JPH07217665A - Universal coupling and universal tool including universal coupling - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To transmit the rotation of a driving side member smoothly to the rotation of a driven side member so as to reduce the danger of damage. CONSTITUTION:In a universal coupling for transmitting torque along two shafts intersecting at a cetain angle, cam mechanism is interposed at a mutual interference part between a driving side member 10 and a driven side member 20 so that the driven side member 20 is rotated while substantially maintaining a rotatable maximum tilt angle when the driving side member 10 is rotated around its axis X1.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a universal shaft joint and a universal tool including the universal shaft joint.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, a socket wrench is used when tightening or tightening bolts or nuts in a complicated and narrow place such as an engine room.
This socket wrench is used by combining a socket for socket wrench that directly fits the hexagonal portions of bolts and nuts with various handles and, if necessary, a universal joint for socket wrench.

The universal joint is, for example, as shown in FIG.
And, as shown in (b), it is composed of a drive side joint member 50, a driven side joint member 60, a die member 70, a first connecting shaft 51, and a second connecting shaft 61. It was

The drive-side joint member 50 has a female rectangular drive portion 52 on one end side and a bearing portion 53 rising up in a bifurcated shape on the other end side. In addition, the driven side joint member 60 has a male angle drive portion 62 on one end side and a bifurcated structure having the same configuration as that formed on the other end side of the drive side joint member 50 on the other end side. It has a bearing portion 63 that rises like a circle.

The joint members 50 and 60 are assembled with each other such that the piece member 70 is sandwiched between the bearing portions 53 and 63. The first and second connecting shafts 51 and 61 are inserted through the piece member 70 so as to freely rotate and extend in a direction perpendicular to each other. Outer end portions 51a, 51 of these connecting shafts 51, 61
The a, 61a, and 61a project outward from the side surface of the piece member 70. Then, the first and second connecting shafts 5
Outer end portions 51a, 51a, 61a, 61a of 1, 61
Are fixed to the bearing portions 53 and 63 of the drive side joint member 50 and the driven side joint member 60, respectively.

In the universal joint constructed as described above, the female square drive portion 52 and the male square drive portion 62 are fitted into, for example, an extension bar for a socket wrench or a socket for a socket wrench. used. Further, the universal shaft joint is the drive side joint member 50.
Through the first and second connecting shafts 51 and 61 and the bridge member 70 at a certain angle θ1 with respect to the axis X1 of the drive side joint member 50. It has a function of transmitting the force to the driven side joint member 60 rotating around the intersecting axis X2 (see FIG. 17).

By the way, in the socket shaft wrench universal joint, the connecting shafts 51 and 61 must not interfere with each other. Unlike the shaft coupling, the two connecting shafts 51 and 61 are arranged so as to be offset from each other on the left and right sides in FIG.

As a result, for example, as shown in FIG. 16, the maximum bending angle between the joint members 50 and 60 is 90.
In the universal shaft joint configured to reach a maximum rotation angle of 90 degrees, the torsional moment applied to the drive-side joint member 50 causes the driven-side joint member 60 to have a bending angle of 90 degrees.
It is not transmitted to rotate, but only acts to break the universal joint.

In order to solve the above-mentioned drawbacks, for example, as shown in FIG. 17, the bending angle (tilt angle) between the driving side joint member 50 and the driven side joint member 60 is set within a certain range. There is also one that regulates the bending angle.
That is, when the joint members 50 and 60 are bent right next to each other, the tip end side of the bearing portion 53 (or 63) of one joint member 50 (or 60) is the joint member 60 of the other side.
(Or 50) so that the one joint member 50 (or 60) does not tilt more than the rotatable maximum tilt angle.

[0010]

However, even if the bending angle between the drive-side joint member 50 and the driven-side joint member 60 is regulated as described above, the drive-side joint member 50 still moves to the driven-side joint member. It cannot be said that the torsional moment is always transmitted smoothly to 60, and there is still a risk that the universal joint itself may be damaged before the rotation of the drive side joint member 50 rotates the driven side joint member 60. It had been.

That is, in FIG. 17, when the drive side joint member 50 is rotated about its axis X1, a bolt or an axial line X2 intersecting the axis X1 of the drive side joint member 50 at an angle θ1. In order to rotate the nut, the driven side joint member 60 is rotated at the tip of the drive side joint member 50 as the drive side joint member 50 rotates.
It must rotate smoothly while maintaining a constant rotatable tilt angle.

However, as described above, the universal joint for the socket wrench has the first and second connecting shafts 51 and 61.
Since they have a structural feature that they must be arranged so as not to contact each other, the maximum bending angle between the drive-side joint member 50 and the driven-side joint member 60 is inevitably constant. I had no choice but to do so.

