JP2011058533A - Sliding type tripod constant velocity joint - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sliding type tripod constant velocity joint including a needle unit preventing falling-off of rolling elements with the rolling elements introduced in a cage. <P>SOLUTION: The cage 60 of the constant velocity joint 1 forms a circulation path working as the track of the circulating rolling elements 50 and includes a pair of circulation path forming members 70, 80 connected opposite to respectively support the axial opposite ends of the rolling elements 50. At least one 70 (80) of the circulation path forming members is formed with a window portion 75 (85) opened with a pressing allowance for introducing the rolling elements 50 into the circulation path by pressing the rolling elements 50 from a side in the circulation direction. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a sliding tripod type constant velocity joint.

  The sliding tripod type constant velocity joint includes a roller unit that is rotatably disposed between a raceway groove of an outer ring and a tripod connected to a shaft. For example, a roller unit of a sliding tripod type constant velocity joint described in Patent Document 1 includes a roller inserted into a raceway groove of an outer ring and an intermediate member that is externally fitted to a tripod shaft portion of the tripod and rotatably supports the roller. It has a member (ring) and a plurality of rolling elements (balls) interposed between the roller and the intermediate member so as to be able to roll. Since this roller unit has a rolling element as a sphere, when power is transmitted with such a configuration, in addition to rolling resistance between the rolling element and the intermediate member and between the rolling element and the raceway groove, there is resistance due to slippage. appear.

  In order to reduce this resistance, for example, there is one described in Patent Document 2. The sliding tripod type constant velocity joint described in Patent Document 2 includes a needle unit in which a rolling element is an axial needle. Further, this needle unit has a cage that supports the needle so that it can circulate around the outer periphery of the intermediate member (block). Thereby, the resistance by the sliding between a rolling element and an intermediate member, and a rolling element and a raceway groove | channel can be reduced.

JP-A-2005-98402 Japanese Patent No. 2763624

  By the way, the needle unit which uses a rolling element as a needle is assembled, for example, connected and fixed while introducing the rolling element into a cage composed of a plurality of parts. On the other hand, in order to simplify the assembly of the needle unit, a plurality of components may be connected to form a cage in advance. In such a case, the needle is introduced from a window provided in the cage. However, in such a configuration, there is a possibility that the needle may fall out from the window portion in which the needle is introduced into the cage before the needle unit is fitted onto the tripod shaft portion.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and provides a sliding tripod constant velocity joint including a needle unit that can prevent the rolling element from falling off when the rolling element is introduced into a cage. The purpose is to do.

In order to solve the above problem, the feature of the invention according to claim 1 is:
An outer ring having a cylindrical portion and having three raceway grooves formed on the inner peripheral surface extending in the direction of the outer ring rotation axis;
A boss portion coupled to the shaft, and three tripod shaft portions that are erected so as to extend radially outward of the boss portion from the outer peripheral surface of the boss portion and are inserted into the raceway grooves, respectively. Tripod,
An intermediate member provided on the outer periphery of the tripod shaft portion so as to be swingable with respect to the tripod shaft portion, and having a power transmission surface facing a side surface of the raceway groove;
A plurality of rolling elements that are formed in a shaft shape and are provided between the side surface of the raceway groove and the power transmission surface so as to roll along the side surface of the raceway groove;
A cage that supports the rolling element such that the rolling element can circulate around the outer periphery of the intermediate member;
A sliding tripod type constant velocity joint comprising:
The cage is formed of a pair of circulation path forming members that are connected to each other so as to form a circulation path that is a trajectory of the rolling element that circulates and to support both axial ends of the rolling element, respectively.
At least one of the circulation path forming members is formed with a window portion opened with a press-fitting margin so as to introduce the rolling element into the circulation path by pressing the rolling element from the side in the circulation direction. It is.

The feature of the invention according to claim 2 is that in claim 1,
Each of the pair of circulation path forming members has the window portion,
The window portion of one circulation path forming member and the window portion of the other circulation path forming member are formed so as to be at the same circumferential position in the circulation path.

  A feature of the invention according to claim 3 is that, in the first or second aspect, the end portion of the rolling element is formed when the end of the rolling element abuts against the periphery of the window portion. It has a guide surface which inclines toward the said circulation path so that a part may be guided to the said circulation path.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to third aspects, the window portion is formed so as to be positioned on an outer peripheral side of the circulation path forming member.

A feature of the invention according to claim 5 is that in any one of claims 1 to 4,
Each of the circulation path forming members forms the circulation path that circulates,
The cage is configured by connecting the circulation path forming members having the same shape.

The feature of the invention according to claim 6 is that in claim 5,
Each of the pair of circulation path forming members has a first connection part and a second connection part formed so as to have a non-plane-symmetric shape with respect to the center of the cage,
The first connection part and the second connection part of one of the circulation path forming members are respectively connected to the second connection part and the first connection part of the other circulation path forming member.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the cage is composed of a pair of circulation path forming members, and the rolling elements are introduced from window portions formed in at least one of the circulation path forming members. At this time, the window portion is provided with a press-fitting allowance so as to introduce the rolling element into the circulation path by pressing the rolling element from the side in the circulation direction. Thereby, a holder | retainer is elastically deformed so that it may expand in the opposing direction of a circulation path formation member in the site | part in which the window part is formed, for example. Therefore, the end of the rolling element can pass through the window. Thus, the rolling element is snap-introduced into the circulation path by being pressed so as to apply a predetermined pressure or more to the portion of the cage where the window portion is formed. Here, the “opposing direction of the pair of circulation path forming members” is a direction perpendicular to the circulation direction of the rolling elements, and is the axial direction of the introduced rolling elements.

  Moreover, an edge part of a rolling element can pass a window part by pressing a rolling element from the side of a circulation direction in a window part. When the rolling element is introduced into the circulation path, the cage is elastically returned by the press-fitting allowance at the portion where the window portion is formed. Thereby, the rolling element introduced into the circulation path is supported by the circulation path forming member so as to be able to roll in the circulation direction, and from the window portion to the outside of the circulation path by the peripheral edge of the window portion in the elastically restored cage. Is restricted from moving. Thereby, if a rolling element is introduce | transduced into a circulation path, it will become impossible to pass a window part.

  Therefore, the rolling element can be easily introduced into the circulation path, and the rolling element can be prevented from dropping from the cage. The cage is formed by connecting and fixing a pair of circulation path forming members in advance. Therefore, the assembly can be facilitated as compared with the case where the rolling elements are connected and fixed while being assembled into the cage composed of a plurality of parts. Therefore, it is possible to simplify the process of disposing the intermediate member on the inner peripheral side of the cage to form a needle unit and fitting the tripod shaft portion.

  According to the invention which concerns on Claim 2, a pair of circulation path formation member becomes a structure which has a window part, respectively. At this time, each window part is arrange | positioned so that it may become the same circumferential direction position in a circulation path. In other words, the rolling element is introduced so that both end portions of the rolling element simultaneously pass through each window. Thereby, since a press fitting allowance can be set with each window part, the opening amount of the axial direction of the rolling element in a window part can be made small. Moreover, the introduction of the rolling elements can be simplified by forming the window so that the rolling elements can be introduced into the circulation path without being inclined.

