JP2020172986A - Coupling joint - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a coupling joint which is large in misalignment allowable between a drive shaft and a driven shaft, and can connect the drive shaft and the driven shaft at a short inter-axial end distance.SOLUTION: A coupling joint has: a first hub 4a in which a first inside track groove 14a and a first outside track groove 15a are formed in positions overlapped on a first axial hole 3a in a radial direction; a first ball 5a assembled between the first inside track groove 14a and the first outside track groove 15a; a second hub 4b in which a second inside track groove 14b and a second inside track groove 15b are formed in positions overlapped on a second axial hole 3b in the radial direction; a second ball 5b assembled between the second inside track groove 14b and the second outside track groove 15b; and a torque tube 6 having a first pocket 16a for holding the first ball 5a, and a second pocket 16b for holding the second ball 5b.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a coupling joint that connects a drive shaft and a driven shaft.

Generally, a coupling joint is used as a mechanical element that connects a drive shaft of an electric motor or the like and a driven shaft driven by the drive shaft. The coupling joint includes a first hub having a first shaft hole into which the shaft end of the drive shaft is inserted, a second hub having a second shaft hole into which the shaft end of the driven shaft is inserted, and a first hub. And a connecting portion for connecting the second hub. The connecting part often adopts a structure that transmits torque while allowing misalignment between the drive shaft and the driven shaft, which prevents uneven wear of the bearing and vibration of the device due to misalignment. It is possible to reduce it.

Examples of such coupling joints include flexible shaft joints (Japanese Industrial Standard JIS B1452), gear couplings (JIS B1453), universal ball joints (JIS B1454), and rubber shaft joints (JIS B1455). Patent Document 1 (FIG. 5 (b)), chain coupling (JIS B1456 of the same standard), and the like are known.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2008-128393

By the way, in the flexible shaft joint, the gear coupling, the rubber shaft joint, and the chain coupling, the allowable misalignment between the drive shaft and the driven shaft is extremely small (for example, the allowable angle error between the drive shaft and the driven shaft). (Allowable deviation angle) is less than 1 °). On the other hand, the universal ball joint has an advantage that the allowable misalignment between the drive shaft and the driven shaft is large (allowable declination is usually 10 ° or more).

However, the flexible shaft joint, gear coupling, rubber shaft joint, chain coupling, etc. connect the drive shaft and the driven shaft in a state where the distance between the shaft ends is short, whereas the universal ball joint connects the shaft ends. When the layout using the former coupling joint (deflection shaft joint, gear coupling, rubber shaft joint, chain coupling, etc.) is adopted because the drive shaft and the driven shaft are connected in a long distance. In addition, when trying to replace the coupling joint with a universal ball joint, it was necessary to increase the distance between the shaft ends of the drive shaft and the driven shaft, which was difficult to replace.

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a coupling joint having a large allowable misalignment between the drive shaft and the driven shaft, and capable of connecting the drive shaft and the driven shaft with a short shaft end distance. That is.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a coupling joint having the following configuration.
The hollow first inner cylinder portion centered on the first shaft hole into which the shaft end portion of the drive shaft is inserted is coaxial with the first inner cylinder portion at intervals outward in the radial direction of the first inner cylinder portion. It has a first outer cylinder portion provided, and a first connecting portion that connects the first inner cylinder portion and the axial end portions of the first outer cylinder portion to each other, and is provided on the outer periphery of the first inner cylinder portion. Is a position in which three first inner track grooves extending in the axial direction are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, and the inner circumference of the first outer cylinder portion faces the outer side in the radial direction of the first inner track groove. A first hub in which three first outer track grooves extending in the axial direction are formed, and the first inner track groove and the first outer track groove are arranged at positions where they overlap with the first shaft hole in the radial direction. When,
Three first balls incorporated between the first inner track groove and the first outer track groove, and
The hollow second inner cylinder portion centered on the second shaft hole into which the shaft end portion of the driven shaft is inserted is coaxial with the second inner cylinder portion at intervals outward in the radial direction of the second inner cylinder portion. It has a second outer cylinder portion provided, and a second connecting portion that connects the second inner cylinder portion and the axial end portions of the second outer cylinder portion to each other, and is provided on the outer periphery of the second inner cylinder portion. Is a position in which three second inner track grooves extending in the axial direction are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, and the inner circumference of the second outer cylinder portion faces the outer side in the radial direction of the second inner track groove. A second hub in which three second outer track grooves extending in the axial direction are formed, and the second inner track groove and the second outer track groove are arranged at positions where they radially overlap the second shaft hole. When,
Three second balls incorporated between the second inner track groove and the second outer track groove, respectively.
It has three first pockets for holding each of the three first balls and three second pockets for holding each of the three second balls, and the three first balls are described as described above. A tubular torque tube that transmits rotation to the three second balls,
Coupling fittings with.

