JPH03277822A - Constant velocity joint - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To maintain slide resistance in a joint small even if both inside and outside joint members move relatively in the axial direction by forming the inner peripheral surface of a cage into a straight, cylinder, and providing slide rings and elastic members. CONSTITUTION:A constant velocity joint mainly consists of an outside joint member 1, an inside joint member 2, a ball 2, a cage 4, a pair of slide rings 5, 6, and a pair of elastic members 7, 7 arranged between the slide rings 5, 6 and the cage 4. The rotational torque of a driving shaft 8 is transmitted to a driven shaft 9 through the outside joint member 1, the ball 3, and the inside joint member 2, but in the case of quick start of a vehicle, a relative displacement in the axial direction is generated between the driving shaft 8 and the driven shaft 9. At this stage, a pair of slide rings 5, 6 are slided in the axial direction against the cage 4, and the displacement is absorbed by a pair of elastic members 7, 7 arranged in both sides of the slide rings 5, 6. When the axial displacement between the inside and outside joint members 2, 1 is eliminated, the elastic members 7, 7 are reset, and the cage 4 is returned to the initial set position for centering.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a constant velocity joint used in a driving force transmission shaft portion of an automobile, etc., and more specifically, the present invention relates to a constant velocity joint used in a driving force transmission shaft portion of an automobile, etc. This invention relates to a constant velocity joint that allows angular displacement of both axes and relative displacement in the axial direction.

[Prior Art] As such a constant velocity joint, the one shown in FIG. 4 is conventionally known. This constant velocity joint is connected to the drive shaft 8
an outer joint member 1C connected to the driven shaft 9C and having a right cylindrical inner peripheral surface 13C on the inner periphery and having a plurality of first guide grooves 15C extending in the axial direction and having an open end; An inner joint member 2C having a convex spherical outer peripheral surface 22C and second guide grooves 24C extending in the axial direction and having the same number of first guide grooves 15C, and first and second guide grooves 15C124.
A ball 3C that is rotatably arranged between C and transmits torque.
The ball 3C is held by a ball holding window 46C, and the cage 4C is interposed between the inner and outer joint members 1C120 and is movable relative to the inner joint member 2C in the axial direction. In this constant velocity joint, as shown in FIG. 5, there is a gap A between the ball 3C and the ball holding window 46C.
1, and an inner joint member 2C and a cage 4C.
A gap B1 is also formed on both sides in the axial direction between the inner joint member 2C and the cage 4C, thereby allowing relative movement in the axial direction between the inner joint member 2C and the cage 4C within a relatively small range of the gap B1, reducing sliding resistance. We are trying to

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] The conventional constant velocity joint described above can absorb relatively small vibrations transmitted from the automobile engine to the outer joint member 1C in a range where sliding resistance is low due to the presence of the gaps A1 and B1. However, when the outer joint member 1C and the inner joint member 2C move relative to each other in the axial direction beyond the range of the gap B1,
The gap B1 between the cage 4G and the inner joint member 2C and the gap A1 between the ball 3C and the ball holding window 46c are clogged, and the ball 3C is in a sliding state and becomes difficult to roll, resulting in an increase in sliding resistance.

The present invention has been devised in view of the above problems, and its technical object is to provide a constant velocity joint that can always maintain a small sliding resistance when both the inner and outer joint members move relative to each other in the axial direction. There is a particular thing.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The constant velocity joint of the present invention has a plurality of first guide grooves that are connected to one of two intersecting shafts, have a right cylindrical inner peripheral surface, and extend in the axial direction. an outer joint member having an open end at one end; and an inner joint member connected to the two shafts, having a convex spherical surface on the outer periphery, and extending in the axial direction and having second guide grooves having the same number as the first guide grooves. a ball that is rotatably disposed between the first and second guide grooves and transmits torque; and a ball that is held by a ball holding window and that is interposed between the inner and outer joint members and is connected to the inner joint member. In a constant velocity joint consisting of a member and a cage provided so as to be relatively movable in the axial direction, the cage has an inner circumferential surface formed in a right cylindrical shape, and the inner circumferential surface and the convexity of the inner joint member A sliding ring is disposed between the sliding ring and the cage and is slidable in the axial direction with respect to the inner circumferential surface of the cage and guides the convex spherical surface. The cage is elastically deformed so as to be able to move relative to the inner joint member in the axial direction, and this elastic return causes the cage to be moved axially relative to the inner joint member via the sliding ring. It is characterized by the provision of an elastic member for centering.

