JP2019211043A - Universal joint - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a universal joint which can be efficiently applied with repair and maintenance, and can be exchangeable without moving an input source (drive or active mechanism) and/or an output source (driven or receiver mechanism).SOLUTION: A universal joint comprises a first yoke 5 having a connecting part 6 to which an input shaft 2 can be attached, a second yoke 15 having a connecting part 16 to which an output shaft 12 can be attached, and an intermediate shaft member 21 having a joint cross 25 for connecting the first yoke 5 and the second yoke 15 so as to be oscillatory or turnable. The connecting part 6 (16) of at least one yoke 5 (15) out of the first and second yokes 5, 15 is continued to a yoke main body, and comprises a receiving part 6a to which the shaft 2 (12) can be attached, or which can accommodate the shaft, and a cover member 6b which can be fastened to the receiving part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a universal joint (such as a universal joint) useful for transmitting power by connecting an input shaft (drive shaft) and an output shaft (driven shaft) at different angles.

  In power transmission mechanisms such as industrial machines and vehicles (such as automobiles), universal joints are widely used for transmitting the power of the drive shaft to the driven shaft at different angles. For example, in a power transmission mechanism, a first yoke that can be coupled to a first shaft of a rotational power source, and a second yoke for transmitting the rotational power of the first shaft to a rotational transmission mechanism such as a gear or a pulley. A universal joint including a second yoke that can be connected to a shaft and a cross joint that connects the first and second yokes is used. Each shaft is rotatably supported by a bearing. ing. Further, a shaft is mounted in a connecting hole of a connecting portion extending in the axial direction of each yoke, and the connecting portion of the yoke and the shaft are fastened by a fastening member such as a screw member or a rotating ring.

  However, in the repair, maintenance and replacement of such a power transmission mechanism and universal joint, the first and second shafts are moved while moving the drive mechanism such as the rotational power source and the passive mechanism in the axial direction of the first and second shafts. It is necessary to remove the first and second shafts from the two yokes in the axial direction. In particular, the movement of the drive mechanism and / or the driven mechanism, which are relatively heavy, requires a large amount of labor, and the repair and maintenance work becomes complicated, requiring a long time for the work.

  Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 59-205028 (Patent Document 1) forms one cross journal, two joint forks each having two fork arms, and each fork connected to a transmission mechanism (shaft). A universal joint for a cardamom shaft with a formed boss, the joint fork is divided into two fork arms as a whole, at least one of them can be removed, and the two fork arms can be connected by means of coupling (such as an axially stretched shell) ). However, in this universal joint, since the entire joint fork is divided in the longitudinal direction, the strength is reduced and a large torque cannot be transmitted.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-35934 (Patent Document 2) includes a ball interposed between an outer joint member and an inner joint member, a power transmission shaft coupled to the inner joint member, and an inner joint member and a power transmission shaft. A constant velocity universal joint provided with a detachable mechanism for attaching and detaching the power transmission shaft to and from the inner joint member between the cylindrical member extended from the inner joint member and extrapolated to the power transmission shaft; A constant velocity universal joint including a fixed member (rigid sphere) accommodated in the cylindrical member so as to be movable in the radial direction and an annular member arranged on the outer periphery of the cylindrical member so as to be movable in the axial direction is described. . In this universal joint, the fixing member can be attached to and detached from the power transmission shaft by moving the fixing member in the cylindrical member in the radial direction along with the axial movement of the annular member. This document also describes that the cylindrical member is composed of a plurality of divided members divided or cut in the circumferential direction in order to facilitate the assembly of the cylindrical member to the inner joint member. . However, in order to attach / detach the power transmission shaft to / from the inner joint member, it is necessary to move the annular member in the axial direction and move the fixing member in the cylindrical member in the radial direction in the detachment mechanism. In particular, it is necessary to move a power source such as a transmission equipped with a power transmission shaft in order to extract the power transmission shaft from the shaft hole of the inner joint member when repairing, maintaining, and replacing the joint. To do. In addition, the repair and maintenance work of the universal joint is complicated.

JP 59-205028 (Claims, FIG. 1) JP-A-2018-35934 (Claims, [0023], [0101] to [0103], FIGS. 1 and 9)

  Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a universal joint that is easy to repair, maintain, and replace, and that is useful for transmitting power by connecting power transmission shafts at different angles.

  It is another object of the present invention to provide a universal joint that can be efficiently repaired and maintained and replaced without moving the input source (drive or active mechanism) and / or the output source (driven or passive mechanism). .

