JP4980318B2 - Working angle sensor for constant velocity universal joint - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an operation angle sensor for a constant velocity universal joint that is mounted on a constant velocity universal joint in an automobile, an industrial machine, or the like and detects an operation angle of the constant velocity universal joint.

In automobiles and industrial machines, a constant velocity universal joint is used as one of devices for coupling a driving device and a driven part. In such constant velocity universal joints, various structures with improved durability have been proposed (for example, Patent Document 1).
JP-A-9-177814

However, in the constant velocity universal joint, when the operating angle increases, the ball transmits a driving force using a portion having a thin outer ring wall thickness, which promotes material fatigue of the outer ring. If the allowable operating angle is exceeded, contact between the inner ring shaft and the outer ring or dropout of the ball may occur.
We considered to constantly monitor the working angle of the constant velocity universal joint during operation. If this operating angle can always be detected, it is possible to prevent an accident caused by contact between the inner ring shaft and the outer ring, ball dropout, or breakage by stopping the device before the operating angle reaches the allowable upper limit value.
However, the constant velocity universal joint rotates as a whole, and the inner ring and the outer ring generate an operating angle. Therefore, it is difficult to detect the operating angle during operation, and sensors that can detect the operating angle during such operation are not available. There is no example in the past.

  Accordingly, the present inventors have developed a working angle sensor for a constant velocity universal joint as shown in FIG. 9 as such a working angle sensor. The operation angle sensor 41 for the constant velocity universal joint is provided with a convex spherical portion 42 concentric with the rotation center O with respect to the outer ring 32 of the constant velocity universal joint on the end surface of the inner ring shaft 34 of the constant velocity universal joint. A concave spherical surface portion 43 facing the portion 42 through a gap is provided on the inner surface of the outer ring 32 of the constant velocity universal joint. A circumferential groove 44 concentric with the axial center O1 of the outer ring 32 is provided in the concave spherical surface portion 43, a magnetism generating coil 45 is provided as a sensor element in the circumferential groove 44, and a detection circuit 46 is provided outside the constant velocity universal joint. Provide. The detection circuit 46 drives the magnetism generating coil 45 with a current having an AC component, detects a change in inductance of the magnetism generating coil 45 from the relationship between the current and voltage, and operates between the inner ring 34 and the outer ring 32. Find the corner. The magnetic field generated by the driven magnetism generating coil 45 becomes a magnetic field closed by passing through the convex spherical portion 42 with the central portion and the peripheral portion of the concave spherical portion 43 as magnetic poles. Between the convex spherical surface portion 42 and the concave spherical surface portion 43 that face each other, the area of the facing portion changes according to the operating angle. Accordingly, the magnetic path cross-sectional area of the magnetic field changes, and the inductance change of the magnetism generating coil 45 changes. Appears as Thereby, the detection circuit 46 detects the operating angle of the constant velocity universal joint from the inductance change.

  In this configuration, driving power is supplied from the detection circuit 46 provided outside the constant velocity universal joint, which is a rotating body, to the magnetism generating coil 45 provided in the constant velocity universal joint, and the magnetism generating coil 45 is also provided. A transmission / reception mechanism for transmitting the detection signal (inductance change) by the detection circuit 46 as an electrical signal is required. As the transmission / reception mechanism, in the configuration of FIG. 9, an electronic circuit 47 having a function of directly driving the magnetism generating coil 45 and a function of processing an output signal of the coil 45 is provided on the outer surface of the cup portion 32a of the outer ring 32. A non-contact electromagnetic coupling 48 comprising a rotating side coil 48a wound around the outer surface of the outer ring cup part 32a and a stationary side coil 48b installed on the outer peripheral side of the coil 48a is provided. The power supply to the circuit 47 and the detection signal transmission from the electronic circuit 47 to the detection circuit 46 are relayed by the non-contact electromagnetic coupling 48.

  However, in the case of the above configuration, the magnetism generating coil 45 is used as the sensor element of the operating angle sensor 41. Therefore, there is a problem that an excitation circuit is required on the constant velocity universal joint side and power consumption is increased.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an operation angle sensor for a constant velocity universal joint that can detect the operation angle of the constant velocity universal joint during operation with less power consumption without providing an excitation circuit on the constant velocity universal joint side. .

