JPS6314126Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] (Technical Field of the Invention) The present invention relates to a bevel gear device provided between a steering wheel and a steering gear in a steering mechanism of a vehicle.

(Prior art) In a cab-over type vehicle, since the driver's cab is located above or in front of the wheels, a bevel gear device having a pair of bevel gears is interposed between the steering wheel and the steering gear, and the steering is transmitted through the bevel gear device. The rotation of the wheel is transmitted to the steering gear.

By the way, the pair of bevel gears are designed to have appropriate backlash in order to meet the requirements of light operating force, being maintained at an appropriate preload, ensuring smooth rotation, and having little rattling. After being axially adjusted so that

There is a bevel gear device shown in FIG. 1 that is equipped with means for restraining a pair of bevel gears in a predetermined positional relationship. The bevel gear device 10 includes a housing 12 and a first gear disposed within the housing 12.
a shaft 14, a first bevel gear 16 provided on the first shaft 14, and a second shaft disposed within the housing 12 so as to intersect the first shaft 14 at a predetermined angle. A pair of bevel gears 16 is provided with a second shaft 18 whose position can be adjusted in the axial direction thereof, and a second bevel gear 20 provided on the second shaft 18 and meshing with the first bevel gear 16. , 20 in a predetermined positional relationship, the member 2 is fixed to the housing 12.
2, and the stopper bolt 24 is brought into contact with the end surface of the first bevel gear 16. A pair of bevel gears 16, 20
To adjust the balance and preload, press the stopper bolt 24 against the end face of the first bevel gear 16, and push in the ball bearing 26 that rotatably supports the second shaft 18 with the adjustment screw 28.
The surface pressure with which the tooth surface of the second bevel gear 20 presses against the tooth surface of the first bevel gear 16 is changed.

However, with this device, it is difficult to adjust the balance and preload, which are contradictory issues. In other words, if the preload is set high, the meshing between the pair of bevel gears will become stronger, resulting in larger torque fluctuations and impressions on the tooth surfaces of the bevel gears.On the other hand, if the backlash is set appropriately, the necessary preload will be reduced. You won't be able to get it. Moreover, in addition to the break-in wear of the bevel gear, break-in wear of the bearings and bushings that support both shafts occurs over time, resulting in increased breakage and abnormal noise, a feeling of rattling in the bevel gear, and the steering wheel. The play increases, and furthermore, phenomena such as deterioration of steering feeling due to a decrease in preload are likely to occur, and the number of servicing increases to make adjustments.

SUMMARY OF THE DEVICE Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a bevel gear device which can properly maintain the cross-crash of a pair of bevel gears and can apply the necessary preload.

(Structure of the invention) The present invention includes a housing, a first shaft disposed within the housing, and a first shaft provided on the first shaft.
a second shaft disposed within the housing so as to intersect the first shaft at a predetermined angle and whose position is adjustable in the axial direction; a second bevel gear provided on the shaft and meshing with the first bevel gear; a first stopper in contact with an end surface of the first bevel gear; a second stopper in contact with an end surface of the second bevel gear; and the housing. The present invention relates to a bevel gear device for a steering mechanism, which includes a member fixed to and movably supporting the first and second stoppers, and a spring biasing the second bevel gear toward the second stopper.

(Example) Examples of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

The bevel gear device 30 is interposed between a steering wheel and a steering gear, and is attached to a body frame of a cab-over type automobile. The steering wheel is located in the passenger compartment, while the steering gear is located near the axle. Since the above structure is known per se, illustration thereof is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 2, the bevel gear device 30 includes first and second shafts 14 and 18 disposed at a predetermined intersecting angle within the housing 12, and first and second shafts provided on both shafts and meshing with each other. bevel gears 16, 20.

The housing 12 has a hole 32 and a stepped hole 34.
and are opened. The axes of both holes intersect at an angle θ
intersect at. This intersection angle θ is predetermined depending on the type and model of the vehicle. A washer 36 is placed in the hole 32 on the side of the intersection O of the axes, the shaft 14 is passed through the washer 36 through the hole 32, and the end of the shaft 14 is made to protrude from the housing 12. Then, the shaft 18 is inserted into the hole 34.
, with its end protruding from the housing 12. On the other hand, a needle bearing 38 and an oil seal 40 are installed from the end of the shaft 14 that protrudes from the housing 12, and a needle bearing 42 and a ball bearing 44 are installed from the end of the shaft 18 that protrudes from the housing 12. The shafts 14 and 18 are assembled into the housing 12. An adjustment screw 48 having an oil seal 46 is screwed into the housing 12 on the outside of the ball bearing 44, and its inner end surface abuts the outer race of the ball bearing 44. When the screwing amount of the adjusting screw 48 is changed, the position of the shaft 18 is adjusted in the axial direction via the ball bearing 44. A lock nut 50 is screwed onto the adjustment screw 48.

The shaft 14 is formed integrally with a bevel gear 16, and the shaft 18 is formed integrally with a bevel gear 20. Each shaft is formed separately from the bevel gear, and may be coupled to the bevel gear via a key or spline. In this specification, the term "bevel gear provided on the shaft" means both.

When the shafts 14 and 18 are assembled into the housing 12, the bevel gear 16 meshes with the bevel gear 20. Therefore, the shaft 14 is used as a steering wheel,
When the shafts 18 are respectively connected to the steering gear, rotation of the steering wheel can be transmitted to the steering gear via the pair of bevel gears 16,20. The number of teeth of the pair of bevel gears 16, 20 is generally the same, but in special cases, the number of teeth is different.