Now, as shown in FIG. 17, the driven side joint member 60 is fixed in the vertical direction so that the second connecting shaft 61 extends in the front-rear direction (the direction perpendicular to the plane of the drawing), and the drive is performed. The angle of inclination when the side joint member 50 is inclined laterally about only the second connecting shaft 61 until the tip side of the bearing portion 53 of the drive side joint member 50 contacts the driven side joint member 60 is θ1. To do. This tilt angle θ1 is
The maximum rotatable tilt angle (ie,
It is the maximum of the tilt angles at which the torsional moment due to the rotation of the driving side joint member 50 is effectively transmitted to the driven side joint member 60).

Next, from the state shown in FIG. 17, with the tip end side of the bearing portion 53 of the drive side joint member 50 being in contact with the driven side joint member 60, the contact point is gradually moved. The drive-side joint member 50 is rotated about the first connecting shaft 51 to a position at which the drive-side joint member 50 is not further rotated, and the both joint members 50, 60 in that state are rotated.
The inclination angle between them is θ2. FIG. 18 is a perspective view of this state.

Then, the inclination angle θ2 is always larger than the inclination angle θ1 due to the structure peculiar to the universal wrench joint for a socket wrench of this kind. For example, if θ1 is 40 °, θ2 is 55 °.

When a nut is to be rotated using this universal shaft joint, for example, a socket for socket wrench (not shown) is connected to the driven side joint member 60, and this socket is connected to the nut (not shown). Fit in. An appropriate handle (not shown) is fitted into the drive-side joint member 50 so that a twisting moment can be applied to the drive-side joint member 50.

Under the above circumstances, when the handle is turned to give a twisting moment to the drive side joint member 50, the position of the handle is not fixed, and therefore the handle is unavoidably suitable. There is some wobbling on the. Naturally, wobbling also occurs in the drive side joint member 50 connected to the handle.

Therefore, if the drive side joint member 50 is rotated with the handle, the handle is wobbled. Therefore, the inclination angle between the drive side joint member 50 and the driven side joint member is θ1. And θ2 are not fixed.

As a result, when a twisting moment is applied to the drive side joint member 50, if the tilt angle becomes larger than θ1 which is the maximum rotatable tilt angle, the twist moment applied to the drive side joint member 50 is the above. The driven side joint member 60 cannot be smoothly rotated, and the universal joint itself is destroyed.

Further, in the conventional universal shaft joint, the difference in inclination angle between the joint members 50 and 60 is small even if the manufacturing error caused in the outer diameter of the joint members 50 and 60 is small. There was a problem that the

That is, in the conventional universal joint, the bearing portion 53 (or 63) of one joint member 50 (or 60) is used.
The bending angle between the drive-side joint member 50 and the driven-side joint member 60 is regulated by the outer peripheral edge of the contacting the mating joint member 60 (or 50).

For example, as shown in FIG. 19, the drive side joint member 50 is centered around the second connecting shaft 61 from the state where the drive side joint member 50 is erected on the driven side joint member 60. Suppose that it is tilted to the side. At this time, the inclination of the drive side joint member 50 is regulated by the outer peripheral edge of the bearing portion 53 contacting the driven side joint member 60 at the point P1.

Now, it is assumed that the drive-side joint member 50 has a negative manufacturing error (d2-d1) in which the outer diameter thereof is slightly smaller than the original size. Then, the outer peripheral tip edge of the bearing portion 53 of the drive-side joint member 50 becomes the point P1.
The point P2 on the inner side comes into contact with the driven-side joint member 60 to restrict the inclination of the drive-side joint member 50, and the inclination angle θ4 of the drive-side joint member 50 at this time is greater than the original inclination angle θ3. It becomes a big thing. The degree of this inclination error is when the drive-side joint member 50 is tilted forward or backward from the state shown in FIG. 19 about the first connecting shaft 51 (the state shown in FIG. 18). , Even more serious.

The greater the inclination angle of the drive-side joint member 50 becomes than the maximum rotatable inclination angle (θ3 in FIG. 19) intended at the design stage, the greater the risk of damage to the universal joint. Therefore, according to the conventional structure, in order to make a universal shaft joint with less risk of damage, it is extremely advanced to eliminate the error between the actual outer diameter dimension of each joint member and its design value. However, there was a drawback in that it was unavoidable to raise the cost.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances. An object of the present invention is to smoothly transmit the rotation of the driving side joint member to the rotation of the driven side joint member, resulting in damage. It is an object of the present invention to provide a universal shaft joint and a universal tool including the universal shaft joint that are less risky.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an inexpensive universal joint that is easy to manufacture and a universal tool including the universal joint.