The operating angle sensor for a constant velocity universal joint according to the first aspect of the present invention has a track groove formed on the spherical inner surface of the outer ring and the spherical outer surface of the inner ring, and a ball is formed between the outer ring track groove and the inner ring track groove. An operation angle sensor provided in a constant velocity universal joint having an inner ring shaft that is incorporated and provided with a cage for holding the ball, the inner ring being attached to the outer periphery or integrally formed with the inner ring,
A convex spherical surface provided on the end surface of the inner ring shaft and concentric with the center of rotation of the inner ring shaft with respect to the outer ring, and a concave surface provided so as to project annularly on the inner surface of the outer ring, with the front end surface extending along the convex spherical portion via a gap. A concave spherical ring portion that is a spherical surface, an exciting permanent magnet that is housed in a space on the inner diameter side of the concave spherical ring portion, and a semiconductor magnetic sensor that detects a change in the magnetic field of the permanent magnet, The operating angle is obtained by detecting a change in magnetoresistance due to a change in operating angle between the inner ring and the outer ring from the output of the semiconductor magnetic sensor.
The magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet is a closed magnetic field that passes through the semiconductor magnetic sensor, the convex spherical surface portion, and the concave spherical ring portion. The facing area between the concave spherical surface and the convex spherical surface of the concave spherical ring portion changes according to the operating angle. That is, the concave spherical surface and the convex spherical surface of the concave spherical ring portion have a maximum opposing area when the operating angle is zero degrees, and the opposing area decreases as the operating angle increases. , That is, a change in magnetic intensity, which is detected by the semiconductor magnetic sensor. As a result, it is possible to detect the operating angle of the constant velocity universal joint that is operating with low power consumption without providing an excitation circuit on the constant velocity universal joint side.
As described above, according to the operating angle sensor for the constant velocity universal joint, the operating angle of the constant velocity universal joint during operation can be monitored at all times. By monitoring the operating angle together with the driving force and the operating time, the constant velocity universal joint can be obtained. It is possible to estimate the life of the battery and prevent accidents due to breakage. Further, an alarm is issued before the detected operating angle reaches the allowable upper limit value, and the device using the constant velocity universal joint is stopped, thereby preventing the contact between the inner ring shaft and the outer ring and the falling of the ball.

In the present invention, the portions constituting the magnetic circuit of the permanent magnet and the semiconductor magnetic sensor in the inner ring shaft and the outer ring may be made of a high magnetic permeability soft magnetic material different from other portions of the inner ring shaft and the outer ring. good.
The sensitivity of the operating angle sensor varies greatly depending on the ratio of the magnetic permeability of the gap forming the magnetic circuit and the magnetic part (convex spherical part, concave spherical ring part, etc.), so the permanent magnets on the inner ring shaft and the outer ring And a portion of the magnetic circuit of the semiconductor magnetic sensor (convex spherical portion, concave spherical ring portion, etc.) with a high permeability soft magnetic material (ferrite, PB permalloy, etc.) different from other portions of the inner ring shaft and outer ring Then, sensor sensitivity can be improved.

  In the present invention, the convex spherical portion and the concave spherical ring portion may be configured such that at least a part thereof faces in a state where the outer ring and the inner ring have a maximum operating angle. Even when the inner and outer rings have the maximum operating angle, the operating angle can be reliably detected by the change in magnetic resistance. Therefore, the range in which the operating angle of the constant velocity universal joint during operation can be monitored can be increased, and the life of the constant velocity universal joint can be more accurately estimated.

In the present invention, a shaft head may be provided at an end of the inner ring shaft, and the convex spherical portion of the inner ring shaft may be provided at the shaft head. In this invention, the shaft head may be an enlarged shaft head having a larger diameter than the inner ring shaft. In this case, even when the inner and outer rings have the maximum operating angle, the outer peripheral portion of the convex spherical surface portion of the enlarged-diameter shaft head and the concave spherical ring portion can face each other. Therefore, even when the inner and outer rings have the maximum operating angle, the operating angle can be reliably detected by the change in magnetic resistance.
The outer diameter of the concave spherical ring provided on the inner surface of the outer ring may be larger than the outer diameter of the inner ring shaft. In this case, the allowable upper limit value of the operating angle between the inner ring and the outer ring can be increased. That is, the range in which the operating angle of the constant velocity universal joint during operation can be monitored can be increased, and the life of the constant velocity universal joint can be more accurately estimated.

  A working angle sensor for a constant velocity universal joint according to a second aspect of the present invention has a track groove formed on a spherical inner surface of an outer ring and a spherical outer surface of an inner ring, and a ball is formed between the outer ring track groove and the inner ring track groove. An operating angle sensor provided in a constant velocity universal joint having an inner ring shaft mounted on the outer periphery or integrally formed with the inner ring. A convex spherical surface concentric with the center of rotation of the cage with respect to the outer ring of the cage, and a concave spherical surface that protrudes annularly from the inner surface of the outer ring and has a distal end surface that extends along the convex spherical portion with a gap. A spherical annular part, an exciting permanent magnet housed in a space on the inner diameter side of the concave spherical annular part, and a semiconductor magnetic sensor for detecting a change in the magnetic field of the permanent magnet, between the inner ring and the outer ring. Change of working angle And obtaining the operation angle by detecting a change in magnetic resistance at the output of said semiconductor magnetic sensor according to.

  Since the convex spherical portion is provided at the end of the cage, the existing inner ring shaft can be applied, and the convex spherical portion and the concave spherical ring portion can be used with the outer ring and the inner ring having the maximum operating angle. Can face each other. Therefore, it is possible to increase the range in which the operating angle of the constant velocity universal joint during operation can be monitored. Further, the member forming the convex spherical surface portion can be easily formed by press working or the like, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced as compared with the case where the convex spherical surface portion is spherically processed on the end surface of the inner ring shaft. . In addition, the same effects as those of the first invention are achieved.