  As a result of intensive studies to achieve the above-mentioned problems, the present inventor has made the shaft coupling portion (shaft mounting portion) axially in a form in which the branching portion side (for example, the bifurcated portion side) of the universal joint is connected. When the shaft connecting portion (shaft mounting portion) is formed by a receiving portion that can be mounted or received by the input / output shaft and a cover member that can be attached to the receiving portion, the receiving portion is opened by the cover member. Therefore, the universal joint can be repaired and maintained and replaced without moving the input source (active or driving mechanism) and / or the output source (passive or driven mechanism) connected to the input / output shaft. As a result, the present invention was completed.

  That is, the universal joint of the present invention includes a first yoke having a connection portion (or attachment portion) to which an input shaft (or drive shaft) can be attached and a connection portion (or drive shaft) to which the output shaft (or driven shaft) can be attached. A second yoke having a mounting portion) and an intermediate shaft interposed between the first yoke and the second yoke for connecting the first and second yokes in a swingable or pivotable manner. At least a member (an intermediate shaft or an intermediate joint member). The connecting portion (or mounting portion) of at least one of the first and second yokes to which the input shaft and the output shaft can be coupled is connected to the yoke body, and the shaft can be mounted or received. A receiving portion; and a cover member (or a cover fastening member) that can be fastened to the receiving portion. That is, the connecting portion to which the input shaft (or drive shaft) and / or the output shaft (or passive shaft) can be attached (connected or coupled) is continuous with at least the branch portion side (for example, the bifurcated portion side) of the yoke. Divided into a receiving part that forms the yoke body and at least a part of the shaft (particularly a part in the radial direction) can be mounted or received and a cover member (or a split member) that can be fastened to the receiving part Or by being separated (for example, divided or separated in an L-shaped form in a side view), and by fastening a cover member (divided member) to the receiving portion on which the shaft is mounted or accommodated, A connecting portion (or mounting portion) in which the shafts are rotatably coupled or connected is formed.

  In such a universal joint, since the cover member (divided member) can be opened at the connecting portion (mounting portion), the mounting hole (shaft hole portion) of the input shaft and / or output shaft is opened at the receiving portion. It is easy to repair, maintain and replace the universal joint. In particular, even if the input shaft and / or the output shaft is connected to the input source (active or drive mechanism) and / or the output source (passive mechanism) in a form supported by the bearing portion, the input shaft and / or the output shaft Since the mounting hole can be opened, the connecting portion can be repaired or maintained without moving the input source (active or drive mechanism) and / or the output source (passive mechanism), and the universal joint can be easily replaced. .

  The connecting portion is separated into a receiving portion having a semicircular arc-shaped shaft hole portion and a cover member having a semicircular arc-shaped shaft hole portion, leaving a bifurcated portion (such as a bifurcated portion) of the yoke. Alternatively, the receiving portion and the shaft hole portion of the cover member may be formed at the same or different depth. Further, in a yoke having a bifurcated branch portion, the yoke extends in a radial direction in which a predetermined separation surface, for example, the bifurcated portion of the branch portion faces (or opposes), and the axial direction (or center) of the shaft hole portion The connecting portion may be separated along a separation surface extending in the axial line or axial direction. Furthermore, the relationship between the mounting length (entrance) Ls of the input shaft and the output shaft with respect to the shaft hole portion of the connecting portion and the axial length Lc of the receiving portion of the connecting portion is not particularly limited, but Ls ≦ Lc You may satisfy the relationship.

  A cross shaft (or cross spider) in a cross shape may be interposed between the first yoke and the second yoke. Further, the receiving part and the cover member may be fastened by a fastening member (screw member, ring-like fastening member, etc.). Furthermore, the shaft hole portion of the connecting portion of the first and / or second yoke extends in the longitudinal direction and can be fitted or engaged with the input shaft and / or the output shaft (key groove or spline). A groove or the like), or an engagement portion (such as an engagement groove) that can be engaged with the shaft hole portion of the receiving portion and the input shaft and / or the output shaft.

  The present invention also includes a power transmission mechanism provided with the universal joint. In this power transmission mechanism, an input shaft and an output shaft are connected via a universal joint in a state where the input shaft and the output shaft are rotatably supported by bearings, respectively. In such a power transmission mechanism, the universal joint may be a universal joint including the receiving portion and a cover member.

  In this specification, a universal joint means a joint that can connect the input shaft and the output shaft at different angles, unlike the coupling that connects the input shaft and the output shaft with the same axis. In particular, it can be called a universal joint. Therefore, the universal joint does not include a coupling formed by a pair of semi-cylindrical bodies that are separated along the axial direction over the whole and can be fastened to each other.

  In the present invention, in the connecting part to which the input / output shaft can be connected, the shaft hole part (mounting hole) of the receiving part connected to the yoke body can be opened by the cover member (or divided member), so that repair and maintenance and a universal joint are possible. The power transmission shaft is connected at different angles and is useful for transmitting power. In particular, it is possible to efficiently repair, maintain and replace without moving the input source (drive or active mechanism) and / or the output source (follower or passive mechanism). It can be carried out. For example, in the past, it took about 4 hours to replace the universal joint, but by using the present invention, the universal joint can be replaced in a few minutes.

