JPH1047362A - Double cardan type constant velocity joint - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the material cost and machining cost of an intermediate housing by forming first and second intermediate housing elements, constituting the intermediate housing, by pressing a metal plate. SOLUTION: A first intermediate housing element 39 is combined with a second intermediate housing element to constitute an intermediate housing. The first intermediate housing element 39 is integrally formed by applying plastic working to a steel plate with sufficient rigidity by pressing, and a pair of first supporting arms 7a are formed at the center part of a base part 40 by bending to raise part of the steer plate. A step part 41 is formed at an intermediate part of the base part 40, and the first intermediate housing element 39 and the second intermediate housing element are made butt each other and fixedly connected by bolts 27 so that an angle adjusting member 29a can be slidably held between the center parts of both elements. The material cost and machining cost of the intermediate housing can thereby be reduced.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The double cardan type constant velocity joint according to the present invention is incorporated in, for example, a steering device of an automobile, and is used for transmitting a rotational force applied to a steering wheel to a gear box.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A steering apparatus for an automobile is configured to transmit a movement of a steering wheel to a gear box via a steering shaft, a universal joint, and an intermediate shaft so as to impart a desired steering angle to front wheels. . In the case of a general steering device, since the intersection angle (joint angle) between the steering shaft and the intermediate shaft is not large, a general cardan joint (cross-shaped) is used as a universal joint for connecting these two shafts. Universal joint).
As is well known, in a general cardan joint, the transmission of rotational force becomes uneven at a given joint angle, but as long as the joint angle is small, the degree does not pose a practical problem. It has also been practiced to use two cardan joints to counteract unequal speed. However, in recent years, in some automobiles such as cab-over type automobiles, the intersection angle between the steering shaft and the intermediate shaft has become large in order to ensure the improvement of collision safety. In such a case, if a general cardan joint is used, the non-uniformity of the rotational force transmission becomes so large that it cannot be ignored. Therefore,
In such a case, it is considered to use a double cardan type constant velocity joint.

A double cardan type constant velocity joint is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Publication No. 50-21610, and in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-2517.
Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 46-46 and the like are conventionally known. 6 and 7 show a double cardan type constant velocity joint disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 50-21610. This double cardan constant velocity joint 1
Is an intermediate housing 2, first and second yokes 3, 4,
A first cross shaft 5 connecting the first yoke 3 and the intermediate housing 2 is provided, and a second cross shaft 6 connecting the second yoke 4 and the intermediate housing 2 is provided.

The intermediate housing 2 has a pair of first support arms 7, 7 at one axial end (right end in FIGS. 6 to 7) and a pair of first support arms 7, 7 at the other axial end (left end in FIGS. 6 to 7). Second support arm 8, 8
Are provided in phase with each other. Then, first support holes 9, 9 concentric with each other at the distal ends of the first support arms 7, 7, and second support holes 10, 10, 10 concentric with each other at the distal ends of the second support arms 8, 8. Are formed respectively.

The first yoke 3 is connected to one end (left end in FIGS. 6 and 7) of a coupling cylinder 44 which can freely couple and fix an end of a rotating shaft (not shown) such as a steering shaft. It comprises a pair of third support arms 11,11. Then, concentric third support holes 12, 12 are formed in the portions of the third support arms 11, 11 near the distal end, respectively. Further, a first engaging projection 14 is formed at an intermediate portion of the first connecting portion 13 for connecting the distal ends of the third support arms 11 and 11 to each other so as to protrude on the opposite side to the connecting cylindrical portion 44. I have.

The second yoke 4 is connected to one end in the axial direction (right end in FIGS. 6 and 7) of a connecting cylindrical portion 15 which can freely connect and fix an end of another rotating shaft (not shown) such as an intermediate shaft. And a pair of fourth support arms 16, 16. Fourth concentric fourth support holes 17 are formed in the portions of the fourth support arms 16 near the distal end, respectively. Furthermore,
A second engaging projection 19 is formed at an intermediate portion of the second connecting portion 18 connecting the tips of the fourth support arms 16, 16 to the opposite side to the connecting cylindrical portion 15.

