JPH0453877Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] Industrial application field This invention enables the ball cage to be assembled with other parts of the constant velocity joint such as the inner race and outer race in the automatic assembly process of the constant velocity joint. The present invention relates to a window hole positioning device for a constant velocity joint ball cage, which positions the ball cage in a predetermined direction.

2. Description of the Related Art A constant velocity joint 1 that transmits rotational force input from one side to the other side while making the crossing angle of the center line of rotation variable and non-variable and outputs it to the other side is a spherical joint 1, as shown in FIG. A shaft portion 2b having a recessed portion 2a having a shape and serving as an input shaft or an output shaft on the outside.
An annular outer race 2 having an annular shape that fits into the recess 2a of the outer race 2 so that its outer peripheral surface is in spherical contact with the inner peripheral surface of the outer race 2, and has six window holes formed in its peripheral wall. The ball cage 3 is provided with a spline hole 4a for inserting an output shaft or an input shaft in the center thereof.
An inner race 4 that fits inside the ball cage 3 and has its outer circumferential surface in spherical contact with the inner circumferential surface of the ball cage 3 , and fits into each window hole of the ball cage 3 between the outer race 2 and the inner race 4 At the same time, a groove 2c formed on the inner periphery of the outer race
and a groove 4b formed on the outer periphery of the inner race 4.
It is composed of six steel balls 5 which are rollably fitted into each other.

When the constant velocity joint 1 is assembled, the inner circumferential surface of the ball cage 3 and the outer circumferential surface of the inner race 4 come into sliding contact with a slight gap, and the inner circumferential surface of the outer race 2 and the outer circumferential surface of the ball cage 3
The inner race 4 is fitted inside the ball cage 3, and the steel ball is inserted into the groove 4b of the inner race 4. 5, it cannot be fitted into the spherical recess 2a of the outer race 2. Therefore, the order of assembling the constant velocity joint 1 is to first assemble the inner race 4 inside the ball cage 3, and then
Generally, the inner race 4 and the ball cage 3 were fitted together into the recess 2a of the outer race 2, and finally six steel balls were assembled.

Also, a pair of long window holes 3 are formed at positions facing each other among the six window holes of the ball cage 3.
a, 3a are formed with longer opening dimensions in the circumferential direction than the other four window holes 3b.
The dimension of the portion where a is formed is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the narrowed opening edge of the recess 2a of the outer race 2. Therefore, when fitting the ball cage 3 into the recess 2a, the ball cage 3 is tilted approximately 90 degrees with respect to the outer race, and the portions of the long window holes 3a, 3a are aligned with the outer race 2. After assembly, the ball cage 3
It has a structure that prevents it from leaving.

Therefore, when automatically assembling this constant velocity joint 1, each window of the ball cage 3 is inserted in consideration of the process of fitting the ball cage 3 into the outer race 2 and the process of inserting the steel balls 5. hole 3
Each concave groove 4b of the inner race 4 is placed at the positions a and 3b.
and the positions of both long window holes 3a, 3a of the ball cage 3, to which the inner race 4 is integrally assembled, are positioned so that they can be inserted into the outer race 2. It is necessary to assemble it.

JP-A-58-90429 describes a method of assembling this type of constant velocity joint. This is done by inserting two steel balls into an inner rotating body in which an inner race and a ball cage are assembled together in advance, determining the relative positional relationship between the two, and then inserting this inner rotating body into an outer race (outer However, in the case of a device that uses this type of assembly method, in which two steel balls are inserted to determine the relative position of the inner race and ball cage, the inner race must be inserted into the inner race. After assembly to the ball cage, there is a step of matching the position of the concave groove (steel ball receiving hole) of the inner race with the position of the window hole of the ball cage, and a step of aligning the window hole position of the inner rotating body with the position of the window hole of the inner race. The relative position of the ball cage to other parts is determined for each process: the process of facing the ball insertion means and the process of positioning the steel ball insertion position of the inner rotating body in the groove (steel ball receiving groove) of the outer race. There was also the problem that a means for positioning was required, and the time required for positioning was longer.