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view for explaining a power transmission mechanism provided with a universal joint of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the universal joint of FIG. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a connecting portion of the universal joint of FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the relationship between the shaft hole portion of the connecting portion and the mounting length of the input / output shaft in the universal joint of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another example of the universal joint of the present invention. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing still another example of the universal joint of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a schematic bottom view showing another example of the power transmission mechanism provided with the universal joint of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 1 to 4 show an example of a power transmission mechanism using the universal joint of the present invention.

  In this example, an input shaft (rotation drive shaft) 2 of a rotational power source (drive mechanism) 1 such as a motor is rotatably supported by a bearing of a bearing portion 3, and a tip mounting portion of the input shaft (rotation drive shaft) 2. Is formed with a key portion (not shown) having a U-shaped cross section extending in the longitudinal direction. A tip mounting portion of the input shaft (rotation drive shaft) 2 is mounted in a shaft hole portion (connection hole) formed in the connection portion 6 of the first yoke 5. On the other hand, an output shaft (or driven shaft) 12 to which the rotational motion of the input shaft 2 is transmitted is also rotatably supported by a bearing of the bearing portion 13 and has a U-shaped key portion (not shown) extending in the longitudinal direction. The tip mounting portion of the output shaft 12 formed with is also mounted in the shaft hole portion (connecting hole) formed in the connecting portion 16 of the second yoke 15. The output shaft (or driven shaft) 12 is attached to a driven mechanism (not shown) for converting rotational motion into predetermined motion. Each yoke 5, 15 is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape, and a pair of connecting portions (tip connecting portions) 7a, 7b, 17a, 17b extending from the connecting portions 6, 16 so as to branch into a bifurcated shape in a U shape. It has.

  A hollow cylindrical intermediate joint member (intermediate shaft joint member) 21 is interposed as an intermediate shaft member between the first yoke 5 and the second yoke 15, and both ends of the intermediate joint member are connected to the yoke. Similarly, a pair of connection portions 22a, 22b, 23a, and 23b extending in a bifurcated manner in a U-shape is provided. The pair of connecting portions 7a, 7b, 17a, 17b of the yokes 5, 15 are connected to both ends of the intermediate joint member 21 via a cross shaft (or cross spider) 25 as an intermediate shaft member in a cross shape. A pair of connecting portions 22a, 22b, 23a, and 23b are rotatably connected. That is, both ends of the X axis 25x of the cross shaft 25 are rotatably connected to the pair of connecting portions 7a, 7b, 17a, 17b of the yokes 5, 15 via needle bearings (not shown), Both ends of the Y-axis 25y of the cross shaft 25 are rotatably connected to a pair of connection portions 22a, 22b, 23a, 23b at both ends of the intermediate joint member via a needle bearing (not shown). As described above, since the first yoke 5 and the second yoke 15 can be rotatably connected at both ends of the intermediate joint member 21 by the cross shaft 25, the intermediate joint member 21 can be connected to the intermediate yoke. Can be called.

  Note that an oil supply nipple (oil supply portion) 26 for supplying grease or the like to the bearing is attached to the cross shaft 25. In the cross shaft 25, the needle bearing in the X axis 25x direction and the needle bearing in the Y axis 25y direction form a cross bearing that can rotate with each other. The opening in the X axis 25x direction and the opening in the Y axis 25y direction of the cross shaft 25 are sealed with a sealing member.

  The connecting portions 6 and 16 of the yokes 5 and 15 are L-shaped in side view, that is, the direction in which the pair of connection portions (tip connection portions) 7a, 7b, 17a, and 17b face (or face each other) ( (Radial direction) cut to the center axis line of the shaft hole portion and cut along a separation surface extending along the center axis direction of the shaft hole portion (a separation surface reaching the end of the coupling portion along the center axis line). Receiving portions 6a and 16a having shaft hole portions with a semicircular cross-section that are separated from each other and into which the input / output shafts 2 and 12 can be partially mounted or accommodated, and can be fastened to the receiving portions; Cover members (or divided members) 6b and 16b having a semicircular arc-shaped shaft hole portion in which the input / output shafts 2 and 12 can be partially mounted or accommodated in the fastened state. The receiving portions 6a and 16a and the cover members (or divided members) 6b and 16b are each formed in a semicircular arc shape in cross section. As described above, since the connecting portions 6 and 16 are separated or divided along the direction of the central axis (axial center) of the shaft hole portion, the semicircular cross sections of the receiving portions 6a and 16a and the cover members 6b and 16b. The arc-shaped shaft hole portions are formed at the same depth, and the input / output shafts 2 and 12 can be accommodated in the shaft hole portions of the receiving portions 6a and 16a and the cover members 6b and 16b. Therefore, the opening / closing operation of the cover members 6b and 16b with respect to the receiving portions 6a and 16a is not impaired. The receiving portions 6a and 16a are formed with a key groove 8 having a U-shaped cross section into which the key portion of the input / output shafts 2 and 12 can be inserted or mounted. Can be extracted from the keyway 8 of the receiving portions 6a, 16a in the radial direction. Therefore, it is possible to easily open and close the receiving portions 6a and 16a by detaching the cover members 6b and 16b from the receiving portions 6a and 16a. The portions of the yokes 5 and 15 excluding the cover members 6b and 16b form a yoke main body, and the receiving portions 6a and 16a are integrated with the yoke main body.