In this way, the first hub and the torque tube are connected so as to be angularly displaceable via the three first balls, and the second hub and the torque tube are angularly displaced via the three second balls. Because it is connectable, it is between the drive shaft with the shaft end inserted in the first shaft hole of the first hub and the driven shaft with the shaft end inserted in the second shaft hole of the second hub. Even if there is a large misalignment (angle error between the drive shaft and the driven shaft, parallel error between the drive shaft and the driven shaft, etc.), it is possible to connect the drive shaft and the driven shaft with a coupling joint. Further, the shaft end portion of the drive shaft is inserted into the first shaft hole arranged so as to overlap the first inner track groove and the first outer track groove in the radial direction, and the second inner track groove and the second outer track groove are formed. Since the shaft end portion of the driven shaft is inserted so as to overlap in the radial direction, it is possible to connect the drive shaft and the driven shaft with a short shaft end distance.

The torque tube is
The first torque tube split body having the three first pockets and
It is preferable to adopt a second torque tube split body that is separably connected to the first torque tube split body and has the three second pockets.

In this way, the work of mounting the first hub on the shaft end of the drive shaft and the work of mounting the second hub on the shaft end of the driven shaft are performed separately, and then the first torque tube split body is used. By connecting the second torque tube split body, it is possible to connect the shaft end portion of the drive shaft and the shaft end portion of the driven shaft, so that the coupling joint mounting work is easy.

The first torque tube split body includes a first flange portion that faces the axial end surface of the first outer cylinder portion in the axial direction and extends radially outward from the outer circumference of the first outer cylinder portion, and the first flange portion. It has a first tubular portion that is integrally connected to the flange portion and has the three first pockets formed therein.
The second torque tube split body includes a second flange portion that faces the axial end surface of the second outer cylinder portion in the axial direction and extends radially outward from the outer circumference of the second outer cylinder portion, and the second flange portion. It has a second tubular portion that is integrally connected to the flange portion and has the three second pockets formed therein.
It is preferable to adopt a configuration in which the first flange portion and the second flange portion are separably connected.

In this way, the first flange portion extending radially outward from the outer circumference of the first outer cylinder portion and the second flange portion extending radially outward from the outer circumference of the second outer cylinder portion are connected. Since the first torque tube split body and the second torque tube split body are connected, the work of connecting the first torque tube split body and the second torque tube split body becomes easy.

The first torque tube split body further includes a first boot that closes an annular opening between the first flange portion and the first outer cylinder portion.
It is preferable that the second torque tube split body further has a second boot that closes the annular opening between the second flange portion and the second outer cylinder portion.

In this way, the work of mounting the first hub on the shaft end of the drive shaft and the work of mounting the second hub on the shaft end of the driven shaft can be performed separately, and the work of mounting the first hub on the shaft end can be performed separately. It is possible to seal the inside and the inside of the second hub with the first boot and the second boot.