[0027]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a universal joint according to the present invention is a universal joint for transmitting torque along two axes intersecting at an angle. Mutual interference between the drive side member and the driven side member so that when the side member is rotated about its axis, the driven side member rotates while substantially maintaining the rotatable maximum tilt angle. The cam mechanism is interposed between the two.

In order for the driven member to rotate while maintaining the maximum rotatable tilt angle when the driving member is rotated about its axis, the driven member is rotated. A stopper surface for preventing tilting beyond the maximum possible tilt angle may be provided at a mutual interference portion between the driving side member and the driven side member.

Further, the driving side member and the driven side member usually have bifurcated bearing portions at their shaft ends, respectively, and when the driving side member and the driven side member are bent together,
Since the outer peripheral portion on the tip end side of each of the bearing portions comes into contact with the counterpart member, specifically, when the drive side member is rotated around its axis, the driven side member rotates. In order to rotate while maintaining the maximum possible tilt angle, in the drive side member and the driven side member, at the site where the tip end side outer peripheral portions of the respective bearing parts of the counterpart members interfere with each other, A cam surface that forms a cam mechanism in pairs with the outer peripheral portion on the tip side is provided.

Further, the driving side member and the driven side member, each of which has a bifurcated bearing portion at its shaft end, extend in a direction perpendicular to each other, and each outer end portion of the two connecting shafts which are not on the same plane is referred to as the above. The rotational movement of the driven member, which is supported by the bearing portion, about its axis is transmitted to the rotational movement of the driven member around an axis intersecting the rotational axis of the driving member at an inclined angle. In addition, when the drive-side member and the driven-side member are refracted from each other, the drive-side member and the driven-side member interfere with each other and the refraction angle thereof is restricted. One of the side member and the driven side member is fixed so that its axis extends vertically.
When the outer side of the other member is rotated about the axis of the one member while the driving-side member and the driven-side member are interfering with each other, the other member is rotated. Forming a cam surface at a mutual interference portion between the driving side member and the driven side member such that a locus drawn by any one point on the axis line of is projected on a plane to form a substantially smooth curve. May be

The cam surface is provided over both sides of the base portions of the bearing portions of the driving side member and the driven side member facing each other, and is fitted to the outer peripheral portion of the bearing portion of the mating member on the tip end side. It is preferable to use an inclined surface having an inclination.

Each of the universal shaft joints having the above-mentioned construction can be used not only as a joint as a single body but also as a universal tool including the joint having such construction.

[0033]

According to the present invention, by interposing the cam mechanism, when the drive side member is rotated around its axis, the driven side member is rotated while maintaining the maximum rotatable tilt angle. Therefore, the rotation of the driven side member accompanying the rotation of the driving side member is smooth.

Further, due to the function of the stopper surface,
Since the driven side member is prevented from tilting beyond the maximum rotatable tilt angle, as a result, when the driven side member is rotated around its axis, the driven side member can rotate. It will rotate while maintaining the inclination.

The function of the cam surface is the same as above, and the cam surface allows the driven member to rotate while maintaining the maximum tilt angle when the drive member is rotated around its axis. It becomes possible to do.

The cam surface is provided across both sides of the base portions of the bearing portions of the driving side member and the driven side member facing each other so as to come into line contact with the projecting end portion of the bearing portion of the mating member. According to the inclined surface having a large inclination, the tip end of the bearing portion of the member inclined right side is in line contact with the inclined surface of the opposite member to regulate the inclination angle. Become. Therefore, even if there is a slight manufacturing error in the outer diameter of the driving side member and the driven side member, the inclination angle is not so greatly affected.Therefore, when manufacturing the driving side member and the driven side member, there is a high degree of working accuracy. Is not required, the manufacturing is easy and the cost can be suppressed.

A universal tool including the universal shaft joint having the above-described effects also has the same function as described above.

[0038]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

The universal joint according to one embodiment of the present invention is
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the driving side joint member member 10 and the driven side joint member 20 are provided.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, the drive-side joint member 10 has a square cross-section formed by hollowing out the inside of one end side of a short steel bar having a circular cross section, and extending in the axial direction of the steel bar. The steel rod has a shape in which an excessive portion on the other end side is cut off so that a pair of standing portions facing each other is left.