  According to the invention which concerns on Claim 3, the window part becomes a structure by which the guide surface which introduces the edge part of a rolling element into a circulation path is formed. The guide surface uses pressure applied to the rolling element to snap into the circulation path, and acts to guide the rolling element along the inclined guide surface and adjust the introduction position of the rolling element. Thereby, a rolling element can be introduce | transduced from the appropriate position in a window part. Therefore, the workability | operativity at the time of the assembly | attachment which introduces a some rolling element can be improved.

  According to the invention which concerns on Claim 4, since a window part is located in the outer peripheral side of a circulation path formation member, it has the structure where a rolling element is introduced from the outer peripheral side of a circulation path. Conventionally, the window portion for introducing the rolling elements has been sometimes formed on the inner peripheral side of the circulation path forming member. This is because, after the rolling element is introduced into the cage, there is no risk of the rolling element falling off when the intermediate member is disposed on the inner peripheral side of the cage. On the other hand, in this means, after the rolling element is introduced into the cage, the rolling element is restricted by the peripheral edge of the window portion that has been elastically restored by the amount of the press-fitting allowance, so that it cannot pass through the window portion. Regardless of this, the rolling elements can be prevented from falling off. Therefore, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which the rolling elements are introduced from the outer peripheral side of the circulation path, which facilitates the introduction of the rolling elements. Therefore, workability at the time of assembly can be improved.

  According to the invention which concerns on Claim 5, a holder | retainer is comprised by connecting the circulation path formation member which consists of the same shape. Further, the pair of circulation path forming members respectively support both end portions in the axial direction of the rolling elements and form circulation paths that circulate. By connecting such a pair of circulation path forming members, the assembly process of the cage can be simplified as compared to the case of connecting circulation path forming members having different shapes. Furthermore, since the circulation path forming member has the same shape, the management of the member can be simplified. Therefore, the production cost of the cage can be reduced.

  According to the invention which concerns on Claim 6, a pair of circulation path formation member becomes a structure which has a 1st connection part and a 2nd connection part, respectively. This 1st connection part and the 2nd connection part are non-plane symmetrical with respect to the plane which passes along the center of a holder | retainer. And the 1st connection part of one circulation path formation member and the 2nd connection part of the other circulation path formation member are connected. Furthermore, the 2nd connection part of one circulation path formation member and the 1st connection part of the other circulation path formation member are connected. Thereby, the cage | basket can make a circulation path formation member into a member of the same shape, forming the circulation path of a rolling element.

1st embodiment: It is a perspective view of the constant velocity joint 1, and is a figure which shows the state which cut | disconnected the outer ring | wheel 10 to the axial direction. FIG. 3 is a view seen from the opening side of the outer ring 10 in a partly assembled state of the constant velocity joint 1. FIG. 3 is a radial sectional view of a part of the constant velocity joint 1. 3 is a perspective view of the needle unit 30 excluding an intermediate member 40. FIG. It is a perspective view of the division member 41 (42) of the intermediate member 40. FIG. It is a figure which shows the division member 41 (42). (A) is a top view of the division member 41 (42). (B) is a side view of the dividing member 41 (42). (C) is the A direction arrow directional view of (a). 3 is a three-sided view of a cage 60. FIG. (A) is a front view of the cage 60. FIG. (B) is BB sectional drawing of (a). (C) is CC sectional drawing of (a). 4 is an enlarged view of the needle unit 30 before and after the rolling element 50 is introduced into the cage 60. FIG. (A) is a figure of the state which has introduced, (b) is a figure after introduction. 2nd embodiment: It is an enlarged view of the needle unit 130 before and after introducing the rolling element 50 into the retainer 160. (A) is a figure of the state which has introduced the rolling element 50. FIG. (B) is a view after introduction.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment in which a sliding tripod type constant velocity joint of the present invention (hereinafter simply referred to as “constant velocity joint”) is embodied will be described with reference to the drawings. Here, the case where the constant velocity joint of this embodiment is used for connection of a power transmission shaft of a vehicle will be described as an example. For example, it is a case where it uses for the connection part of the axial part connected with the differential gear, and the intermediate shaft of a drive shaft.

<First embodiment>
(Configuration of constant velocity joint 1)
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the constant velocity joint 1 includes an outer ring 10, a tripod 20, and a needle unit 30.
As shown in FIG. 1, the outer ring 10 includes a cylindrical portion 11 and a connecting shaft portion 12. The cylindrical part 11 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape. The connecting shaft portion 12 is coaxially and integrally formed with the tubular portion 11 so as to extend axially outward from the bottom portion of the tubular portion 11. The connecting shaft portion 12 is connected to a differential gear (not shown).

  And as shown in FIGS. 1-3, the three track grooves 13 extended in an outer ring | wheel rotation-axis direction (front-back direction of FIG. 2) are formed in the internal peripheral surface of the cylindrical part 11. As shown in FIG. These three track grooves 13 are formed at equal intervals (120 deg intervals) in the circumferential direction of the rotation shaft of the outer ring 10 on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 11. The cross-sectional shape orthogonal to the groove extending direction of each raceway groove 13 is a U-shape that opens toward the center of the rotation axis of the outer ring 10. That is, each track groove 13 has a groove bottom surface 13a formed in a substantially flat shape and side surfaces 13b and 13c formed in a substantially flat shape. The side surfaces 13b and 13c are substantially parallel to the groove bottom surface 13a and are formed in parallel so that the side surface 13b and the side surface 13c face each other.

  Track recesses 14 and 15 extending in the rotational axis direction of the outer ring 10 are formed on the side surfaces 13b and 13c, respectively. The track recesses 14 and 15 are formed at substantially the center in the radial direction of the outer ring 10 among the side surfaces 13 b and 13 c of the track groove 13. The opening width (the vertical width in FIGS. 2 and 3) of the track recesses 14 and 15 is formed so as to gradually increase toward the opening side (left and right center side in FIGS. 2 and 3). That is, the track recesses 14 and 15 have substantially planar bottom surfaces 14a and 15a and inclined side surfaces 14b and 15b.

  The tripod 20 is arrange | positioned inside the cylindrical part 11 of the outer ring | wheel 10, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. The tripod 20 includes a boss portion 21 and three tripod shaft portions 22. The boss portion 21 has an annular shape, and an internal spline 21a is formed on the inner peripheral side thereof. The internal spline 21 a is fitted and connected to an external spline formed at the end of the intermediate shaft 2. Moreover, the outer peripheral surface of the boss | hub part 21 is formed in the substantially spherical convex shape.