[Function] In the constant velocity joint of the present invention, when both the inner and outer joint members move relatively and a relative displacement in the axial direction occurs between the cage and the inner joint member, the sliding ring interposed between them is pushed by the inner joint member and slides against the cage. At this time, the relative displacement between the sliding ring and the cage is absorbed by the elastic member. Due to the elastic return of the elastic member, the cage is centered with respect to the inner joint member via the sliding ring, and the ball held in the ball holding window of the cage is
It is maintained in a state in which it can roll and move at a predetermined position in the center of the ball holding window. Therefore, even if the inner and outer joint members move relative to each other in the axial direction, the sliding resistance between the inner and outer joint members is always maintained at a low state, reducing the transmission of vibration and the generation of abnormal noise.

[Example] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below based on the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a sectional view of a constant velocity joint according to this embodiment, and FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a pair of sliding rings.

The constant velocity joint of this embodiment includes an outer joint member 1 having a first guide groove 15 and an inner joint member 2 having a second guide groove 24.
, a ball 3 that is rotatably disposed in the first and second guide grooves 15.24, and a cage that holds the ball 3 and is interposed between the outer joint member 1 and the inner joint member 2. 4, a pair of sliding rings 5.6 interposed between the inner joint member 2 and the cage 4, and between the pair of sliding rings 5.6 and the axial end of the cage 4. The main element is a pair of elastic members 7 that can be elastically deformed.

The outer joint member 1 has a cup shape with one end open, and its bottom 11 side is integrally fixed to one end of the drive shaft 8. The inner circumference of the outer joint member 1 has a right cylindrical inner circumferential surface 13 formed on the same axis as the drive shaft 8;
First guide grooves 15 extending linearly in the axial direction are formed at equal angular intervals.

The inner joint member 2 has a short cylindrical shape and is integrally fixed to one end of the driven shaft 9 by spline connection.

The outer circumferential surface 22 of the inner joint member 2 is formed into a convex spherical shape with a constant radius of curvature, and the outer circumferential surface 22 has an arc-shaped second guide groove 24 corresponding to the first guide groove 15. It is formed.

The balls 3 are made of steel and have a perfect spherical shape.
One each is rotatably disposed between the guide groove 15 and each second guide groove 24 corresponding thereto. This ball 3 transfers the rotational torque of the drive shaft 8 to the inner and outer universal joint member 1.
2 to the driven wheels 9, and the first and second
Relative movement of the inner and outer universal joint members 1.2 is made possible by rolling in the guide grooves 15.24.

The cage 4 has an approximately cylindrical overall shape, and has an outer circumferential surface 42 having a convex spherical shape and an inner circumferential surface 44 having a right cylindrical shape. cage 4
has ball holding windows 46 formed at equal angular intervals along the circumferential direction, and holds the balls 3 in the ball holding windows 46 to coaxially connect the outer joint member 1 and the inner joint member 2. is interposed in. A gap A is formed between the ball holding window 46 and the ball 3.

The pair of sliding rings 5.6 each have a right cylindrical outer circumferential surface 51.61 that abuts the inner circumferential surface 44 of the cage 4, and a concave spherical inner circumferential surface that abuts the outer circumferential surface 22 of the inner joint member 2. Surface 53
．． It is a ring-shaped thing having 63. This sliding ring 5.6 is located at both ends of the inner joint member 2 in the axial direction, and is connected to a pair of elastic members 7.7 and snap rings 72.72, which will be described later.
It is disposed between the axial end of the cage 4 and the inner joint member 2 via. As a result, a pair of sliding rings 5.
6 is axially slidable relative to the cage 4 and the inner joint part 2 is guided in a sliding ring 5.6.

Note that a hemispherical notch 55 is formed in one of the sliding rings 5 so as not to interfere with the balls 3.

The pair of elastic members 7.7 are thin ring-shaped members made of rubber or synthetic resin with rubber elasticity and have outer circumferential surfaces that match the inner circumferential surface 44 of the cage 4. The pair of elastic members 7.7 are axially held between the outer end surface of each sliding ring 5.6 and a pair of snap rings 72.72 implanted on the inner circumferential surface 44 of the cage 4 on the outer side thereof. It is arranged as follows.