A hollow section having a square cross section formed on one end side of the drive side joint member 10 is a female square drive section 12.
Is. The female rectangular drive unit 12 is used for various socket wrench types such as an extension bar for a socket wrench, a spinner handle for a socket wrench, a T-shaped slide handle for a socket wrench, and a ratchet handle for a socket wrench (none of which are shown). It is adapted to fit with a male square drive portion (having the same configuration as the male square drive portion of the driven side joint member 20 described later) formed at one end of the handle.

Recesses 12a are respectively formed at the substantially central portions of the four inner side surfaces of the female rectangular drive portion 12. On the other hand, at least one side surface of the male rectangular drive portion of each of the various handles for the socket wrench is provided with a steel ball to which an outward spring force is applied.
The recess 12a receives the steel ball and prevents the drive-side joint member 10 from slipping out of the various handles for the socket wrench.

The pair of upright portions formed on the other end side of the drive side joint member 10 are bearing portions 13. The pair of bearing portions 13 have the same shape and the same size and have a constant thickness, and the inner surfaces 13a, 1 facing each other are formed.
All of 3a are flat surfaces and are parallel to each other. Outer peripheral portion 13b on the tip side of the bearing portion 13
Are swelling in a round shape so as to draw a smooth arc.

On the other hand, the driven side joint member 20 is shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 10, unnecessary portions are cut off so as to form a square-shaped male square drive portion 22 on one end side of a short steel rod having a circular cross section, and at the other end side of the steel rod,
It has a shape in which a pair of bearing portions 23 facing each other is formed.

This bearing portion 23 corresponds to the drive side joint member 1
The inner surface 23a, 23a facing each other is a flat surface and is a surface parallel to each other. Further, the outer peripheral portion 23b on the front end side of the bearing portion 23 bulges out so as to draw a smooth arc.

The male square drive portion 22 is fitted with, for example, a female square drive portion of a socket for a socket wrench (having the same structure as the female square drive portion 12 of the drive side joint member 10). It has become.

One side surface 22a of the male rectangular drive portion 22
Is provided with a lateral hole 24 extending in a direction perpendicular to the side surface 22a but not penetrating the male rectangular drive portion 22, and a compression spring (not shown) is inserted into the lateral hole 24 and a steel ball 25 is placed thereon. It is press-fitted. The steel ball 25 slightly protrudes from the one side surface 22a of the male rectangular drive portion 22 but never comes out, and is acted outward by the action of the compression spring inserted in the lateral hole 24. It has been given the ability to generate springs. The steel ball 25 fits into the recesses formed on the four side surfaces of the female rectangular drive portion of the socket for a socket wrench to prevent the driven side joint member 20 from falling out of the socket for a socket wrench. Is.

The drive-side joint member 10 and the driven-side joint member 20 are combined with each other such that the bridge member 30 is sandwiched between the bearing portions 13 and 23 (see FIGS. 1 and 2).

The piece member 30 is the drive side joint member 1
It is between 0 and the driven-side joint member 20, and enables the joint members 10 and 20 to be bent and rotated in directions freely movable with respect to each other.

In the illustrated example, the piece member 30 has a shape in which the upper and lower surfaces of a cube are bulged, as shown in FIG. The piece member 30 has two through holes 31,
32 is provided. These through holes 31, 32 are
The piece members 30 extend in a direction perpendicular to each other across two pairs of side surfaces facing each other. Each through hole 3
1, 32 are not in communication with each other. The first connecting shaft 11 and the second connecting shaft 21 which are longer than the entire length of the through holes 31 and 32 are inserted into the through holes 31 and 32, respectively. The peripheral surfaces of the connecting shafts 11 and 21 are in sliding contact with the peripheral surfaces of the through holes 31 and 32, respectively. In this way, the connecting shafts 11 and 21 are freely rotatable about the axis of the piece member 30.

Since the through holes 31 and 32 do not communicate with each other, the connecting shafts 11 and 21 inserted therethrough do not interfere with each other, and therefore the connecting shafts are not connected to each other. 11 and 21 can freely rotate independently of each other.

Outer end portions 11 of the connecting shafts 11 and 21.
a and 21a are through holes 31 provided in the piece member 30,
It projects from 32 to the outside. The outer end portions 11a and 21a of the first and second connecting shafts 11 and 21 are
Bearing holes 13 provided in the bearing portions 13 and 23 of the drive-side joint member 10 and the driven-side joint member 20, respectively.
c and 23c are press-fitted and fixed.

The first and second connecting shafts 11 and 2 are
One spring washer 33, 34 is attached to each 1 (see FIG. 2). These spring washers 33, 34 are respectively fitted into the recesses 35, 36 formed on the two side surfaces of the piece member 30 adjacent to each other, and the bearing portion 1 of each of the joint members 10, 20 is inserted.
The inner surfaces 13a, 23a of 3, 23 and the side surface of the piece member 30 are urged in a direction to separate them from each other.