  Furthermore, the tip mounting portions of the input / output shafts 2 and 12 have the same length (entrance) Ls (Ls≈Lc) as the axial length Lc of the receiving portions 6a and 16a of the connecting portions 6 and 16. Attached to the shaft hole portions (connecting holes) of the connecting portions 6 and 16.

  The receiving portions 6a and 16a and the cover members 6b and 16b can be fastened with a screw member 9 as a fastening member in a state where the input / output shafts 2 and 12 are mounted or inserted into the shaft hole portions of the connecting portions 6 and 16. It is.

  In such a universal joint, the connecting portions 6 and 16 (receiving portions 6a) are formed by the cover members 6b and 16b in a state where the tip mounting portions of the input / output shafts 2 and 12 are mounted in the shaft hole portions of the connecting portions 6 and 16, respectively. 16a) can be opened. Therefore, it is possible to easily repair and maintain the universal joints such as the connecting portions 6 and 16 without moving the rotational power source (drive mechanism) 1 and the driven mechanism, and it is easy to supply oil from the oil supply nipple. . In addition, since the yokes 5 and 15 can be rotated with the connecting portions 6 and 16 open, the yokes 5 and 15 can be easily attached to and detached from the input / output shafts 2 and 12 and the universal joint replacement workability is greatly improved. it can.

  The universal joint only needs to include at least a first yoke and a second yoke, and the yoke has at least one of an input shaft (drive shaft) and an output shaft (driven shaft or propeller shaft). As long as it can be attached (or connected or coupled), the input shaft (drive shaft) and the output shaft (driven shaft) are usually attached to the connecting portion (mounting portion) of the first yoke and the second yoke, respectively. (Or connected or coupled) is often possible.

  The yoke is usually formed of a cylindrical tube, and the connecting portion has a branch portion that can be rotatably connected to an adjacent yoke or an adjacent intermediate shaft member (intermediate shaft or intermediate joint). The bifurcating portion may have a pair of arms (tip connection portions) extending in a bifurcated shape from the bifurcating portion coupling portion in a U-shaped cross section (or U shape) or the like depending on the form of the joint. A sphere that extends in the radial direction and serves as an intermediate shaft member (for example, a sphere in which an orthogonal groove or a crossing groove on which a sliding member can slide, such as a Rzeppa joint, is formed on the circumferential surface). You may have several arms curved in the form of wrapping. In many cases, the yoke is usually connected to the intermediate shaft member in a bifurcated shape from the connecting portion, and can be swingably or pivotably connected to the intermediate member at the tip connecting portion.

  A hollow cylindrical shaft that extends in the axial direction and can be mounted (connected or coupled) to the input shaft and / or output shaft (or drive shaft and / or driven shaft) in the connecting portion (or mounting portion) of each yoke. A hole (or mounting hole) is formed. The form of the shaft hole (mounting hole) may be a polygonal cross section or a cylindrical cross section depending on the cross sectional shape of the input shaft and / or the output shaft.

  Further, the shaft hole portion of the connecting portion of the first and / or second yoke and the input shaft and / or the output shaft may be engaged with each other (for example, an engaging portion extending in the longitudinal direction). It may be formed. This engaging part can be formed of a convex part and / or a concave part extending in the radial direction. In addition, depending on the form of the input / output shaft, a convex portion (for example, an engaging convex portion such as a convex line) is formed on one of the shaft hole portion of the connecting portion and the input / output shaft, and a concave portion (for example, the convex portion) , Engaging grooves such as concave grooves) may be formed, and the cross-sectional shape of the convex portion is a mountain shape whose width decreases as it goes inward in the radial direction, and the same width as it goes inward in the radial direction The shape may be a square shape extending in the direction of, or an inverted trapezoidal shape in which the width increases inward in the radial direction. Usually, an input / output shaft key part and an engaging groove of a shaft hole part with which this key part can engage often form an engaging part, and the engaging groove is a key groove or a spline groove or the like. It may be an engaging groove extending in the direction.