[0007] Of the first and second shaft portions 20 and 21 constituting the first cross shaft 5 in a state orthogonal to each other, both ends of the first shaft portion 20 are formed in the first support holes 9 and 9. on the inside,
Both ends of the second shaft portion 21 are rotatably supported inside the third support holes 12 by radial needle bearings 22, 22, respectively. On the other hand, the third and fourth shaft portions 23 constituting the second cross shaft 6 in a state orthogonal to each other,
24, both ends of the third shaft portion 23 are the second support holes 1
Both ends of the fourth shaft portion 24 are rotatably supported inside the fourth support holes 17 by radial needle bearings 22, 22, respectively.

Further, the intermediate housing 2 includes a first intermediate housing element 25 including the first support arms 7, 7 and a second intermediate housing element 26 including the second support arms 8, 8.
Are connected by a plurality of bolts 27, 27.
In a slide space 28 provided between the first and second intermediate housing elements 25 and 26, which is an intermediate portion in the axial direction of the intermediate housing 2, an angle adjusting member 29 is provided with a central axis of the intermediate housing 2. Are provided so as to be freely displaceable in a plane direction orthogonal to.

First and second engagement holes 30 and 31 are formed at both ends in the axial direction of the angle adjusting member 29 in the same phase (concentric). The first engagement projection 14 is engaged with the first engagement hole 30 and the second engagement projection 19 is engaged with the second engagement hole 31 so as to be swingably displaceable. The inclination angles of the first and second yokes 3 and 4 with respect to the intermediate housing 2 based on the engagement between the first and second engagement protrusions 14 and 19 and the first and second engagement holes 30 and 31. Are matched with each other.

In the case of the conventional double cardan constant velocity joint 1 constructed as described above, when the first yoke 3 is rotated, the rotational force is applied to the first cross shaft 5 and the intermediate housing 2. Is transmitted to the second yoke 4 via the second cross shaft 6. The positional relationship between the first and second yokes 3 and 4 and the intermediate housing 2 changes based on the transmission of the rotational force. This change is caused by the fact that the angle adjusting member 29 is provided inside the intermediate housing 2. It is absorbed by sliding in a plane direction orthogonal to the central axis of the intermediate housing 2 in the slide space 28.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION In the case of a double cardan type constant velocity joint which includes the structure shown in FIGS. It uses a sliding plate that can be displaced. On the other hand, Japanese Patent Application No. 8-8410
No. 3 aims to reduce the installation space by reducing the swing circle, reduce the transmission loss during the transmission of rotational force, and further ensure the durability.
A double cardan constant velocity joint having a structure as shown in FIG.

In the double cardan type constant velocity joint 1a according to the prior invention, a support plate 33 is provided at an intermediate portion in the axial direction of the intermediate housing 32 so as to be sandwiched between the first and second intermediate housing elements 25a and 26a. ing. And
A circular hole 34 is formed in the center of the support plate 33, and an intermediate portion 36 of the angle adjusting member 35 is rotatably supported inside the circular hole 34. The angle adjusting member 35 includes a cylindrical intermediate portion 36 and first and second crank portions 37 and 38 bent from both axial end surfaces of the intermediate portion 36 in the same diametric direction of the intermediate portion 36. Prepare. The first engagement hole 30 for engaging the first engagement protrusion 14 provided on the first yoke 3 side is provided at the tip end of the first crank portion 37 at the second engagement hole provided on the second yoke 4 side. The second engagement holes 31 for engaging the abutment portions 19 are respectively formed at the distal ends of the second crank portions 38. In order to rotatably support the intermediate portion 36 inside the circular hole 34, the angle adjusting member 35 has a two-part structure, or the support plate 33 is connected to the circular hole 3.
The structure is divided into two parts separated at a diameter position of 4.

In the case of the double cardan type constant velocity joint 1a according to the first aspect of the invention configured as described above, when the first yoke 3 is rotated, the rotational force is applied to the first cross shaft 5, the intermediate housing 32, the first The light is transmitted to the second yoke 4 via the two cross shafts 6. Based on this torque transmission, the first,
The positional relationship between the second yokes 3, 4 and the intermediate housing 32 changes, but this change is absorbed by the rotation of the angle adjusting member 35 inside the intermediate housing 32.

The angle adjusting member 35 rotates around the intermediate portion 36, but does not significantly displace in the diameter direction of the intermediate housing 32. In other words, it only moves a little in the diameter direction to absorb errors. Therefore, the diameter of the intermediate housing 32 is sufficient as long as the rotation of the angle adjusting member 35 can be permitted. For this reason, as compared with the conventional structure shown in FIGS.
2, the swing circle of the double cardan constant velocity joint 1a can be reduced, and the installation space can be reduced.