  Each tripod shaft portion 22 is erected so as to extend from the outer peripheral surface of the boss portion 21 outward in the radial direction of the boss portion 21. These tripod shaft portions 22 are formed at equal intervals (120 deg intervals) in the circumferential direction of the boss portion 21. And at least the front-end | tip part of each tripod shaft part 22 is inserted in each track groove 13 of the cylindrical part 11 of the outer ring | wheel 10. As shown in FIG. The outer peripheral surface of each tripod shaft part 22 is formed in a spherical convex shape. Here, a straight line passing through the spherical convex center of curvature and perpendicular to the rotation axis of the tripod 20 (rotation axis of the intermediate shaft 2) is also referred to as a center axis of the tripod shaft portion 22 (hereinafter referred to as “tripod axis”). ) Is orthogonal.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the needle unit 30 has an annular shape as a whole, and is disposed on the outer peripheral side of the tripod shaft portion 22. Furthermore, the needle unit 30 is fitted in the raceway groove 13 so as to be movable in the direction in which the raceway groove 13 extends. The needle unit 30 includes an intermediate member 40, a plurality of rolling elements 50, and a cage 60.

  The intermediate member 40 includes a pair of split members 41 and 42. When the pair of divided members 41 and 42 are viewed integrally, the outer diameter of the intermediate member 40 as an overall shape is substantially rectangular. Furthermore, when the intermediate member 40 is viewed as a whole, a portion corresponding to a circular hole is formed at the center of the intermediate member 40.

  The pair of divided members 41 and 42 are separately provided so as to have a plane-symmetric shape with respect to a plane passing through the tripod shaft (vertical direction in FIG. 3) and the rotation axis of the intermediate shaft 2 (front-back direction in FIG. 3). Configured and independent of each other. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the pair of divided members 41 and 42 are arranged so as to sandwich the tripod shaft portion 22 from both sides of the side surfaces 13 b and 13 c of the raceway groove 13. That is, both the divided members 41 and 42 are disposed so as to sandwich the tripod shaft portion 22 from both sides in the power transmission direction (the direction around the rotation axis of the outer ring 10 or the direction around the rotation axis of the intermediate shaft 2). . The pair of split members 41 and 42 are provided so as to be swingable with respect to the tripod shaft portion 22 when viewed from any direction orthogonal to the tripod shaft portion 22.

  Here, with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the divided member 41 which is one of the intermediate members 40 will be described. Since the other split member 42 is made symmetrical with the one split member 41 as described above, the detailed description is omitted only by adding the reference numerals in parentheses in the drawing.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6A, the dividing member 41 is formed in a rectangular block shape. The peripheral surface of the split member 41 includes end surfaces 41a and 41b in the rotation axis direction of the intermediate shaft 2, a tripod contact surface 41c that contacts the tripod shaft portion 22, and a power transmission surface 41d. Here, when the intermediate member 40 (the divided member 41 and the divided member 42) is viewed as one body, the end surfaces 41a, 42a, 41b, 42b and the power transmission surfaces 41d, 42d form an outer peripheral surface, and the tripod contact surfaces 41c, 42c. Forms the inner peripheral surface.

  The end surfaces 41a and 41b are end surfaces located on the upper side and the lower side in FIG. 5, the rear side and the near side in FIG. The both end faces 41a and 41b are flat surfaces that are substantially orthogonal to the power transmission surface 41d. That is, both end surfaces 41 a and 41 b are formed of a plane that is substantially orthogonal to the side surface 13 b of the raceway groove 13.

  The tripod contact surface 41 c is formed in a partially spherical concave shape so as to swingably contact with the tripod shaft portion 22 in the axial direction of the outer ring 10 and the circumferential direction of the outer ring 10. The spherical center of the tripod contact surface 41c is the center of the lateral width (thickness of the intermediate member 40) of the tripod contact surface 41c in FIG. 6A and the vertical width (intermediate of the tripod contact surface 41c in FIG. 6B). It is located on a straight line passing through the center of the member 40 in the axial width of the outer ring 10. That is, the tripod contact surface 41c is fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the tripod shaft portion 22 and has a shape that does not separate in the axial direction of the tripod shaft portion 22 in the fitted state. Such a tripod contact surface 41c is in contact with the tripod shaft part 22 to enable power transmission.

  As shown in FIG. 6B, the power transmission surface 41d is located on the back side of the tripod contact surface 41c. The power transmission surface 41d is formed to face the side surface 13b of the outer ring 10 (more specifically, the bottom surface 14a of the track recess 14) and extend in the extending direction of the track groove 13. The power transmission surface 41d is formed in a flat and rectangular shape, and is located in the center portion in the vertical direction of FIG. Further, both ends of the power transmission surface 41d in the rotation axis direction of the outer ring 10 are formed to be slightly curved. That is, the central part of the power transmission surface 41d protrudes most outward in the left-right direction in FIG.

  The one split member 41 is disposed such that the power transmission surface 41 d faces the one side surface 13 b of the raceway groove 13. Similarly, the other split member 42 is arranged so that its power transmission surface 42d faces the other side surface 13c of the raceway groove 13. That is, in a posture in which the rotation axis of the outer ring 10 and the rotation axis of the intermediate shaft 2 coincide (joint angle 0 deg), the power transmission surfaces 41d and 42d have the center axis of the tripod shaft portion 22 and the rotation axis of the intermediate shaft 2 It is almost parallel to the plane that passes. And the power transmission surfaces 41d and 42d have the range which can contact the shaft-shaped rolling element 50 of plural (3-4 pieces in this embodiment).

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the rolling element 50 is an axial needle. And as shown in FIG. 4, the some rolling element 50 is arrange | positioned so that the outer periphery at the time of seeing the intermediate member 40 as integral may be circulated. Some of the plurality of rolling elements 50 (3 to 4 in the present embodiment) are the bottom surfaces 14a and 15a of the track recesses 14 and 15 of the track groove 13 and the power transmission surface 41d of the pair of split members 41 and 42. , 42d so as to roll along the bottom surfaces 14a, 15a and the power transmission surfaces 41d, 42d. That is, power is transmitted between the power transmission surfaces 41 d and 42 d and the bottom surfaces 14 a and 15 a of the raceway grooves 13 via the rolling elements 50.

  The rolling element 50 includes a rolling surface portion 51, a slope portion 52, and a protruding portion 53. The rolling surface portion 51 is a columnar member having a rolling surface on the outer periphery. The slope portion 52 is a portion formed in a tapered shape at both ends of the rolling surface portion 51. The protrusion 53 is formed so that the rolling element 50 has a circular cross section in the column extending cross direction (the left-right direction in FIG. 2) and protrudes from the end surface of the slope portion 52. The length in the column extending direction of the rolling surface formed on the outer periphery of the rolling surface portion 51 is approximately the same as the width of the bottom surfaces 14a and 15a of the track recesses 14 and 15 and the power transmission surfaces 41d and 42d of the split members 41 and 42. Alternatively, it is set to be slightly shorter than the width of the bottom surfaces 14a and 15a.

