JP2010007705A - Sliding type tripod constant velocity joint - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sliding type tripod constant velocity joint capable of restricting a joint angle in order to prevent a shaft from contacting a roller unit when transferred. <P>SOLUTION: Three tripod shaft sections 22 are set so that the tip end portions does not come in contact with a groove bottom surface of a raceway groove 11 in a reference posture at a joint angle of 0 degree. Additionally, when the shaft is tilted relative to a rotary shaft of an outer ring 10 so that the joint angle is added from the state of the reference posture, at least one tip end portion of the three tripod shaft sections 22 comes in contact with the groove bottom surface of the raceway groove 11 so that the joint angle is restricted. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a sliding tripod type constant velocity joint.

Conventionally, as a sliding tripod type constant velocity joint, for example, there are those described in Japanese Patent No. 2766624 (Patent Document 1) and Japanese Patent No. 336196 (Patent Document 2). The roller unit constituting the sliding tripod type constant velocity joint described in Patent Literatures 1 and 2 includes an intermediate member on the outer periphery of the tripod shaft portion and a needle provided to be able to circulate the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate member. Yes. The needle is configured to roll along the intermediate member and the side surface of the raceway groove of the outer ring.
Japanese Patent No. 2763624 Japanese Patent No. 3361096

  By the way, when transporting the sliding tripod type constant velocity joint for mounting on a vehicle, the joint angle becomes larger than the joint angle when mounting on the vehicle. Therefore, at the time of conveyance, the shaft and the roller unit may come into contact with each other and the roller unit may be damaged. Therefore, it is necessary to regulate the joint angle so that the shaft and the roller unit do not come into contact with each other during conveyance of the constant velocity joint.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a sliding tripod type constant velocity joint capable of regulating the joint angle.

  Hereinafter, each means suitable for solving the above-described problems will be described with additional effects and the like as necessary.

(Means 1) The sliding tripod type constant velocity joint according to means 1 is
An outer ring having a cylindrical shape and formed with three raceway grooves extending in the outer ring rotation axis direction on the inner peripheral surface;
A boss portion coupled to the shaft, and three tripod shaft portions that are erected so as to extend radially outward of the boss portion from the outer peripheral surface of the boss portion and are inserted into the raceway grooves, respectively. Tripod,
A roller unit provided so as to be swingable with respect to the tripod shaft portion, and capable of rolling along a side surface of the raceway groove;
A sliding tripod type constant velocity joint comprising:
A posture in which the outer ring rotation axis and the rotation axis of the shaft coincide with each other is defined as a reference posture,
In the reference posture, the three tripod shaft portions are set so that the tip portions thereof do not contact the groove bottom surface of the raceway groove,
When the shaft is tilted with respect to the outer ring rotating shaft so as to add a joint angle from the state of the reference posture, at least one of the tip portions of the three tripod shaft portions is a groove of the raceway groove. The joint angle is regulated by contacting the bottom surface.

  According to the means 1, the joint angle is regulated by the tip portion of the tripod shaft portion contacting the groove bottom surface of the raceway groove. Thereby, it can prevent that a roller unit is damaged at the time of conveyance.

(Means 2) In the manual tripod type constant velocity joint of the means 1,
When the shaft is tilted, the shaft and all the roller units are in contact with each other in a state in which at least one tip of the three tripod shaft portions is in contact with the bottom surface of the raceway groove. It is good not to.

  According to the means 2, since the shaft is not in contact with the roller unit in a state where the joint angle is regulated, the roller unit can be reliably prevented from being damaged.

(Means 3) In the sliding tripod type constant velocity joint of means 2,
In the state of the reference posture, when the tilting of the shaft is performed to a phase shifted by 30 deg from the central axis direction of any of the tripod shaft portions in the circumferential direction of the outer ring, at least of the three tripod shaft portions One of the tip portions contacts the groove bottom surface of the raceway groove,
In a state where the tip of the tripod shaft and the groove bottom surface of the raceway groove are in contact with each other, the shaft and all the roller units may not be in contact with each other.

