JP2007278505A - Constant velocity joint without play - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make a constant velocity joint have a reduced drag moment. <P>SOLUTION: The constant velocity joint comprises a joint outside member 12, a joint inside member17, a ball 31 transmitting a torque and a ball cage 22, and the ball cage22 is directly supported inside the joint outside member 12 in an axial direction. The joint inside member 17 has a play in the axial direction to the ball cage 22, and is provided with a means to support the joint inside member 17 spring elastically to the ball cage 22. The means acts on the joint inside member 17 to widen a truck pair to the joint outside member 12. The space from the center point of the joint to the contact region for relatively supporting the joint inside member 17 and the ball cage 22 is made not more than half the outside diameter of the joint inside member. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention is a constant velocity joint, wherein a joint outer member having an outer ball track distributed over the entire circumference is provided, and a joint inner member having an inner ball track distributed over the entire circumference is provided. There is provided a ball for transmitting torque, the ball being inserted into a track pair consisting of an outer ball track and an inner ball track arranged in correspondence with each other, A ball cage is provided, the ball cage being inserted between the joint outer member and the joint inner member and having a cage window distributed over the entire circumference, in which the torque is Are transmitted in a common plane, and the track pair is at least partially in the matching axial direction. Widened when the joint is extended, the ball cage is supported directly in the axial direction in the joint outer member, the inner member of the joint has axial play with respect to the ball cage, Means are provided for spring-elastically supporting the member with respect to the ball cage, the means acting on the joint inner member and on the joint outer member in a direction in which the track pair is widened. It is related to the format.

  A constant velocity joint of the type described above is called a fixed Rzeppa joint. Depending on the configuration of the outer ball track and the inner ball track, this joint may be a UF (undercut free) joint with an undercut-free ball track as viewed in the axial direction, or a circle offset from each other in the axial direction. AC (angular contact) joint with an arc-shaped ball track. Furthermore, another track course is also known. The aforementioned Zepper joint has the common feature that the track pair composed of the outer ball track and the inner ball track is widened in the matching axial direction. In this case, the concept of “widening like a wedge” is sometimes used.

  Thereby, a relative axial force is generated between the joint outer member and the joint inner member when the constant velocity joint is torque-loaded. Therefore, the joint outer member and the joint inner member must be supported relative to each other in the axial direction so that the joint is not disassembled. For this purpose, generally a spherical surface pair is used between the joint outer member and the outer surface of the ball cage and between the joint inner member and the inner surface of the ball cage.

Based on US 2003/0083135, the direct relative support between the ball cage and the joint inner member is omitted, instead of the joint inner member and the spherical shape provided on the ball cage. It is known to provide axial support between the shell body. In this case, the support surface coupled to the joint inner member is formed on the pin member. This pin member is attached to the joint inner member in the axial direction. In this case, in particular, a spring elastic support of the pin member with respect to the joint inner member has also been proposed. Alternatively, a spring-elastic configuration of the shell body with respect to the rigid pin member has been proposed. In this case, it is desirable that the inner radius of curvature (R ₀ ) of the shell body is larger than the outer radius of curvature (Ri) of the outer surface of the ball cage, with the joint center point as a reference. The inner radius of curvature of the shell body simultaneously defines the location of support contact between the pin member and the shell body.

  In a constant velocity joint that is bent and rotated in the above-described manner, an internal frictional force is generated. This frictional force is formed on the one hand by a ball that reciprocates in a track pair with a rotational frequency, and on the other hand, the rotational frequency when viewed relative to both the joint outer member or the joint inner member, respectively. It is formed by the frictional force between the ball cage and the ball cage that oscillates.

  In the constant velocity joint described above, the direct friction between the ball cage and the inner member of the joint is certainly avoided, but for this purpose, the pin member described above and the inner spherical shape provided in the shell body are avoided. A frictional moment is generated by the sliding motion between the support surface and the support surface. The sliding motion is illustrated as a circular motion with respect to the shell body. This circular motion is superimposed by a rotational motion. The sum of the moments formed by the frictional force is called the joint drag moment. That is, this drag moment can be applied to drive or rotate the bent and adjusted joint without a counter-moment on the output side.