  Further, the slope portion 52 has the same shape as the side surfaces 14b and 15b of the track recesses 14 and 15. That is, the rolling surface portion 51 is provided so as to be fitted into the track recesses 14 and 15. Thereby, the slope part 52 of the rolling element 50 can engage with the side surfaces 14b and 15b of the track recesses 14 and 15 in the axial direction of the rolling element 50. That is, the rolling element 50 is restricted from moving in the axial direction by the raceway recesses 14 and 15. Then, the rolling surface on the outer periphery of the rolling surface portion 51 can roll along the bottom surfaces 14a and 15a of the raceway recesses 14 and 15 and the power transmission surfaces 41d and 42d. Accordingly, power is transmitted between the power transmission surface 42 c and the side surfaces 13 b and 13 c of the raceway groove 13 via the rolling elements 50.

  The protrusion 53 is formed with a smaller diameter than the outer diameter of the rolling surface portion 51. And the distance between the front-end | tips of the protrusion part 53 of both sides, ie, the axial direction length of the rolling element 50, is formed larger than the bottom face 14a, 15a of the track | orbit recessed parts 14 and 15, and power transmission surface 41d and 42d. That is, the protrusion 53 is positioned outside the tripod axial direction with respect to the track recesses 14 and 15 and the power transmission surfaces 41d and 42d. The protrusions 53 positioned on both sides in the axial direction of the rolling element correspond to “both ends in the axial direction of the rolling element” of the present invention.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, the cage 60 is an annular member as a whole shape. The cage 60 supports the rolling element 50 so that the rolling element 50 can circulate around the outer periphery of the intermediate member 40. The cage 60 is almost accommodated in the raceway groove 13. The cage 60 includes a pair of circulation path forming members 70 and 80 that form a circulation path that is a trajectory of the rolling element 50 that circulates. The pair of circulation path forming members 70 and 80 are connected to face each other so as to sandwich the rolling element 50 in the axial direction thereof. The opposing direction of the pair of circulation path forming members 70 and 80 is a direction perpendicular to the circulation direction of the rolling element 50 and is an axial direction in the basic posture of the introduced rolling element 50.

  The protrusions 53 of the rolling elements 50 are inserted into the pair of circulation path forming members 70 and 80, respectively. Further, the cross-sectional shapes of the circulation path forming members 70 and 80 are formed in a U shape so as to be engaged with the inclined surface portion 52 of the rolling element 50 as shown in FIGS. . In this way, the pair of circulation path forming members 70, 80 support both protrusions 53. That is, the distance between the inner peripheral edge and the outer peripheral edge of the pair of circulation path forming members 70 and 80 is formed to be larger than the protrusion 53 of the rolling element 50 and smaller than the maximum diameter of the rolling surface part 51. Yes. Accordingly, the rolling surface portion 51 of the rolling element 50 protrudes outward from the outer peripheral edge of the pair of circulation path forming members 70 and 80 and protrudes inward from the inner peripheral edge.

  The U-shaped opening sides of the respective circulation path forming members 70 and 80 are provided so as to face each other with a distance slightly longer than the axial length of the rolling element 50. Therefore, the maximum width in the facing direction of the pair of circulation path forming members 70 and 80 is set larger than the bottom surfaces 14a and 15a and the power transmission surfaces 41d and 42d of the track recesses 14 and 15. The pair of circulation path forming members 70 and 80 are accommodated in the raceway groove 13 of the outer ring 10 and are located on the outer side in the tripod axial direction with respect to the raceway recesses 14 and 15 and the power transmission surfaces 41d and 42d. Yes.

  Furthermore, one circulation path forming member 70 forms a circulating path by the straight portions 71 and 72 and the curved portions 73 and 74. The distance between the straight portions 71 and 72 is set to be smaller than the groove width of the track groove 13 (the distance between the opening of the track recess 14 and the opening of the track recess 15). The other circulation path forming member 80 forms a circulating path by the straight portions 81 and 82 and the curved portions 83 and 84 in the same manner as the one circulation path forming member 70. The distance between the straight portions 81 and 82 is equal to the distance between the straight portions 71 and 72. That is, the pair of circulation path forming members 70 and 80 are disposed with a predetermined gap with respect to the side surfaces 13 b and 13 c of the raceway groove 13. Thereby, the circulation direction of the rolling element 50 supported by the cage 60 is a direction that follows the shape of the straight portions 71, 72, 81, 82 and the curved portions 73, 74, 83, 84 in the circulating circulation path. ing.

  Further, the circulation path forming member 70 has a window portion 75 formed on the outer peripheral edge at the center portion in the extending direction of the straight portions 71 and 72. The window 75 is a part formed in the circulation path of the circulation path forming member 70 in order to introduce the plurality of rolling elements 50 into the cage 60 formed by connecting the pair of circulation path forming members 70 and 80. This window part 75 is opened so that the rolling element 50 may be introduced into a circulation path that circulates from the side in the circulation direction. Specifically, the rolling elements 50 can be introduced from the outer peripheral side of the circulation path forming member 70 that is on the side of the extending direction of the linear portions 71 and 72 as the circulation direction. Moreover, the window part 75 of the one circulation path formation member 70 mentioned later is introduce | transduced into a circulation path by pressing the rolling element 50 from the side of a circulation direction, and the window part 85 of the other circulation path formation member 80 mentioned later. The press-fitting allowance is set by.

  Similarly to one circulation path forming member 70, the other circulation path forming member 80 has a window portion 85 formed on the outer peripheral edge at the center in the extending direction of the straight portions 81 and 82. Since the window portion 85 is formed in the same manner as the window portion 75 formed in one circulation path forming member 70, detailed description thereof is omitted. Moreover, the window part 75 and the window part 85 respectively formed in the linear part 71 and the linear part 81 are arrange | positioned so that it may become the same circumferential direction position in a circulation path. That is, when the rolling element 50 is introduced into the circulation path, the protrusions 53 at both ends of the rolling element 50 pass through the window 75 and the window 85, respectively. The same applies to the window portion 75 and the window portion 85 formed in the straight portion 72 and the straight portion 82, respectively.

  Further, as described above, the window portion 75 of one circulation path forming member 70 and the window portion 85 of the other circulation path forming member 80 are turned into the circulation path by pressing the rolling elements 50 from the side in the circulation direction. It opens with a press-fit allowance so as to introduce the moving body 50. As shown in FIG. 8A, the press-fitting allowance is based on the separation of the window portion 75 of one circulation path forming member 70 and the window portion 85 of the other circulation path forming member 80 from the axial length L of the rolling element 50. A value obtained by subtracting the distance W1 (L-W1). The window portions 75 and 85 are set such that the separation distance W1 is smaller than the axial length L of the rolling element 50 in order to provide a press-fitting allowance.