  Here, the phase shifted by 30 deg from the central axis direction of any tripod shaft part in the circumferential direction of the outer ring in the reference posture state will be described below. First, the phase refers to the direction in which the shaft is tilted. That is, it indicates the direction of tilting of the shaft relative to the outer ring when the shaft is tilted with respect to the outer ring from the reference posture state. In the reference posture state, the center axis direction of the tripod shaft portion is centered on the shaft rotation axis of the reference posture, and the center axes of the three tripod shaft portions are spaced 120 degrees apart from each other in the circumferential direction of the outer ring. positioned. That is, the phase in the central axis direction of the tripod shaft portion in the reference posture is a phase in which the central axis of the tripod shaft portion extends when viewed from the outer ring rotation axis direction. The phase shifted by 30 deg from the central axis direction of the tripod shaft portion in the circumferential direction of the outer ring is the phase in which the central axis of the tripod shaft portion positioned at 120 deg is extended in both directions in the circumferential direction of the outer ring. Each phase is shifted. That is, there are six places with the phase shifted by 30 deg.

  When the shaft is tilted from the central axis direction of the tripod shaft part to a phase shifted by 30 degrees in the circumferential direction of the outer ring, the tip part of any tripod shaft part has the most movement amount of the outer ring radially outward. growing. That is, the effect of restricting the joint angle according to the present invention can be reliably exhibited in the phase.

(Means 4) In the sliding tripod type constant velocity joint of means 2 or 3,
The roller unit is
A plurality of rolling elements provided between the side surface of the raceway groove and the outer peripheral surface of the tripod shaft part so as to be rollable along the side surface of the raceway groove;
A cage that supports the rolling element such that the rolling element can circulate around the outer periphery of the tripod shaft;
With
The joint angle may be regulated without contact between the shaft and the cage.

  According to the means 4, when the roller unit is configured as described above, the cage is positioned on the outer peripheral side of the roller unit. Here, the intermediate member and the rolling element are members that transmit power, but the cage is not necessarily an essential member for power transmission, and it is only necessary to support the rolling element. Such a cage is not a member that requires a very high strength. In particular, in order to satisfy demands for weight reduction and cost reduction, a structure or material that does not have high strength may be used by minimizing the strength of the cage. In such a case, if the shaft contacts the cage, the cage may be damaged. However, as described above, the retainer can be reliably prevented from being damaged by restricting the joint angle by bringing the tip of the tripod shaft portion into contact with the groove bottom surface of the raceway groove.

(Means 5) The sliding tripod type constant velocity joint according to means 5 is:
An outer ring having a cylindrical shape and formed with three raceway grooves extending in the outer ring rotation axis direction on the inner peripheral surface;
A boss portion coupled to the shaft, and three tripod shaft portions that are erected so as to extend radially outward of the boss portion from the outer peripheral surface of the boss portion and are inserted into the raceway grooves, respectively. Tripod,
An intermediate member provided on the outer periphery of the tripod shaft portion so as to be swingable with respect to the tripod shaft portion, and having a power transmission surface facing the side surface of the raceway groove on the outer surface;
A plurality of rolling elements provided between the side surface of the raceway groove and the power transmission surface so as to roll along the side surface of the raceway groove;
A cage that supports the rolling element such that the rolling element can circulate around the outer periphery of the intermediate member;
A sliding tripod type constant velocity joint comprising:
The intermediate member moves with the reciprocating motion of the tripod shaft portion with respect to the raceway groove when the tripod shaft portion reciprocates in the radial direction of the outer ring with respect to the raceway groove,
A posture in which the outer ring rotation axis and the rotation axis of the shaft coincide with each other is defined as a reference posture,
In the reference posture, each of the intermediate members is set so as not to contact the groove bottom surface of the raceway groove,
When the shaft is tilted with respect to the outer ring rotation shaft so as to add a joint angle from the state of the reference posture, at least one of the intermediate members contacts the groove bottom surface of the raceway groove, The corner is regulated.

  According to the means 5, the joint angle is regulated by the intermediate member contacting the groove bottom surface of the raceway groove. Thereby, it can prevent that a holder | retainer breaks at the time of conveyance.

(Means 6) In the sliding tripod type constant velocity joint of means 5,
When the tilting of the shaft is performed, the shaft and all the cages may not be in contact with each other in a state where at least one of the intermediate members is in contact with the groove bottom surface of the raceway groove.

  According to the means 6, since the shaft is not in contact with the cage when the joint angle is regulated, the cage can be reliably prevented from being damaged.