  The engaging portion may be configured such that the receiving portion and the cover member are slidable in the axial direction relatively in a form in which the receiving portion and the cover member are not removable in the radial direction. For example, when an engagement groove (key groove) is formed in the shaft hole portion and an engagement protrusion (key portion) is formed on the input / output shaft, the engagement groove moves inward in the radial direction. Cross-sectional dovetail-shaped key groove with narrow width (opening width) (an dovetail groove shape with a deeper width than the opening) and engaging protrusions with inverted trapezoidal cross-section (top width widened) The engaging portion may be formed with the key portion in the form), and the engaging portion in such a form is slidable in the axial direction of the input / output shaft. Therefore, the receiving part can be opened by sliding the cover member, and the repairing and maintenance workability of the connecting part can be improved.

  In order to open the shaft hole portion of the receiving portion, it is advantageous that the receiving portion and the cover member can be detached at least in the radial direction, for example, the cover member is at least in the radial direction with respect to the receiving portion. It is preferably removable. Such a detachable engaging portion has an engaging convex portion having a convex portion extending in the radial direction with a predetermined width from the base portion, and a cross-sectional shape corresponding to the engaging convex portion. In the cross-sectional shape of the engaging concave groove that can be accommodated, at least the top width of the convex portion is the same as or smaller than the base portion of the engaging convex portion, for example, the engaging convex portion and the engaging concave portion. Engagement portions formed with substantially the same width (such as a combination of an engagement convex portion having a quadrangular cross section and an engaging concave groove having a quadrangular cross section that can be accommodated by the engagement convex portion, as shown in the above figure) ), An engaging convex portion (for example, a triangular cross-section, a trapezoidal shape, etc.) having a cross-sectional mountain shape that decreases in width toward the top, and an engaging concave groove (for example, a trough-shaped engaging groove that can be accommodated by the engaging convex portion) A combination with a V-shaped groove, an inverted trapezoidal groove, or the like may be used.

  The engaging portion can be formed at appropriate positions in the circumferential direction of the input / output shaft and the shaft hole portion of the connecting portion, and the engaging groove can be formed in the shaft hole portion of the connecting portion and / or the shaft hole portion of the cover member. However, in order to increase the fastening strength between the receiving portion and the cover member, it is preferably formed in the shaft hole portion of the receiving portion integrated with the yoke body.

  The intermediate shaft member (intermediate shaft) may be interposed between the first yoke and the second yoke so that both can be rotatably connected. For example, the first and second yokes Needle bearing, ring-shaped body, and spherical body (a cross-shaped groove such as a cross-shaped groove on which a sliding member attached to the yoke can slide is formed on the circumferential surface. Or the like). In a preferred embodiment, the intermediate shaft member has at least a cross shape such as a cross spider, and is a cross shaft (or cross shaft member) that can be rotatably connected to the tip connection portion of the branch portion of each yoke. It has. The cross shaft includes a first shaft member that rotatably supports the first yoke, and a second shaft member that rotatably supports the second yoke. The two shaft members may have a cross shape. The shaft member can support the yoke (or the tip connection portion of the branch portion) rotatably or rotatably via a bearing such as a needle bearing (needle roller bearing or the like).

  In addition, although the oil supply nipple is not necessarily required, it is useful for improving the durability of the bearing or the bearing portion by oil supply. The direction of the oiling nipple is not particularly limited, and may be the side direction, the upper direction, the axial direction (inward or outward direction of the axial direction) of the universal joint when arranged in a straight line. If the oil supply nipple is attached to the cross shaft member in the upper direction (including the oblique direction) or the outer side in the axial direction, the oil supply operation can be performed efficiently with the receiving part opened.

  The intermediate shaft member only needs to include at least the cross shaft (or cross shaft member). That is, the first yoke and the second yoke may be connected by a cross shaft (or a cross shaft member) as an intermediate shaft member, and as described above, a hollow cylinder as an intermediate yoke (intermediate both yokes). The cross shaft (or cross shaft member) may be connected to both sides of the intermediate joint member (intermediate shaft joint member). In a preferred embodiment, the first yoke and the second yoke may be connected by an intermediate yoke having yokes on both sides to form a constant velocity joint. In the intermediate yoke (hollow cylindrical intermediate joint member), the branch portion (or bifurcated connection portion) of the other end portion with respect to the branch portion (or bifurcated connection portion) of one end portion is They may be formed at the same phase angle (the same position in the circumferential direction), or may be formed at different phase angles (different positions in the circumferential direction, for example, 90 ° different phase angles). One or a plurality of intermediate yokes may be interposed between the first yoke and the second yoke.