Therefore, when assembling each part of the constant velocity joint 1 to each other, the positioning of both long window holes 3a, 3a of the ball cage 3, which serve as the reference for the assembly posture of each part, is determined by the automatic assembly of the constant velocity joint 1. A method of performing this positioning in the first step is also used, and an example of an apparatus that performs this positioning method is shown in FIG. 6.

This conventional positioning device 6 includes a ball cage 3
It is provided near the end of the chute 7 for use, and is continuous to the lower end side of the chute 7 whose inner width is slightly wider than the outer diameter of the ball cage 3.
A lower chute 7a with an inner width slightly wider than the distance between the pair of long window holes 3a, which is the narrowest part of the ball cage 3, is provided, and a pair of circles are formed on both sides of the upper end of the lower chute 7a. Board 8,
8 is rotatably provided. The pair of discs 8, 8 have a distance between their peripheral edges that is approximately the same as the inner width of the lower chute 7a, that is, a pair of long window holes 3a, which are the narrowest parts of the ball cage 3. The dimensions are set to be slightly wider than the distance between the two portions 3a, and the portions where the respective peripheral portions are close to each other are rotated from the bottom to the top.

Therefore, the ball cage 3 descending in the chute 7 is struck by a pair of rotating disks 8,
When the ball cage 3 reaches the upper side of the ball cage 3, its descent is restricted by the two disks 8, 8 arranged at a distance narrower than the outer diameter of the ball cage 3, and it is rotated by the two rotating disks 8, 8. Then, the direction of the rotating ball cage 3 is in a predetermined state, i.e.,
A pair of long window holes 3a, 3 formed at opposing positions
When the ball cage 3 is in a state where the ball cage 3 is located on both sides in the width direction of the chute 7, the width of the ball cage 3 in the downward direction of the chute 7 becomes the narrowest, and the descent of the ball cage 3 is permitted for the first time in a state where the peripheral portions of the disks 8 are in sliding contact with the long window holes 3a, 3a. The ball cage 3 then passes between the disks 8, 8 and enters the lower chute 7a.
The ball cage 3 is introduced into the lower chute 7a, and the sides of each long window hole 3a slide against both side walls of the lower chute 7a, so that the ball cage 3 descends while its rotation is restricted, and falls onto a conveyor or a relay stand for being grasped by a robot hand.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, in the case of the above-mentioned conventional positioning device 6 for positioning the window hole of the ball cage, the ball cage is 3 to a predetermined position where the width is the narrowest is completely dependent on chance, so it takes a long time for it to be positioned in a predetermined position and pass through the lower chute 7a side. In addition, there is a problem that the time required for this positioning is not constant.

Moreover, by this positioning device 6, the long window hole 3
The ball cage 3, which is positioned so that a is facing in a predetermined direction, passes between the rotating discs 8 and 8 and falls from the lower end of the lower chute 7a onto the conveyor or relay table. There is a risk that the cage 3 may be released from the positioning regulation and rotate or shift position, and this position shift may cause the long window hole 3a of the ball cage 3 to be oriented incorrectly, making it difficult for the robot hand to grasp it. Alternatively, problems may occur such as difficulty in fitting the ball cage 3 into the outer race 2, and as a result, the long window hole 3a of the ball cage 3 must be repositioned during the automatic assembly process of the constant velocity joint 1. This posed problems such as an increase in equipment costs and a longer cycle time for the automatic assembly process of the constant velocity joint 1.

This idea was created in view of the above problems.
Reduces the time required to position the ball cage,
Moreover, the purpose is to prevent positional deviation once positioned, thereby shortening the cycle time and downsizing the device.