(Means 7) In the sliding tripod type constant velocity joint of means 6,
When the shaft is tilted to a phase shifted by 30 deg from the central axis direction of any of the tripod shafts in the reference posture in the circumferential direction of the outer ring, at least one of the intermediate members is Contact the bottom of the raceway groove,
In a state where the intermediate member and the groove bottom surface of the raceway groove are in contact with each other, the shaft and all the cages may not be in contact with each other.

  Here, the phase shifted by 30 deg from the central axis direction of any of the tripod shaft portions in the circumferential direction of the outer ring in the reference posture state is as described above. When the shaft is tilted to a phase shifted by 30 degrees in the circumferential direction of the outer ring from the central axis direction of the tripod shaft portion, the amount of movement of one of the intermediate members outward in the radial direction of the outer ring becomes the largest. That is, the effect of restricting the joint angle according to the present invention can be reliably exhibited in the phase.

(Means 8) In the sliding tripod constant velocity joint of any one of the means 1 to 7,
The regulated joint angle may be set to be larger than the joint angle when the sliding tripod constant velocity joint is mounted on a vehicle.

  According to the means 8, it is possible to prevent the tip portion of the tripod shaft portion or the intermediate member from coming into contact with the groove bottom surface of the raceway groove when the vehicle is mounted. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent an adverse effect when the vehicle travels.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment in which a sliding tripod type constant velocity joint of the present invention (hereinafter simply referred to as “constant velocity joint”) is embodied will be described with reference to the drawings. Here, the case where the constant velocity joint of this embodiment is used for connection of a power transmission shaft of a vehicle will be described as an example. For example, it is a case where it uses for the connection part of the axial part connected with the differential gear, and the intermediate shaft of a drive shaft.

<First embodiment>
The constant velocity joint 1 of 1st embodiment is demonstrated with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a view seen from the opening side of the outer ring 10 in a partly assembled state of the constant velocity joint 1 of the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a radial sectional view of a part of the constant velocity joint 1. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the roller unit 30. 4A is a plan view of the roller unit 30, FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of the roller unit 30, and FIG. 4C is a view of the roller unit. It is a BB partial sectional view of 30 (a view including a partial cross section on the long diameter side). FIG. 5 is a perspective view of one of the pair of intermediate members 40. 6A is a front view of the intermediate member 40, FIG. 6B is a side view of the intermediate member 40, and FIG. 6C is a view in the C direction of the intermediate member 40. . FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the cage 60. FIG. 8A is a plan view of the cage 60, FIG. 8B is a DD cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view on the short diameter side) of the cage 60, and FIG. It is EE sectional drawing (The figure containing the partial cross section by the side of a long diameter) of the holder | retainer 60. FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the constant velocity joint 1 includes an outer ring 10, a tripod 20, and a roller unit 30.

  The outer ring 10 is formed in a cylindrical shape (for example, a bottomed cylindrical shape), and one end side is connected to a differential gear (not shown). Three track grooves 11 extending in the outer ring axial direction (front-rear direction in FIG. 1) are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion of the outer ring 10 at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the outer ring shaft. The cross-sectional shape orthogonal to the groove extending direction in each raceway groove 11 forms a U-shape. That is, each track groove 11 includes a groove bottom surface formed in a substantially planar shape and side surfaces formed in a planar shape orthogonal to the groove bottom surface and facing each other in parallel.

  Further, locking projections 12 for narrowing the opening width of the track groove 11 are formed on both opening edges of the track groove 11. The locking protrusion 12 is for restricting the position of a retainer 60 constituting a roller unit 30 described later. That is, the retainer 60 is always positioned inside the raceway groove 11 by the locking projection 12.

  The tripod 20 is disposed inside the cylindrical portion of the outer ring 10. The tripod 20 includes a boss portion 21 and three tripod shaft portions 22. The boss portion 21 has a cylindrical shape, and an inner peripheral spline 21a is formed on the inner peripheral side. The inner peripheral spline 21a is fitted and connected to the outer peripheral spline at the end of the intermediate shaft (not shown). Moreover, the outer peripheral surface of the boss | hub part 21 is formed in the substantially spherical convex shape.

