JPH03282012A - Uniform motion joint - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To decrease slide resistance by forming spherical guide faces on the axial end parts of a cage for holding balls arranged between the guide grooves of an outer joint member and an inner joint member, and bringing oscillating members opened in the direction of radius of curvature of the spherical guide faces slidably into contact with the spherical guide faces. CONSTITUTION:A uniform motion joint is formed by an outer joint member 1, having first guide grooves 15, an inner joint member 2 having second guide grooves 23, balls 3 arranged between the guide grooves 15, 23, and a cage 4. First, second spherical guide faces 45, 47 are formed respectively on first, second side end parts of the cage 4. First, second convex spherical surfaces 461, 481 of a first oscillating part 46, a second oscillating part 48 are brought slidably into contact with the first, second spherical faces 45, 47, and first, second cylinder guide parts 463, 483 opened in the direction of radius of curvature of the spherical guide faces, are brought slidably into contact with a shaft part 20. Further, the first, second cylinder guide parts are abutted against the spherical guide faces 45, 47 by first, second energizing members 26, 27. By this centering, rolling of the balls is smooth, and thereby slide resistance can be decreased.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Field of Application] The present invention relates to a constant velocity joint used in a driving force transmission shaft portion of an automobile, etc., and more specifically, the present invention relates to a constant velocity joint used in a driving force transmission shaft portion of an automobile, etc. This invention relates to a constant velocity joint that allows angular displacement and relative axial displacement of both wheels.

[Prior Art] As such a constant velocity joint, the one shown in FIG. 4 is conventionally known. This constant velocity joint is connected to the drive shaft 8
The outer joint member 1C is connected to the driven wheel 9C and has a right cylindrical inner peripheral surface 13C on the inner periphery and has a plurality of first guide grooves 15C extending in the axial direction and is open at one end. An inner joint member 2C having a convex spherical outer peripheral surface 22c and second guide grooves 23c extending in the axial direction and having the same number of first guide grooves 15G, and first and second guide grooves 150123.
A ball 3C that is rotatably arranged between c and transmits torque.
The ball 3C is held by a ball holding window 44C, and the cage 4C is interposed between the inner and outer universal joint members 1C120 and is movable relative to the inner joint member 2C in the axial direction. In this constant velocity joint, as shown in FIG. 5, a gap A is formed between the ball 3C and the ball holding window 44G, and a gap A is formed between the inner joint member 2C and the cage 4C.
A gap B is formed on both sides in the axial direction between the inner joint member 2C and the cage 4C, thereby allowing relative movement in the axial direction between the inner joint member 2C and the cage 4C within a relatively narrow range, and reducing sliding resistance. There is.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] The conventional constant velocity joint described above can absorb relatively small vibrations transmitted from the automobile engine to the drive shaft 8C in a range where sliding resistance is low due to the presence of gaps A and B. However, the gap B between the outer joint member 1C and the inner joint member 2C
When the relative movement in the axial direction exceeds the range of
C may be in a slipping state. In this state, it becomes difficult for the ball 3C to roll, so there is a problem in that the sliding resistance within the joint increases, making it impossible to absorb vibrations.

The present invention has been devised in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its technical problem is to constantly maintain a small sliding resistance within the joint when both the inner and outer joint members move relative to each other in the axial direction. The purpose is to provide a quick joint.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The constant velocity joint of the present invention has a plurality of first guide grooves that are connected to one of two intersecting shafts, have a right cylindrical inner peripheral surface, and extend in the axial direction. an outer joint member having one end open, and a first member connected to the other of the two shafts and extending in the axial direction;
an inner joint member having the same number of second guide grooves as the guide grooves; a ball that is rotatably disposed between the first and second guide grooves and transmits torque; and a ball holding window that holds the ball. and a cage interposed between the inner and outer joint members, the cage is provided with a spherical guide surface on at least one end in the axial direction, and the swinging member slidingly contacts the spherical guide surface. a biasing member that forms a cylinder guide portion that is movably fitted to the shaft and opens in the direction of the center of curvature of the spherical guide surface, and that centers the cage with respect to the inner joint member via the swinging member; It is characterized by having.

[Function] In the constant velocity joint of the present invention, when a relative displacement in the axial direction occurs between the inner joint member and the outer joint member due to an input such as vibration, the shaft connecting the inner joint member and the The cylinder guide portion formed on the movable member slides, and the relative displacement thereof is absorbed by the biasing member interposed between the two, and the cage is centered with respect to the inner joint member via the swinging member.

Thereby, the ball held in the ball holding window of the cage is maintained in a state where it can roll and move at a predetermined position in the center of the ball holding window. Therefore, the sliding resistance when the inner and outer joint members move relative to each other in the axial direction is always maintained in a small state.