In this invention, there is provided a non-contact electromagnetic coupling comprising a ring-shaped rotating side coil provided in the outer diameter portion of the outer ring and a stationary side coil provided in a ring shape concentric with the rotating side coil. A rotating side electronic circuit and a stationary side electronic circuit connected to the side coil and the stationary side coil, respectively, and the stationary side electronic circuit excites the stationary side coil to supply electric power to the rotating side by electromagnetic coupling action. And the sensor signal induced in the stationary coil, and the rotation-side electronic circuit drives the semiconductor magnetic sensor with the power supplied from the stationary coil and uses the frequency for the power supply. Even if a carrier wave having a frequency different from the above is modulated by a sensor signal of the semiconductor magnetic sensor and the rotation side coil is excited by the modulated signal, There.
In the case of this configuration, it is possible to easily supply power from the outside to the constant velocity universal joint, which is a rotating body, and to transmit the sensor signal of the semiconductor magnetic sensor mounted on the constant velocity universal joint to the outside.

  The operating angle sensor for a constant velocity universal joint according to the first aspect of the present invention has a track groove formed on the spherical inner surface of the outer ring and the spherical outer surface of the inner ring, and a ball is formed between the outer ring track groove and the inner ring track groove. An operation angle sensor provided in a constant velocity universal joint having an inner ring shaft that is incorporated and provided with a cage for holding the ball, the inner ring being attached to the outer periphery or integrally formed with the inner ring, A convex spherical surface provided on the end surface and concentric with the center of rotation of the inner ring shaft with respect to the outer ring, and a concave spherical surface provided so as to project annularly on the inner surface of the outer ring, with the front end surface extending along the convex spherical surface via a gap. A concave spherical ring part, an exciting permanent magnet housed in a space on the inner diameter side of the concave spherical ring part, and a semiconductor magnetic sensor for detecting a change in the magnetic field of the permanent magnet, between the inner ring and the outer ring Change of working angle The operating angle is obtained by detecting the change in magnetoresistance by the output of the semiconductor magnetic sensor, so that there is no excitation circuit on the constant velocity universal joint side, and the constant velocity universal joint in operation with low power consumption is provided. The operating angle can be detected.

A working angle sensor for a constant velocity universal joint according to a second aspect of the present invention has a track groove formed on a spherical inner surface of an outer ring and a spherical outer surface of an inner ring, and a ball is formed between the outer ring track groove and the inner ring track groove. An operating angle sensor provided in a constant velocity universal joint having an inner ring shaft mounted on the outer periphery or integrally formed with the inner ring. A convex spherical surface concentric with the center of rotation of the cage with respect to the outer ring of the cage, and a concave spherical surface that protrudes annularly from the inner surface of the outer ring and has a distal end surface that extends along the convex spherical portion with a gap. A spherical ring part, a permanent magnet for excitation housed in a space on the inner diameter side of the concave spherical ring part, and a semiconductor magnetic sensor for detecting a change in the magnetic field of the permanent magnet,
And determining the operating angle by detecting a change in magnetoresistance due to a change in operating angle between the inner ring and the outer ring based on the output of the semiconductor magnetic sensor.
For this reason, the operating angle of the constant velocity universal joint during operation can be detected with less power consumption without providing an excitation circuit on the constant velocity universal joint side.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 (A) is a front view showing a part of the constant velocity universal joint 1 equipped with the operating angle sensor 11 of this embodiment. The constant velocity universal joint 1 is a fixed type and includes an outer ring 2, an inner ring 3, an inner ring shaft 4, a ball 5 that is a rolling element for torque transmission, and a cage 6 that holds the ball 5.
The outer ring 2 has a cup part 2a and a stem part 2b. The inner surface of the cup portion 2a of the outer ring 2 is divided into an inner surface portion on the opening side and an inner surface portion on the bottom surface side, and the inner surface portion on the opening side is spherical. Six (or eight) track grooves 7 are formed in the spherical inner surface 2aa along the axial direction. The outer surface of the inner ring 3 is spherical, and six (or eight) track grooves 8 are formed along the axial direction on the spherical outer surface. Each of the outer ring track grooves 7 and the inner ring track grooves 8 face each other, and one ball 5 is incorporated between each of the opposed outer ring track grooves 7 and 8. The cage 6 is a member that holds the balls 5 in the same plane, and the balls 5 are held in pockets 6a provided at a plurality of locations in the circumferential direction.
The inner ring 3 includes a central hole 9 having an uneven portion such as a serration or a spline on the inner periphery, and one end portion of the inner ring shaft 4 is fitted in the central hole 9 so that torque can be transmitted. The inner ring shaft 4 may be formed integrally with the inner ring 3.
The outer ring 2, the inner ring 3 and the inner ring shaft 4 are all made of a steel material and are therefore made of a ferromagnetic material.

An end surface of the inner ring shaft 4 facing the inner surface of the outer ring cup portion 2a is provided with a convex spherical surface portion 12 which is a convex spherical surface concentric with the rotation center O of the inner ring shaft 4 with respect to the outer ring cup portion 2a. Further, a concave spherical ring portion 13 is provided so as to protrude annularly at the center of the bottom side inner surface portion of the inner surface of the outer ring cup portion 2a. The concave spherical ring portion 13 is a concave spherical surface 13a whose front end surface follows the convex spherical portion 12 of the inner ring shaft 4 via a gap.
The convex spherical surface portion 12 and the concave spherical ring portion 13 are all in the state where the operating angle shown in FIG. 1A is zero and the concave spherical surface 13a faces the convex spherical surface portion 12, as shown in FIG. When the operating angle is generated, a part of the concave spherical surface 13a is provided so as to have a part that does not face the convex spherical part 12. Specifically, the concave spherical ring portion 13 is provided at a position where the ring axis coincides with the axis O 1 of the outer ring 2.