  Furthermore, guide surfaces 75a and 85a that are inclined toward the circulation path are formed in the window 75 of one circulation path forming member 70 and the window 85 of the other circulation path forming member 80, respectively. When the rolling elements 50 are introduced into the circulation path, the guide surfaces 75a and 85a are rolled when the ends (projections 53) of the rolling elements 50 come into contact with the peripheral edges of the window portions 75 and 85 and are pressed. The protrusion 53 of the moving body 50 is guided to the circulation path. That is, the guide surfaces 75a and 85a utilize the pressure applied to introduce the rolling element 50 into the circulation path, guide the rolling element 50 along the inclined guide surfaces 75a and 85a, and determine the introduction position of the rolling element 50. Acts to adjust.

  Thus, the needle unit 30 is introduced by pressing the rolling element 50 from the side in the circulation direction into the windows 75 and 85 of the cage 60 including the pair of circulation path forming members 70 and 80. At this time, the retainer 60 is elastically deformed so as to expand in a direction in which the circulation path forming members 70 and 80 are opposed to each other at the portion where the window portions 75 and 85 are formed. Therefore, the protrusion 53 of the rolling element 50 can pass through the windows 75 and 85. Thus, as shown in FIG. 8 (b), the rolling element 50 is pressed so as to apply a predetermined pressure or more to the portion of the cage 60 where the window portions 75 and 85 are formed, so that the circulation path Snap introduced.

  When the rolling element 50 is introduced into the circulation path, the cage 60 is elastically returned by the press-fitting allowance at the portion where the window portions 75 and 85 are formed. As a result, the rolling element 50 introduced into the circulation path is supported by the circulation path forming members 70 and 80 so as to be able to roll in the circulation direction, and is also opened by the peripheral edges of the window portions 75 and 85 in the retainer 60 that has elastically returned. Movement from the portions 75 and 85 to the outside of the circulation path is restricted. Thereby, any rolling element 50 introduced into the circulation path cannot pass through the window portions 75 and 85. That is, in a state where the predetermined number of rolling elements 50 are introduced into the cage 60, the rolling elements 50 can be reliably prevented from falling off. Further, the rolling element 50 can be more reliably prevented from falling off by reducing the distance W1 between the window 75 and the window 85 so as to increase the press-fitting allowance.

  Here, the circulation path forming member 70 is formed with a first connecting portion 77 and a second connecting portion 78. Similarly, the circulation path forming member 80 is formed with a first coupling part 87 and a second coupling part 88 that are coupled to the opposing circulation path forming member 70. The first and second connecting portions 77 and 78 of one circulation path forming member 70 are formed from a planar portion extending in the extending direction of the straight portions 71 and 72 from the inner peripheral edge of the curved portions 73 and 74 and an end portion of the planar portion. The pair of circulation path forming members 70 and 80 are formed in an L shape including a connecting surface portion extending in the facing direction (the axial direction of the rolling element 50). The first and second connecting portions 87 and 88 of the other circulation path forming member 80 extend from the inner peripheral edges of the curved portions 83 and 84 in the extending direction of the straight portions 81 and 82, similarly to the one circulation path forming member 70. It is formed in an L shape including a flat portion and a connecting surface portion extending in the axial direction of the rolling element 50 from an end portion of the flat portion.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 7C, the first connection portion 77 of one circulation path forming member 70 is connected to the outer surface of the cage 60 among the connection surface portions, and the first connection portion 77 of the other circulation path formation member 80. The two connecting portions 88 are connected in contact with the connecting surface portion. At this time, the second connecting portion 88 of the other circulation path forming member 80 is connected such that the inner surface of the retainer 60 is in contact with the connecting surface portion of the first connecting portion 77. That is, the connection surface portion of the first connection portion 77 of one circulation path forming member 70 is in contact with and connected to the connection surface portion of the second connection portion 87 of the other circulation path formation member 80.

  On the other hand, the second connection part 78 of one circulation path forming member 70 is connected to the inner surface of the cage 60 among the connection surface parts, and the connection surface part of the first connection part 87 of the other circulation path forming member 80. And contacted with each other. At this time, the first connection portion 87 of the other circulation path forming member 80 is connected such that the outer surface of the retainer 60 among the connection surface portions is in contact with the connection surface portion of the second connection portion 78. That is, the connection surface portion of the second connection portion 78 of one circulation path forming member 70 is in contact with and connected to the connection surface portion of the first connection portion 87 of the other circulation path formation member 80.

  Accordingly, the first connecting portion 77 of one circulation path forming member 70 and the second connecting portion 88 of the other circulation path forming member 80 are connected using the reference plane P1 as a mating surface as shown in FIG. 7C. Is done. Similarly, the second connecting part 78 of one circulation path forming member 70 and the first connecting part 87 of the other circulation path forming member 80 are connected using the reference plane P2 as a mating surface. The reference planes P1 and P2 are planes symmetric with respect to the center of the cage 60. Thus, the pair of circulation path forming members 70 and 80 constituting the cage 60 is a member having the same shape as well as forming a circulation path that circulates.

  As described above, the cage 60 is connected to the circulation path forming member 70 with the circulation path forming member 80 having the same shape facing each other. At this time, the circulation path forming member 80 is reversed with respect to the circulation path forming member 70 so that the straight portions 81 and 82 and the curved portions 83 and 84 are respectively replaced at the center of the circulation path. That is, the connection part in the 1st connection part 77 of the circulation path formation member 70 and the connection part in the 2nd connection part 78 are a point symmetrical position with respect to the center of the assembled holder | retainer 60. FIG.

  Further, the first connecting portions 77 and 87 and the second connecting portions 78 and 88 have a non-plane symmetrical shape with respect to the center of the cage 60. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7C, the first connection portions 77 and 87 are formed so that the connection surface portions are on the inner peripheral side of the circulation path. On the other hand, the 2nd connection parts 78 and 88 are formed so that the connection surface part may become the outer peripheral side of a circulation path. That is, the distance from the center of the vertical width of the circulation path forming member 70 in FIG. 7C to the connecting surface portion of the first connecting portion 77 is larger than the distance from the connecting surface portion of the second connecting portion 78 to the plate of the connecting surface portion. It is larger by the thickness. The same applies to the first connecting portion 87 and the second connecting portion 88 of the circulation path forming member 80.

  Moreover, the 1st connection part 77 and the 2nd connection part 88, the 2nd connection part 78, and the 1st connection part 87 will open outside the holder | retainer 60, if each connected, as shown in FIG.7 (c). It becomes a U shape. The U-shaped bottom surface opposite to the opening side surface (inside the retainer 60, hereinafter referred to as “bottom inner surface”) is formed in a planar shape. The inner surfaces of the U-shaped bottom portions formed by the respective connections are provided in parallel and opposite to each other. Further, the separation distance between the inner surfaces of the bottom portions substantially coincides with the distance between the end surfaces 41a and 41b (42a and 42b) in the rotation axis direction of the intermediate shaft 2 of the divided member 41 (42). Further, the U-shaped bottom opening side surface of each connection is formed in a plane shape parallel to the bottom inner surface.