The first boot is made of a rubber having an annular first washer portion fixed to the first flange portion, one end being connected to the first washer portion, and the other end being fixed to the outer periphery of the first outer cylinder portion. With a first flexible tube made of or elastomer
The second boot is made of a rubber having an annular second washer portion fixed to the second flange portion, one end connected to the second washer portion, and the other end fixed to the outer circumference of the second outer cylinder portion. It is possible to adopt a configuration having a second flexible tubular portion made of a product or an elastomer.

In this way, it is possible to securely fix the first boot and the second boot to the first flange portion and the second flange portion while ensuring the flexibility of the first boot and the second boot. ..

The first flexible cylinder portion forms an R groove extending in the circumferential direction on the outer circumference of the portion on the side of the first flange portion from the fixed position with respect to the outer circumference of the first outer cylinder portion.
It is preferable that the second flexible cylinder portion forms an R groove extending in the circumferential direction on the outer circumference of the portion on the side of the second flange portion from the fixed position with respect to the outer circumference of the second outer cylinder portion.

In this way, the first flexible cylinder and the second flexible cylinder are greatly deformed at the position of the R groove, so that the flexibility of the first flexible cylinder and the second flexible cylinder is large. Can be secured.

Further, one end of the first outer cylinder portion is fitted to the outer circumference of the first outer cylinder portion, and the other end of the second outer cylinder portion is fitted so as to close the annular gap between the first outer cylinder portion and the second outer cylinder portion. A configuration having a tubular boot provided fitted on the outer circumference can be further adopted.

In this way, the inside of the first hub and the inside of the second hub can be sealed with a single boot.

The three first balls may be arranged so as to overlap the first shaft hole in the radial direction, and the three second balls may be arranged so as to overlap the second shaft hole in the radial direction. ..

Further, the first shaft hole may be a through hole that penetrates the first inner cylinder portion in the axial direction, and the second shaft hole may be a through hole that penetrates the second inner cylinder portion in the axial direction. it can.

In this way, it is possible to connect the drive shaft and the driven shaft with a particularly short distance between the shaft ends.

In the coupling joint of the present invention, the first hub and the torque tube are connected to each other via three first balls so as to be angularly displaceable, and the second hub and the torque tube are connected to each other via three second balls. The drive shaft has a shaft end inserted into the first shaft hole of the first hub, and the driven shaft has a shaft end inserted into the second shaft hole of the second hub. Even if there is a large misalignment between the drive shafts (angle error between the drive shaft and the driven shaft, parallel error between the drive shaft and the driven shaft, etc.), it is possible to connect the drive shaft and the driven shaft. Further, the shaft end portion of the drive shaft is inserted into the first shaft hole arranged so as to overlap the first inner track groove and the first outer track groove in the radial direction, and the second inner track groove and the second outer track groove are formed. Since the shaft end portion of the driven shaft is inserted so as to overlap in the radial direction, it is possible to connect the drive shaft and the driven shaft with a short shaft end distance.

Sectional drawing which shows the coupling joint of 1st Embodiment of this invention Sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. Angle error between the drive shaft and the driven shaft in FIG. 1 (The drive shaft so that the drive shaft and the driven shaft are relatively angularly displaced from the state where the axis of the drive shaft and the axis of the driven shaft are on the same straight line. And the error that the driven shaft is misaligned) Parallel error between the drive shaft and the driven shaft in FIG. 1 (from the state where the axis of the drive shaft and the axis of the driven shaft are on the same straight line, the drive shaft and the driven shaft move relatively in parallel with each other. The figure which shows the state in which the driven shaft is misaligned) Cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the coupling joint of FIG. Sectional drawing which shows the coupling joint of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the state which the parallel error occurred between the drive shaft and the driven shaft of FIG. Sectional drawing which shows the coupling joint of 3rd Embodiment of this invention Sectional drawing which shows the coupling joint of 4th Embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 1 shows a coupling joint according to a first embodiment of the present invention. This coupling joint connects the drive shaft 1 and the driven shaft 2 while allowing misalignment (angle error, parallel error) between the drive shaft 1 and the driven shaft 2, and torque between the drive shaft 1 and the driven shaft 2. It is a mechanical element that performs transmission. Examples of the drive shaft 1 include a rotation shaft of an electric motor (not shown).