In the constant velocity joint configured as described above, when the drive shaft 8 rotates, the rotational torque is transmitted from the outer joint member 1 to the inner joint member 2 through each hole 4, and the driven shaft 9 is connected to the drive shaft 8. rotates at a constant speed. When the engine side of the car noses up, such as when the car suddenly starts, a relative displacement occurs between the drive shaft 8 and the driven shaft 7 in the axial direction, and the inner joint member 2 and the outer joint member 1 or relative movement in the axial direction. At this time, the pair of sliding rings 5.6 move together with the inner joint member 2 and slide axially relative to the cage 4. Displacement of the pair of sliding rings 5.6 is absorbed by a pair of elastic members 7.7 arranged on both sides thereof. Inner joint member 2
When there is no longer a large relative movement in the axial direction between the outer joint member 1 and the outer joint member 1, the pair of elastic members 7.7 elastically return, and the cage 4 moves to the inner joint member 2 via the pair of sliding rings 5.6. It is returned to the initial setting position and centered.

As a result, the ball 3 held in the ball holding window 46 of the cage 4 is held at a position with a gap A between it and the ball holding window 46. Therefore, the ball 3 is always in a state where it can roll and move, and the first and second guide grooves 15.2
3 and rolls smoothly. As a result, the drive shaft 8
Even if a large relative displacement in the axial direction occurs between the drive shaft 7 and the driven shaft 7, the sliding resistance is always maintained in a small state, thereby reducing the transmission of engine vibrations and the generation of abnormal noise.

In addition, when the intersection angle of the drive shaft 8 and the driven shaft 9 changes, the inner joint member 2 is guided by the spherical surfaces that are in contact with the pair of sliding rings 5.6, and its angular displacement is allowed.

In this way, while maintaining the constant velocity of the drive shaft 8 and the driven shaft 9, their angular displacement and relative displacement in the axial direction are allowed.

In the above embodiment, a pair of sliding rings 5.6 divided into two pieces were used, but as shown in FIG.
It is also possible to use a sliding ring 5a integrally formed from one member. In this case, the sliding ring 5a is formed with an accommodation window 55a, which is slightly larger than the ball holding window 46, at a position corresponding to the ball holding window 46 of the cage 4.

Further, although a rubber elastic material is used as the elastic member in the embodiment, hook elastic materials such as a plate spring, a disc spring, a coil spring, etc. can also be used.

[Effects of the Invention] In the constant velocity joint of the present invention, the cage has an inner circumferential surface formed in a right cylindrical shape, and the cage is disposed between the inner circumferential surface of the cage and the convex spherical surface of the inner joint member. a sliding ring that is slidable in the axial direction on the inner circumferential surface of the cage and that guides the convex spherical surface of the inner joint member; and a sliding ring that is disposed between the sliding ring and the axial end of the cage. Since the ball is provided with an elastic member that centers the cage in the axial direction with respect to the inner joint member, even if the inner and outer universal joint members move relative to each other in the axial direction, the ball is always maintained in a state where it can roll and move. Therefore, the sliding resistance inside the joint can always be kept low.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Figures 1 to 3 relate to the present invention; Figure 1 is a sectional view of a constant velocity joint of an embodiment, Figure 2 is a perspective view of a pair of sliding rings, and Figure 3 is a constant velocity joint of a modified example. FIG. Figures 4 and 5 relate to conventional constant velocity joints.
The figure is a sectional view thereof, and FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of the main part.

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) An outer joint member that is connected to one of two intersecting shafts and has a right cylindrical inner peripheral surface on its inner periphery, has a plurality of first guide grooves extending in the axial direction, and is open at one end; an inner joint member that is connected to the other of the inner joint members and has a convex spherical surface on the outer periphery and extends in the axial direction and has second guide grooves of the same number as the first guide grooves, and is rollable between the first and second guide grooves. a ball disposed in the inner joint member for transmitting torque; and a cage that holds the ball in a ball holding window, is interposed between the inner and outer joint members, and is movable relative to the inner joint member in the axial direction. In the constant velocity joint, the cage has an inner circumferential surface formed in a right cylindrical shape, and there is a gap between the inner circumferential surface and the convex spherical surface of the inner joint member with respect to the inner circumferential surface of the cage. A sliding ring is provided which is slidable in the axial direction and guides the convex spherical surface, and between the sliding ring and the cage, the cage is axially slidable with respect to the inner joint member. A constant velocity device characterized in that an elastic member is provided which is elastically deformed so as to be able to move relative to each other, and which, upon elastic return, centers the cage in the axial direction with respect to the inner joint member via the sliding ring. Joint.