JPH0728231U - Puncture resistant boot suppressor - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] A plunging type constant velocity universal joint boot that can be assembled into a plunging type constant velocity universal joint without rolling work and prevents the flexible boot from twisting when assembled into the joint. Obtaining a restraint device. [Constitution] Molded with plastic. It has a generally cylindrical annular portion which has a first inner diameter and which defines inwardly projecting rib means having a second inner diameter which is shorter than the inner diameter. The second predetermined inner diameter is usually smaller than the outer diameter of the annular seal member. An annular seal member is attached to the outer joint member by interference of rib means projecting radially inward.

Description

[Detailed description of the device]

[0001]

[Industrial applications]

 The present invention encloses a flexible boot of a plunging type constant velocity universal joint, which is a universal joint of a type widely used for connecting a propeller shaft of an automobile drive device to a differential device, and suppresses the motion of the boot. It is about the shroud.

[0002]

[Prior art]

 A conventional plunging type constant velocity universal joint for a propeller shaft for automobiles has an outer joint member having one end open and a groove extending straight inside the open end, and an inner side from the open end of the outer joint member. An inner joint member having an end portion inserted into the inner joint member and a groove formed at the end portion, and a torque transmission from one of the outer joint member and the inner joint member to the other, and between both joint members. Relative movement of the joint with a ball or other torque transmitting device extending between the groove of the inner joint member and the groove of the outer joint member to enable angular and axial movement, ie plunging movement. One end sealed to the inner fitting member to keep grease in the area of the parts and to prevent their relatively moving parts from being contaminated by water, dirt or other contaminants during normal use of the fitting. It comprises generally a saw boots I was shaped sleeve having a second end portion which is sealed to the outer joint member.

Conventional propeller shaft constant velocity universal joints for automobiles of the type described above are operated at a relatively high rotational speed, and due to the high rotational speed, centrifugal force is applied to the flexible boot. Due to its centrifugal force, part of it is due to the mass of the boot, and partly due to the mass of grease contained in the boot and also subjected to centrifugal force, the boot is swollen during operation of the universal joint, ie May be distorted. Such distortion of the boot can compromise the grease seal between the boot and the outer fitting having a larger diameter than the inner fitting. Then, due to the blistering of the boot and the centrifugal force acting on the grease, the grease is scattered from the area of the joint where the joint moves relatively.For this reason, proper lubrication is most important at the time of high speed rotation. The moving parts may not be lubricated properly.

This problem resulting from strain in the flexible boot of a propeller shaft constant velocity universal joint for automobiles has traditionally been associated with maintaining the seal between the boot and the outer joint member, and close to the outer joint member, due to centrifugal strain. In order to suppress the outward movement of the boot part of the maximum diameter that receives the most heat, cover the boot part that seals the outer joint member with a cylindrical metal sleeve, and mold this metal sleeve on-site to process the boot. I used a boot restraint that fixed one end of the. An example of using such a boot restraint device is described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 58-24651. The boot restraint device described here requires a metal sleeve to be placed over the boot and then partially roll-formed, which causes the boot to twist and roll during its roll forming. In many cases, the boots were damaged, and there was the problem that they would break early. Moreover, once the boot restraint device was attached, not only the boot restraint device but also the boot itself had to be broken when the boot had to be removed for repair of the joint. Therefore, the one using this metal boot restraint device has problems that not only the boots are damaged but also the maintenance of the joint is difficult and costly.

[0005]

[Problems to be solved by the device]

 Therefore, an object of the present invention is to obtain a plunging type constant velocity universal joint incorporating a non-metallic restraint device for restraining the movement of the flexible boot. Another object of the present invention is a boot for a plunging type constant velocity universal joint which can be assembled into a plunging type constant velocity universal joint without rolling work and prevents the flexible boot from being twisted when assembled in the joint. To get the suppressor. Yet another object of the present invention is to allow the boot restraint or flex boot to be removed from the constant velocity universal joint without breaking or damaging it, thereby allowing the boot restrainer and flex boot to be re-installed. To obtain a boot restraint device for a constant velocity universal joint so that it can be used.