  The rolling element 50 is located closest to the bottom of the raceway groove 13 (upper side in FIG. 3) in the raceway recesses 14 and 15 and the power transmission surfaces 41 d and 42 d, and the cage 60 is the most with respect to the rolling element 50. It is set so that a gap is provided between the cage 60 and the groove bottom surface 13 a of the track groove 13 in a state of being located on the groove bottom side of the track groove 13. This constitutes the amount of axial movement of the track recesses 14 and 15 and the power transmission surfaces 41 d and 42 d and the rolling surface portion 51 of the rolling element 50, the amount of axial movement of the rolling element 50 and the cage 60, and the cage 60. This is determined based on the axial thickness of the pair of circulation path forming members 70 and 80.

  Furthermore, the opening of the raceway groove 13 is provided on the radially inner side of the outer ring 10 of the cage 60. That is, the circulation path forming member 80 positioned radially inward of the cage 60 abuts on the rolling element 50 radially outward of the outer ring 10, but is not restricted at all inward of the outer ring 10 in the radial direction.

(Operation of constant velocity joint 1)
The operation of the constant velocity joint 1 described above will be described. When the outer ring 10 having the connecting shaft portion 12 at one end connected to the differential gear is rotated by receiving power, the rolling element of the needle unit 30 fitted from the outer ring 10 into the track recesses 14 and 15 of the track groove 13. Power is transmitted to 50. Then, the power is transmitted from the rolling element 50 to the power transmission surface 41d or the power transmission surface 42d that is in contact with the rolling element 50 that transmits power among the pair of split members 41 and 42. The power is transmitted to the tripod shaft portion 22 from the tripod contact surface 41c of the split member 41 or the tripod contact surface 42c of the split member 42 that transmits power.

  And the rolling element 50 is supported so that the outer periphery of the intermediate member 40 can circulate. Accordingly, when the power transmission side of the split member 41 and the split member 42 is the split member 41, the rolling element 50 is between the power transmission surface 41 d of the split member 41 and the bottom surface 14 a of the track recess 14. The raceway groove 13 rolls without causing a slip in the extending direction. Thereby, generation | occurrence | production of induced thrust force is suppressed and generation | occurrence | production of the power loss and vibration by slip resistance are reduced. The same applies to the split member 41 and the split member 42 where the power transmission side is the split member 42.

  In addition, the split member that receives power through the plurality of rolling elements 50 among the pair of split members 41 and 42 transmits power to the tripod shaft portion 22 with which the tripod contact surfaces 41c and 42c abut. At this time, when the joint angle is added as described above, the tripod shaft 22 reciprocates (oscillates) in the direction of the rotation axis of the outer ring 10. At this time, the needle unit 30 fitted on the tripod shaft portion 22 also follows, and the needle unit 30 reciprocates in the same manner. Further, the split members 41 and 42 in which the tripod contact surfaces 41c and 42c of the split members 41 and 42 of the intermediate member 40 come into contact with the tripod shaft portion 22 follow the movement of the tripod shaft portion 22 in the radial direction of the outer ring 10. The outer ring 10 slides in the radial direction with respect to the rolling element 50. Thereby, the load position where the most power is applied to the power transmission surfaces 41d and 42d of the split members 41 and 42 changes so as to reciprocate in the axial direction of the rolling elements.

  However, the pair of split members 41 and 42 are independent on the power transmission side and the back side thereof. Thereby, even if the load position by the tripod shaft part 22 which generate | occur | produces on the power transmission side changes, operation | movement of the division member by the side of power transmission among a pair of division members 41 and 42 changes to operation of the division member by the side of the back. There is no effect. Therefore, since it is possible to prevent the split members 41 and 42 located on the back side from applying a large force to the raceway groove 13, the generation of the induced thrust force due to this is suppressed.

  Furthermore, according to the constant velocity joint 1 described above, the rolling element 50 is fitted in the raceway recesses 14 and 15. Thereby, when the force which moves to the rolling element 50 by the skew generate | occur | produces in the axial direction, the rolling element 50 is controlled this axial movement by the track | orbit recessed parts 14 and 15. FIG. By the way, the site | part which comprises a circulation path among a pair of circulation path formation members 70 and 80 is located in the tripod axial direction outer side with respect to the track | orbit recessed parts 14 and 15 and the power transmission surfaces 41d and 42d. Therefore, the track recesses 14 and 15 and the power transmission surfaces 41d and 42d exhibit an effect of restricting the movement of the rolling element 50 due to the skew, and the cage 60 is configured not to exhibit the movement restricting effect. That is, the pair of circulation path forming members 70, 80 of the cage 60 does not restrict axial movement due to the skew of the rolling elements 50.

  In particular, the rolling element 50 is positioned closest to the groove bottom surface 13 a of the raceway groove 13 in the raceway recesses 14 and 15 and the power transmission surfaces 41 d and 42 d, and the cage 60 is the groove of the raceway groove 13 closest to the rolling element 50. In the state located on the bottom surface 13 a side, a gap is provided between the cage 60 and the groove bottom surface 13 a of the raceway groove 13. This prevents the cage 60 from coming into contact with the groove bottom surface 13a of the raceway groove 13 of the outer ring 10 even when skew occurs. Furthermore, the retainer 60 is disposed with a gap with respect to the side surfaces 13 b and 13 c of the raceway groove 13. This prevents the cage 60 from coming into contact with the side surfaces 13b and 13c of the raceway groove 13.

(Effect of constant velocity joint 1)
According to the constant velocity joint 1 described above, the pair of circulation path forming members 70 and 80 constituting the retainer 60 are configured to have the window portions 75 and 85 opened with a press-fitting allowance. And the cage | basket 60 expands in the opposing direction of a pair of circulation path formation members 70 and 80 in the site | part in which the window parts 75 and 85 are formed by pressing the rolling element 50 from the side of a circulation direction. It will be elastically deformed. Therefore, the protrusion 53 of the rolling element 50 can pass through the windows 75 and 85. Thus, the rolling element 50 is snap-introduced into the circulation path by being pressed so as to apply a predetermined pressure or more to the portion of the cage 60 where the window portion is formed.

  When the rolling element 50 is introduced into the circulation path, the cage 60 is elastically restored by the amount of the press-fitting allowance, so that the rolling element 50 moves toward the outside of the circulation path by the peripheral edges of the window portions 75 and 85. Be regulated. Thereby, when the rolling element 50 is introduced into the circulation path, it cannot pass through the window portions 75 and 85. Therefore, the rolling element 50 can be easily introduced into the circulation path, and the rolling element 50 can be prevented from falling off from the cage 60.

  The cage 60 is formed by connecting and fixing a pair of circulation path forming members 70 and 80 in advance. Therefore, the assembly can be facilitated as compared with the case where the rolling elements 50 are connected and fixed to the cage 60 composed of a plurality of parts and assembled. Accordingly, it is possible to simplify the process of disposing the intermediate member 40 on the inner peripheral side of the cage 60 to form the needle unit 30 and fitting it to the tripod shaft portion 22.