In the constant velocity joint described above, the friction moment generated by the friction of the support pin described above is remarkably large, and therefore the drag moment is disadvantageously increased. Hereinafter, this drag moment is also referred to as a support drag moment.
US 2003/0083135 Specification

  Starting from here, the task of the present invention is to improve a playless constant velocity joint of the type mentioned at the outset so that the constant velocity joint has a reduced drag moment. .

  In order to solve this problem, in the configuration of the present invention, the distance x between the contact center T of the joint inner member and the ball cage from the joint center point M is less than half of the outer diameter of the joint inner member. I was there.

  By means of the invention, the axial moment of friction of the axial support is reduced by significantly reducing the stress center distance on which the friction force is exerted during the rotation of the joint. The constant velocity joint according to the invention is particularly suitable for use as a steering joint, in which no play and a small drag moment are equally important, i.e. for an automobile steering column.

According to an advantageous configuration of the invention,
The interval x is equal to zero;
An interval x from the joint center point M is provided in the direction in which the track pair is opened;
The surfaces in contact with each other in the contact area T are convex on the one hand and concave on the other, in particular forming an outer spherical surface and an inner spherical surface;
The surfaces in contact with each other in the contact area T form two convex surfaces, in particular both are outer spherical;
The surfaces that contact each other in the contact area T are convex on the one hand and flat in the radial direction on the other hand;
-The ball cage has a bottom or a cover, and a pin is coaxially formed on the bottom or the cover, and the end surface side of the input shaft inserted into or into the joint inner member An inner spherical support surface, and a pin is in contact with the support surface with preload;
A pin is formed in the cover, which is firmly connected to the ball cage;
The pin is rigidly coupled to the cover, the cover being formed in a spring-elastic manner;
The pin is inserted in a spring-elastically supported manner in a container connected to the cover;
The pin is supported in the container via a compression coil spring;
The contact surface of the pin is spherical and its apex is especially located approximately at the joint center point M;
The support surface has a non-circular bottom spherical shape, and the center point of its radius of curvature is particularly located approximately at the joint center point M;
The supporting surface is widened in an inner conical shape in the axial direction. The ball cage has a bottom portion or a cover, and a coaxial pin is firmly inserted into the bottom portion or the cover. A spring elastically supported support is guided coaxially on an input shaft inserted into the inner member or into the joint inner member, the support forming a support surface, and preloading is performed. In contact with the pin;
The pin and the support each have a convex, in particular spherical contact surface or support surface;
The pin forms a convex contact surface and the support has a flat radial support surface;
The support is spring-elastically supported in the joint inner member or in the input shaft;
The input shaft is widened into an inner cone at the end that accommodates the support;
The apex of the contact surface of the pin and the apex of the support surface of the support are located approximately at the joint center point M when the joint is extended;
It has been proposed.

  In the selected configuration, the joint basic structure remains substantially unchanged without sacrificing the joint function, and the elements used for the axial spring-elastic support can be connected to the joint outer member and / or It is particularly advantageous if the joint inner member or a corresponding hole in the input shaft inserted into the joint inner member can be filled after formation.

  Basically, the distance from the joint center is taken towards the bottom or cover of the joint outer member, but in any case it should be understood that it is chosen to be smaller than with known joints, but has been changed In the configuration, the distance from the joint center point can be taken toward the opening side of the joint outer member.

  The above-mentioned support drag moment can in fact be ignored when the distance x is adjusted to zero in a special configuration.

  The surfaces of the support elements that are applied to each other may be formed on the one hand convexly, in particular as an outer spherical surface and on the other hand concavely, in particular as an inner spherical surface, as in the joint described above. On the other hand, as an alternative, it is also possible to form both surfaces as convex surfaces, in particular as outer spherical surfaces. This enables point contact instead of surface contact. By this point contact, the friction ratio of the relative rotation can be reduced. Furthermore, it is possible to form one of the aforementioned surfaces in a convex shape and the other of the surfaces as a flat radial surface.