In addition, when an angular displacement occurs between the inner joint member and the outer joint member, the swinging member slides on the spherical guide surface of the cage by the shaft connecting the inner joint member, allowing the angular displacement. do. Note that even if a relative displacement occurs in the axial direction during this operation, the shaft connecting the inner joint member and the cylinder guide portion of the cage can slide, so the sliding resistance is always maintained as described above. It is kept small.

[Example] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below based on the drawings.

(First Example) FIG. 1 shows a sectional view of a constant velocity joint according to this example.

The constant velocity joint of this embodiment includes an outer joint member 1 having a first guide groove 15 and connected to a drive shaft (not shown), and a second
An inner joint member 2 having a guide groove 23 and connected to a shaft portion 2° described below, first and second guided portions 24.25, first and second biasing members 26.27, and first and second 2 guide grooves 15.
23, and a first and second spherical guide surface 45.47 that holds the ball 3 and is interposed between the outer joint member 1 and the inner joint member 2. The cage 4 has a cage 4, and first and second swinging parts 46, 48 as main elements.

The outer joint member 1 has a cup shape with one end open, and its bottom side (left side in FIG. 1) is coaxially fixed to one end of the drive shaft. The inner circumference of the outer joint member 1 has a right cylindrical inner circumferential surface 13 formed coaxially with the drive shaft, and the inner circumferential surface 13 has a first guide groove 15 extending linearly in the axial direction. They are formed at equal angular intervals.

The inner joint member 2 is a short cylindrical main body part 21 that is coaxially fixed slightly inside the tip of the shaft part 20, and the outer peripheral surface 22 of the main body part 21 has a convex spherical shape with a constant radius of curvature. An arcuate second guide groove 23 is formed on the outer circumferential surface 22 of the guide groove 22 in correspondence with the first guide groove 15 . Note that there is an inner joint member 2 between the outer peripheral surface 22 and the cage 4.
A gap is formed to allow the swing of the The outer circumferential surface 22 of the main body portion 21 may be formed in a plane parallel to the axis.

At the tip of the shaft portion 20, a first cylinder guide portion 46, which will be described later, is provided.
A first guided portion 24 is formed on the rear end side of the shaft portion 20, and a second guided portion 24 is slidably held on the second cylinder guide portion 483, which will be described later. A guide portion 25 is formed. The first biasing member 26 is fitted into the shaft portion 20 with both ends thereof being held between the main body portion 21 and the first cylinder guide portion 463. Also, the second
The biasing member 27 is fitted into the shaft portion 20 with both ends thereof being held between the main body portion 21 and the second cylinder guide portion 483.

The balls 3 are made of steel and have a perfect spherical shape.
One each is rotatably disposed between the guide groove 15 and each second guide groove 23 corresponding thereto. This ball 3 transfers the rotational torque of the drive shaft to the inner and outer universal joint members 1 and 2.
The inner and outer universal joint members 1 are transmitted to the driven wheels via the
．． This allows relative movement of the two.

The cage 4 is integrally fixed to the cylindrical main body 40 and the periphery of one end of the cylindrical main body 4O, and has a first spherical guide surface 45 inside.
The second side end 42 is integrally fixed to the periphery of the other end of the cylindrical main body 40 and has a second spherical guide surface 47 formed inside. The outer circumferential surface 43 of the cylindrical main body 40 is formed into a convex spherical shape with the center of curvature at a point that is eccentric from the ball center plane by a certain distance on the axis.

Ball holding windows 44 for holding the balls 3 are formed in the cylindrical main body 40 at equal angular intervals along the circumferential direction. The first side end portion 41 is dish-shaped with a constant thickness,
A first spherical kite surface 45 is formed inside thereof. The first spherical guide surface 45 is formed in a concave spherical shape with the center of curvature at a point eccentrically equidistant from the ball center plane to the side opposite to the center of curvature of the outer circumferential surface 43 of the cylindrical main body 40 on the axis. The second side end portion 42 has a central hole 421 at its center and is dish-shaped with a constant thickness, and a second spherical guide surface 47 is formed inside the second side end portion 42 . The second spherical guide surface 47 is
It is formed into a concave spherical shape with the center of curvature at the same point as the first spherical guide surface 45. The first swinging portion 46 includes a head portion 465 having a truncated spherical shape and having a first convex spherical surface 461 on the − surface that coincides with the first spherical guide surface 45, and an integrally formed head portion 465 on a surface opposite to the first convex spherical surface 461. It consists of a first cylinder guide part 463 that is provided and is open at one end. In this first swinging section 46, the first convex spherical surface 461 of the head section 465 is connected to the first spherical guide surface 46.
The first cylinder guide part 463 is arranged to slidably hold the first guided part 24 of the shaft part 20, and is always pushed toward the first spherical guide surface 45 side by the first biasing member 26. energized.