The coupling joint includes a first hub 4a having a first shaft hole 3a into which the shaft end of the drive shaft 1 is inserted, a first ball 5a incorporated in the first hub 4a, and a shaft end of the driven shaft 2. A second hub 4b having a second shaft hole 3b to be inserted, a second ball 5b incorporated in the second hub 4b, and a torque tube 6 for transmitting rotation between the first ball 5a and the second ball 5b. Have. The first hub 4a and the second hub 4b have the same configuration. That is, the second hub 4b corresponds to a first hub 4a attached with its top, bottom, left, and right reversed. Therefore, the configuration on the side of the first hub 4a will be described below, and for the configuration on the side of the second hub 4b, the first prefix of the member name is replaced with the second, and the same code or the last alphabet a The description is omitted by adding a reference numeral in which is replaced with b.

The first hub 4a is provided coaxially with the hollow first inner cylinder portion 7a having the first shaft hole 3a as the center and the first inner cylinder portion 7a at intervals outward in the radial direction of the first inner cylinder portion 7a. The first connecting portion 9a connecting the first outer cylinder portion 8a, the axially outer end portion of the first inner cylinder portion 7a, and the axially outer end portion of the first outer cylinder portion 8a, and the first It has a tubular first boss portion 10a extending outward in the axial direction from the connection position of the inner tubular portion 7a and the first connecting portion 9a.

The first shaft hole 3a is a through hole that penetrates the first inner cylinder portion 7a and the first boss portion 10a in the axial direction. A detent portion 11 for detenting the shaft end portion of the drive shaft 1 is provided on the inner circumference of the first shaft hole 3a. In the figure, the detent portion 11 is a keyway having a square cross section extending in the axial direction. It is also possible to use spline holes instead of keyways. A screw hole 12 penetrating in the radial direction is formed in the boss portion, and a set screw is inserted into the screw hole 12.

As shown in FIG. 2, on the outer circumference of the first inner cylinder portion 7a, three first inner track grooves 14a extending in the axial direction are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. Three first outer track grooves 15a are formed on the inner circumference of the first outer cylinder portion 8a so as to extend axially at a position facing the radial outer side of the first inner track groove 14a. Then, three first balls 5a are incorporated between the three first inner track grooves 14a and the three first outer track grooves 15a. The three first balls 5a are arranged at 120 ° intervals, and the three second balls 5b (see FIG. 1) are also arranged at 120 ° intervals. The first ball 5a and the second ball 5b are arranged at positions shifted by 60 °.

The first inner track groove 14a has a cross section perpendicular to the axis of the first shaft hole 3a and is formed in an arc shape along the outer circumference of the first ball 5a. The first outer track groove 15a is also formed in a cross section perpendicular to the axis of the first shaft hole 3a in a circular arc shape along the outer circumference of the first ball 5a. In the three first balls 5a, the diameter of the circle that passes through the centers of the first balls 5a in common is 3.0 times or more (preferably 3.5 times or more) the diameter of the first balls 5a. It is arranged like this.

As shown in FIG. 1, the groove bottom of the first inner track groove 14a extends in a direction parallel to the axis of the first shaft hole 3a in a cross section including the axis of the first shaft hole 3a. The bottom of the first outer track groove 15a also extends in a direction parallel to the axis of the first shaft hole 3a in a cross section including the axis of the first shaft hole 3a. Here, the first inner track groove 14a, the first outer track groove 15a, and the three first balls 5a are all arranged at positions that overlap with the first shaft hole 3a in the radial direction. Therefore, when the shaft end of the drive shaft 1 is inserted into the first shaft hole 3a, the shaft end of the drive shaft 1 is incorporated between the first inner track groove 14a and the first outer track groove 15a. It overlaps with 5a in the radial direction.

