13 are formed at equal intervals around the rotation axis. Each ball groove 114 is extended in the rotation axis direction of the inner race 11.

  The outer race 12 has an opening 121 on the distal end side (left end side in FIG. 1), and an accommodation space 122 for accommodating the inner race 11 is formed. The inner periphery of the accommodation space 122 of the outer race 12 is an inner spherical surface 123 formed in a substantially spherical shape. The inner spherical surface 123 of the outer race 12 is formed with the same number of ball grooves 124 as the balls 13 so as to be paired with the ball grooves 114 of the inner race 11 at equal intervals around the rotation axis. . Each ball groove 124 extends in the direction of the rotation axis of the outer race 12.

  The opening 121 of the outer race 12 is closed by a resin boot 15. For this reason, a lubricant such as grease is enclosed in the accommodation space 122 of the outer race 12. The boot 15 includes a large-diameter end portion 151 provided on the outer race 12 side, a small-diameter end portion 152 provided on the drive shaft 1 side, and a bellows-like portion 153 provided between these both end portions. . The large diameter end 151 is fixed to the outer periphery of the outer race 12 by a large diameter clamp 154, and the small diameter end 152 is fixed to the outer periphery of the drive shaft 1 by a small diameter clamp 155.

  The cage 14 is disposed between the outer spherical surface 113 of the inner race 11 and the inner spherical surface 123 of the outer race 12. The cage 14 is formed with the same number of ball holding windows 141 as the balls 13 at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. Each ball 13 is interposed between the ball groove 114 of the inner race 11 and the ball groove 124 of the outer race 12 in a state of being accommodated in the ball holding window 141 of the cage 14.

  In the constant velocity joint 10 configured as described above, the drive shaft 1 connected to the inner race 11 is moved relative to the outer race 12 through the movement of the balls 13 along the ball grooves 114 and the ball grooves 124. It can swing freely (tilt). FIG. 1 shows a state where the tilt angle (joint angle) is 0 °. Further, the driven shaft 2 connected to the outer race 12 rotates in response to the rotation of the drive shaft 1 connected to the inner race 11 by torque transmission through the balls 13 interposed in the ball grooves 114 and 124. Will come to be. At this time, since the displacement of each ball 13 with respect to the circumferential direction of the inner race 11 or the outer race 12 is restrained by the side walls of the ball grooves 114 and 124, the inner race 11 (drive shaft 1) and the outer race 12 ( Relative rotation with the driven shaft 2) is restricted. For this reason, it is possible to rotate the drive shaft 1 and the driven shaft 2 at an equal angular speed while allowing the joint angle to be changed.

  The characteristic part of this embodiment is that the circumferential groove 18 holding the snap ring 16 is constituted by the drive shaft 1 and a member different from the drive shaft 1, and the separate member is driven when the constant velocity joint 10 is disassembled. This is in that it can be removed from the shaft 1. Hereinafter, this characteristic part will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  In this embodiment, the drive shaft 1 is formed in a cylindrical shape whose both ends are open (see FIG. 3 and the like). In other words, a through hole 1 a penetrating in the axial direction is formed inside the drive shaft 1. A small diameter portion 1 b is provided at one end of the drive shaft 1. The small diameter portion 1b has a smaller diameter than the portion 1d where the right spline 1c is formed. An internal thread 1e is formed on the inner periphery of one end of the through hole 1a.

  A lid-like member 17 is engaged with one end of the drive shaft 1. The lid-like member 17 is provided to form the circumferential groove 18 between the small-diameter portion 1 b of the drive shaft 1. Specifically, the lid-like member 17 is formed with a larger diameter than the small-diameter portion 1 b of the drive shaft 1. A portion 171 on the inner diameter side of the lid-like member 17 protrudes toward the drive shaft 1, and a male screw portion 172 that engages with the female screw portion 1 e of the drive shaft 1 is formed on the outer periphery of the portion 171. .

  A through-hole 173 that penetrates in the axial direction is formed in the center of the lid-like member 17. As will be described later, a removal tool 19 (see FIG. 4 and the like) used when the constant velocity joint 10 is disassembled is inserted into the through hole 173. The shape of the through-hole 173 is a shape that matches the tip 191 of the removal tool 19. The shape of the through-hole 173 includes, for example, a hexagonal shape, but any shape other than the hexagonal shape can be used as long as it can be engaged with the tip 191 when the removal tool 19 is rotated. Good.

  As described above, the snap ring 16 is interposed in the circumferential groove 18 formed by the small diameter portion 1 b of the drive shaft 1 and the lid-like member 17. The snap ring 16 has a shape in which a notch is provided in part, and enters the circumferential groove 18 by reducing the diameter. On the other hand, when the snap ring 16 is not reduced in diameter, a part of the snap ring 16 protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the drive shaft 1 (the outer peripheral surface of the portion 1d where the spline 1c is formed).