A part of FIG. 1A is enlarged and shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, at the annular axial center position of the space on the inner diameter side of the concave spherical ring portion 13, an exciting permanent magnet 14 and a semiconductor magnetic sensor 15 that detects a change in the magnetic field of the permanent magnet 14. Are housed side by side in the axial direction and fixed. In this case, the magnetic poles N and S of the permanent magnet 14 are aligned in the axial direction. For example, when the permanent magnet 14 is arranged in a direction in which the N magnetic pole faces the convex spherical portion 12, the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet 14 passes through the semiconductor magnetic sensor 15 when the magnetic field lines emitted from the permanent magnet 14 pass through the semiconductor magnetic sensor 15. The magnetic field is a closed magnetic field that returns to the back surface of the permanent magnet 14 from the central portion of the convex spherical portion 12 through the peripheral portion and the concave spherical ring portion 13.
Here, the convex spherical portion 12 and the concave spherical ring portion 13 are formed integrally with the inner ring shaft 4 and the outer ring 2 made of steel, but the magnetic circuit of the permanent magnet 14 and the semiconductor magnetic sensor 15 constitutes the magnetic circuit. Portions such as the convex spherical portion 12 and the concave spherical ring portion 13 may be formed separately from the inner ring shaft 4 and the outer ring 2 and may be integrally fixed to the inner ring shaft 4 and the outer ring 2 by screwing or tightening. In that case, the use of a high magnetic permeability soft magnetic material (for example, ferrite, PB permalloy, etc.) different from the other parts of the inner ring shaft 4 and the outer ring 2 as the material of these magnetic circuit constituent members improves the sensor sensitivity. It is preferable from the viewpoint.

Outside the constant velocity universal joint 1, a stationary side electronic circuit 16 is provided apart from the constant velocity universal joint 1. A rotation-side electronic circuit 17 is provided on the outer diameter surface of the cup portion 2 a of the outer ring 2 of the constant velocity universal joint 1. The rotation-side electronic circuit 17 has a function of driving the semiconductor magnetic sensor 15 and performing processing for transmission on the sensor signal that is the output of the semiconductor magnetic sensor 15. The stationary electronic circuit 16 has a function of supplying electric power to the rotating electronic circuit 17 and receiving a sensor signal transmitted from the rotating electronic circuit 17 and detecting an operating angle from the sensor signal.
The relay between the stationary electronic circuit 16 and the rotating electronic circuit 17 includes a ring-shaped rotating coil 18a wound around the outer diameter portion of the outer ring cup portion 2a concentrically with the axis O1 of the outer ring 2, and this This is performed by a non-contact electromagnetic coupling 18 formed of a stationary side coil 18b installed on the outer periphery of the coil 18a concentrically with the coil 18a. The stationary side electronic circuit 16 is connected to the stationary side coil 18b. The stationary side coil 18b is AC-excited to supply power to the rotating side electronic circuit 17 via the rotating side coil 18a by electromagnetic coupling action. The sensor signal guided to 18b is demodulated. The rotation-side electronic circuit 17 is connected to the rotation-side coil 18a, drives the semiconductor magnetic sensor 15 with power supplied from the stationary-side coil 18b, and generates a carrier wave having a frequency different from the frequency used for the power supply. Modulation is performed by the sensor signal of the semiconductor magnetic sensor 15, and the rotation side coil 18a is excited by the modulation signal.

Next, the operation of the operation angle sensor 11 for the constant velocity universal joint will be described. The stationary side electronic circuit 16 excites the stationary side coil 18b with alternating current to supply electric power to the rotating side coil 18a by electromagnetic coupling action. Receiving this electric power from the rotating side coil 18 a, the rotating side electronic circuit 17 drives the semiconductor magnetic sensor 15. The magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet 14 becomes a closed magnetic field that passes through the semiconductor magnetic sensor 15, the convex spherical surface portion 12, and the concave spherical ring portion 13 as described above. The facing area between the concave spherical surface 13a and the convex spherical surface portion 12 of the concave spherical ring portion 13 changes according to the operating angle. That is, the concave spherical surface 13a and the convex spherical surface portion 12 of the concave spherical ring portion 13 have the largest facing area when the operating angle is zero degrees, and the facing area decreases as the working angle increases. As a result, the change in operating angle is detected by the semiconductor magnetic sensor 15 as a change in magnetic resistance, that is, a change in magnetic intensity.
In the rotation-side electronic circuit 17, a carrier wave having a frequency different from the frequency used for power supply is modulated by the sensor signal of the semiconductor magnetic sensor 15, the rotation-side coil 18a is excited by this modulation signal, and the stationary-side coil 18b is electromagnetically coupled. To guide. The stationary electronic circuit 16 demodulates the sensor signal induced in the stationary coil 18b and detects the operating angle of the constant velocity universal joint 1 from the sensor signal, that is, the detected change in magnetic strength.