  According to a first configuration, the ball cage has a bottom or cover, on which the pins are coaxially arranged and inserted into the joint inner member or into the joint inner member It has been proposed that an inner spherical support surface on the end face side is formed on the input shaft, and a pin is in contact with the support surface with preload.

  In this case, according to the first configuration, it has been proposed that the pin is arranged on the cover and that the cover is firmly connected to the ball cage. In this case, the cover is formed elastically.

  According to an alternative configuration, the ball cage has an attached cover, on which a coaxially guided pin is supported spring-elastically.

  Each contact point can be located very close to the joint center point. In this case, the contact surface of the pin may be spherical. In this case, the vertex of the contact surface is located at the joint center point, whereas the support surface provided on the input shaft may be a bottom spherical surface. In this case, the center point of the radius of curvature of the support surface is located at the joint center point.

  In order to allow a large angular movement, it has been proposed that the aforementioned support surface is widened in an inner conical shape in the axial direction towards the pin.

  According to another structural configuration, the ball cage has a bottom or cover, into which a coaxial pin is firmly inserted, either in the joint inner member or in the joint inner member. A support body elastically supported by the input shaft inserted into the shaft is guided coaxially, and this support body forms a support surface and is in contact with the pin with preload. .

  On the other hand, it is proposed that the support is supported in a spring-elastic manner, in particular in the joint inner member or in the input shaft via a compression coil spring.

  In this case, it is further structurally advantageous if the pin and the support member each have a convex, in particular spherical contact surface or support surface. However, the contact surface of the pin can be formed in a convex shape, and the support surface of the support can be formed flat in the radial direction.

  Against this, it is proposed that the input shaft is widened in an inner conical shape at the end accommodating the support.

  The cover attached to the ball cage may advantageously be made of a spring steel sheet, and advantageously has the shape of a ball shell so as not to disturb the joint function when bent. In order to increase elasticity, the cover may be provided with radial slits.

  In the following, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  Unless otherwise indicated, the individual drawings of FIG. 1 will be described together below.

  In the drawing, a constant velocity joint 11 having a so-called “monoblock structure” is shown. In the constant velocity joint 11, the bottom portion 13 and the shaft pin 14 are integrally formed on the joint outer member 12. The bottom portion or the cover may be attached as a separate member, may be welded to the joint outer member, or may be screwed. The joint outer member 12 is formed with an outer ball track 15 extending in the longitudinal direction and distributed over the entire circumference. The center points of the radius of curvature of these ball tracks 15 are shifted in the axial direction from the joint center plane E toward the opening 16 of the joint outer member 12. Furthermore, the joint has a joint inner member 17. An input shaft 18 is inserted into the joint inner member 17. In this case, the members 17 and 18 are coupled to each other through a shaft tooth row so as not to rotate relative to each other, and are fixed to each other in the axial direction. The joint inner member 17 is formed with an inner ball track 19 extending in the longitudinal direction and distributed over the entire circumference. The center point of the radius of curvature of the ball track 19 is shifted from the joint center plane E toward the bottom 13 of the joint outer member 12.

  The outer ball track 15 and the inner ball track 19 that are arranged to correspond to each other form a track pair, and therefore widen from the bottom 13 of the joint outer member toward the opening 16. Each track pair consisting of an outer ball track 15 and an inner ball track 19 contains a ball 31 for transmitting torque. The ball is held in the joint center plane E at the ball center point K by an annular ball cage 22 inserted between the joint outer member 12 and the joint inner member 17, and is formed into an angle bisector plane when the joint is bent. Guided. In this case, the balls 31 are accommodated in cage windows 23 provided on the ball cage 22 and distributed over the entire circumference. The ball cage has a spherical outer surface 24. The outer surface 24 is guided to the inner spherical guide surface 20 of the joint outer member 12 with almost no play. On the other hand, the inner surface 25 of the ball cage 22 has play with respect to the outer surface 21 of the joint inner member 17. The outer ball track and the inner ball track are each drawn by one circular arc shape, whereby the joint forms a structure type AC (angular contact) Zepper joint.