The rotation of the angle adjusting member 35 is performed by rotating the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical intermediate portion 36 provided on the angle adjusting member 35 and the inner peripheral surface of the circular hole 34 formed in the support plate 33 of the intermediate housing 32. This is lightly performed only by opposing the frictional force acting between the O-ring 45 and the inner peripheral edge of the O-ring 45 that is locked to the O-ring 45.
Therefore, the transmission loss at the time of transmitting the torque is small. Further, it is easy to prevent the rotation support portion of the angle adjusting member 35 from being exposed to the external space, and moreover, the first and second cross shafts 5,
The six installation portions can be reliably separated from each other by the support plate 33 for supporting the angle adjusting member 35. Therefore, the angle adjusting member 35 and the first and second cross shafts 5,
It is easy to prevent foreign matter such as dust from entering the rotation supporting portion of 6, and it is easy to prevent wear of each of the rotation supporting portions and improve durability.

[0016]

In both the conventional double Cardan constant velocity joint 1 described above and the double Cardan constant velocity joint described in the preceding invention, the intermediate housings 2, 3
The first intermediate housing elements 25, 25a and the second intermediate housing elements 26, 26a constituting the second element 2 are formed by forging or cutting out a metal material. Therefore, the material costs and processing costs of the intermediate housings 2 and 32 constituted by the first intermediate housing elements 25 and 25a and the second intermediate housing elements 26 and 26a increase, and the intermediate housings 2 and 32 are incorporated. The price of the double cardan constant velocity joints 1 and 1a was high. The double cardan constant velocity joint of the present invention has been invented in view of such circumstances to reduce the cost.

[0017]

A double cardan type constant velocity joint according to the present invention comprises an intermediate housing, a first and a second yoke, and a double cardan type constant velocity joint similar to the above-mentioned conventional or prior art double cardan type constant velocity joint. A first cross shaft connecting the first yoke and the intermediate housing; and a second cross shaft connecting the second yoke and the intermediate housing. The intermediate housing is provided with a pair of first support arms at one end in the axial direction and a pair of second support arms at the other end in the axial direction in the same phase. And a second support hole concentric with each other is formed at the tip of each of the second support arms. The first yoke is provided with a pair of third support arms at one end in the axial direction of a connecting cylinder portion capable of connecting and fixing the ends of the rotation shaft, and the first yoke is concentric with the third support arm at a portion closer to the tip. A third support hole was formed, and a first engagement projection was formed at an intermediate portion of the first connection portion connecting the tips of the third support arms to the opposite side to the coupling cylinder portion. Things. The second yoke is provided with a pair of fourth support arms at one end in the axial direction of a connecting cylinder portion capable of connecting and fixing another end of the rotating shaft, and a pair of the fourth support arms near each other at the front end thereof. Concentric fourth support holes are respectively formed, and a second engagement projection projecting to the opposite side to the coupling cylinder portion is provided at an intermediate portion of the second connection portion connecting the tips of the fourth support arms. It is formed. Further, among the first and second shaft portions constituting the first cross shaft in a state orthogonal to each other, both end portions of the first shaft portion are rotatably supported inside the first support hole, and Both ends of the biaxial portion are rotatably supported inside the third support hole. Further, among the third and fourth shaft portions constituting the second cross shaft in a state orthogonal to each other, both end portions of the third shaft portion are rotatably supported inside the second support hole, Both ends of the four shafts are rotatably supported inside the fourth support hole. Further, an angle adjusting member that is displaceable with respect to the intermediate housing is provided at an axial intermediate portion of the intermediate housing, and first and second engaging holes are formed at both axial ends of the angle adjusting member. Are formed in phase with each other. The first engagement projection is engaged with the first engagement hole, and the second engagement projection is engaged with the second engagement hole so as to be swingably displaceable. The inclination angles of the first and second yokes are matched with each other. In particular, in the double cardan type constant velocity joint of the present invention, the intermediate housing is formed by press-molding a metal plate, and the first intermediate housing element including the first support arm is formed of a metal plate. And a second intermediate housing element including the second support arm, which is formed by press-molding.