  As described above, according to the constant velocity universal joint operating angle sensor 11, the convex spherical surface portion 12 provided on the end surface of the inner ring shaft 4 and the front end surface projecting from the inner surface of the outer ring cup portion 2a are provided on the convex spherical surface portion. 12, a concave spherical ring portion 13 formed as a concave spherical surface 13a along a gap, an exciting permanent magnet 14 accommodated in a space on the inner diameter side of the concave spherical ring portion 13, and the permanent magnet 14 The semiconductor magnetic sensor 15 that detects a change in the magnetic field of the magnetic circuit constitutes a magnetic circuit, and a change in the magnetic resistance of the magnetic circuit due to a change in operating angle between the inner ring 3 and the outer ring 2 is detected by the output of the semiconductor magnetic sensor 15. Therefore, the operating angle of the constant velocity universal joint 1 in operation can be detected with low power consumption without providing a detection excitation circuit on the constant velocity universal joint 1 side, which is a rotating body.

  Further, according to the operation angle sensor 11 for the constant velocity universal joint, since the operation angle of the constant velocity universal joint 1 in operation can always be monitored, by monitoring the operation angle together with the driving force and the operation time, the constant velocity universal joint can be obtained. It is possible to infer the lifetime of 1 and prevent accidents due to breakage. Further, an alarm is issued before the detected operating angle reaches the allowable upper limit value, and the device using the constant velocity universal joint 1 is stopped, thereby preventing the contact between the inner ring shaft 4 and the outer ring 2 and the falling of the ball 5 in advance. be able to.

  Further, since the sensitivity of the operating angle sensor 11 varies greatly depending on the ratio of the magnetic permeability to the gap constituting the magnetic circuit, in this embodiment, the permanent magnet 14 in the inner ring shaft 4 and the outer ring 2 is used. As described above, the high magnetic permeability soft magnetism in which the magnetic circuit portion of the semiconductor magnetic sensor 15 (the convex spherical portion 12, the concave spherical ring portion 13, etc.) is different from the other portions of the inner ring shaft 4 and the outer ring 2 is used. When a material (ferrite, PB permalloy, etc.) is used, the sensor sensitivity can be improved.

  Further, in this embodiment, a non-contact electromagnetic coupling 18 having a rotating side coil 18a attached to the outer diameter portion of the outer ring cup portion 2a is provided, and power is supplied to the rotating side by electromagnetic coupling and used for power supply. Since the sensor signal of the semiconductor magnetic sensor 15 is transmitted to the fixed side at a frequency different from the frequency, power is supplied from the outside to the constant velocity universal joint 1 side which is a rotating body, and the constant velocity universal joint 1 is mounted. The sensor signal of the semiconductor magnetic sensor 15 can be easily transmitted to the outside.

Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
In the following description, the same reference numerals are given to portions corresponding to the matters described in the preceding forms in each embodiment, and overlapping description may be omitted. When only a part of the configuration is described, the other parts of the configuration are the same as those described in the preceding section. Not only the combination of the parts specifically described in each embodiment, but also the embodiments can be partially combined as long as the combination does not hinder.

  In this embodiment, a shaft head portion JT is provided at one end portion of the inner ring shaft 4, and a convex spherical surface portion 12 is formed on the surface of the shaft head portion JT. The shaft head portion JT has a convex spherical surface portion 12 and an engaging portion 12b attached to the outer peripheral edge portion of the convex spherical surface portion 12. The engaging portion 12 b protrudes a predetermined small distance parallel to the axis of the inner ring shaft 4 and is engaged with an engaged portion 4 a that is an annular groove formed at one end of the inner ring shaft 4.

  Further, the shaft head portion JT is, for example, a thin plate, and the convex spherical surface portion 12 and the engaging portion 12b can be integrally formed by pressing or the like. However, it is not limited only to press work. The engagement portion 12b formed along the circumferential direction is temporarily expanded radially outward by elastic deformation or the like, and can be engaged with the engaged portion 4a of the inner ring shaft 4. Note that a fixing tool such as a bolt may be used as a method of fixing the shaft head JT to the inner ring shaft 4. According to such a shaft head JT, it is possible to reduce the manufacturing cost as compared with a case where a convex spherical surface is processed on the end surface of the inner ring shaft 4. Further, since the existing inner ring shaft 4 can be applied, the mass production effect can be enhanced accordingly. In addition, the configuration is the same as that of the embodiment of FIG. 1, and the same operations and effects as those of the embodiment are achieved.

Next, still another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
In this embodiment, the outer diameter Da of the concave spherical ring portion 13 provided on the inner surface of the outer ring 2 is larger than the outer diameter Db of the inner ring shaft 4. In this case, the outer peripheral edge 13aa of the concave spherical surface 13a is exposed between the convex spherical portion 12 and the concave spherical annular portion 13 with the operating angle shown in FIG. That is, the remaining portion of the concave spherical surface 13a excluding the outer peripheral edge portion 13aa and the outer peripheral edge portion 12a of the convex spherical surface portion 12 face each other. Further, in the state where the maximum operating angle is taken, at least a part of the convex spherical surface portion 12 and the concave spherical ring portion 13 face each other. Although not shown, the outer diameter Da of the concave spherical ring portion 13 is determined so that the concave spherical ring portion 13 and the cage 6 do not interfere with each other at the allowable upper limit of the operating angle. Other configurations are the same as those in the embodiment of FIG.