  Furthermore, each window part 75 and 85 formed in a pair of circulation path formation members 70 and 80, respectively, is arrange | positioned so that it may become the same circumferential direction position in a circulation path. That is, the rolling element 50 is introduced so that the projections 53 that are both ends of the rolling element 50 pass through the window portions 75 and 85 simultaneously. Thereby, since the press fitting allowance can be set by the window parts 75 and 85, the opening amount of the axial direction of the rolling element 50 in the window parts 75 and 85 can be made small. Further, by forming the window portions 75 and 85 so that the rolling element 50 can be introduced into the circulation path without being inclined, the rolling element 50 can be easily introduced.

  The window portions 75 and 85 are respectively formed with guide surfaces 75a and 85a for introducing the protrusion 53, which is an end portion of the rolling element 50, into the circulation path. The guide surfaces 75a and 85a use pressure applied to the rolling element 50 to snap into the circulation path, guide the rolling element 50 along the inclined guide surfaces 75 and 85, and determine the introduction position of the rolling element 50. Acts to adjust. Thereby, the rolling element 50 can be introduced from an appropriate position in the window portions 75 and 85. Therefore, the workability | operativity at the time of the assembly | attachment which introduces the some rolling element 50 can be improved.

  Conventionally, the window portions 75 and 85 for introducing the rolling elements 50 are formed on the inner peripheral side of the circulation path forming members 70 and 80. Then, after the rolling element 50 is introduced into the cage 60, there is no risk of the rolling element 50 dropping off when the intermediate member 40 is arranged on the inner peripheral side of the cage 60 to configure the needle unit 30. On the other hand, in this embodiment, the window parts 75 and 85 are the structures located in the outer peripheral side of the circulation path formation members 70 and 80, respectively.

  Thereby, the rolling element 50 is introduced from the outer peripheral side of the circulation path. In such a configuration, after the rolling element 50 is introduced into the cage 60, the rolling element 50 cannot pass through the window parts 75 and 85 due to the peripheral edges of the window parts 75 and 85 that are elastically restored by the amount of the press-fitting allowance. The rolling element 50 can be prevented from falling off regardless of the presence or absence of the intermediate member 40. Therefore, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which the rolling element 50 is introduced from the outer peripheral side of the circulation path, thereby facilitating the introduction of the rolling element 50. Therefore, workability at the time of assembly can be improved.

  The cage 60 is configured by connecting circulation path forming members 70 and 80 having the same shape. In addition, the pair of circulation path forming members 70 and 80 respectively support the protrusions 53 that are both ends in the axial direction of the rolling element 50, and form circulation paths that circulate. Here, common reference planes P1 and P2 are provided for both members of the pair of circulation path forming members 70 and 80, and the connection surfaces are formed to extend so as to be connected at the reference planes P1 and P2. . That is, each circulation path forming member 70 (80) has a first connection part 77 (87) and a second connection part 78 (88) that are connected to the opposing circulation path formation member 80 (70).

  Thereby, a pair of circulation path formation members 70 and 80 which constitute cage 60 can be made from the same shape member. By configuring the retainer 60 in this manner, the assembly process of the retainer 60 can be simplified as compared with the case of connecting circulation path forming members having different shapes. Furthermore, since the circulation path forming members 70 and 80 have the same shape, the management of the members can be simplified and the production cost can be reduced because the members can be produced by the same process.

  Further, the first connecting portions 77 and 87 and the second connecting portions 78 and 88 of the pair of circulation path forming members 70 and 80 are non-plane symmetrical with respect to the center of the cage 60. And the 1st connection part 77 of one circuit formation member 70 is connected so that it may overlap with the 2nd connection part 88 of the other circuit formation member 80. Furthermore, the second connection part 78 of one circulation path forming member 70 is connected so as to overlap the first connection part 87 of the other circulation path forming member 80. Thereby, the cage | basket 60 can use the circulation path formation members 70 and 80 as a member of the same shape, forming the circulation path of the rolling element 50. FIG.

<Second embodiment>
The configuration of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Here, the configuration of the second embodiment is mainly different in that the windows 75 and 85 in the cage 60 of the first embodiment are formed only on one side. Since other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment, detailed description thereof is omitted. Only the differences will be described below.

  The cage 160 includes a pair of circulation path forming members 170 and 180 that form a circulation path that is a locus of the rolling element 50 that circulates. The pair of circulation path forming members 170 and 180 are arranged to face each other so as to sandwich the rolling element 50 in the axial direction. Further, the one circulation path forming member 170 has a window portion 175 formed on the outer peripheral edge in the central portion of the linear portion 171 in the extending direction. The window 175 is opened with a press-fitting allowance so as to press the rolling element 50 from the side in the circulation direction and introduce it into the circulation path. Further, in the circulation path forming member 170, the window portion 175 is not provided in the other straight portion (not shown).

  With respect to one circulation path forming member 170, the other circulation path forming member 180 is not formed with a window portion in the straight portion 181. Further, in the circulation path forming member 180, a window part similar to the window part 175 of the one circulation path formation member 170 is formed in the other straight line portion (not shown). The window portion 175 of one circulation path forming member 170 is set with a press-fitting allowance by the other circulation path forming member 180 so as to be introduced into the circulation path by pressing the rolling element 50 from the side in the circulation direction. ing. As shown in FIG. 9A, the press-fitting allowance is obtained by subtracting the separation distance W2 between the window 75 of the one circulation path forming member 70 and the other circulation path forming member 80 from the axial length L of the rolling element 50. Value (L-W2).

  Here, the separation distance W2 in the present embodiment will be described. When the rolling element 50 is introduced into the cage 160, first, the lower protrusion 53 of the rolling element 50 is inserted into the linear portion 181 of the circulation path forming member 180 as shown in FIG. Next, the protrusion 53 on the upper side of the rolling element 50 is brought into contact with the inclined surface 175 a of the window 175. In this posture of the rolling element 50, the distance between the contact point of the lower protrusion 53 of the rolling element 50 and the linear portion 181 of the circulation path forming member 180, and the contact point of the upper protrusion 53 of the rolling element 50 and the inclined surface 175 a. Is a separation distance W2. In this way, the window portion 175 is set such that the separation distance W2 is smaller than the axial length L of the rolling element 50 in order to provide a press-fitting allowance.

  Furthermore, a guide surface 175a that is inclined toward the circulation path is formed in the window 75 of one circulation path forming member 170. When the rolling element 50 is introduced into the circulation path, the guide surface 175a is a projection of the rolling element 50 when the end (projecting part 53) of the rolling element 50 comes into contact with the peripheral edge of the window 175 and is pressed. The unit 53 is guided to the circulation path. That is, the guide surface 175a uses the pressure applied to introduce the rolling element 50 into the circulation path, and guides the rolling element 50 along the inclined guide surface 175a to adjust the introduction position of the rolling element 50. Works.