  A ball shell-like cover 51 is attached to the ball cage 22 at an end portion facing the bottom portion 13 of the joint outer member 12. This cover 51 is firmly connected to the ball cage 22.

  In the center of the cover 51 is inserted a pin 36 oriented coaxially with respect to the longitudinal axis A22 of the ball cage. The cover 51 is formed elastically. The pin 36 has a hemispherical contact surface 39. Opposite to the pin 36, a support surface 43 having a spherical inner bottom surface is positioned on the joint inner member 17, particularly the input shaft 18 inserted into the joint inner member 17. The pin 36 acts on the support surface 43 under a preload by the force F at the contact surface 39, that is, in a state where a preload or preload is applied. This preload is formed by a cover 51 that is elastically preloaded in the axial direction in the assembled state. As can be seen in FIG. B, the contact point T between the pin 36 and the plug 41 is always located in the vicinity of the longitudinal axis A22 of the ball cage, based on the coaxial arrangement of the pin to the cover. However, when the longitudinal axis A18 of the joint inner member is bent by the joint bending angle β with respect to the longitudinal axis A12 of the joint outer member, the contact point T is an angle half of the longitudinal axis A18. It moves on the bottom spherical surface of the support surface 43 of the input shaft 18 by β / 2. The distance x according to the invention of the contact point T from the joint center point M is substantially unchanged, and in any case is dimensioned smaller than the radius of curvature of the spherical inner surface 24 of the ball cage or cover 51. Along with the force F, the stress center distance R taken into account in the calculation of the support drag moment for the free rotation of the joint in the bent position increases with the bending angle β. When the support surface 43 is formed differently, for example, as an elliptical surface, based on the variable spring elastic displacement of the spring elastic cover 51, the force F and the stress center distance R and the angle β The relationship changes. This is because in this case the angle β no longer illustrates a pure sine function with β.

  However, in the normal case illustrated here, the support surface 43 is spherical inside so that x remains constant as F is. The cover 51 and thus the pin 36 to which the preload is applied move the joint inner member 17 indirectly toward the opening 16 of the joint outer member 12 via the input shaft 18. As a result, the inner ball track 19 also acts on the ball 31 toward the opening. In this case, the ball 31 is also supported in the cage window 23 toward the opening. Thus, the ball cage 22 itself is supported by the spherical outer surface 24 on the spherical inner surface 20 of the joint outer member 12 in the axial direction. In this way, the joint is free of play. Compared to known joints, the axial distance x of the contact point T from the joint center point M is significantly shortened, so that when the joint is bent, the stress center distance that is included in the support drag moment for free rotation R also becomes smaller.

  Unless otherwise indicated, the individual drawings of FIG. 2 are described together below.

  In the drawing, a constant velocity joint 11 having a so-called “monoblock structure” is shown. In the constant velocity joint 11, the bottom portion 13 and the shaft pin 14 are integrally formed on the joint outer member 12. The bottom portion or the cover may be attached as a separate member, may be welded to the joint outer member, or may be screwed. The joint outer member 12 is formed with an outer ball track 15 extending in the longitudinal direction and distributed over the entire circumference. The center points of the radius of curvature of these ball tracks 15 are shifted in the axial direction from the joint center plane E toward the opening 16 of the joint outer member 12. Furthermore, the joint has a joint inner member 17. An input shaft 18 is inserted into the joint inner member 17. In this case, the members 17 and 18 are coupled to each other through a shaft tooth row so as not to rotate relative to each other, and are fixed to each other in the axial direction. The joint inner member 17 is formed with an inner ball track 19 extending in the longitudinal direction and distributed over the entire circumference. The center point of the radius of curvature of the ball track 19 is shifted from the joint center plane E toward the bottom 13 of the joint outer member 12.