[0018]

The operation of transmitting the rotational force between the first yoke and the second yoke while maintaining constant velocity by the double cardan constant velocity joint of the present invention configured as described above is as follows. This is the same as the above-mentioned conventional or prior art double cardan constant velocity joint. In particular, in the case of the double cardan constant velocity joint of the present invention, the first and second intermediate housing elements constituting the intermediate housing are formed by press-molding a metal plate. The material cost and processing cost of the intermediate housing constituted by the two intermediate housing elements can be reduced. As a result, the price of the double cardan constant velocity joint incorporating the intermediate housing can be reduced.

[0019]

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention in which the present invention is applied to the conventional structure shown in FIGS. The first intermediate housing element 39 forms an intermediate housing in combination with a second intermediate housing element (not shown). In addition, the second intermediate housing element is the first intermediate housing element 39.
The first intermediate housing element 39 is assembled in a direction opposite to that of the first intermediate housing element 39. The first intermediate housing element 39 is integrally formed by subjecting a steel plate having sufficient rigidity to plastic working by pressing.
A pair of first support arms 7a, 7a is formed at the center of the zero by bending a part of the steel plate. Also, a step portion 41 is formed in the middle portion of the substrate portion 40, the first intermediate housing element 39 and the second intermediate housing element are abutted, and these two elements are connected and fixed by bolts 27, 27. Between the central portions of these two elements, a sliding space 2 capable of slidably holding the angle adjusting member 29a.
8 (see FIGS. 6 and 7).

The double cardan type constant velocity joint of the present invention incorporating the intermediate housing formed by combining the first intermediate housing element 39 and the second intermediate housing element as described above is shown in FIGS. The cost can be reduced compared to the conventional double cardan constant velocity joint 1. That is, in the case of the double cardan constant velocity joint of the present invention, the first intermediate housing element 39 and the second intermediate housing element are formed by press-forming a steel plate. For this reason, these first intermediate housing elements 3
The material cost and processing cost of the intermediate housing constituted by the first and second intermediate housing elements can be reduced. As a result, the price of the double cardan constant velocity joint incorporating the intermediate housing can be reduced.

FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of the present invention.
As an example, an example in which the present invention is applied to a conventional structure described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-251746 is shown. In the case of this example, the first and second engagement holes 30 and 31 are provided at positions eccentric from the center of the angle adjusting member 42. When the positional relationship between the first and second yokes and the intermediate housing changes based on the transmission of the rotational force, the angle adjusting member 4
2 slides in a rotation space around the center axis of the intermediate housing in a sliding space provided inside the intermediate housing, thereby absorbing the change. Also in the case of the double cardan constant velocity joint having such a structure, the first intermediate housing element 39a and the second intermediate housing element (not shown) are subjected to press working on a steel plate, as in the case of the first example described above. By making it, the cost of the double cardan constant velocity joint can be reduced.

Next, FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment of the present invention.
As an example, a structure in which the present invention is applied to the structure of the prior invention shown in FIGS. In the case of this example, the first intermediate housing element 39b made by pressing the steel plate and the same shape as the first intermediate housing element 39b also by pressing the steel plate,
Between the second intermediate housing element (not shown) and the support plate 3
3 is sandwiched. Then, with the bolts 27, 27,
The first intermediate housing element 39 b and the second intermediate housing element are connected to the support plate 33. A crank-shaped angle adjusting member 35 is rotatably supported in a circular hole 34 formed in the center of the support plate 33. Even in the case of a double cardan type constant velocity joint with such a structure,
As in the case of the first example and the second example described above, the first intermediate housing element 39b and the second intermediate housing element (not shown), and further, the support plate 33 is formed by pressing a steel plate. The cost of the double cardan constant velocity joint can be reduced.

Next, FIGS. 4 and 5 show a fourth embodiment of the present invention, in which the structure of the prior invention shown in FIGS.
1 shows an embodiment to which the present invention is applied. In the case of the third example described above, in order to form the first support arms 7a, 7a,
The center of 0 is bent up. On the other hand, in the case of the present embodiment, the steel plate is pressed into a U-shape by pressing the steel plate, and the first support arms 7a, 7a are formed at both ends of the substrate portion 40. Housing element 39c
And A through hole 43 is formed in a central portion of the substrate portion 40 to allow the angle adjusting member 35 to pivot. And, this first intermediate housing element 39c,
The support plate 33 is sandwiched between a first intermediate housing element 39c and a second intermediate housing element (not shown) which is also formed into the same shape as the first intermediate housing element 39c by pressing a steel plate. The first intermediate housing element 39c and the second intermediate housing element are connected to the support plate 33 by bolts 27, 27. Also in the case of the double cardan constant velocity joint having such a structure, the first intermediate housing element 39c and the second intermediate housing element (not shown),
Further, by forming the support plate 33 by pressing a steel plate, the cost of the double cardan constant velocity joint can be reduced.