The torque tube 6 is a tubular member that transmits rotation from the three first balls 5a to the three second balls 5b. The torque tube 6 includes a first torque tube split body 6A having three first pockets 16a and a second torque tube split body 6B having three second pockets 16b. The first torque tube split body 6A and the second torque tube split body 6B are separably connected.

Three first balls 5a are held in each of the three first pockets 16a. Three second balls 5b are held in each of the three second pockets 16b. The first pocket 16a is formed at three locations with an interval of 120 ° in the circumferential direction, and the second pocket 16b is also formed at three locations with an interval of 120 ° in the circumferential direction. The first pocket 16a and the second pocket 16b are arranged so as to be offset by 60 °.

The first torque tube split body 6A is provided by integrally connecting the first flange portion 17a facing the axial end surface of the first outer cylinder portion 8a in the axial direction and the first flange portion 17a. It has 18a and a first boot 19a that closes an annular opening between the first flange portion 17a and the first outer cylinder portion 8a. The first flange portion 17a has an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the first outer cylinder portion 8a so as to extend radially outward from the outer circumference of the first outer cylinder portion 8a. Three first pockets 16a are formed in the first tubular portion 18a at intervals in the circumferential direction. The first pocket 16a is a radial through hole that fits on the outer circumference of the first ball 5a. The first torque tube split body 6A holds each of the first ball 5a so that the first torque tube split body 6A and the first ball 5a move integrally in both the circumferential direction and the axial direction.

The second torque tube split body 6B has the same configuration as the first torque tube split body 6A. The second flange portion 17b of the second torque tube split body 6B is separably connected to the first flange portion 17a of the first torque tube split body 6A. Specifically, the first flange portion 17a and the second flange portion 17b are arranged so as to face each other in the axial direction, and the facing surfaces thereof are brought into close contact with each other to be formed on the first flange portion 17a and the second flange portion 17b. The first flange portion 17a and the second flange portion 17b are connected by inserting the bolt 21 into the bolt insertion hole 20 and hooking the nut 22 on the bolt 21.

A positioning fitting recess 24 into which the positioning member 23 is fitted is formed on the facing surfaces of the first flange portion 17a and the second flange portion 17b. Then, by fitting the common positioning member 23 into the positioning fitting recess 24 of the first flange portion 17a and the positioning fitting recess 24 of the second flange portion 17b, the center of the first torque tube split body 6A is formed. And the center of the second torque tube split body 6B are positioned so as to coincide with each other.

As shown in FIG. 3, the first boot 19a has an annular first washer portion 25a fixed to the first flange portion 17a and a first flexible tubular portion 26a made of rubber or elastomer. One end of the first flexible cylinder portion 26a in the axial direction is connected to the first washer portion 25a, and the other end of the first flexible cylinder portion 26a in the axial direction is tightened to the outer circumference of the first outer cylinder portion 8a. It is fixed by fitting with. The first washer portion 25a is fastened together with the first flange portion 17a and the second flange portion 17b by bolts 21 and nuts 22.

In this coupling joint, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first hub 4a and the torque tube 6 are connected to the second hub 4b via three first balls 5a so as to be angularly displaceable. Since the torque tube 6 is connected to the torque tube 6 via three second balls 5b so as to be angularly displaceable, a large misalignment between the drive shaft 1 and the driven shaft 2 (specifically, as shown in FIG. 3). Even if there is an angle error between the drive shaft 1 and the driven shaft 2 or a parallel error between the drive shaft 1 and the driven shaft 2 as shown in FIG. 4), the drive shaft 1 and the driven shaft 2 are connected by the coupling joint. It is possible to connect.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, this coupling joint has a shaft end of the drive shaft 1 in a first shaft hole 3a arranged so as to overlap the first inner track groove 14a and the first outer track groove 15a in the radial direction. Since the portion is inserted and the shaft end portion of the driven shaft 2 is inserted so as to overlap the second inner track groove 14b and the second outer track groove 15b in the radial direction, the drive shaft 1 And the driven shaft 2 can be connected with a short shaft end distance.