The spring washers 33 and 34 are provided because the joint members 10 and 20 are connected to the connecting shaft 1 respectively.
This is provided for convenience of use by giving an appropriate resistance to the rotational movement performed around the units 1 and 21. That is, when the socket wrench is used, if the inclination angle between the drive side joint member 10 and the driven side joint member 20 is adjusted in advance so as to correspond to the orientation of the nut or the like, the spring washer 33, Since the inclination angle is maintained as it is due to the resistance provided by 34, it is easy to mount the socket for socket wrench on the nut or the like even in a narrow place where it is difficult for the hand to enter.

In the universal joint according to the present embodiment, when the drive side joint member 10 is rotated around its axis X1, the driven side joint member 20 is inclined beyond the maximum rotatable tilt angle. A cam mechanism is interposed at a mutual interference site between the drive-side joint member 10 and the driven-side joint member 20 so as to smoothly rotate about its own axis X2.

Here, the rotatable maximum tilt angle will be described. When the drive-side joint member 10 is rotated, the driven-side joint member 20 rotates about an axis line X2 that intersects the rotation axis line X1 of the drive-side joint member 10 at an angle. If the inclination angle of the driven side joint member X2 with respect to the axis X1 is too large,
The torsional moment applied to the driving side joint member 10 is not effectively transmitted to the driven side joint member 20 so as to rotate the driven side joint member 20. As described above, the maximum tilt angle among the tilt angles at which the torsional moment applied to the drive-side joint member 10 is effectively transmitted to the driven-side joint member 20 is referred to as a rotatable maximum tilt angle. .

Normally, when the inclination angle is up to about 40 °, the torsional moment due to the rotation of the driving side joint member 10 is effectively transmitted to the driven side joint member 20, but it greatly exceeds that, for example. When the inclination angle reaches about 55 °, the torsional moment applied to the drive-side joint member 10 cannot rotate the driven-side joint member 20, resulting in damage to the universal joint itself.

Since the cam mechanism having the above-mentioned action is interposed at the mutual interference portion between the driving side joint member 10 and the driven side joint member 20, specifically, the driving side joint member 10 and the driven side member are driven. In the side joint member 20, a pair of the bearing portions (13-13) (2) facing each other.
3-23) so that both sides of the bases are connected to each other,
The inclined surfaces 16, 16, 26, and 26 are provided (see FIG. 3).
(See FIG. 10). These inclined surfaces 16 and 26 are provided from the outside of the joint members 10 and 20 from the outside.
In the direction approaching the axes X1 and X2 of each of the bearings 1
It is provided so as to form an upslope toward the extending direction side of 3, 23.

In each of the inclined surfaces 16 and 26, one of the joint members 10 (or 20) is inclined to the side, and the bearing portion 2 of the opposite joint member 20 (or 10) faces each other.
When the intermediate portion between the base portions of 3, 23 (or 13, 13) is contacted, the inclined joint member 10 (or 2)
0) bearing portion 13 (or 23) distal end side outer peripheral portion 13b
(Or 23b) is provided with a gradient having a size such that the tip 13d (or 23d) of the portion (or 23b) is closely fitted and contacted (see FIG. 11). Since the outer peripheral portions 13b and 23b on the tip side of the bearing portions 13 and 23 are rounded, the inclined surfaces 26 and 16 and the bearing portion 13 (or 2).
The contact between the protrusion 13d (or 23d) in 3) is a line contact.

Each of the inclined surfaces 16 and 26 has a tip end side outer peripheral portion 1 of the bearing portion 13 (or 23) regardless of which joint member 10 (or 20) is inclined in any direction.
3b (or 23b) in the state of line contact or point contact to act as a stopper surface for restricting the inclination of the joint member 10 (or 20) beyond the rotatable maximum inclination angle, and at the same time, the drive side joint. When the member 10 is rotated about its axis X1, the inclined surfaces 16, 26
Becomes a master (or a follower) and the inclined surfaces 16 and 2
The distal end side outer peripheral portions 23b, 13b of the bearing portions 23, 13 of the mating joint member that makes line contact or point contact with the 6 serve as followers (or masters) to rotate the driven side joint member 20. It also has a cam function as a cam surface that allows smooth rotational movement while maintaining the maximum possible tilt angle.