  The inner race 11 is formed with a tapered surface 115 at a portion on one end side (the left end side in FIG. 2) of the through hole 111. The tapered surface 115 is provided so as to continue to the end of the spline 112, and is an inclined surface that increases in diameter toward the one end side. The taper surface 115 is an engagement surface that engages with the snap ring 16 that protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the drive shaft 1, and the taper surface 115 and the snap ring 16 engage with each other so that the inner surface with respect to the drive shaft 1 is engaged. The race 11 is positioned in the axial direction. In this embodiment, since the lid-like member 17 is screwed to the drive shaft 1, the engagement between the snap ring 16 and the tapered surface 115 of the inner race 11 even if a large load is applied to the drive shaft 1 during traveling. A consistent state is always secured.

  Next, disassembly of the constant velocity joint 10 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS.

  Here, the disassembly of the outboard joint attached to one end of the intermediate shaft of the drive shaft is taken as an example. In this case, the outboard joint of the drive shaft corresponds to the constant velocity joint 10 described above, and the intermediate shaft of the drive shaft corresponds to the drive shaft 1 in the constant velocity joint 10 described above.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the drive shaft 100 has a configuration in which the constant velocity joint 10 having the above-described configuration is mounted on one end of the intermediate shaft (drive shaft) 1 and the inboard joint 20 is mounted on the other end. Yes. For example, the inboard joint 20 is connected to a differential disposed at the center in the vehicle width direction of a front-wheel drive vehicle or the like, and the constant velocity joint 10 as an outboard joint is a hub unit for attaching a wheel. To be connected to. In addition, as the inboard joint 20, a sliding type constant velocity joint is used.

  The intermediate shaft 1 as a drive shaft of the outboard joint is formed in a cylindrical shape with both ends open. In this case, the intermediate portion (general portion) of the intermediate shaft 1 is formed to have a larger diameter than both end portions from the viewpoint of increasing torsional rigidity.

  When the constant velocity joint 10 is disassembled, first, the inboard joint 20 is detached from the intermediate shaft 1. When the inboard joint 20 is removed, the through-hole 1a of the intermediate shaft 1 is opened to the outside. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, the intermediate shaft 1 is removed from the end on the inboard side into the through-hole 1a. Tool 19 is inserted. Then, the removal tool 19 is inserted until the distal end portion 191 is inserted into the through hole 173 of the lid-like member 17 attached to the intermediate shaft 1. The removal tool 19 is a dedicated tool for removing the lid-like member 17 attached to one end of the intermediate shaft 1, and the shape of the tip portion 191 coincides with the through hole 173 of the lid-like member 17. (For example, hexagonal).

  Next, as shown in FIG. 5, the removal tool 19 is rotated in a state where the tip 191 of the removal tool 19 and the through hole 173 of the lid-like member 17 are engaged. Then, the lid-like member 17 also rotates in the same direction. Thus, the lid-like member 17 is removed from the intermediate shaft 1 by rotating the removal tool 19.

  When the lid-like member 17 is removed from the intermediate shaft 1, the axial positioning of the inner race 11 by the snap ring 16 is released. Thereby, relative movement in the axial direction between the intermediate shaft 1 and the inner race 11 becomes possible. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the large-diameter clamp 154 is removed from the large-diameter end portion 151 of the boot 15, and a load (extraction load) is applied to the intermediate shaft 1 in the direction of pulling out from the inner race 11 (X1 direction in FIG. 6). Call. At this time, the intermediate shaft 1 is pulled out from the inner race 11 by applying an axial pulling load to the intermediate shaft 1 while pressing the inner race 11 in the opposite direction (X2 direction in FIG. 6). The intermediate shaft 1 is removed from the inner race 11 with the boot 15 attached. By removing the intermediate shaft 1 from the inner race 11 in the above procedure, the inside of the joint can be inspected and parts can be replaced.

  It should be noted that the constant velocity joint 10 can be assembled without using a tool as described above, unlike the case of disassembly. That is, at the time of assembly, the lid member 17 is attached to the intermediate shaft 1 in advance, and the intermediate shaft 1 is attached to the inner race 11 with the snap ring 16 incorporated in the circumferential groove 18 formed by the lid member 17 and the intermediate shaft 1. What is necessary is just to insert in the through-hole 111 of this.

  According to the constant velocity joint 10 of this embodiment, the following effects are obtained.

  When the constant velocity joint 10 is disassembled, the lid-like member 17 can be easily detached from the drive shaft (shaft member) 1 by using the removal tool 19. Accordingly, the drive shaft 1 can be easily detached from the inner race 11 without applying a large pulling load to the drive shaft 1. Therefore, when the constant velocity joint 10 is disassembled, the pulling load of the drive shaft 1 can be reduced, and damage to parts such as the snap ring 16 can be avoided.

  When the constant velocity joint 10 is applied to the above-mentioned outboard joint of the drive shaft 100, the boot 15 can be replaced separately. This will be described below.