  Further, the posture of the rolling element 50 when the rolling element 50 is in contact with the guide surface 175a is different from the posture when the rolling element 50 is in contact with the guide surface 75a of the first embodiment (FIG. 8 ( a), see FIG. 9A). Thereby, the direction which the pressure applied to the rolling element 50 at the time of the introduction to a circulation path exerts on the window part 175 and the window part 75 may differ. Therefore, the inclination angle of the guide surface 175a of the present embodiment is set according to the posture when the rolling element 50 is introduced.

  And the rolling element 50 is pressed so that the rolling element 50 may be rotated from the posture shown in FIG. At this time, the cage 160 is elastically deformed so as to expand in a direction in which the circulation path forming members 170 and 180 are opposed to each other at the portion where the window portion 175 is formed. Accordingly, the protrusion 53 of the rolling element 50 can pass through the window 175. Thus, as shown in FIG. 9B, the rolling element 50 is snapped to the circulation path by being pressed so as to apply a predetermined pressure or more to the portion of the cage 60 where the window portion 175 is formed. be introduced. By repeating this a predetermined number of times, the plurality of rolling elements 50 are introduced into the circulation path.

  Any rolling element 50 introduced into the circulation path in this way is supported by the circulation path forming members 170 and 180 so as to be able to roll in the circulation direction, and the peripheral edge of the window portion 175 in the cage 160 that has been elastically restored. Therefore, the movement from the window portion 175 to the outside of the circulation path is restricted, and the passage through the window portion 175 becomes impossible.

  In such a configuration, the same effects as those of the first embodiment are obtained. Moreover, in the pair of circulation path forming members 170 and 180, since the window portion is provided only on one side, the manufacturing cost can be reduced. Further, the rolling element 50 can be more reliably prevented from falling off by reducing the distance W2 between the window 75 and the window 85 so as to increase the press-fitting allowance.

<Modification of the first and second embodiments>
In the first and second embodiments, the window portions 75, 85, 175 of the cages 60, 160 are positioned on the outer peripheral sides of the circulation path forming members 70, 80, 170, 180, respectively. On the other hand, it is good also as what is located in the inner peripheral side of the circulation path formation member 70,80,170,180. In such a configuration, it is difficult to introduce the rolling element 50 into the circulation path as compared with the case where the window 75 or the like is on the outer peripheral side. However, it is possible to prevent the rolling elements 50 introduced into the circulation path from falling off.

  Further, in the first and second embodiments, the guide surfaces 75a, 85a, and 175a are formed at portions located in the axial direction of the rolling element 50 among the peripheral edges of the window portions 75, 85, and 175. On the other hand, a guide surface is good also as a structure formed in the site | part located in the circulation direction of the rolling element 50 among the periphery of the window parts 75,85,175. For example, when the rolling element 50 is introduced into the circulation path, the guide surfaces come into contact with the protrusions 53 of the rolling element 50 from both sides in the circulation direction. When the rolling element 50 is pressed, the cage elastically deforms so that the guide surfaces on both sides expand symmetrically in the circulation direction of the rolling element 50.

  As a result, the protrusion 53 of the rolling element 50 can pass through the window, and the rolling element 50 is pressed so as to apply a predetermined pressure or more and is snapped into the circulation path. Then, the rolling element 50 is restricted from moving from the window to the outside of the circulation path by the cage that has elastically returned by the amount of the press-fitting allowance. Thereby, any rolling element 50 introduced into the circulation path cannot pass through this window. Further, the guide surfaces formed on both sides in the circulation direction of the window portion act so as to adjust the introduction position in the circulation direction of the rolling element 50 at the time of introduction. The same effect as the second embodiment is achieved.

1: constant velocity joint, 2: intermediate shaft 10: outer ring, 11: cylindrical part, 12: connecting shaft part 13: raceway groove, 13a: groove bottom face, 13b, 13c: side face 14, 15: raceway recess, 14a, 15a : Bottom surface, 14b, 15b: side surface 20: tripod, 21: boss portion, 21a: internal spline 22: tripod shaft portion 30, 130: needle unit 40: intermediate member, 41, 42: split member, 41a, 42a, 41b 42b: end face 41c, 42c: tripod contact surface, 41d, 42d: power transmission surface 50: rolling element, 51: rolling surface portion, 52: slope portion, 53: protrusion 60, 160: cage,
70, 80, 170, 180: Circulation path forming member 71, 72, 81, 82, 171, 181: Straight part 73, 74, 83, 84: Curved part 75, 85, 175: Window part, 75a, 85a, 175a : Guide surfaces 77, 87: First connecting portion, 78, 88: Second connecting portion P1, P2: Reference surface

Claims (6)

An outer ring having a cylindrical portion and having three raceway grooves formed on the inner peripheral surface extending in the direction of the outer ring rotation axis;
A boss portion coupled to the shaft, and three tripod shaft portions that are erected so as to extend radially outward of the boss portion from the outer peripheral surface of the boss portion and are inserted into the raceway grooves, respectively. Tripod,
An intermediate member provided on the outer periphery of the tripod shaft portion so as to be swingable with respect to the tripod shaft portion, and having a power transmission surface facing a side surface of the raceway groove;
A plurality of rolling elements that are formed in a shaft shape and are provided between the side surface of the raceway groove and the power transmission surface so as to roll along the side surface of the raceway groove;
A cage that supports the rolling element such that the rolling element can circulate around the outer periphery of the intermediate member;
A sliding tripod type constant velocity joint comprising:
The cage is formed of a pair of circulation path forming members that are connected to each other so as to form a circulation path that is a trajectory of the rolling element that circulates and to support both axial ends of the rolling element, respectively.
At least one of the circulation path forming members is formed with a window portion opened with a press-fitting margin so as to introduce the rolling element into the circulation path by pressing the rolling element from the side in the circulation direction. Sliding tripod type constant velocity joint. In claim 1,
Each of the pair of circulation path forming members has the window portion,
The sliding tripod characterized in that the window portion of one circulation path forming member and the window portion of the other circulation path forming member are formed at the same circumferential position in the circulation path. Type constant velocity joint. In claim 1 or 2,
The window portion is inclined toward the circulation path so as to guide the end portion of the rolling element to the circulation path when the edge of the rolling element abuts against the periphery of the window portion and is pressed. A sliding tripod type constant velocity joint characterized by having a guiding surface. In any one of Claims 1-3,
The sliding tripod type constant velocity joint, wherein the window portion is formed so as to be positioned on an outer peripheral side of the circulation path forming member. In any one of Claims 1-4,
Each of the circulation path forming members forms the circulation path that circulates,
The retainer is configured by connecting the circulation path forming members having the same shape, and is a sliding tripod type constant velocity joint. In claim 5,
Each of the pair of circulation path forming members has a first connection part and a second connection part formed so as to have a non-plane-symmetric shape with respect to the center of the cage,
The first connection part and the second connection part of one of the circulation path forming members are respectively connected to the second connection part and the first connection part of the other circulation path formation member. Sliding tripod type constant velocity joint.

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