Means for Solving the Problems As a means for solving the above-mentioned problems, this invention has a plurality of window holes formed in the peripheral wall, at positions facing each other across the center, openings with different diameters in the circumferential direction. In a window hole positioning device for a constant velocity joint ball cage that positions each window hole of an annular ball cage having a pair of long window holes that are longer than the window holes of the ball cage, the ball cage is rotatably held from the outer peripheral side. A cage holder fixed at a predetermined location, and disposed opposite to each other inside this cage holder,
a pair of rotary claws each provided with an engaging protrusion on the outside that can be fitted into only the long window hole of the ball cage held by the cage holder from the inside of the ball cage and elastically biased in a direction to separate from each other; ,
It is characterized by having an actuator that rotationally drives the pair of rotating claws together, and a stopper that stops the pair of rotating claws at a predetermined rotational position.

Effect With the above configuration, when the annular ball cage is rotatably held in the cage holder, each engagement protrusion of the pair of rotating claws is disposed inside the peripheral wall of the ball cage and expands. The outer sides of the engaging protrusions of both rotary claws, which are elastically biased in the opening direction, elastically press against the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall of the ball cage. In this state, when the actuator rotates both the rotary claws together, the two rotary claws rotate with the outer sides of the respective engagement protrusions in sliding contact with the inner circumferential surface of the ball cage. Then, the position of each engaging protrusion of the rotating rotating claw is rotated, and
When the ball cage is moved to a position where it faces a window hole other than the long window hole among the plurality of window holes formed in the peripheral wall of the ball cage, the width of each of the engaging protrusions is equal to the width of the window hole other than the long window hole. Because it is larger than the opening dimension in the circumferential direction,
It passes through this window hole without fitting into it, and by the time it rotates 180 degrees, each of the engaging protrusions moves to a position corresponding to the long window hole, and the opening dimension in the circumferential direction of this long window hole is engaged. Since it is larger than the width of the mating protrusion, both rotating claws are expanded and each engaging protrusion fits into this long window hole. When the engaging protrusions fit into each long window hole,
The ball cage, which is rotatably held by the cage holder, is driven to rotate together with the rotating claw, and the rotating claw is stopped at a predetermined rotational position by rotating to a position where the rotation is regulated and then stopped. The direction of the window hole is determined.

Embodiment Hereinafter, an embodiment of the window hole positioning device for a ball cage for a constant velocity joint of this invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.

The ball cage 3, which is one of the parts of the constant velocity joint, has window holes at each of six equal parts of its annular peripheral wall. has a pair of long window holes 3
The window holes 3a and 3a are provided so that the opening size in the circumferential direction is longer than the other four window holes 3b. The ball cage window hole positioning device positions the pair of long window holes 3a, 3a in a predetermined direction in order to serve as a reference when assembling the ball cage 3 and other parts. be.

The positioning device 11 includes a stand 13 fixed on a surface plate 12, and a rectangular mounting plate 13a provided on the top of the stand 13 at a predetermined inclination to match the assembly posture of the next process. A pair of rectangular bar-shaped cage holders 14, 14 that face each other at a predetermined interval and have their proximal ends fixed at right angles to the mounting plate 13a, and are rotatably arranged between the cage holders 14, 14. has been
The rotary actuator 15 is attached to the lower surface of the mounting plate 13a so that the drive shaft 15a is perpendicular to the mounting plate 13a. It is provided with a pair of rotary claws 16, 16 which are attached to the end side and are rotatably provided.

And the pair of cage holders 14, 14
The surfaces facing each other on the tip side are
Spherical holder surfaces 14a are respectively formed to fit and support the annular ball cage 3 from above, and approximately at the center of each holder surface 14a, there is a space between the holder surfaces 14a, 14a. The outer peripheral surface of the fitted and supported ball cage 3 is
A ball plunger 17 is provided, which elastically presses toward the center and rotatably holds the ball cage 3 so as to allow rotation of the ball cage 3 in response to rotational force exceeding a certain level.

On the other hand, the pair of rotating claws 16, 16 are disposed such that their tip sides face each other across the rotation center line, and their respective reference sides are formed in an L-shape so that their ends are wrapped. At the same time, both ends thereof are rotatably connected by a rotation shaft 18 provided parallel to the mounting plate 13a. Further, the two rotating claws 16, 16 are elastically biased by springs 19, 19 wound around the outer peripheries of the extending portions at both ends of the rotating shaft 18 in a direction in which the distal ends thereof are separated from each other and expanded, and the cage holder When the ball cage 3 is held between the ball cages 14 and 14, the distal ends of the respective engagement protrusions 16a are inserted into the inside of the ball cage 3.