  The outer ball track 15 and the inner ball track 19 that are arranged to correspond to each other form a track pair, and therefore widen from the bottom 13 of the joint outer member toward the opening 16. Each track pair consisting of an outer ball track 15 and an inner ball track 19 contains a ball 31 for transmitting torque. The ball is held in the joint center plane E at the ball center point K by an annular ball cage 22 inserted between the joint outer member 12 and the joint inner member 17, and is formed into an angle bisector plane when the joint is bent. Guided. In this case, the balls 31 are accommodated in cage windows 23 provided on the ball cage 22 and distributed over the entire circumference. The ball cage has a spherical outer surface 24. The outer surface 24 is guided to the inner spherical guide surface 20 of the joint outer member 12 with almost no play. On the other hand, the inner surface 25 of the ball cage 22 has play with respect to the outer surface 21 of the joint inner member 17. The outer ball track and the inner ball track are each drawn by one circular arc shape, whereby the joint forms a structure type AC (angular contact) Zepper joint.

The ball cage 22, ball-shell shaped cover 51 ₂ is inserted into end toward the bottom portion 13 of the outer joint member 12. The cover 51 ₂ is rigidly connected to the ball cage. In the center of the cover 51 _2, cup-shaped housing member 52 ₂ is inserted into the opening 54 in the center. The housing body 52 _2, outer collar 56 for supporting are formed.

A pin 362 that is guided coaxially with respect to the longitudinal axis A < _b > 22 is inserted in the housing body 42. The pin 36 is supported by the cover 51 via the compression coil spring 38 in the container 52. Pin 36 has a contact surface 39 ₂ of the hemispherical. Facing the pin 36 _2, and the inner joint member 17, to an input shaft 18 which is inserted within the inner joint member 17, the inner conical widened portion 28 is positioned. This base of the widened portion 28, a slight curvature sieve bottom spherical bearing surface 43 ₂ of the inner spherical having a radius is formed. The support surface 43 _2, pin 36 ₂ is acting under preload by the force F at the contact surface 39 _2. As can be seen in Figure d, the vicinity of the contact point T is based on coaxial arrangement form of pins on the cover, always the ball cage longitudinal axis A22 between the pin 36 ₂ and the support surface 43 ₂ However, when the longitudinal axis A18 of the joint inner member is bent by the joint bending angle β with respect to the longitudinal axis A12 of the joint outer member, the contact point T is half of the longitudinal axis A18. only the angle beta / 2 to move the supporting surface 43 _{and second} inner spherical. The distance x according to the invention of the contact point T from the joint center point M is equal to zero in this case. This makes it possible to neglect the stress center distance R together with the force F which is taken into account in the calculation of the support drag moment for the free rotation of the joint in the bent position.

The compression coil spring 38 and thus pin 36 ₂ preload has been applied is the inner joint member 17 via the input shaft 18 is moved indirectly toward the opening 16 of the outer joint member 12. As a result, the inner ball track 19 also acts on the ball 31 toward the opening. In this case, the ball 31 is also supported in the cage window 23 toward the opening. Thus, the ball cage 22 itself is supported by the spherical outer surface 24 on the spherical inner surface 20 of the joint outer member 12 in the axial direction. In this way, the joint is free of play. As described, the axial distance x of the contact point T from the joint center point M is equal to zero, thereby ignoring the stress center distance R put into the supporting drag moment for free rotation when the joint is bent. be able to.

  Unless otherwise indicated, the individual drawings of FIG. 3 will be described together below.

  In the drawing, a constant velocity joint 11 having a so-called “monoblock structure” is shown. In the constant velocity joint 11, the bottom portion 13 and the shaft pin 14 are integrally formed on the joint outer member 12. The bottom portion or the cover may be attached as a separate member, may be welded to the joint outer member, or may be screwed. The joint outer member 12 is formed with an outer ball track 15 extending in the longitudinal direction and distributed over the entire circumference. The center points of the radius of curvature of these ball tracks 15 are shifted in the axial direction from the joint center plane E toward the opening 16 of the joint outer member 12. Furthermore, the joint has a joint inner member 17. An input shaft 18 is inserted into the joint inner member 17. In this case, the members 17 and 18 are coupled to each other through a shaft tooth row so as not to rotate relative to each other, and are fixed to each other in the axial direction. The joint inner member 17 is formed with an inner ball track 19 extending in the longitudinal direction and distributed over the entire circumference. The center point of the radius of curvature of the ball track 19 is shifted from the joint center plane E toward the bottom 13 of the joint outer member 12.