Further, in this coupling joint, since the torque tube 6 is composed of the first torque tube split body 6A and the second torque tube split body 6B which are separably connected, the first hub 4a is connected to the shaft end of the drive shaft 1. The work of mounting the second hub 4b on the shaft end portion of the driven shaft 2 is performed separately, and then the first torque tube split body 6A and the second torque tube split body 6B are connected. Can be done. Therefore, the work of mounting the coupling joint is easy.

Further, this coupling joint includes a first flange portion 17a extending radially outward from the outer circumference of the first outer cylinder portion 8a and a second flange extending radially outward from the outer circumference of the second outer cylinder portion 8b. By connecting the portion 17b, the first torque tube split body 6A and the second torque tube split body 6B are connected, so that the connection work between the first torque tube split body 6A and the second torque tube split body 6B is easy. Is.

Further, in this coupling joint, the first boot 19a for closing the annular opening between the first flange portion 17a and the first outer cylinder portion 8a is provided on the first torque tube split body 6A, and the second flange portion 17b and the second Since the second boot 19b that closes the annular opening between the outer cylinders 8b is provided on the second torque tube split body 6B, the work of mounting the first hub 4a on the shaft end of the drive shaft 1 is adopted. And the inside of the first hub 4a and the inside of the second hub 4b are the first boots 19a and the first boot 19a while making it possible to separately perform the work of attaching the second hub 4b to the shaft end of the driven shaft 2. It is possible to seal with 2 boots 19b.

Further, this coupling joint employs the first boot 19a including the first washer portion 25a and the first flexible cylinder portion 26a, and is composed of the second washer portion 25b and the second flexible cylinder portion 26b. Since the second boot 19b is adopted, the first boot 19a and the second boot 19b are surely attached to the first flange portion 17a and the second boot 19b while ensuring the flexibility of the first boot 19a and the second boot 19b. It can be fixed to the second flange portion 17b.

As shown in FIG. 5, the first flexible cylinder portion 26a has an R groove 27 extending in the circumferential direction on the outer circumference of the portion on the side of the first flange portion 17a from the fixed position with respect to the outer circumference of the first outer cylinder portion 8a. The second flexible tubular portion 26b can also form an R groove 27 extending in the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral portion of the portion on the side of the second flange portion 17b from the fixed position with respect to the outer peripheral portion of the second outer cylinder portion 8b. it can. In this way, the first flexible cylinder portion 26a and the second flexible cylinder portion 26b are greatly deformed at the position of the R groove 27, so that the first flexible cylinder portion 26a and the second flexible cylinder portion 26a and the second flexible cylinder portion It is possible to secure the flexibility of 26b.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, as a method of fixing the first flexible cylinder portion 26a to the outer circumference of the first outer cylinder portion 8a, a boot band 28 for tightening the outer circumference of the first flexible cylinder portion 26a is used. You may. Similarly, as a method of fixing the second flexible cylinder portion 26b to the outer circumference of the second outer cylinder portion 8b, a boot band 28 that tightens the outer circumference of the second flexible cylinder portion 26b may be used. As a result, even if there is a large misalignment between the drive shaft 1 and the driven shaft 2, it is possible to reliably prevent the first flexible cylinder portion 26a and the second flexible cylinder portion 26b from coming off. It becomes.

6 and 7 show the coupling joint of the second embodiment of the present invention. The parts corresponding to the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. The torque tube 6 is a seamless integral tubular member having a first pocket 16a formed on the side of the first hub 4a and a second pocket 16b formed on the side of the second hub 4b. The annular gap between the first outer cylinder portion 8a and the second outer cylinder portion 8b is sealed with a tubular boot 30 made of rubber or elastomer. One end of the boot 30 is fitted to the outer circumference of the first outer cylinder portion 8a, and the other end of the boot 30 is fitted to the outer circumference of the second outer cylinder portion 8b. Further, one end and the other end of the boot 30 are fastened with a boot band 31, respectively.