Further, on the outside of the tip of each rotary claw 16, a locking member having a shape that is slightly narrower than the width of the long window hole 3a, which has a long opening dimension in the circumferential direction of the ball cage 3, and can be fitted only into the long window hole 3a. A mating protrusion 16a is provided respectively, and when inserted into the inside of the ball cage 3 held by the cage holders 14, 14, the outer end of the engagement claw 16a on the distal end side is connected to the both rotary claws 16, 16. The elastic force of the spring 19 that expands the ball cage 3 pushes the inner circumferential surface of the ball cage 3 outward to come into sliding contact.

Further, the rotary actuator 15 has its drive shaft 15a passing through the center between the cage holders 14, 14 of the mounting plate 13a, and a portion of the drive shaft 15a extending upward from the mounting plate 13a. The base end sides of both the rotating claws 16, 16 are connected, and the rotating claws 16, 16 are integrally connected so that the rotating claws 16, 16 reciprocate and rotate within a predetermined rotation angle range. Drive rotation.
Further, the rotation range of the two rotary claws 16, 16 is determined by the rotary arm 20 attached to the downwardly extending portion of the drive shaft 15a of the rotary actuator 15 provided at two locations on the lower surface of the rotary actuator 15. stopper 21 (one not shown)
The rotation of both rotating claws 1 is regulated by abutting on each of them.
One stopper 2 defines the initial position of 6 and 16.
1 is the position for positioning the ball cage 3.

Further, one of the cage holders 14 is provided with a detector 22 that detects the insertion of the ball cage 3 when the ball cage 3 is inserted between the two cage holders 14, 14. Detector 22
When detecting the insertion of the ball cage 3, the rotary actuator 15 is activated and both rotating claws 1 are activated.
6 and 16 are rotationally driven. Further, a proximity switch 23 is provided on the lower surface of the rotary actuator 15 to detect the rotary arm 20 when the rotary arm 20 comes into contact with the stopper 21 that defines the initial position and stops. When the proximity switch 23 detects the rotating arm 20, the rotary actuator 15 is powered off and stopped.

Next, the operation of this embodiment configured as described above will be explained.

When the ball cage 3 is supplied in a random posture from a component supply device or the like and is inserted between the cage holders 14, 14 of the positioning device 11, the inserted ball cage 3 is aligned with the holder surfaces of both cage holders 14, 14. It is corrected to a predetermined posture by the ball plungers 17, 14a, and the outer periphery is elastically held from both sides by the ball plungers 17, 17, so as to be rotatable. At this time, both cage holders 14, 1
A pair of rotating claws 16, 16 are inserted inside the ball cage 3 held by the ball cage 4, and both rotating claws 16, 16 are elastically biased in the expansion direction by a spring 19. Engagement protrusions 16a provided on the outside of the tips of the rotating claws 16, respectively.
elastically contacts the inner circumferential surface of the inserted ball cage 3 so as to push it outward.

When the detector 22 detects that the ball cage 3 has been fitted and held in the cage holders 14, 14, the rotary actuator 15 is activated and the pair of rotary claws 16, 16 are rotationally driven, and each engagement protrusion The ball cage 3 rotates while its outer side is brought into sliding contact with the inner peripheral surface of the ball cage 3. Then, the position of each engaging protrusion 16a of the rotating claws 16, 16 rotates to correspond to the window holes 3b other than the long window hole 3a among the plurality of window holes formed in the peripheral wall of the ball cage 3. When the width of each engaging protrusion 16a is adjusted to the position indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG.
The long window hole 3a is larger than the circumferential opening size of b.
Since the shape is such that it cannot fit into any other window hole 3b, it passes through without fitting into this window hole 3b. Since the long window holes 3a are formed in the ball cage 3 at two locations facing each other with the center in between, even when the two rotating claws 16, 16 are at their maximum
Each of the engaging protrusions 16a until rotated 180 degrees
moves to a position corresponding to the long window hole 3a, and the opening dimension of the long window hole 3a in the circumferential direction matches the engagement protrusion 16a.
Since the width is larger than the width of the long window hole 3a, both rotating claws 16, 16 are expanded and each engaging protrusion 16a is fitted into this long window hole 3a.