  The outer ball track 15 and the inner ball track 19 that are arranged to correspond to each other form a track pair, and therefore widen from the bottom 13 of the joint outer member toward the opening 16. Each track pair consisting of an outer ball track 15 and an inner ball track 19 contains a ball 31 for transmitting torque. The ball is held in the joint center plane E at the ball center point K by an annular ball cage 22 inserted between the joint outer member 12 and the joint inner member 17, and is formed into an angle bisector plane when the joint is bent. Guided. In this case, the balls 31 are accommodated in cage windows 23 provided on the ball cage 22 and distributed over the entire circumference. The ball cage has a spherical outer surface 24. The outer surface 24 is guided to the inner spherical guide surface 20 of the joint outer member 12 with almost no play. On the other hand, the inner surface 25 of the ball cage 22 has play with respect to the outer surface 21 of the joint inner member 17. The outer ball track and the inner ball track are each drawn by one circular arc shape, whereby the joint forms a structure type AC (angular contact) Zepper joint.

The ball cage 22, ball-shell shaped cover 51 ₃ is attached to the end toward the bottom portion 13 of the outer joint member 12. The cover 51 ₃ is rigidly connected to the ball cage 22.

At the center of the cover 51, the pin 36 ₃ is inserted which is oriented coaxially to the longitudinal axis A22 of the ball cage. The cover 51 is formed elastically. Pin 36 has a contact surface 39 ₃ of the hemispherical. Facing the pin 36 _3, the inner joint member 17, to an input shaft 18 which is inserted within the inner joint member 17, the widened part 28 of the conical is located. The base of the widened portion, the sieve bottom spherical bearing surface 43 ₃ of the inner spherical located. The supporting surface 43 _3, the pin 36 ₃ is acting under preload by the force F at the contact surface 39 _3. This preload is formed by a cover 51 that is elastically preloaded in the axial direction in the assembled state. As can be seen in Figure d, the vicinity of the contact point T is based on coaxial arrangement form of pins on the cover, always the ball cage longitudinal axis A22 between the pin 36 ₃ and the support surface 43 ₃ However, when the longitudinal axis A18 of the joint inner member is bent by the joint bending angle β with respect to the longitudinal axis A12 of the joint outer member, the contact point T is half of the longitudinal axis A18. angle beta / 2 simply moving a spherical surface 43 ₃ of the pivot pin 18 of the. The distance x according to the invention of the contact point T from the joint center point M is in this case provided towards the opening 16 of the joint outer member. In this case, together with the force F, the stress center distance R taken into the calculation of the support drag moment for the free rotation of the joint in the bent position is very small.

Cover 51 ₃ thus pin ₃₆₃ which preload is applied is the inner joint member 17 via the input shaft 18 is moved indirectly toward the opening 16 of the outer joint member 12. As a result, the inner ball track 19 also acts on the ball 31 toward the opening. In this case, the ball is also supported in the cage window 23 toward the opening. As a result, the ball cage 22 itself is supported by the spherical outer surface 24 on the spherical inner surface 20 of the joint outer member in the axial direction. In this way, the joint is free of play. Compared to known joints, the axial distance x of the contact point T from the joint center point M is significantly shortened, so that when the joint is bent, the stress center distance that is included in the support drag moment for free rotation R also becomes smaller.

  Unless otherwise indicated, the individual drawings of FIG. 4 will be described together below.