[0006]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

 The present invention provides an inner joint member, an outer joint member, and a first end portion having a predetermined outer diameter, which is formed of a flexible organic material and is mounted in a sealed state on the outer portion of the outer joint member. An elastically distorted puncture-resistant boot restrainer for a rotatable plunging type torque transmission mechanical joint having an annular seal member having a second end mounted in a sealed state on the inner joint member. is there. The device includes a first end portion and a second end portion adjacent the first end portion. Either the first end portion or the second end portion has a generally cylindrical annular portion that is attached to the first end portion of the annular seal member having a predetermined outer diameter. The generally cylindrical annular portion has a predetermined first inner diameter and forms therein inwardly projecting rib means having a predetermined second inner diameter less than the predetermined first inner diameter. . The second predetermined inner diameter is usually smaller than the outer diameter of the annular seal member. One of the first end portion and the second end portion of the puncture-resistant boot restraint device capable of being elastically distorted, which is attached to the annular seal member, protrudes inwardly of the radius. The interference between the second predetermined inner diameter of the rib means and the second end of the annular seal member having the predetermined outer diameter, the sealing state of the annular seal member to the outer joint member. It is characterized in that it is designed to be kept worn.

The boot restraint device of the present invention is preferably made of injection molded nylon (polyamide) or other semi-hard, puncture resistant polymeric material. The boot restraint device so produced may be distorted and assembled to the outer joint member of the boot restraint device which has a normal, i.e., slightly larger outer diameter than the undistorted inner diameter. It has sufficient elasticity.

[0008]

[Action / effect]

 Since no roll processing or rolling work is required during installation, twisting of the flexible boot of the joint during assembly of the boot restraint is avoided. In addition, since the boot restraint and boot can be installed for reuse when the fitting is disassembled for repair, the fitting restraint should be used to allow the boot restraint and boot to be reused in the repaired fitting. Thus, the boot restraint device of the present invention can be easily removed from the fitting without breaking the boot restraint device or boot.

[0009]

【Example】

 Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a universal joint 10. Since this universal joint 10 is a well-known general-purpose type, detailed description of many of its individual parts will be omitted. In either case, the universal joint 10 has a cylindrical outer joint member 11 and an inner joint member 12 as a whole. The outer joint member 11 has a central axis X in the longitudinal direction, and the inner joint member 12 has a central axis Y in the longitudinal direction. As for the orientation of the inner joint member 12 with respect to the outer joint member 11, the longitudinal center axis X of the outer joint member 11 and the longitudinal center axis Y of the inner joint member 12 are aligned with each other in FIG.

The outer joint member 11 has an open end 13 facing the inner joint member 12, and a closed end 14 provided away from the open end 13. The outer joint member 11 has a plurality of straight grooves 15. These straight grooves 15 are provided in the inner surface 16 of the outer joint member 11 and extend from the open end 13 of the outer joint member 11 into the outer joint member 11. An end portion of the outer joint member 11 opposite to the inner joint member 12 is attached to the flange 17 by welding, for example. When the outer joint member 11 of the universal joint 10 is a driving member, torque can be transmitted to the outer joint member 11 by the flange 17, and when the outer joint member 11 of the universal joint 10 is a driven member. Can receive torque from its outer joint member 11.