  First, conventionally, when the intermediate shaft 1 of the drive shaft 100 is a hollow shaft, in order to replace the boot 15, a joint assembly including not only the boot 15 but also the intermediate shaft 1, the inner race 11, the outer race 12, and the like. Everything needed to be replaced. Assuming that the intermediate shaft 1 of the drive shaft 100 is a hollow shaft, the intermediate portion is formed with a larger diameter than both end portions as described above. The reason is that it is difficult to pass through the intermediate portion.

  On the other hand, in this embodiment, the boot 15 can be easily removed together with the intermediate shaft 1 by disassembling the constant velocity joint 10 according to the procedure shown in FIGS. At the time of assembly, the intermediate shaft 1 is inserted into the through hole 111 of the inner race 11 with the small diameter end 152 of the boot 15 fixed by the small diameter clamp 155. Thereafter, the large-diameter clamp 154 fixes the large-diameter end 151 of the boot 15 to the outer race 12 so that the boot 15 can be easily assembled. Therefore, even if the intermediate shaft 1 is a hollow shaft, the boot 15 can be easily replaced separately.

  Here, instead of the through hole, the lid-like member 17 may be provided with a recess 174 having a shape matching the tip 191 of the removal tool 19 as shown in FIG. Further, the lid-like member 17 may be configured as shown in FIG. In the lid-like member 17 shown in FIG. 5, a cylindrical member 175 having an opening 176 having a shape matching the tip 191 of the removal tool 19 is integrally provided as an engaging portion with the removal tool 19. Yes. The cylindrical member 175 is joined to the drive shaft 1 side of the lid-like member 17 by means such as welding. By using the lid-like member 17 as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the inside of the joint (the accommodation space 122 of the outer race 12) and the inside of the through hole 1 a of the drive shaft 1 are blocked by the lid-like member 17. Lubricant such as grease can be prevented from leaking into the through hole 1 a of the drive shaft 1.

-Other embodiments-
The embodiment of the present invention has been described above. However, the embodiment shown here is an example and can be variously modified.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the drive shaft is connected to the inner race so as to be integrally rotatable by spline fitting or the like, and the driven shaft is integrally connected to the outer race has been described. The driven shaft may be connected so as to be integrally rotatable by spline fitting or the like, and the driving shaft may be integrally connected to the outer race.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 9, a through-hole 2a extending in the axial direction is formed in the driven shaft 2 connected to the outer race 12, and the inside of the joint (the accommodation space 122 of the outer race 12) is communicated with the outside. It is good also as a structure. In this case, the drive shaft 1 connected to the inner race 11 may be hollow or solid.

  In the configuration shown in FIG. 9, the removal tool 19 is inserted into the through hole 2 a of the driven shaft 2 from the outside. And the front-end | tip part 19 of the removal tool 19 and the through-hole 173 of the lid-like member 17 are engaged, and the lid-like member 17 can be easily removed from the drive shaft 1 by rotating the removal tool 19. . Therefore, similarly to the above embodiment, when the constant velocity joint 10 is disassembled, the pulling load of the drive shaft 1 can be reduced, and damage to parts such as the snap ring 16 can be avoided.

  The present invention can be applied to any structure as long as it is a constant velocity joint having a structure in which a plurality of balls are held between an inner race and an outer race and torque is transmitted through contact points of the balls. Is possible.

  The constant velocity joint of the present invention can be applied not only to a vehicle drive shaft as described above but also to a power transmission shaft used in a vehicle propeller shaft, an axle shaft, various industrial machines, and the like. is there.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used for a constant velocity joint that connects a drive shaft and a driven shaft so that torque can be transmitted. Specifically, the present invention is useful as a constant velocity joint that can easily remove the shaft member from the inner ring without applying a large pulling load.

1 Drive shaft (first shaft member)
1a Through hole 1b Small diameter portion 2 Driven shaft (second shaft member)
10 Constant velocity joint 11 Inner race (inner ring)
12 Outer race (outer ring)
13 Ball 16 Snap ring
17 Lid-like member 173 Through hole (engagement part)
18 Circumferential groove 19 Removal tool 191 Tip

Claims (3)

An inner ring that is fitted to the first shaft member so as to be integrally rotatable, an outer ring that is integrally connected to the second shaft member, and a ball that is interposed between the inner ring and the outer ring to transmit torque therebetween. And a constant velocity joint configured to perform axial positioning of the inner ring with respect to the first shaft member by a retaining ring provided on an outer periphery of the shaft member.
A small diameter portion is provided at one end of the first shaft member,
A through hole extending in the axial direction is formed in at least one of the first and second shaft members,
One end of the first shaft member is engaged with a lid-like member that can be removed by a tool inserted into the through-hole when the constant velocity joint is disassembled. A circumferential groove that holds the retaining ring is formed by the small diameter portion of the shaft member,
A constant velocity joint, wherein the lid member is provided with an engaging portion engageable with a tip portion of the tool. The constant velocity joint according to claim 1,
The constant velocity joint, wherein the lid-like member is screwed to the first shaft member. In the constant velocity joint according to claim 1 or 2,
The constant velocity joint is an outboard joint attached to an intermediate shaft of a vehicle drive shaft.

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