[0024]

Since the present invention is constructed and operates as described above, the cost of the double cardan constant velocity joint can be reduced by reducing the material cost and the processing cost of the parts.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a first example of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view showing the second example.

FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view showing the third example.

FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view showing the fourth example.

FIG. 5 is a view as seen from above in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a partial cutaway view showing one example of a conventional structure.

FIG. 7 is a view showing a state rotated by 90 degrees from the state of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a partially cut-away side view showing the structure according to the prior invention.

FIG. 9 shows a state in which the first and second yokes are moved from the state shown in FIG.
FIG. 9 is a view seen from above in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 1a Double Cardan constant velocity joint 2 Intermediate housing 3 First yoke 4 Second yoke 5 First cross shaft 6 Second cross shaft 7, 7a First support arm 8 Second support arm 9 First support hole 10 Second Support hole 11 Third support arm 12 Third support hole 13 First connection part 14 First engagement protrusion 15 Connection cylinder part 16 Fourth support arm 17 Fourth support hole 18 Second connection part 19 Second connection protrusion 20 First shaft portion 21 Second shaft portion 22 Radial needle bearing 23 Third shaft portion 24 Fourth shaft portion 25, 25a First intermediate housing element 26, 26a Second intermediate housing element 27 Bolt 28 Slide space 29, 29a Angle adjusting member REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 30 first engagement hole 31 second engagement hole 32 intermediate housing 33 support plate 34 circular hole 35 angle adjusting member 36 intermediate portion 37 first crank portion 38 second crank portion 39, 39 a, 39b, 39c First intermediate housing element 40 Substrate part 41 Step part 42 Angle adjusting member 43 Through hole 44 Connecting cylinder part 45 O-ring

Claims (1)

[Claims] An intermediate housing, a first and a second yoke, a first cross shaft connecting the first yoke and the intermediate housing, and a second cross shaft connecting the second yoke and the intermediate housing. The intermediate housing is provided with a pair of first support arms at one end in the axial direction and a pair of second support arms at the other end in the axial direction, respectively, in the same phase. A first support hole concentric with each other, and a second support hole concentric with each other at a distal end of each of the second support arms, respectively, and the first yoke is capable of connecting and fixing an end of a rotating shaft. A pair of third support arms is provided at one end in the axial direction of the coupling cylinder portion, and third support holes concentric with each other are formed in portions near the ends of the third support arms. At the middle part of the first connecting part connecting the tips, it projects to the opposite side to the connecting cylinder part The second yoke is provided with a pair of fourth support arms at one end in the axial direction of a connecting cylindrical portion capable of connecting and fixing an end of another rotating shaft. Fourth support holes concentric with each other are formed in a portion near the tip of the fourth support arm, and further, at an intermediate portion of a second connection portion connecting the tips of the fourth support arms, on the opposite side to the coupling cylinder portion. A second engaging projection that projects to the first
Of the second shaft, both ends of the first shaft are rotatably supported inside the first support hole, and both ends of the second shaft are freely rotatable inside the third support hole. Third, which constitutes the second cross axis in a state orthogonal to each other,
Of the fourth shaft, both ends of the third shaft are rotatably supported inside the second support hole, and both ends of the fourth shaft are freely rotatable inside the fourth support hole. The intermediate housing is provided with an angle adjusting member which is displaceable with respect to the intermediate housing at an axially intermediate portion, and first and second engaging members are provided at both axial ends of the angle adjusting member. The mating holes are formed in the same phase with each other, and the first engaging protrusion is swingably displaceable to the first engaging hole, and the second engaging protrusion is swingable to the second engaging hole. In the double cardan type constant velocity joint in which the inclination angles of the first and second yokes with respect to the intermediate housing are matched with each other, the intermediate housing is formed by press-forming a metal plate. A first intermediate housing element including the first support arm; The Ku metal plate formed by press-forming, double-Cardan constant velocity joint for a second intermediate housing characterized in that formed by combining the elements comprising said second support arm.