The inner joint member 12 has an end portion 20 which is arranged in the open end portion of the outer joint member 11, and a plurality of grooves 19 are formed in the end portion 20. The inner joint member 12 is attached to the propeller shaft so as to rotate together with the drive shaft, i.e., the propeller shaft 2, by using a drive mechanism using splines or keys. The groove 19 of the inner joint member 12 is aligned with the groove 15 of the outer joint member 11, and a plurality of spheres 21 (only one is shown in the drawing) and the groove 19 of the inner joint member 12 and the outer joint member 11 are provided. When the outer joint member 11 functions as a drive member of the universal joint 10 by being arranged between the grooves 15 of the inner joint member 12, the outer joint member 11 transmits torque to the inner joint member 12, and the inner joint member 12 is When functioning as a drive member, torque is transmitted from the inner joint member 12 to the outer joint member 11. The sphere 21 can be rotated in the depression of a suitably shaped ball cage 22. Each ball 21 can roll in the groove 15 of the outer joint member 11 and in the groove 19 of the inner joint member 12. Due to the above-described structure of the universal joint 10, the inner joint member 12 is free to move in the open end portion 13 of the outer joint member 11 along the central axis X of the outer joint member 11 as shown by the double-headed arrow A. Can move to the outer joint member 11 as shown by the double-headed arrow B about the intersection C between the plane passing through the center of the sphere 21 and the central axis X of the outer joint member 11. Turn. Usually, the angular movement of the inner joint member 12 with respect to the outer joint member 11, and this angular movement may be referred to as articulated movement. In a typical application of a propeller shaft constant velocity universal joint for automobiles, it is on the order of 20 degrees in each direction from the central axis of the outer joint member 11.

The end 20 of the inner joint member 12 is normally pushed by the spring 23 towards the open end 13 of the outer joint member 11. The spring is compressed between a shoulder 24 on the closed end 14 of the outer joint member 11 and a molded plate 25 in contact with the end 20 of the inner joint member 12. Its end is in a groove 27 on the outer surface of the end 20 of the inner joint member 12. The groove 19 of the inner joint member 12 is maintained in a fixed position on the end 20 of the inner joint member 12 by means of the annular stop 26, which is complementary to the shape of the groove 27. . Here, a propeller shaft of a certain type uses a plunging type constant velocity universal joint that does not use a spring corresponding to the spring 23, and the boots restraint device of the present invention uses such plunging type constant velocity universal joint. Please note that can also be applied.

Opening of the outer joint member 11 for lubrication against the movement of the ball 21 in the groove 15 of the outer joint member 11, in the groove 19 of the inner joint member 12 and in the ball cage 22. From the end 13 to the inside is usually filled with a suitable lubricating grease. The lubricating grease is held inside the outer joint member 11 by the boot 28. The boot 28 has a first end 29 sealingly attached to the outer surface of the outer joint member 11, and a second end 30 sealingly attached to the outer surface of the inner joint member 12. Have. Since boot 28 must be capable of axial movement and angular movement of inner joint member 12 relative to outer joint member 11, boot 28 is formed of a flexible material such as an elastic material. The second end 30 of the boot 28 fits into the groove 31 of the propeller shaft 2 adjacent to the inner joint member 12 and is held in that position by a removable retaining ring 32.

A rib 33 extending radially inward is provided on the first end 29 of the boot 28 (FIG. 4), and extends radially inward of the boot 28 on the outer surface of the open end 13 of the outer joint member 11. The first end 29 of the boot 28 is held in a fixed position relative to the open end 13 of the outer joint member 11 by providing a recess 34 that is radially inward to receive the rib 33. The boot 28 extends inwardly from the end portions of the first end portions 29 and comes into surface contact with the front edge portion of the outer joint member 11 to form a seal on the outer side of the outer joint member 11 and along the front surface. It also has a radially extending portion 35.

The first end 29 of the boot 28 is held in a desired position relative to the open end of the outer joint member 11 by a molded boot restraint 38. The boot restraint device 38 partially surrounds the boot 28 to prevent unintentional puncture of the boot 28 and to prevent the boot 28 from being unintentionally pierced when the universal joint 10 is rotated at a relatively high speed. The inertia and the inertia of the grease contained inside the universal joint 10 help prevent the boot from expanding, thus ensuring that the boot expands without requiring excess grease. Lubricate. The boot restraint device 38 is integrally formed of an organic material having a semi-hard puncture resistance property such as a nylon material (polyamide material). If the boot restraint device is manufactured by injection molding, it has been found that "Dupon's" Super Tough Nylon ST 801 "" is suitable. ing.