For example, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the maximum rotatable tilt angle is designed to be 40 °. That is, the driven side joint member 20 is fixed and the drive side joint member 10 is connected to the second connecting shaft 2.
When bent straight about 1 only, the projecting end portion 13d of the bearing portion 13 of the drive side joint member 10 makes line contact with the center portion in the length direction of the inclined surface 26 formed on the driven side joint member 20. Thus, the inclination of the drive-side joint member 10 is restricted, and the inclination angle of the drive-side joint member 10 at the same time (at the same time, the inclination angle of the driven-side joint member 20 = the maximum rotatable inclination angle) is designed to be 40 °. Has been done.

When a torsional moment about the axis X1 is applied to the driving side joint member 10 in the state shown in FIG. 11 as described above, the cam mechanism causes the driven side joint member to move to 40 °. It smoothly rotates about its own axis X2 without inclining beyond the maximum rotatable tilt angle.

Incidentally, in the universal shaft joint of the conventional structure, the state in which the bending angle of the joint member exceeds the maximum rotatable tilt angle and becomes maximum has already been described with reference to FIG. 18, but for comparison, The state of the universal joint according to this embodiment corresponding to FIG. 18 is illustrated in FIG.

That is, the bearing portion 1 of the drive side joint member 10 is provided on the inclined surface 26 provided on the driven side joint member 20.
The tip side outer peripheral portion 13b of 3 abuts and the drive side joint member 10 is forcibly raised by the cam function, and the drive side joint member 10 is tilted beyond the maximum rotatable tilt angle (40 ° in the illustrated example). Is prevented. At this time, FIG.
Then, the driven side joint member 20 cannot be seen because it is hidden behind.
A part of the outer peripheral surface 23b on the tip end side of the bearing portion 23 comes into contact with a part of the inclined surface 16 provided on the drive side joint member 10, and the drive side joint member 10 can rotate. A cam function is also working to prevent tilting beyond.

By the way, when the drive side joint member 10 is rotated about its axis X1, the driven side joint member 20 moves about the axis X2 intersecting the axis X2 of the drive side joint member 10 at a certain angle. To rotate smoothly means to change one's perspective so that one of the joint members (for example, 20) is fixed, and the other joint member 10 draws the largest loop at the tip of the one joint member 20. This means that when the swinging motion is performed, the other joint member 10 smoothly performs a swinging motion.

As in FIG. 11, the driven side joint member 20 is fixed so that its axis X2 is oriented vertically and the second connecting shaft 21 is oriented longitudinally (perpendicular to the plane of the drawing). Then, the state of the swinging motion when the driving side joint member 10 makes one round on the driven side joint member 20 while maintaining the maximum bending angle is observed.

FIG. 13 is a plan view showing the above observation results. A locus R1 shown by a solid line in FIG. 13 is obtained when the drive-side joint member 10 swings on the driven-side joint member 20 while maintaining the maximum bending angle,
3 is a plan view of the locus drawn by the center point Q of the upper end of the drive-side joint member 10. A point O at the center of the drawing is a point that appears when the axis X2 of the driven side joint member 20 is viewed from above, and is the center of the swinging motion of the drive side joint member 10.

Here, for comparison, it can be seen when a conventional universal joint (not shown) having the cam mechanism (shown in FIGS. 17 and 18) is swung under the same conditions as above. When a two-dimensional locus is drawn by using a broken line in FIG. 13 and drawn, a locus R2 is obtained. It should be noted that the conventional universal joint referred to here has exactly the same shape and dimensions as those of the present embodiment except that it does not include the cam mechanism.

As is clear from FIG. 13, in the conventional universal shaft joint, the driving side joint member 50 is tilted so as to maximize its inclination angle while changing the position of the contact point with the driven side joint member. When a large swinging motion is performed, the center point Q of the upper end is A2 → B2 → C2 → D2 →
E2 → F2 → G2 → H2 is drawn to move along a substantially square locus R2. That is, the conventional drive side joint member 50 described above.
Is the largest and the center point M is the point A
A catch occurs at the point B2 on the way from 2 to C2. Similarly, a catch occurs at the point D2 while the center point M moves from the point C2 to E2, and a catch occurs at the point F2 while the center point M moves from the point E2 to G2. According to the universal joint having the conventional structure, the change in the inclination angle of the drive-side joint member 50 at the points B2, D2, F2, and H2 is the maximum value (θ in FIG. 18).
2), and at those points, the drive side joint member 5
This is because the direction of the oscillating rotary motion of 0 had to change suddenly.