  The connecting portion (or mounting portion) in the divided form may be formed in at least one of the first and second yokes, or may be formed in both the first and second yokes. The connecting portion can be formed by a receiving portion to which the input shaft and / or the output shaft can be mounted (arranged or accommodated) and a cover member that can be fastened to the receiving portion, and the receiving portion extends from the yoke. The form is integrated with the yoke body. That is, the connecting portion to which the input shaft (or drive shaft) and / or the output shaft (or passive shaft) can be attached (connected or coupled) is connected to at least the branch portion side (for example, the bifurcated portion side) (or the yoke). The yoke body is formed and the shaft is mounted or accommodated, and a cover member (or separation member) that can be fastened to the receiving portion is separated or separated. Yes.

  The receiving portion and / or the cover member has a shaft hole portion having a concave cross section corresponding to the input shaft and / or the output shaft, usually a shaft hole portion having a semicircular cross section. That is, the receiving part has a concave (for example, semicircular arc) shaft hole that can accommodate or place at least a part of the input shaft and / or the output shaft (particularly, a part of the input shaft and / or the output shaft). The cover member is not necessarily required, but usually has a concave section (for example, a semi-circular section) that can accommodate or place a part of the input shaft and / or the output shaft. It has an arc-shaped shaft hole (a concave part having a semicircular cross-section). Therefore, the input shaft and / or the output shaft are fastened by fastening the receiving portion and the cover member in a form in which the input shaft and / or the output shaft are rotatably accommodated in a semicircular arc-shaped shaft hole (concave portion). Can form a connecting portion (or mounting portion) that is rotatably mounted (coupled or connected) to the shaft hole portion.

  The receiving portion and the cover member may be formed by being separated in an axial direction from an appropriate position in the radial direction of the connecting portion (particularly the shaft hole portion), and the connecting portion has a step shape (for example, an L shape in a side view). You may form by separating in a form. The form of this separation is along the first separation surface extending radially from the branching portion to a predetermined depth, and the second separation surface extending in the axial direction from the first separation surface. It may be separated. The first cut surface is a cut surface (a vertical wall formed on the yoke body side of the receiving portion) that linearly extends to a predetermined depth in the radial direction. It may be an inclined or curved cut surface (an inclined wall formed on the yoke body side of the receiving portion).

  The first cut surface can be formed in a radial direction at a suitable location (a portion connected to the yoke body) away from the branch portion (for example, a bifurcated portion). In order to increase mechanical strength, the branch portion (for example, , The bifurcated portion) is preferably formed so as to extend in the radial direction in which the tip connecting portions face (or confront each other). For example, in a yoke having a bifurcated tip connection portion, if the base side of the tip connection portion is cut away, the mechanical strength tends to decrease, so the first tip connection portion in the direction (radial direction) where the two tip connection portions face each other. It is preferable to form a cut surface.

  Further, the second cut surface may be a cut surface that extends in the axial direction and is displaced in the radial direction from the central portion (axial core) of the connecting portion (particularly the shaft hole portion), for example. Alternatively, a receiving portion and a cover member having different depths of shaft hole portions (such as a concave portion having a semicircular cross section) may be formed. In other words, the receiving portion and the shaft hole portion of the cover member (such as a semicircular concave portion in which the shaft can be disposed or accommodated) may be formed at the same or different depth. In a preferred embodiment, in order to easily open the receiving portion with the cover member, the second cut surface is formed along the central portion (axial core) of the connecting portion (particularly the axial hole portion) or the central portion (axial core). It is preferably a cut surface that is displaced outward in the radial direction and extends in the axial direction. In particular, it is preferably a cut surface extending in the axial direction along the central portion (axial core) of the shaft hole. In such a connecting portion having the second separation portion, even if the input / output shaft is accommodated in the shaft hole portion of the receiving portion, the receiving portion can be opened widely, and repair and maintenance of universal joints including lubrication are performed. Is easy.

  The receiving part and the cover member may be fastened by various fastening or coupling members such as a screw member or a ring-shaped fastening member that can be fastened in the radial direction.

  Furthermore, even if the input shaft and / or the output shaft are excessively advanced with respect to the shaft hole portion of the connecting portion to connect the receiving portion and the cover member, the receiving portion can be opened by the cover member. Is easy. Therefore, the relationship with the length of the shaft hole portion of the connecting portion is not particularly limited, but even if the receiving portion can be opened, the receiving portion cannot be rotated to largely open the shaft portion of the input shaft and / or the output shaft. There is. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, the mounting length (degree of entry) of the input shaft and / or the output shaft 2 (12) (or the insertion length of the key portion 2a (12a)) Ls and the yoke 5 (15) The axial length Lc of the axial hole portion of the connecting portion 6 (16) (or the key groove 8 of the receiving portion 6a) satisfies the relationship of Ls ≦ Lc, and the axial direction of the axial hole portion of the connecting portion 6 (16). The length Lc is preferably equal to or larger than the mounting length (degree of approach) Ls of the input shaft and / or the output shaft 2 (12). In particular, when the receiving portion 6a (16a) is smoothly rotated, it is preferable that the relationship of Ls <Lc is satisfied in consideration of the displacement length accompanying the rotation of the receiving portion 6a (16a).