  In the drawing, a constant velocity joint 11 having a so-called “monoblock structure” is shown. In the constant velocity joint 11, the bottom portion 13 and the shaft pin 14 are integrally formed on the joint outer member 12. The bottom portion or the cover may be attached as a separate member, may be welded to the joint outer member, or may be screwed. The joint outer member 12 is formed with an outer ball track 15 extending in the longitudinal direction and distributed over the entire circumference. The center points of the radius of curvature of these ball tracks 15 are shifted in the axial direction from the joint center plane E toward the opening 16 of the joint outer member 12. Furthermore, the joint has a joint inner member 17. An input shaft 18 is inserted into the joint inner member 17. In this case, the members 17 and 18 are coupled to each other through a shaft tooth row so as not to rotate relative to each other, and are fixed to each other in the axial direction. The joint inner member 17 is formed with an inner ball track 19 extending in the longitudinal direction and distributed over the entire circumference. The center point of the radius of curvature of the ball track 19 is shifted from the joint center plane E toward the bottom 13 of the joint outer member 12.

  The outer ball track 15 and the inner ball track 19 that are arranged to correspond to each other form a track pair, and therefore widen from the bottom 13 of the joint outer member toward the opening 16. Each track pair consisting of an outer ball track 15 and an inner ball track 19 contains a ball 31 for transmitting torque. The ball is held in the joint center plane E at the ball center point K by an annular ball cage 22 inserted between the joint outer member 12 and the joint inner member 17, and is formed into an angle bisector plane when the joint is bent. Guided. In this case, the balls 31 are accommodated in cage windows 23 provided on the ball cage 22 and distributed over the entire circumference. The ball cage has a spherical outer surface 24. The outer surface 24 is guided to the inner spherical guide surface 20 of the joint outer member 12 with almost no play. On the other hand, the inner surface 25 of the ball cage 22 has play with respect to the outer surface 21 of the joint inner member 17. The outer ball track and the inner ball track are each drawn by one circular arc shape, whereby the joint forms a structure type AC (angular contact) Zepper joint.

  A ball shell-like cover 51 is attached to the ball cage 22 at an end portion facing the bottom portion 13 of the joint outer member 12. This cover 51 is firmly connected to the ball cage.

At the center of the cover 51 _4, the pin 36 _4, which is coaxially positioned it is inserted firmly to the longitudinal axis A22 of the ball cage. The pin 36 ₄ has a contact surface 39 ₄ of the hemispherical. Facing the pin 36 _4, it supports 41 ₄ is positioned in the inner joint member. The support 41 ₄ via the compression coil spring 30 is supported against the inner joint member 17 and thus into the hole 29 provided in the input shaft 18. Support 41 ₄ forms a support surface 43 ₄ of the outer spherical. Acting under preload by the supporting surfaces 43 ₄ the force at the contact surface 39 ₄ to pin 36 ₄ F. As can be seen in Figure d, the contact point T between the pin 36 ₄ and the support 41 ₄ are located in the joint center plane E. Accordingly, the distance x according to the invention of the contact point T from the joint center point M is again equal to zero. This makes it possible to neglect the stress center distance R together with the force F, which is taken into account in the calculation of the support drag moment for the free rotation of the joint in the bent position. FIG. E shows a flat radial support surface 43 ₄ ′ instead of an outer spherical support surface.

  The precompressed compression coil spring moves the joint inner member 17 indirectly toward the opening 16 of the joint outer member 12 via the input shaft 18. As a result, the inner ball track 19 also acts on the ball 31 toward the opening. In this case, the ball is also supported in the cage window 23 toward the opening. Thus, the ball cage 22 itself is supported by the spherical outer surface 24 on the inner spherical inner surface 20 of the joint outer member 12 in the axial direction. In this way, the joint is free of play. As described, the axial distance x of the contact point T from the joint center point M is equal to zero, thereby ignoring the stress center distance R put into the supporting drag moment for free rotation when the joint is bent. be able to.

  In all embodiments it is desirable for the balls to be assembled in the cage window, advantageously without pressing.

5 shows, the cover 51 ₅ ball shell shape is shown as a separate member. The cover 51 ₅ has a central opening 54 for inserting a pin or pin receptacle. From the outer edge 55, radial slits 53 ₅ is starting. The slit 53 ₅ is not end from the opening 54 at intervals, covering, is particularly resilient during loading in the direction of its longitudinal axis A _51. The cover is preferably a spring metal sheet.