The second swinging section 48 has a truncated sphere shape with a second convex spherical surface 481 that coincides with the second spherical guide surface 47 on the negative surface, and a second cylinder guide section 483 is formed through the center thereof. ing. The second swinging section 48 is in a state in which the second convex spherical surface 481 is in sliding contact with the second spherical guide surface 47, and the second cylinder kite section 483 is slidably holding the second guided section 25 of the shaft section 20. , and is always urged toward the second spherical guide surface 47 by the second urging member 27 .

The constant velocity joint configured as described above transmits the rotational torque from the outer joint member 1 to the inner joint member 2 via each ball 3 when the drive wheel rotates, and the driven wheel is at a constant velocity with the drive shaft. Rotate with. When a relative displacement in the axial direction occurs between the drive shaft and the driven wheel due to an input such as vibration, the inner joint member 2 that moves together with the driven wheel moves to the first and second guided parts 24.25. are the first and second cylinder guide parts 4
63 and 483, and moves relative to the outer joint member 1 in the axial direction. At this time, the displacement of the inner joint member 2 and the cage 4 is caused by the displacement between the main body part 21 and the first and second swing parts 46.
．． 48, the first and second biasing members 26.2 interposed between
7, the cage 4 is absorbed by the first and second swinging parts 46
．． 48 and is returned to the initial setting position and centered with respect to the inner joint member 2. As a result, the ball 3 held in the ball holding window 44 of the cage 4 is held at a predetermined central position of the ball holding window 44, and is always in a state where it can roll and move. 15
．． 23 to smoothly roll, the inner joint member 2 vibrates in a range with low sliding resistance relative to the cage,
The sliding resistance is always kept low, reducing vibrations.

When the intersection angle between the drive shaft and the driven wheel changes, the first and second convex spherical surfaces 461.481 slide on the first and second spherical guide surfaces 45.47, and the inner joint member 2 By swinging relative to the cage 4, its angular displacement is allowed smoothly. Note that when a relative displacement occurs in the axial direction between the inner joint member 2 and the cage 4 during this operation,
Similarly to the above, the relative displacement of the first and second biasing members 26
．． 27, and the sliding resistance is always maintained at a low state.

In this way, angular displacement and relative displacement in the axial direction are allowed while maintaining the constant velocity of the drive shaft and driven wheels.

As described above, in the constant velocity joint of this embodiment, when the inner joint member 2 and the cage 4 move relative to each other in the axial direction, the first and second biasing members 26 and 27 move the first and second guided portions toward each other. 24.25 is the first and second cylinder guide part 463.4
Since the ball 3 is centered with respect to the ball 83, the ball 3 is always able to roll, and the sliding resistance can always be maintained at a low level. Therefore, vibrations transmitted from the automobile engine can be reduced.

(Modified example) FIG. 2 shows a sectional view of the constant velocity joint of this modification.

The constant velocity joint of this modification differs from that of the first embodiment in the cage 4a and the second swinging portion 48a.

That is, the cylindrical main body 40a of the cage 4a is formed by slightly extending the other end while maintaining a constant curvature, and has a second spherical kite surface 47a formed inside the tip. In addition, at the tip of the cylindrical main body portion 40a in the extending direction,
A large circular central hole 421a into which the shaft portion 20 is inserted is formed.

On the other hand, the second swinging part 481 has a truncated sphere shape with a second convex spherical surface 481a that coincides with the second spherical guide surface 47a, and its overall shape is larger than that of the first embodiment. As a result, the contact area between the second spherical guide surface 47a and the second convex spherical surface 481a is increased.

As described above, since the constant velocity joint of this modification has the second spherical guide surface 47a formed on the cylindrical main body 40a, the second side end 42 can be omitted to reduce the number of parts. I can do it. In general, since the contact area between the second spherical guide surface 47a and the second convex spherical surface 481a is large and the contact surface pressure per unit area is small, the life can be extended.

(Second example) FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of the constant velocity joint of this embodiment.

The constant velocity joint of this embodiment differs from that of the first embodiment in the inner joint member 6 and cage 7, and has first and second biasing members 66. 67
It has been established. Therefore, we will mainly explain the differences here. Note that the same reference numerals are used for members common to those in the first embodiment.

The inner joint member 6 is a short cylindrical main body part 61, and a guide pin 60a is attached to the tip of a shaft part 6O to which the main body part 61 is coaxially fixed, and first and second guided parts 64 are attached to the shaft part 6O. .65 is formed. First and second biasing members 66 and 67 are fitted into the shaft portion 60 and the guide pin 60a. The guide pin 60a is a screw pin or a press-fitted pin with a flange-shaped head, and the guide pin 60a passes through a first swinging part 76, a first side end part 71, and a second swinging part 78, which will be described later. It is screwed onto the tip end surface of 60.