  In this embodiment, since the outer diameter Da of the concave spherical ring portion 13 is larger than the outer diameter Db of the inner ring shaft 4, the allowable upper limit value of the operating angle between the inner ring 3 and the outer ring 2 can be increased. . In addition, there are the same operations and effects as the embodiment of FIG.

Still another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
In this embodiment, an enlarged-diameter shaft head KJ having a larger diameter than the inner ring shaft 4 is provided at one end of the inner ring shaft 4. A convex spherical surface portion KJa is provided on the end surface of the diameter-expanded shaft head portion KJ, and this convex spherical surface portion KJa is formed concentrically with the rotation center O of the inner ring shaft 4 with respect to the outer ring 2.
Further, on the inner surface of the outer ring cup portion 2a of the outer ring 2, the outer diameter Da of the concave spherical ring portion 13 is the same as the outer diameter Dc of the convex spherical portion KJa. A permanent magnet 14 and a semiconductor magnetic sensor 15 are accommodated side by side in the axial direction and fixed via an inner cylindrical member 13n that can be fitted to the inner diameter surface of the concave spherical ring portion 13. The inner cylinder member 13n has a bottomed cylindrical shape, and a fitting hole 13na for positioning the permanent magnet 14 and the semiconductor magnetic sensor 15 at the annular axis position is formed at the bottom of the inner cylinder member 13n. Further, in a state in which the inner cylindrical member 13n is fitted to the inner diameter surface of the concave spherical ring portion 13, the distal end surface of the concave spherical annular portion 13 and the distal end surface of the inner cylindrical member 13n are continuous with the convex spherical portion KJa. A concave spherical surface 13a is formed along the gap.

  In the present embodiment, the concave spherical ring portion 13 and the inner cylinder member 13n are formed separately from the outer ring cup portion 2a, and are fixed to the inner surface of the outer ring cup portion 2a. However, the concave spherical ring portion 13 or the like may be integrally formed on the inner surface of the outer ring cup portion 2a by forging. Further, it is possible to provide the permanent magnet 14 and the semiconductor magnetic sensor 15 at the position of the annular axis without providing the inner cylindrical member 13n in the concave spherical ring portion 13.

  The convex spherical surface KJa and the concave spherical surface 13a are all in the state in which the operating angle shown in FIG. 5B is zero, and the concave spherical surface 13a faces the convex spherical surface portion KJa. As shown in FIG. 5A, at least a part of the convex spherical surface portion KJa and the concave spherical surface 13a face each other with the maximum operating angle. Further, the outer diameter Dc of the convex spherical surface portion KJa is determined so that the convex spherical surface portion KJa and the cage 6 do not interfere when the operating angle is the allowable upper limit value. Further, the axial protrusion amount δJ and the outer diameter Dc of the convex spherical portion KJa are defined so that the convex spherical portion KJa does not interfere with the inner surface of the outer ring cup portion 2a in any operating angle. The other configuration is the same as that of the embodiment of FIG.

  According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 described above, since the enlarged shaft head portion KJ having a larger diameter than the inner ring shaft 4 is provided at one end of the inner ring shaft 4, the inner and outer rings have the maximum operating angle. Even so, the outer peripheral portion of the convex spherical surface portion KJa in the shaft diameter shaft head portion KJ and the concave spherical surface 13a can face each other. Therefore, the operating angle can be reliably detected by the change in the magnetic resistance. Thus, it is possible to increase the range in which the operating angle of the constant velocity universal joint in operation can be monitored, and to estimate the life of the constant velocity universal joint more accurately.

  Since the permanent magnet 14 and the semiconductor magnetic sensor 15 are housed and fixed in the axial direction through the inner cylindrical member 13n that can be fitted to the inner diameter surface of the concave spherical ring portion 13, the permanent magnet 14 and the semiconductor magnetic The sensor 15 can be easily and accurately positioned at the annular axis position. When the concave spherical ring portion 13 and the inner cylindrical member 13n are formed separately from the outer ring cup portion 2a, a permanent magnet 14 and a semiconductor magnetic sensor 15 are provided at the bottom of the inner cylindrical member 13n. An assembly in which the cylindrical member 13n is fitted to the concave spherical ring portion 13 can be easily fixed to the inner surface of the outer ring cup portion 2a. In this case, it is possible to simplify the assembly and reduce the number of work steps compared to the case where the permanent magnet 14 and the semiconductor magnetic sensor 15 are fixed on the inner surface of the outer ring cup portion 2a. When the concave spherical ring portion 13 and the like are integrally formed on the inner surface of the outer ring cup portion 2a by forging, the number of parts can be reduced and the structure can be simplified. In addition, the same effects as the embodiment of FIG.

Still another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
In this embodiment, an enlarged shaft head member KB having a diameter larger than that of the inner ring shaft 4 is provided at one end portion of the cage 6, and one surface of the enlarged shaft head member KB is rotated with respect to the outer ring 2 of the cage 6. A convex spherical surface 12KB substantially concentric with the center is formed. This diameter-expanding shaft head member KB includes a spherical main body 12A that forms a convex spherical surface 12KB, and an engaging portion 12B that is attached to the outer peripheral edge of the spherical main body 12A. The engaging portion 12B protrudes a predetermined small distance toward the outside of the cage 6 in the radial direction, and is formed in an annular step portion 6b formed on the inner periphery of one end portion of the cage 6.