The positions of the pair of bevel gears 16 and 20 are adjusted to achieve proper backlash. This adjustment can be carried out, on the one hand, by arranging suitable washers 36, which have been previously formed to different thicknesses, and, on the other hand, by adjusting the bevel gear 2 by adjusting screws 48.
0 and adjusting the surface pressure of the tooth surfaces of the pair of bevel gears 16 and 20. A pair of stoppers 52, 54 and a spring 56 are provided to restrain the pair of bevel gears 16, 20 in this positional relationship.

In the illustrated example, both stoppers 52 and 54 are threaded rods screwed onto a support member 58, and project toward the bevel gears 16 and 20, respectively.
The end surfaces 17 and 21 thereof are in contact with each other. Both stoppers 5
The contact end of 2, 54 to the end surfaces 17, 21 is a spherical surface 60
It is configured so as not to interfere with the rotation of the pair of bevel gears 16 and 20. A lock nut 62 is screwed into each stopper.

A member 58 that supports both stoppers 52 and 54 in a movable manner is fixed to the housing 12 with bolts 64. In the illustrated example, member 58 is a cover that covers an opening in housing 12 .

A spring 56 is disposed between the housing 12 and the bevel gear 20 and biases the bevel gear 20 toward the stop 54. This spring 56 pushes out the bevel gear 20 with the adjusting screw 48 and provides a preload that takes into account the amount by which the bevel gear 20 is pushed back by the stopper 54, rather than the preload necessary to align the tooth surfaces of both bevel gears 16, 20.

In the example shown in FIG.
The bevel gear 20 is biased toward the stopper 54 via the ball bearing 44 and the shaft 18. The rest of the configuration of this example is the same as the previous example.

In the example shown in FIG. 4, a wave washer (or disc spring) 60 is interposed between the pair of washers 58, and these are inserted between the second shaft 18 and the bearing 44, and together with the spring 56, a pushing force is applied. It is configured to be granted. As in the example in Figure 3, all axis 1
8, and there is no sliding part as in the example shown in FIG.

(Another example) Instead of the above example, if the washer 36 is formed of a disk spring or the like, and the washer 36 is provided with a spring function, and the shaft 14 is arranged in the housing 12 so as to be able to adjust its position in the axial direction, a pair of Bevel gear 16, 20
The balance and preload can be further stabilized.

Although the spring 56 is a conical coil spring in the above example, it is of course possible to use a spring suitable for the purpose such as a simple coil spring or a disc spring.

In the above example, the position of the shaft 18 can be adjusted using the ball bearing 44 and the adjustment screw 48, but by improving the precision of the parts or selecting an appropriate spring, it is possible to adjust the position of the shaft 18 by using the needle bearing 42 as well as the shaft 14. It is possible to simplify the support structure by using only one support structure. Conversely, the position of the shaft 14 in the axial direction can also be adjusted.

(Operation of the invention) After the pair of shafts 14 and 18 are assembled to the housing 12, the stopper 52 is moved back and forth.
supports the bevel gear 16. On the other hand, screw in the adjustment screw 48 to connect the pair of bevel gears 16, 20.
Align the tooth surfaces. Thereafter, the screwing amount of the stopper 54 is changed to adjust the pressing force against the bevel gear 20, and the backlash is adjusted until the torque fluctuation disappears. At this time, if the preload changes, further tighten or loosen the adjustment screw 48 to finely adjust the preload. After adjustment, the lock nut 50 is tightened to fix the adjustment screw 48, and the lock nut 62 is tightened to fix the stoppers 52, 54, respectively.

(Effects of the invention) According to the invention, a pair of stoppers regulates the positions of a pair of bevel gears, and a stopper facing the bevel gears whose position can be adjusted regulates the meshing of the pair of bevel gears, and further, Since the pair of bevel gears are always meshed by a spring, the balance is always kept constant, and the preload is less dependent on the tooth surface, so a stable preload can be obtained. In addition, since the deformation is constant, it is not affected by dimensional changes such as wear and break-in, and it is possible to prevent phenomena such as an increase in deformation and a decrease in preload, and provide stable performance. .

Further, the pair of stoppers regulates the meshing of the tooth surfaces of the bevel gear, prevents an excessive backlash and an excessive preload state due to the meshing of the tooth surfaces, and prevents torque fluctuations and impressions from occurring in the bevel gear. Moreover, the stopper facing the position-adjustable shaft can absorb sudden axial force during a collision, and can suppress the influence of this axial force on the tooth surface of the bevel gear.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figure 1 is a sectional view of a conventional bevel gear device, Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional bevel gear device;
The figure is a cross-sectional view of the bevel gear device according to the present invention.
The figure is a sectional view of another bevel gear device, and FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing the main parts of still another bevel gear device. 10, 30; bevel gear device, 12; housing, 14, 18; shaft, 16, 20; bevel gear,
52, 54; stopper; 56; support member.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] a housing, a first shaft disposed within the housing, a first bevel gear provided on the first shaft, disposed within the housing so as to intersect the first shaft at a predetermined angle; a second shaft whose position is adjustable in the axial direction thereof, a second bevel gear provided on the second shaft and meshing with the first bevel gear, and the first bevel gear. a first stopper in contact with an end surface of the second bevel gear; a second stopper in contact with an end surface of the second bevel gear; a member fixed to the housing and supporting the first and second stoppers in a movable manner; a spring biasing a second bevel gear toward the second stopper.