JPH05231436A - Constant velocity joint - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable a lightweight structure to be applied to a constant velocity joint, and the torsional strength of an outer ring to be increased. CONSTITUTION:This constant velocity joint has tracks 5 and 6 formed respectively on the inner side of an outer ring 1 and the outer side of an inner ring 2 along an axial direction at circumferential equal intervals, and balls 4 built into space between the corresponding tracks 5 and 6. Also, the outline of the outer ring 1, except for the external surface of an open end, is made to have a trumpet form along an internal shape, and a rib 11 is fitted around the open end for making the external surface circular in part. According to this construction, the outer ring 1 is made lightweight due to the trumpet type outline form and the open end is reinforced with the rib 11, thereby increasing the torsional strength of the outer ring 1.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a constant velocity joint used for a drive shaft of an automobile.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A ball type constant velocity joint is generally used to transmit the rotational torque of a drive shaft or the like to an axle.

FIG. 5 shows a double offset joint (DOJ) as a ball type constant velocity joint. The double offset joint (DOJ) is composed of an outer ring 1, an inner ring 2, a cage 3 and a plurality of balls 4, and has an inner surface of the outer ring 1 and an outer surface of the inner ring 2. A plurality of tracks 5 and 6 in the axial direction are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, and the balls 5 incorporated between the corresponding tracks 5 and 6 are held by the cage 3 and the tracks 5, The movement is guided by 6.

In the constant velocity joint as described above, in recent years, for the purpose of weight reduction, development of a flower-shaped outer ring in which the outer shape of the outer ring to be forged is in line with the inner shape has been under development.

The flower-shaped outer ring as described above is formed by making the peripheral wall of the outer ring 1 substantially uniform in thickness along the inner shape, as shown in FIG.

By the way, a boot needs to be externally fitted and connected to the outer ring 1 on the open end side, but if the outer ring 1 has a straight flower shape, the fixing strength of the boot, especially the pulling strength cannot be obtained. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the boot groove 7 must be formed on the outer portion of each track groove 5 on the outer peripheral surface of the outer ring 1 near the open end.

[0007]

However, when the boot groove 7 is provided in the outer ring 1, the peripheral wall of the outer ring 1 has a reduced thickness at the portion where the groove 7 is provided, and the torsional strength is reduced. In particular, since the DOJ has a structure capable of sliding in the axial direction, when the ball 4 which is the torque transmitting element is located on the open end side of the outer ring 1,
There is a problem that the torsional strength is lower than that of the conventional outer ring having a circular outer shape. For this reason, there is a case where a DOJ that is one size larger must be used, which impairs the desired weight reduction effect.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a constant velocity joint which can satisfy both the weight reduction of the outer race and the improvement of the torsional strength, and which can omit the machining for forming the boot groove.

[0009]

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a plurality of tracks along the axial direction on the inner surface of the outer ring and the outer surface of the inner ring at regular intervals in the circumferential direction. , In a constant velocity joint that incorporates balls in each corresponding track, the outer shape of the outer ring is formed into a flower shape along the inner shape, and the outer periphery of the opening edge of this outer ring is partially circular. It is a thing.

[0010]

The outer ring has a flower shape along the inner shape and ribs are provided on the outer circumference of the opening end, so that the outer circumference of the opening end is partially circular to improve the torsional strength of the outer ring. Except for the open end, it has a flower-shaped cross section with approximately the same thickness.
It is possible to reduce the weight of the outer ring.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. Note that the same parts as those of the constant velocity joint shown in FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the outer shape of the outer ring 1 is
Along the inner shape, the entire cross-section has a substantially uniform flower-like shape, and a rib 11 is provided on the outer circumference of the opening end, and the circumference of the rib 11 partially rounds the outer circumference of the opening end.
The outer diameter of the rib 11 is the same as the outer diameter of the track portion.

The outer ring 1 is formed into a flower shape by forging, and a rib 11 is formed on the outer circumference of the opening end so as to be continuous in the circumferential direction. The rib 11 is on the opening end side of the outer ring 1. Of the outer ring 1 and the rear end surface of the outer ring 1 located in the concave groove portion 12 of the outer ring 1 is externally fitted and connected to the open end of the outer ring 1 as shown in FIG.
It becomes 4.

Ribs 1 provided on the outer periphery of the open end of the outer ring 1.
No. 1 allows the boots to be connected without machining the boots grooves, which is not only advantageous for connecting the boots 13, but also the meat of the portion of the groove 15 for the ball detachment prevention circlip provided on the inner circumference of the opening end. It is possible to secure the thickness and prevent the strength from decreasing.

The constant velocity joint of the present invention is constructed as described above, and since the outer ring 1 has a flower-shaped cross section with a substantially uniform thickness along the inner shape except for the open end, the overall weight can be reduced. Besides, the rib 11 can reinforce the opening end side.

The boot 1 connected to the open end of the outer ring 1
The inner circumference of the open end of the outer ring 3 is formed so as to match the outer flower shape of the outer ring 1, and the boot 13 is fitted onto the outer ring 1 as shown in FIG.
The one retaining engagement surface 14 provides a strong retaining connection.

[0017]

As described above, since the present invention has the above-mentioned configuration, it has the effects listed below.

(I) Since the outer shape of the outer ring is formed in a flower shape along the inner shape, and ribs are provided on the outer circumference of the opening end to make the outer circumference partly circular, the outer ring is lightened by adopting the flower cross section. At the same time, the rib can secure the strength on the opening end side, and the torsional strength of the outer ring is improved.

(II) The rib secures the wall thickness of the portion of the circlip groove provided on the inner periphery of the opening end portion of the outer ring, and can effectively prevent the strength reduction on the opening end side of the outer ring.

(III) The rear end surface of the rib serves as an engaging surface of the boot, and the boot can be firmly connected in a state where it is not pulled out.

(IV) Since the ribs prevent the boot connection from coming off, it is not necessary to machine the boot groove for the boot connection, and the processing cost can be reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cutaway front view of essential parts of a constant velocity joint according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an outer ring in the same as above.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a peripheral wall of an outer ring.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the connection between the outer ring and the boot.

FIG. 5 is a cutaway front view of essential parts of a constant velocity joint using a conventional flower-shaped outer ring.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an outer ring of the same.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Outer ring 2 Inner ring 3 Retainer 4 Ball 5, 6 Track 11 Rib

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of tracks along the axial direction are provided on the inner surface of the outer ring and the outer surface of the inner ring at regular intervals in the circumferential direction,
In a constant velocity joint that incorporates balls in each corresponding track, the outer ring is formed into a flower shape along the inner shape, and the outer periphery of the opening edge of this outer ring is partially circular. Constant velocity joint.