The boot restraint device 38 includes a first portion 39 extending generally cylindrically, a second portion 40 having a generally frustoconical shape, and a portion between the first portion 39 and the second portion 40. And a connecting portion 41 that extends in the radial direction. The boot restraint 38 also has ribs 42 extending beyond the first end 29 of the boot 28 and projecting radially inward. The inner diameter of the rib 42 is smaller than the outer diameter of the first end 29 of the boot 28, and the rib 42 is in a tight fit relationship with the first end 29 of the boot 28.

In order to enable the boot restraint 38 to snap onto the first end 29 of the boot 28, the cylindrical portion 39 of the boot restraint 38 includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart portions. It has a slot 43 (FIG. 3). After the cylindrical shaped portion 39 of the boot restraint 38 is positioned over the first end 29 of the boot 28, the cylindrical shaped portion 39 is secured in that position by a removable clamp 44. The boot restraint 38 and the boot 28 can be removed from the open end 13 of the outer joint member 11 by removing the removable clamp 44, thereby removing the boot 28 and the boot 28 after the universal joint 10 has been repaired. The universal joint 10 can be repaired without risk of damaging the boot 28 and the boot restraint device 38 during removal so that the boot restraint device 38 can be reused in the universal joint 10.

The removable clamp 44 includes overlapping ends of a double-ended band of metallic material, such as steel, as indicated by reference numeral 44a in FIG. 3, and the overlapping portions. It is manufactured by spot welding. The removable clamp 44 has leading edges 44b, 44c. Their front edges taper radially outward from the intermediate connecting member 44d having a cylindrical shape. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the removable clamp 44 is provided between the ribs 39a and 39b formed by protruding outwardly at a regular interval on the cylindrical first portion 39 of the boot restraint device 38. Fixed to. One of the ribs 39a, 39b, namely the rib 39b, has a tapered outer surface 39c. This allows the detachable clamp 44 to slide along the outer surface 39c of the outwardly projecting rib 39b to allow for the deformability of the boots 28 and boot restraint 38, which are especially made of organic material. , Ribs 39a and 39b can be moved to a position between.

Since the coupling portion 41 extending radially inward of the boot restraint device 38 is located relative to the rib 42 projecting radially inward of the cylindrical portion of the boot restraint device 38, it is of the boot 28. The radially extending portion 35 is pressed against the front surface of the open end 13 of the outer joint member 11 to provide a double seal between the boot 28 and the open end 13 of the outer joint member 11. The smaller diameter end of the frustoconical second portion 40 of the boot restraint device 38 contacts the outer portion of the boot 28 during axial movement of the inner joint member 12 relative to the outer joint member 11 to provide a universal joint. The grease contained in the universal joint 10 prevents the boot 28 from expanding during rotation of the universal joint 10, and the balls 21 of the universal joint 10 and the surfaces of the grooves 15 of the outer joint member 11 and the inner joint. While in contact with the surface of the groove 19 of the member 12 and the surface of the ball cage 22, properly lubricate those elements during use of the universal joint 10. A second frustoconical portion 40 of the boot restraint 38 surrounds the boot 28 to protect the boot 28 from being pierced by contact with stones and other dangerous objects on the road while the vehicle is running. It also fulfills the function of doing.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a part of an automobile propeller shaft incorporating the plunging type constant velocity universal joint of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing some elements of the constant velocity universal joint of FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of part A shown by enclosing it in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Universal joint, 11 ... External joint member, 12 ... Internal joint member, 13 ... Open end part of external joint member, 14 ... Closed end part of external joint member, 15, 19 ... Straight groove, 17 ... Flange, 18 ... end of internal joint member, 21 ... sphere, 23 ... spring, 26 ... annular stop, 28 ... boot, 29 ... boot first end, 30 ... boot second end, 30 ... boot first 2 end part, 32 ... Retaining ring, 33, 42 ... Ribs protruding inward, 34 ... Recess, 38 ... Boot restraining device, 4
3 ... Slot, 44 ... Removable clamp.