6, the ball shell-like cover 51 ₆ are shown as separate members. The cover 51 ₆ has a central opening 54 for inserting a pin or pin receptacle. From the opening 54, radial slits 53 ₆ is starting. The slit 53 _6, from the outer edge 55 ₆ have finished at intervals, the cover is particularly resilient during loading in the direction of its longitudinal axis. The cover is preferably a spring metal sheet.

It is a figure which shows the 1st structure of the constant velocity joint by this invention, a) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the extended position, b) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the bent position, c) , B) is an enlarged detailed view of X, and d) is an enlarged detailed view of Y shown in c). It is a figure which shows the 2nd structure of the constant velocity joint by this invention, a) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the extended position, b) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the bent position, c) is a figure. , B) is an enlarged detailed view of X, and d) is an enlarged detailed view of Y shown in c). It is a figure which shows the 3rd structure of the constant velocity joint by this invention, a) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the extended position, b) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the bent position, c) is a figure. , B) is an enlarged detailed view of X, and d) is an enlarged detailed view of Y shown in c). It is a figure which shows the 4th structure of the constant velocity joint by this invention, a) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the extended position, b) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the bent position, c) is a figure. FIG. 4B is an enlarged detail view of X shown in FIG. 2B, d) is an enlarged detail view of Y shown in c), and e) is a changed detail view of Y shown in c). It is a figure which shows the 1st structure of the cover for the ball cage used for the joint shown in FIGS. 1-4, a) is the figure seen in the axial direction, b) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view. C) is a 3D view. It is a figure which shows the 2nd structure of the cover for the ball cage used for the joint shown in FIGS. 1-4, a) is the figure seen in the axial direction, b) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view. C) is a 3D view.

Explanation of symbols

11 constant velocity joint, 12 joint outer member, 13 bottom, 14 shaft pin, 15 ball track, 16 opening, 17 joint inner member, 18 input shaft, 19 ball track, 20 inner surface, 21 outer surface, 22 ball cage, 23 cage window , 24 outer surface 25 inner surface 28 widened portion, 29 holes, 30 a compression coil spring, 31 balls, 36 _{2, 36} 3, 36 _4-pin, 38 the compression coil spring, 39 _{2, 39} 3, 39 ₄ contacts surface, 41 the plug, 41 ₄ support, 42,52,52 ₂ container, 43 _{2, 43 3,} 43 4, 43 ₄ 'supporting surfaces, 51 _{2, 51 3,} 51 4, 51 ₅ , 51 ₆ cover, ₅₃ 5, 53 ₆ slit 54 opening, 55, 55 ₆ edge 56 outer collar, A12, A18, A22, _{A 5} Longitudinal axis, E joint center plane, F force, K ball center point, M joint center point, R stress center distance, T contact point, x interval, beta joint bending angle

Claims (1)

A constant velocity joint (11),
A joint outer member (12) with an outer ball track (15) distributed over the entire circumference is provided;
A joint inner member (17) with an inner ball track (19) distributed over the entire circumference is provided,
A ball (31) for transmitting torque is provided, and the ball (31) is inserted into a track pair consisting of an outer ball track (15) and an inner ball track (19) arranged to correspond to each other. And
An annular ball cage (22) is provided, and the ball cage (22) is inserted between the joint outer member (12) and the joint inner member (17), and is distributed over the entire circumference. A ball (31) for transmitting torque is held in a common plane (E) in the cage window (23);
The track pair is at least partially widened when the joint extends in the matched axial direction,
A ball cage (22) is supported axially directly in the joint outer member (12);
The joint inner member (17) has axial play relative to the ball cage (22);
Means are provided for spring resiliently supporting the joint inner member (17) with respect to the ball cage (22), the means being provided on the joint inner member (17) with respect to the joint outer member (12). In the type that works in the direction that the track pair widens,
The distance x between the contact regions T of the joint inner member (17) and the ball cage (22) from the joint center point M is less than half the outer diameter of the joint inner member (17). And a constant velocity joint.

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