  Further, the diameter-expanded shaft head member KB is, for example, a thin plate shape, and the spherical body 12A and the engaging portion 12B can be integrally formed by pressing or the like. However, it is not limited to press working. The top portion 12Aa of the spherical body 12A faces the concave spherical surface 13a in a state where the operating angle is zero. A plurality of through holes 12Ah are formed at regular intervals in the circumferential direction in the outer peripheral portion 12Ab excluding the top portion 12Aa of the spherical body 12A. Therefore, based on the change of the magnetic resistance according to the facing area where the remaining top 12Aa excluding these through holes 12Ah of the spherical body 12A and the concave spherical surface 13a face each other, this constant velocity is obtained as in the embodiment of FIG. The operating angle of the universal joint 1 can be detected.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, at least a part of the top 12Aa of the spherical main body 12A and the concave spherical surface 13a face each other in a state where the maximum operating angle is taken. Further, the dimension of the spherical main body 12A or the inner surface dimension of the outer ring cup portion 2a is defined so that the diameter-expanded shaft head member KB and the inner surface of the outer ring cup portion 2a do not interfere with each other at any operating angle. . Furthermore, these dimensions are defined so that the enlarged diameter head member KB and the inner ring 3 or the inner ring shaft 4 do not interfere with each other at any operating angle. The other configuration is the same as that of the embodiment of FIG.

  According to the embodiment described above, instead of providing the convex spherical portion on the end face of the inner ring shaft, the cage 6 is provided with the enlarged diameter head member KB, and one surface of the enlarged diameter head member KB is formed as the convex spherical surface 12KB. is there. In this case, since the diameter-expanded shaft head member KB can be easily manufactured, for example, by pressing or the like, the manufacturing cost can be reduced as compared with the case where the end surface of the inner ring shaft is spherically processed.

In particular, since the diameter-expanded shaft head member KB is provided in the cage 6 having a diameter larger than that of the inner ring shaft 4, a part of the convex spherical surface 12KB of the diameter-expanded shaft head member KB is obtained even when the maximum operating angle is taken. That is, the top portion 12Aa and the concave spherical surface 13a can face each other. Therefore, it is possible to increase the range in which the operating angle of the constant velocity universal joint during operation can be monitored. Further, since the plurality of through holes 12Ah are formed in the outer peripheral portion 12Ab of the spherical main body 12A, the diameter-expanded shaft head member KB can be reduced in weight, and the constant velocity universal joint 1 can be reduced in weight. In addition, the same effects as the embodiment of FIG.
In the present embodiment, a plurality of through holes 12Ah are formed in the outer peripheral portion 12Ab of the spherical main body 12A, but a portion made of a nonmagnetic material may be provided in the outer peripheral portion 12Ab instead of each through hole. In this case, it is possible to increase the rigidity of the diameter-expanded shaft head member KB.

Still another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
In this embodiment, a convex spherical portion 12 is provided at one end of the cage 6. The convex spherical portion 12 includes a spherical main body 12A that is a convex spherical surface that is concentric with the rotation center O with respect to the outer ring cup portion 2a, and a protruding portion 12B that is connected to the outer peripheral edge of the spherical main body 12A and protrudes a predetermined small distance in the inner ring axial direction. A diameter-enlarged portion 12C that expands in a convex spherical shape radially outward from the tip portion of the projecting portion 12B, and an engagement portion 12D that is attached to the outer peripheral edge of the diameter-enlarged portion 12C.

The engaging portion 12D protrudes a predetermined small distance outward in the radial direction of the cage 6, and is engaged with an annular step portion 6b formed on the inner periphery of one end portion of the cage 6. The convex spherical portion 12 is, for example, a thin plate, and the spherical main body 12A, the protruding portion 12B, the enlarged diameter portion 12C, and the engaging portion 12D can be integrally formed by pressing or the like. However, it is not limited only to press work. The engaging portion 12D is temporarily contracted radially inward by elastic deformation or the like, and can be engaged with the step portion 6b of the cage 6. Note that the convex spherical portion 12 may be fixed to the cage 6 using a fixing tool such as a bolt. According to such a convex spherical portion 12, it is possible to reduce the manufacturing cost compared to the case where the convex spherical portion is processed into a spherical surface on the end surface of the inner ring shaft 4. Further, since the existing inner ring shaft 4 can be applied, the mass production effect can be enhanced accordingly. In addition, it has the same configuration as the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, and has the same operational effects as these embodiments.