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued Front Page (72) Creator Francis Lawrence Fillmore 48009 Birmingham Harmon 711 Michigan USA

Claims (20)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. An inner joint member, an outer joint member, and a first outer member formed of a bendable organic material and having a predetermined outer diameter to be mounted in a sealed state on the outer peripheral portion of the outer joint member.
Elastically strainable puncture-resistant boot for a rotatable plunging torque transmitting mechanical joint having an end portion of and an annular seal member having a second end that is sealingly mounted to the inner joint member. The restraint device includes a first end portion and a second end portion adjacent to the first end portion, and one of the first end portion and the second end portion is the annular seal. Has a generally cylindrical annular portion mounted to a first outer diameter first end of the member, the generally cylindrical annular portion having a predetermined first inner diameter, Forming inwardly protruding rib means having a second predetermined inner diameter that is shorter than the first predetermined inner diameter, the second predetermined inner diameter usually being smaller than the outer diameter of the annular seal member; Puncture resistant boot restraint that can be elastically distorted One of the first end portion and the second end portion of the rib mounted on the annular seal member has the second predetermined inner diameter and the annular shape of the rib means projecting inward of the radius. By the interference between the seal member and the second end portion having the predetermined outer diameter, the sealing state of the annular seal member to the outer joint member is maintained and held. An elastically distortable puncture-resistant boot restraint device for a rotatable plunging type torque transmission mechanical joint characterized in that 2. The outer joint member has an annular radially indented surface, and the predetermined outer diameter portion of the first end of the annular seal member is the annular portion of the outer joint member. The boot restraint device according to claim 1, characterized in that it has an annular portion which projects as a whole in the radial direction and which is sealed on the surface which is concave in the radial direction. 3. A generally frustoconical portion having a large end and a small end, the small end being provided on a radially extending annular portion of the boot restraint to provide the rotatable torque. The boot restraint device according to claim 2, wherein at least a part of the outward movement of the annular seal member due to a centrifugal force generated as a result of the rotation of the transmission mechanical joint is restrained. 4. Practical application, characterized in that one of said first end and said second end is provided with a plurality of circumferentially-separated longitudinal slots extending inwardly from its tip. The boot restraint device according to claim 1 of the new model registration claim. 5. The one of the first end and the second end has a plurality of longitudinal slots inwardly from its tip, each longitudinal slot being the annular portion of the boot restraint. The boot restraint device according to claim 2, wherein the seal member is terminated before reaching a radially extending portion of the first end portion having the predetermined outer diameter. 6. The boot restraint device according to claim 1, wherein the boot restraint device is integrally molded with a thermoplastic material. 7. The boot restraint device according to claim 6, wherein the thermoplastic material is a polyamide material. 8. The utility model registration claim according to claim 7, wherein the boot restraint device is formed by injection molding.
The boot restraint device according to the item. 9. The boot restraint device according to claim 2, wherein the boot restraint device is integrally molded from a thermoplastic material. 10. The boot restraint device according to claim 9, wherein the thermoplastic material is a polyamide material. 11. The boot restraint device according to claim 10, wherein the boot restraint device is formed by injection molding. 12. The boot restraint device according to claim 3, wherein the boot restraint device is integrally molded from a thermoplastic material. 13. The boot restraint device according to claim 12, wherein the thermoplastic material is a polyamide material. 14. The boot restraint device according to claim 13, wherein the boot restraint device is formed by injection molding. 15. The boot restraint device according to claim 4, wherein the boot restraint device is integrally molded from a thermoplastic material. 16. The boot restraint device according to claim 15, wherein the thermoplastic material is a polyamide material. 17. The boot restraint device according to claim 16, wherein the boot restraint device is formed by injection molding. 18. The boot restraint device according to claim 5, wherein the boot restraint device is integrally molded from a thermoplastic material. 19. The boot restraint device according to claim 18, wherein the thermoplastic material is a polyamide material. 20. The boot restraint device according to claim 19, wherein the boot restraint device is formed by injection molding.