A second guided portion 65 is formed approximately in the center of the guide pin 60a and is slidably held by a second cylinder guide portion 783, which will be described later. The second biasing member 67 is fitted into the guide pin 60a with both ends thereof being held between the head of the guide pin 60a and the second swinging portion 78. Note that the first guided portion 64 and the first biasing member 76 are
The structure is similar to that of the embodiment.

The cage 7 includes a cylindrical main body 70 and a first and second spherical guide surface 7 that is integrally fixed to the periphery of one end of the cylindrical main body 70.
and a side end 71 having a diameter of 5.77 mm. The side end portion 71 is
It is dish-shaped with a constant thickness, and has a first spherical kite surface 75 formed on the inside and a second spherical kite surface 7 on the outside.
7 is formed. A central hole 721 into which the guide pin 60a is swingably inserted is formed in the center of this side end portion 71. The second swinging portion 78, which is slidably held by the second spherical guide surface 77, has a second spherical guide surface 77 on its inner surface.
The second cylinder guide part 78 is shaped like a plate with a constant thickness and has a concave spherical surface 781 corresponding to the second cylinder guide part 78.
3 is formed.

The second swinging portion 78 is arranged in such a manner that the concave spherical surface 781 is in sliding contact with the second spherical guide surface 77, and the second cylinder kite portion 783 is slidably holding the second guided portion 65 of the guide pin 60a. The second biasing member 67 keeps the side end 7
It is biased towards the 1st side.

The first swinging section 76 has the same structure as the first embodiment except that a through hole 76a is formed through which the guide pin 60a can freely slide.

The constant velocity joint of this embodiment configured as described above is
When the inner joint member 6 and the cage 7 move relative to each other in the axial direction, the first and second biasing members 66,67 cause the first and second guided portions 64.65 to move toward the first and second cylinder guide portions. Since the ball 3 is centered with respect to 763.783, it is always in a state where it can roll. Gadade,
As in the first embodiment, the sliding resistance can always be kept low, and vibrations transmitted from the automobile engine can be reduced.

Roughly speaking, in the case of this embodiment, the first and second biasing members 6
6.67 is provided on the side end portion 71 formed on one side of the cage 7, the weight can be reduced by omitting the side end portion on the other side.

Effects of the Invention] The constant velocity joint of the present invention has a cage formed with a spherical guide surface on at least one end side in the axial direction, and a swinging member that slides in contact with the spherical guide surface is fitted into the shaft so as to be movable back and forth. Forming a cylinder guide portion that opens in the direction of the center of curvature of the spherical guide surface, and having an urging member that centers the cage with respect to the inner joint member via the swinging member,
Even if the inner and outer universal joint members move relative to each other in the axial direction, the ball is always maintained in a state where it can roll and move, so sliding resistance can always be kept low.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 to 3 relate to the present invention, FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a constant velocity joint of the first embodiment, FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a modified constant velocity joint, and FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a constant velocity joint of a second embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an example constant velocity joint. 4 and 5 relate to a conventional constant velocity joint, FIG. 4 is a sectional view thereof, and FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of the main part. 1... Outer joint member 3... Ball 3... Inner circumferential surface 2... Outer circumferential surface 4... First guided portion 6... First biasing member 3... Inner circumference Surface 5... First spherical guide surface 7... Second spherical guide surface 2... Inner joint member 4... Cage 15... First guide groove 23... Second guide groove 25... ...Second guided portion 27...Second biasing member 44...Ball holding window 46...First swinging section 48...Second swinging section 463...First cylinder guide section 483...Second cylinder guide part

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) An outer joint member that is connected to one of two intersecting shafts and has a right cylindrical inner peripheral surface on its inner periphery, has a plurality of first guide grooves extending in the axial direction, and is open at one end; an inner joint member connected to the other of the inner joint members and having second guide grooves extending in the axial direction and having the same number of second guide grooves as the first guide grooves; and an inner joint member that is rotatably disposed between the first and second guide grooves and transmits torque. A constant velocity joint comprising a ball and a cage that holds the ball with a ball holding window and is interposed between the inner and outer joint members, the cage having a spherical guide surface formed on at least one end in the axial direction, A cylinder guide portion is formed on a swinging member that slides in contact with the spherical guide surface, and is fitted into the shaft so as to be movable back and forth, and opens in the direction of the center of curvature of the spherical guide surface, and the cage is moved into the interior through the swinging member. A constant velocity joint characterized by having a biasing member that centers with respect to a side joint member.