FIG. 8 shows a coupling joint according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The parts corresponding to the second embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. The boot 30 has a bellows-shaped cross section in which a plurality of peaks 32 and a plurality of valleys 33 are alternately arranged in the axial direction. A metal ring member 34 is attached to each valley portion 33.

FIG. 9 shows a coupling joint according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The parts corresponding to the first embodiment and the second embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

The torque tube 6 has a first torque tube split body 6A, a second torque tube split body 6B, and an intermediate shaft 35 connecting between the first torque tube split body 6A and the second torque tube split body 6B. The intermediate shaft 35 has a hollow cylinder 36 having both ends open, a first flange receiving portion 37 fixed to one end of the hollow cylinder 36, and a second flange receiving portion 38 fixed to the other end of the hollow cylinder 36. And have. The first flange receiving portion 37 is fixed to the first flange portion 17a with bolts 39, and the second flange receiving portion 38 is fixed to the second flange portion 17b with bolts 40.

It should be considered that the embodiments disclosed this time are exemplary in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown by the scope of claims rather than the above description, and it is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims.

1 Drive shaft 2 Driven shaft 3a 1st shaft hole 3b 2nd shaft hole 4a 1st hub 4b 2nd hub 5a 1st ball 5b 2nd ball 6 Torque tube 6A 1st torque tube split body 6B 2nd torque tube split body 7a 1st inner cylinder 7b 2nd inner cylinder 8a 1st outer cylinder 8b 2nd outer cylinder 9a 1st connecting 9b 2nd connecting 14a 1st inner track groove 14b 2nd inner track groove 15a 1st outer track Groove 15b 2nd outer track groove 16a 1st pocket 16b 2nd pocket 17a 1st flange 17b 2nd flange 18a 1st cylinder 18b 2nd cylinder 19a 1st boot 19b 2nd boot 25a 1st washer 25b 2 Washer portion 26a First flexible cylinder portion 26b Second flexible cylinder portion 27 R groove

Claims (9)