On the other hand, according to the universal joint of this embodiment, the locus R1 of the center point Q is A1 → B1 → C1.
It is drawn as → D1 → E1 → F1 → G1 → H1 and becomes a substantially smooth curve with no corners, which is infinitely close to an elliptical shape or the elliptical shape itself. This indicates that the drive-side joint member 10 makes a smooth swinging rotary motion without being caught.

Incidentally, in the conventional universal joint and the universal joint according to the present embodiment, the drive side joint members 50, 1
The drive side joint members 50 and 10 when the swinging motion shown in FIG. 13 is performed with 0 being the maximum bending angle maintained.
FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing how the tilt angle changes. That is, in the conventional device shown by the broken line, the maximum bending angle at the points B2, D2, F2, H2 in FIG. 13 greatly exceeds the maximum rotatable tilt angle (40 ° in the illustrated example) and becomes the maximum, and the point A2. In C2, E2 and G2, the maximum bending angle is the same as the maximum rotatable tilt angle and becomes a minimum, and the shape of the graph showing the change state of the tilt angle is almost a waveform as a whole. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the inclination angle of the drive side joint member 10 is always the maximum rotatable inclination angle and is substantially constant in the whole course of the swinging motion, and the graph shows a substantially straight line as a whole. Becomes This is,
This is the action of the cam mechanism.

In this embodiment, as a concrete mode for providing the above-mentioned cam mechanism, the drive side joint member 1 is used.
0 and the driven-side joint member 20, a pair of the bearing portions (13-13) (23-2) facing each other.
The inclined surfaces 16, 16, 26, 26 are provided so as to connect both sides of the bases of 3) to each other (FIGS. 3 to 1).
However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the joint members 10 and 2 can be smoothly rotated while maintaining the maximum rotatable tilt angle.
Any stopper surface or cam surface may be specifically provided as long as the cam mechanism is interposed at the mutual interference portion of 0.

However, by forming the inclined surfaces 16 and 26, the bearing portions 13 and 23 of the joint members 10 and 20 are formed.
According to the universal joint according to the present embodiment in which the tip side outer peripheral portions 13b and 23b are received to regulate the inclination of the joint members 10 and 20, the problems as shown in FIG. There is an advantage that it is unlikely to occur.

That is, in the present embodiment, the outer peripheral portion 13 on the tip end side of the bearing portions 13 and 23 of the joint members 10 and 20 is used.
b and 23b to the outer peripheral portion 13 on the tip side of the bearing portions 13 and 23.
Surfaces 2 inclined so as to fit snugly with b and 23b
Since it is configured to be received by the joint members 6 and 16, even if a slight manufacturing error occurs in the outer dimensions of the joint members 10 and 20, the inclination angle between the joint members 10 and 20 is not so greatly affected. Because it does not reach.

Although the specific examples of the present invention have been described with respect to the universal shaft joint as a single body, the idea of the present invention can be embodied as a universal tool including the universal shaft joint described above. It goes without saying that it is good.

Specifically, for example, the drive side joint member 1
0 is integrally formed with various handles for a socket wrench, the driven side joint member 20 is integrally formed with a socket for a socket wrench, or the drive side joint member 10 is various for a socket wrench. And the driven side joint member 20 is integrally formed with a socket for a socket wrench.

[0077]

According to the invention of claims 1 to 7, the rotation of the driving side joint member is smoothly transmitted to the rotation of the driven side joint member, so that the working efficiency is good and the same meat as the conventional one. There is an effect that a universal shaft joint and a universal tool including the universal shaft joint, which have a small risk of breakage even if they are thick, are obtained.
In addition, since it is possible to manufacture by simply changing the shape of the conventional product without adding new parts to the conventional product, the increase in manufacturing cost will be small.

Further, according to the inventions according to claims 4 and 6, it is possible to manufacture by simply changing the shape of the conventional product without adding new parts to the conventional one, and the driving side member and the driven side. Since a high degree of machining precision is not required for manufacturing the member, there is an advantage that a universal shaft joint which is easy to manufacture and inexpensive and a universal tool including the universal shaft joint can be obtained.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a universal joint according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the universal joint shown in FIG.

3 is a view showing a drive side joint member and is a view taken in the direction of an arrow L in FIG. 4. FIG.

FIG. 4 is a view showing a drive side joint member and is a view taken in the direction of arrow K in FIG.

5 is a sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. 3, showing a drive-side joint member.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 4, showing a drive-side joint member.

7 is a view showing a driven side joint member, and is a view taken in the direction of arrow N in FIG.

8 is a view showing the driven side joint member, and is a view taken in the direction of arrow M in FIG. 7. FIG.

9 is a sectional view taken along line IX-IX in FIG. 7, showing a driven-side joint member.