Both rotating claws 16, 1 which are rotationally driven
When each of the engagement protrusions 16a of 6 are fitted into each of the long window holes 3a of the ball cage 3, the cage holder 14
The ball cage 3, which is rotatably held at When stopped by touching, both the rotating claws 16,
16 returns to the initial position, and the ball cage 3, which is rotated integrally with both rotating claws 16, 16, is aligned so that the long window hole 3a is located at the initial position of the rotating claws 16. . When the alignment is completed, the proximity switch 23
0 approaches, it is detected that the rotary claws 16, 16 have returned to their initial positions, and the rotary drive by the rotary actuator 15 is stopped, and a robot hand (not shown) moves to remove the ball cage 3, which has completed positioning. , the cage holder 14,
14 is gripped from a direction other than that provided,
The ball cage 3 is separated from the cage holders 14, 14, and is transported to the next assembly process while maintaining a predetermined posture in which the long window hole 3a is aligned in a predetermined direction.

In this embodiment, the ball cage 3 is held and positioned at a predetermined angle in accordance with the assembly posture for the next process. The number of axes to be controlled by the robot hand transported to the process can be reduced by one.

Further, in this embodiment, since the rotary actuator 15 that reciprocates within a predetermined rotation angle range is used, positioning can be completed without fail during one reciprocation of the rotary actuator 15.

Effects of the Device As explained above, this device has a pair of long window holes, which are formed in the peripheral wall at positions facing each other across the center, and whose opening dimension in the circumferential direction is longer than the other window holes. A cage holder fixed at a predetermined position so as to rotatably hold the ball cage from the outer circumferential side; Engagement protrusions are provided on the outside of the cage holder so as to be opposed to each other, and that can be fitted from the inside of the ball cage only into the long window hole of the ball cage held by the cage holder, and are spaced apart from each other. The structure includes a pair of rotating claws that are elastically biased in the direction of rotation, an actuator that rotates the pair of rotating claws together, and a stopper that stops the pair of rotating claws at a predetermined rotational position. In addition to greatly reducing the time required for positioning, the ball cage that has been positioned can remain positioned until it is transferred to the next process, so there is no possibility of misalignment before it is assembled with other parts. There is no
Reliable assembly in a predetermined posture can be achieved. Additionally, the device is compact and can be installed at any location.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figures 1 to 4 show an embodiment of this invention, with Figure 1 being a side view of the positioning device, and Figure 2 being a side view of the positioning device.
The figure is a view in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is a - of Fig. 2.
4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line -- in FIG. 2, FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a constant velocity joint, and FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional positioning device. 3...Ball cage, 3a...Long window hole, 11...
...Positioning device, 14...Cage holder, 15...
...Rotary actuator, 15a... Drive shaft, 16... Rotating claw, 16a... Engaging protrusion, 17
... Ball plunger, 19 ... Spring, 2
0... Rotating arm, 21... Stopper, 22...
Detector, 23... Proximity switch.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] The position of each window hole of an annular ball cage having a pair of long window holes whose circumferential opening dimension is longer than the other window holes at positions facing each other across the center among the plurality of window holes formed in the peripheral wall. In a window hole positioning device for a ball cage for a constant velocity joint that determines , a pair of rotary claws each having an engaging protrusion on the outside that can be fitted only into the long window hole of the ball cage held by the cage holder from the inside of the ball cage, and elastically biased in a direction to separate from each other. A window hole positioning device for a ball cage for a constant velocity joint, comprising: an actuator that integrally rotates the pair of rotating claws; and a stopper that stops the pair of rotating claws at a predetermined rotational position.