A hollow first inner cylinder portion (7a) centered on a first shaft hole (3a) into which a shaft end portion of the drive shaft (1) is inserted is spaced apart from the first inner cylinder portion (7a) in the radial direction. Axial direction of the first outer cylinder portion (8a) provided coaxially with the first inner cylinder portion (7a), the first inner cylinder portion (7a), and the first outer cylinder portion (8a). It has a first connecting portion (9a) that connects the ends to each other, and three first inner track grooves (14a) extending in the axial direction are arranged in the circumferential direction on the outer periphery of the first inner cylinder portion (7a). On the inner circumference of the first outer cylinder portion (8a), three first outer surfaces extending axially at positions facing the radial outer side of the first inner track groove (14a) are formed at equal intervals. A first track groove (15a) is formed, and the first inner track groove (14a) and the first outer track groove (15a) are arranged at positions where they overlap with the first shaft hole (3a) in the radial direction. With the hub (4a),
Three first balls (5a) incorporated between the first inner track groove (14a) and the first outer track groove (15a), respectively.
A hollow second inner cylinder portion (7b) having a second shaft hole (3b) for inserting the shaft end portion of the driven shaft (2) and the second inner cylinder portion (7b) are spaced radially outward. Axial direction of the second outer cylinder portion (8b) provided coaxially with the second inner cylinder portion (7b), the second inner cylinder portion (7b), and the second outer cylinder portion (8b). It has a second connecting portion (9b) that connects the ends to each other, and three second inner track grooves (14b) extending in the axial direction are arranged in the circumferential direction on the outer periphery of the second inner cylinder portion (7b). On the inner circumference of the second outer cylinder portion (8b), three second outer sides extending axially at positions facing the radial outer side of the second inner track groove (14b) are formed at equal intervals. A second track groove (15b) is formed, and the second inner track groove (14b) and the second outer track groove (15b) are arranged at positions where they radially overlap the second shaft hole (3b). With the hub (4b),
Three second balls (5b) incorporated between the second inner track groove (14b) and the second outer track groove (15b), respectively.
The three first pockets (16a) holding the three first balls (5a) and the three second pockets (16b) holding the three second balls (5b) respectively. A tubular torque tube (6) that has and transmits rotation from the three first balls (5a) to the three second balls (5b).
Coupling fittings with. The torque tube (6) is
The first torque tube split body (6A) having the three first pockets (16a) and
The coupling according to claim 1, further comprising a second torque tube split body (6B) separably connected to the first torque tube split body (6A) and having the three second pockets (16b). Fitting. The first torque tube split body (6A) extends axially outward from the outer circumference of the first outer cylinder portion (8a) so as to face the axial end surface of the first outer cylinder portion (8a) in the axial direction. It has a first flange portion (17a) and a first tubular portion (18a) provided integrally connected to the first flange portion (17a) and formed with the three first pockets (16a). And
The second torque tube split body (6B) extends axially outward from the outer circumference of the second outer cylinder portion (8b) so as to face the axial end surface of the second outer cylinder portion (8b) in the axial direction. It has a second flange portion (17b) and a second tubular portion (18b) provided integrally connected to the second flange portion (17b) and formed with the three second pockets (16b). And
The first flange portion (17a) and the second flange portion (17b) are separably connected to each other.
The coupling joint according to claim 2. The first torque tube split body (6A) further includes a first boot (19a) that closes an annular opening between the first flange portion (17a) and the first outer cylinder portion (8a).
The second torque tube split body (6B) further has a second boot (19b) that closes the annular opening between the second flange portion (17b) and the second outer cylinder portion (8b).
The coupling joint according to claim 3. One end of the first boot (19a) is connected to an annular first washer portion (25a) fixed to the first flange portion (17a) and the first washer portion (25a), and the other end is said. It has a first flexible tubular portion (26a) made of rubber or an elastomer fixed to the outer periphery of the first outer tubular portion (8a).
One end of the second boot (19b) is connected to an annular second washer portion (25b) fixed to the second flange portion (17b) and the second washer portion (25b), and the other end is said. It has a second flexible tubular portion (26b) made of rubber or elastomer fixed to the outer periphery of the second outer tubular portion (8b).
The coupling joint according to claim 4. The first flexible tubular portion (26a) has an R groove extending in the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral portion of the portion on the side of the first flange portion (17a) from the fixed position with respect to the outer peripheral portion of the first outer cylinder portion (8a). (27) is formed
The second flexible tubular portion (26b) has an R groove extending in the circumferential direction on the outer periphery of the portion on the side of the second flange portion (17b) from the fixed position with respect to the outer peripheral portion of the second outer cylinder portion (8b). (27) is formed,
The coupling joint according to claim 5. One end is fitted to the outer circumference of the first outer cylinder portion (8a) and the other end is fitted so as to close the annular gap between the first outer cylinder portion (8a) and the second outer cylinder portion (8b). The coupling joint according to claim 1, further comprising a tubular boot (30) provided so as to be fitted on the outer periphery of the second outer cylinder portion (8b). The three first balls (5a) are arranged so as to overlap with the first shaft hole (3a) in the radial direction.
The three second balls (5b) are arranged so as to overlap with the second shaft hole (3b) in the radial direction.
The coupling joint according to any one of claims 1 to 7. The first shaft hole (3a) is a through hole that penetrates the first inner cylinder portion (7a) in the axial direction.
The second shaft hole (3b) is a through hole that penetrates the second inner cylinder portion (7b) in the axial direction.
The coupling joint according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

Images