(A) is a partially broken front view of a constant velocity universal joint equipped with an operating angle sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention, and (B) is a partially enlarged sectional view of (A). It is a partially broken front view which shows the state in which an equivalent speed universal joint has an operating angle. (A) is a partially broken front view of a constant velocity universal joint equipped with an operating angle sensor according to another embodiment of the present invention, and (B) is a partially enlarged sectional view of the same (A). It is a partial expanded sectional view of the working angle sensor concerning further another embodiment of this invention. (A) is a partially broken front view showing a state in which a constant velocity universal joint equipped with an operating angle sensor according to still another embodiment of the present invention has an operating angle, and (B) is an equivalent speed universal joint having a zero operating angle. It is a partially broken front view which shows the state. (A) is a partially broken front view showing a state in which a constant velocity universal joint equipped with an operating angle sensor according to still another embodiment of the present invention has an operating angle, and (B) is an equivalent speed universal joint having a zero operating angle. It is a partially broken front view which shows the state. (A) It is sectional drawing which expands and represents the principal part of FIG. 6 (A), (B) It is sectional drawing which expands and represents the principal part of FIG. 6 (B). (A) is a partially broken front view of a constant velocity universal joint equipped with an operating angle sensor according to still another embodiment of the present invention, and (B) is a partially broken view showing a state in which the equivalent velocity universal joint has an operating angle. It is a front view. It is a partially broken front view of a proposal example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Constant velocity universal joint 2 ... Outer ring 3 ... Inner ring 4 ... Inner ring shaft 5 ... Ball 6 ... Cage 7, 8 ... Track groove 11 ... Operating angle sensor 12 ... Convex spherical part 13 ... Concave spherical ring part 13a ... Concave sphere 14 ... permanent magnet 15 ... semiconductor magnetic sensor 16 ... stationary electronic circuit 17 ... rotating electronic circuit 18 ... non-contact electromagnetic coupling 18a ... rotating coil 18b ... stationary coil JT ... shaft head KB ... diameter-expanded shaft head member

Claims (8)

A track groove is formed on each of the spherical inner surface of the outer ring and the spherical outer surface of the inner ring, a ball is incorporated between the outer ring track groove and the inner ring track groove, a cage for holding the ball is provided, and the inner ring is attached to the outer periphery or An operating angle sensor provided in a constant velocity universal joint having an inner ring shaft formed integrally with the inner ring,
A convex spherical surface provided on the end surface of the inner ring shaft and concentric with the center of rotation of the inner ring shaft with respect to the outer ring, and a concave surface provided so as to project annularly on the inner surface of the outer ring, with the front end surface extending along the convex spherical portion via a gap. A concave spherical ring portion that is a spherical surface, an exciting permanent magnet that is housed in a space on the inner diameter side of the concave spherical ring portion, and a semiconductor magnetic sensor that detects a change in the magnetic field of the permanent magnet, An operating angle sensor for a constant velocity universal joint characterized in that the operating angle is obtained by detecting a change in magnetoresistance due to a change in operating angle between an inner ring and an outer ring based on an output of the semiconductor magnetic sensor.   In Claim 1, the part which comprises the magnetic circuit of the said permanent magnet and a semiconductor magnetic sensor in the said inner ring shaft and an outer ring was comprised with the high magnetic permeability soft magnetic material different from the other location of the said inner ring shaft and an outer ring, etc. Actuating angle sensor for fast universal joints.   3. The constant velocity universal joint according to claim 1, wherein the convex spherical portion and the concave spherical ring portion are at least partially facing each other with the outer ring and the inner ring having a maximum operating angle. Working angle sensor.   The operation for a constant velocity universal joint according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a shaft head is provided at an end of the inner ring shaft, and the convex spherical portion of the inner ring shaft is provided at the shaft head. Angular sensor.   5. The operating angle sensor for a constant velocity universal joint according to claim 4, wherein the shaft head is an enlarged shaft head having a larger diameter than the inner ring shaft.   The constant velocity universal joint according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein an outer diameter of the concave spherical ring portion provided on an inner surface of the outer ring is larger than an outer diameter of the inner ring shaft. Working angle sensor. A track groove is formed on each of the spherical inner surface of the outer ring and the spherical outer surface of the inner ring, a ball is incorporated between the outer ring track groove and the inner ring track groove, a cage for holding the ball is provided, and the inner ring is attached to the outer periphery or An operating angle sensor provided in a constant velocity universal joint having an inner ring shaft formed integrally with the inner ring,
A convex spherical surface provided at an end of the cage and concentric with the rotation center of the cage with respect to the outer ring;
A concave spherical ring portion provided annularly projecting on the inner surface of the outer ring and having a leading end surface formed as a concave spherical surface along the convex spherical portion via a gap;
A permanent magnet for excitation housed in a space on the inner diameter side of the concave spherical ring portion and a semiconductor magnetic sensor for detecting a change in the magnetic field of the permanent magnet;
With
An operating angle sensor for a constant velocity universal joint characterized in that the operating angle is obtained by detecting a change in magnetoresistance due to a change in operating angle between an inner ring and an outer ring based on an output of the semiconductor magnetic sensor.   8. The method according to claim 1, comprising a ring-shaped rotating side coil provided at an outer diameter portion of the outer ring and a stationary side coil provided in a ring shape concentric with the rotating side coil. A non-contact electromagnetic coupling is provided, and a rotation-side electronic circuit and a stationary-side electronic circuit connected to the rotation-side coil and the stationary-side coil are provided, and the stationary-side electronic circuit electromagnetically excites the stationary-side coil. Power is supplied to the rotating side by a coupling action, and the sensor signal induced in the stationary coil is demodulated, and the rotating electronic circuit uses the power supplied from the stationary coil to power the semiconductor magnetic sensor. The carrier wave having a frequency different from the frequency used for driving and supplying the power is modulated by the sensor signal of the semiconductor magnetic sensor, and the rotation side co-wave is modulated by the modulation signal. The constant velocity universal operating angle sensor joint is intended to excite the Le.

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