10 is a sectional view taken along line XX in FIG. 8 showing the driven side joint member.

FIG. 11 is a front view of the universal joint shown in FIG. 1 in a state where the drive-side joint member is tilted right beside.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the drive-side joint member further tilted rearward from the state of FIG. 11 to the limit.

FIG. 13 is a plan view showing how the drive-side joint member swings and rotates.

FIG. 14 is a graph schematically showing changes in the tilt angle of the drive side joint member in FIG.

FIG. 15 shows a conventional universal joint, (a)
Is a front view and (b) is a plan view.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory view showing a problem of the conventional universal joint.

FIG. 17 is a front view of a conventional universal joint in which a drive-side joint member is tilted right beside, and corresponds to FIG. 11 showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the drive side joint member further tilted rearward from the state of FIG. 17 to the limit, and corresponds to FIG. 12 showing an embodiment of the present invention. It

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing a problem of the conventional universal joint.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Drive-side member 11 First connection shaft 13 Bearing part (of drive-side member) 20 Driven-side member 21 Second connection shaft 23 Bearing part of driven-side member 16, 26 Stopper surface (cam surface, inclined surface) X1 Rotation axis of driving member X2 Rotation axis of driven member

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A universal joint for transmitting torque along two axes intersecting at an angle, the driving side member (1)
0) is rotated about its axis (X1), the driven member (20) and the driven member (20) are rotated so that the driven member (20) rotates while substantially maintaining the maximum rotatable tilt angle. A universal joint in which a cam mechanism is interposed at a mutual interference site with the driven member (20). 2. A driving side member (10) and a driven side member (2)
0) and two axes (X
1, X2) is a universal joint for transmitting torque, and a stopper surface (16, 26) for preventing the driven side member (20) from tilting beyond a maximum rotatable tilt angle is provided on the driving side. A universal joint provided at a mutual interference site between the member (10) and the driven member (20). 3. A bifurcated bearing portion (1) at each shaft end.
3) A universal joint which comprises a driving side member (10) having (23) and a driven side member (20) and which transmits torque around two axes (X1, X2) intersecting at an angle. , The driving side member (10) with its axis (X1)
The drive-side member (10) and the driven-side member (20) so that the driven-side member (20) rotates while substantially maintaining the maximum rotatable tilt angle when rotated around the.
And the bearings (23) and (1
3) A universal joint having cam surfaces (16) and (26) provided at positions where the outer peripheral portions (23b) and (13b) of the tip end interfere with each other. 4. Both sides of the bases of the respective bearing portions (13), (23) in which the cam surfaces (16), (26) face each other in the driving side member (10) and the driven side member (20). Bearing part (2
The universal joint according to claim 3, wherein the inclined surfaces (16) and (26) are inclined so as to come into line contact with the projecting end portions (23d) and (13d) of (3) and (13). 5. A bifurcated bearing portion (1) at each shaft end.
A driving side member (10) and a driven side member (20) each having 3) and (23) extend in a direction perpendicular to each other and are not on the same plane outside each of the two connecting shafts (11) and (21). The end portions (11a) and (21a) are connected to the bearing portions (13),
An axis line (23) supported by the driving side member (10) and having a rotational movement about the axis (X1) thereof intersects the rotation axis (X1) of the driving side member (10) at an inclined angle ( X2) around the driven member (2
0) is transmitted to the rotational motion of the driving side member (10) and the driven side member (20), and the driving side member (10) and the driven side member (20) are bent. In the universal joint in which and interfere with each other and the refraction angle is restricted, one of the members (2) of the driving side member (10) and the driven driving side member (20) is
0) is fixed so that its axis (X2) extends in the vertical direction, and the driving side member (10) and the driven side member (20) are fixed.
When the outer end portion side of the other member (10) is rotated about the axis (X2) of the one member (20) while keeping the other members interfering with each other, the other member (20) is rotated. The driving side member (10) and the driving side member (10) and the driving side member (10) are described so that a trajectory (R1) obtained by projecting a trajectory drawn by an arbitrary point (M) on the axis (X1) of (10) onto a plane is substantially smooth. At the mutual interference site with the driven member (20), the cam surface (1
A universal joint formed by forming 6) and (26). 6. Both sides of the bases of the bearing portions (13) and (23) of which the cam surfaces (16) and (26) face each other in the driving side member (10) and the driven side member (20). Bearing part (2
The universal joint according to claim 5, wherein the inclined surfaces (16) and (26) are inclined so as to come into line contact with the protrusions (23d) and (13d) of (3) and (13). 7. A universal tool comprising the universal shaft joint according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6.