  In addition, you may restrict | limit that an input shaft and / or an output shaft approach excessively with respect to the shaft hole part of a connection part. FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another example of the universal joint of the present invention. In this example, the input shaft and / or the output shaft 2 (12) has an excessive mounting length (degree of entry), and the yoke In order to restrict or prevent entry into the shaft hole portion of the connecting portion 6 (16), a deeper portion of the shaft hole portion of the connecting portion 6 (16) has a restricting wall (inward in the radial direction) with a narrow inner diameter. An annular restriction wall) 27 is formed.

  In order to restrict excessive entry of the input shaft and / or output shaft, a restricting portion may be formed on at least one of the connecting portion and the input / output shaft, and the radius is not limited to the restricting wall of the connecting portion. A protruding portion or a protruding portion that extends inward in the direction may be formed, and a regulating portion may be formed at a predetermined portion of the input / output shaft.

  Furthermore, the receiving part and the cover member may be fastened to each other, and may be fastened in a positionable manner if necessary. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing still another example of the universal joint of the present invention. In this example, the connecting portion 35 of the yoke is formed of a receiving portion 35a and a cover member 35b, as described above. A fitting recess 36 is formed on the opposite side walls of the receiving portion 35a, and a fitting projection 37 that can be fitted to the fitting recess 36 is formed on the cover member 35b. If such a fitting part is formed, the position of the cover member relative to the receiving part can be fixed at the time of fastening, and the screw member 9 can be fastened efficiently.

  Note that the receiving portion and the cover member do not necessarily need to be formed with a fitting portion, and the fitting portion may be a fitting that restricts displacement in the axial direction as in the above example, and has a radius. In order to restrict the displacement in the direction, it may be formed by uneven portions (or uneven strips) extending in the axial direction. Moreover, not only a fitting part but a positioning part may be formed in a receiving part and a cover member, and it may be mutually positionable.

  Further, the cover member may be hingedly attached to the yoke body so that the receiving portion can be opened and closed by the cover member.

  In such a universal joint, since the cover member can be opened, the mounting hole (shaft hole portion) of the input shaft and / or the output shaft can be opened at the receiving portion, and the connecting portion is repaired and maintained. The universal joint can be exchanged efficiently. In particular, even if the input shaft and / or the output shaft is connected to the input source (active or drive mechanism) and / or the output source (passive mechanism) in a form supported by the bearing portion, the input shaft and / or the output shaft Since the connecting portion (mounting hole) can be opened, the connecting portion and the universal joint can be repaired or maintained without moving the input source (active or drive mechanism) and / or the output source (passive mechanism). Can be replaced easily and efficiently. For example, in the conventional universal joint in which the receiving portion cannot be opened by the cover member, the replacement work of the universal joint takes about 4 hours, but by using the universal joint of the present invention, it takes about several minutes. It is exchangeable.

  The present invention also includes a power transmission mechanism provided with the universal joint. In this power transmission mechanism, the input shaft and the output shaft are connected via the universal joint in a state where the input shaft and the output shaft are rotatably supported by the bearing portions. Also, the torque of the input shaft (drive shaft) is transmitted to the output shaft (passive shaft) arranged at different angles with respect to the axis of the input shaft, and the angle between the input shaft and the output shaft can be freely changed Is possible. Such a power transmission mechanism may be provided with at least one universal joint, and may form an inconstant velocity joint or a constant velocity joint. In addition, as described above, the constant velocity joint may be a constant velocity joint in which the first yoke and the second yoke are connected via the intermediate yoke, or a constant velocity joint including a ball joint. May be.

  The universal joint can be used for various motion transmission mechanisms in which the input shaft and the output shaft are connected at different angles. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the input shaft and the plurality of output shafts are universal joints. It is possible to form a power transmission mechanism that is connected in a semicircular arc shape and can transmit or transmit the torque of the input shaft to the output shaft. In this example, the rotation shaft (input shaft) 42 of the rotational drive source 41 is rotatably supported by the first bearing portion 43a, and the first universal joint 45a has a first shaft via the first pulley 44a. It is connected or coupled to the connecting portion of the yoke. The first output shaft 46 is connected to or coupled to the connecting portion of the second yoke of the first universal joint 45a at an angle different from the axis of the rotary shaft (input shaft) 42. Is rotatably supported by the second bearing portion 43b via the second pulley 44b, and is connected or coupled to the connecting portion of the first yoke of the second universal joint 45b. Further, the second output shaft 47 is connected or coupled to the connection portion of the second yoke of the second universal joint 45b at an angle different from the axis of the first output shaft 46, and this second output is connected. As described above, the shaft 47 is rotatably supported by the third bearing portion 43c via the third pulley 44c.

  In this manner, the input shaft 42 and the plurality of output shafts 46 and 47 are connected by the universal joints 45a and 45b, so that the rotational shaft (input shaft) 42 of the rotational drive source 41 and the first universal joint 45a. The pulleys 44a to 44c are arranged in an arcuate positional relationship between the first output shaft 46 and the second output shaft 47 of the second universal joint 45b. For this reason, a roller conveyor curved in a round shape is obtained by starting a rotational drive source 41 by bridging a belt or a band around each pulley 44a to 44c and the shaft portion of the roller 50 of the roller-type transport band or its pulley. Can be formed.

  In the power transmission mechanism, the rotational drive source (input source) to the input shaft (drive shaft) and the torque transmission mechanism to the driven mechanism of the output shaft (driven shaft) are not particularly limited, depending on the use of the universal joint. Can be selected. For example, the torque transmission mechanism to the driven mechanism is a mechanism that can convert a rotational motion into various motions such as a rotational motion, a linear motion, a rocking motion, an intermittent motion, a speed change motion, a turning motion, such as a gear mechanism, A pinion / rack mechanism, a crank mechanism, a cam mechanism, or the like may be used.

  The universal joint of the present invention can be used in a wide range of fields, for example, as a constant velocity joint, a constant velocity joint, etc., for example, a conveyor such as a roller conveyor, a textile machine such as a textile machine, a papermaking machine, a flaw detector, a can making machine, a vehicle (Automobiles, buses, trucks, aircraft, helicopters, radio controlled, unmanned aircraft, trains or trains, large vehicles, tractors and other agricultural machines, snowplows, ships, etc.), lawn mowers, rice transplanters, generators, rolling mills, rivets Equipment, cap device (capper), punching press machine, asphalt finishing road surface treatment machine, agitation drive device, printing machine paper feeding device, cutting machine, multi-axis drilling machine, multi-axis screwing machine, honing machine, woodworking machine , Sealing or sealing machines, leveling devices such as roll levelers, shutter devices for stores, etc., opening / closing devices for evacuating smoke exhaust devices, blowers, tatami mat machines In various devices or equipment such as sewing machines, fare box sorting devices, universal testing machines, multistory parking lots, manipulators and other remote control devices, bed lifting and reclining devices, shaft drive mechanisms, steering mechanisms, lever mechanisms, It can be used as a mechanical element of various motion mechanisms such as a vibrator mechanism, a roll or roller drive mechanism, a feed mechanism, a gripping mechanism, an opening / closing mechanism, and a lifting / tilting mechanism.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 2,42 ... Input shaft 5,15 ... Yoke 6,16 ... Connection part 6a, 16a, 35a ... Receiving part 6b, 16b, 35b ... Cover member 8 ... Keyway 12, 46, 47 ... Output shaft 13, 43a-43c ... Bearing part 21 ... Intermediate joint member 25 ... Cross shaft 27 ... Restriction wall 45a, 45b ... Universal joint

Claims (7)

  A first yoke having a connecting portion to which the input shaft can be attached, a second yoke having a connecting portion to which the output shaft can be attached, and the first yoke and the second yoke, A universal joint having at least an intermediate shaft member for connecting the first and second yokes so as to be swingable or rotatable, and a connecting portion of at least one of the first and second yokes A universal joint comprising: a receiving portion that is continuous with the yoke body and on which the shaft can be mounted or accommodated; and a cover member that can be fastened to the receiving portion.   The connecting portion is separated into a receiving portion having a semicircular arc-shaped shaft hole portion and a cover member having a semicircular arc-shaped shaft hole portion, leaving the branch portion of the yoke, and the receiving portion and the cover member The universal joint according to claim 1, wherein the shaft hole portions are formed at the same depth or different depths.   The universal joint according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a cross shaft in a cross shape is interposed between the first yoke and the second yoke.   The yoke has a bifurcated bifurcated portion, and the bifurcated portion of the bifurcated portion extends in a radial direction opposite to or confronts, and the connecting portion is separated along a separation surface extending in the axial direction of the shaft hole portion. The universal joint according to any one of claims 1 to 3.   The mounting length Ls of the input shaft and the output shaft with respect to the shaft hole portion of the connecting portion and the axial length Lc of the receiving portion of the connecting portion satisfy the relationship of Ls ≦ Lc. The universal joint described.   The universal joint according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein an engaging portion that can engage with the shaft hole portion of the receiving portion and the input shaft and / or the output shaft is formed.   A power transmission mechanism in which an input shaft and an output shaft are connected to each other via a universal joint in a state where the input shaft and the output shaft are rotatably supported by bearings, respectively, wherein the universal joint is any one of claims 1 to 6. A power transmission mechanism which is the universal joint described.

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