  Each tripod shaft portion 22 is erected so as to extend from the outer peripheral surface of the boss portion 21 outward in the radial direction of the boss portion 21. These tripod shaft portions 22 are formed at equal intervals (120 deg intervals) in the circumferential direction of the boss portion 21. At least the tip of each tripod shaft portion 22 is inserted into each raceway groove 11 of the outer ring 10. The outer peripheral surface of each tripod shaft part 22 is formed in a spherical convex shape. Here, a straight line passing through the spherical convex center of curvature and orthogonal to the rotation axis of the tripod 20 (rotation axis of the intermediate shaft) is the center axis of the tripod shaft portion 22 (hereinafter also referred to as “tripod axis”).

  Further, the tip portion of each tripod shaft portion 22 is formed in a spherical convex shape. The distance between the groove bottom surface of the raceway groove 11 and the tip portion of the tripod shaft portion 22 set by the spherical convex shape is set as follows. When the constant velocity joint 1 is in the reference posture, any tip is set so as not to contact the groove bottom surface of the raceway groove 11. On the other hand, when a predetermined joint angle is added from the reference posture, at least one of the tip portions is set to contact the groove bottom surface of the track groove 11. Details of this will be described later. Note that the reference posture means the posture of the constant velocity joint 1 in which the rotation axis of the outer ring 10 and the rotation axis of the intermediate shaft coincide with each other.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the roller unit 30 has an annular shape as a whole, and is disposed on the outer peripheral side of the tripod shaft portion 22. Further, the roller unit 30 is fitted in the raceway groove 11 so as to be movable in the direction in which the raceway groove 11 extends. The roller unit 30 includes an intermediate member 40, a plurality of rolling elements 50, and a cage 60.

  The outer shape of the intermediate member 40 as a whole is formed in a substantially rectangular shape. Furthermore, when the intermediate member 40 is viewed as a whole, a portion corresponding to a circular hole is formed at the center of the intermediate member 40. The intermediate member 40 includes a pair of members 40a and 40b. The pair of intermediate members 40a and 40b are separately configured so as to have a symmetrical shape with respect to a plane passing through the tripod shaft and the rotation shaft of the intermediate shaft, and are independent of each other. Then, as shown in FIG. 2, the pair of intermediate members 40 a and 40 b are arranged so as to sandwich the tripod shaft portion 22 from both sides of the side surface of the raceway groove 11. That is, both the intermediate members 40a and 40b are arranged so as to sandwich the tripod shaft portion 22 from both sides in the power transmission direction (the direction around the outer ring rotation axis or the intermediate shaft rotation axis). The pair of intermediate members 40 a and 40 b are provided so as to be capable of swinging in the rotational axis direction of the outer ring 10 with respect to the tripod shaft portion 22 and swingable in the circumferential direction of the outer ring 10.

  The detailed shape of each intermediate member 40a, 40b will be described with reference to FIG. 5 and FIGS. 6 (a) to 6 (c). The surface of each intermediate member 40a, 40b has a tripod contact surface 41, a power transmission surface 42, and axial end surfaces 44, 45. Here, when the pair of intermediate members 40a and 40b are viewed as one body, the tripod contact surface 41 forms the inner surface, and the power transmission surface 42 and the axial end surfaces 44 and 45 form the outer surface.

  The tripod contact surface 41 is formed in a partially spherical concave shape so as to oscillately contact with the tripod shaft portion 22 in the axial direction of the outer ring 10 and the circumferential direction of the outer ring 10. The center of the spherical surface of the tripod contact surface 41 is the center of the lateral width (the thickness of the intermediate member 40) in FIG. 6A of the tripod contact surface 41 and the vertical width (intermediate member) of the tripod contact surface 41 in FIG. 40 and the center of the outer ring 10 in the axial direction).

  The power transmission surface 42 is provided on the back side of the tripod contact surface 41, that is, on the right side of FIG. The power transmission surface 42 is flat and rectangular. The intermediate members 40 a and 40 b are arranged so that the power transmission surface 42 is parallel to the side surface of the raceway groove 11. In other words, in a posture in which the rotation axis of the outer ring 10 and the rotation axis of the intermediate shaft coincide (joint angle 0 deg), the power transmission surface 42 is parallel to a plane passing through the central axis of the tripod shaft portion 22 and the rotation axis of the intermediate shaft. It becomes. Further, the power transmission surface 42 is positioned at the center portion in the vertical direction of FIG. 6B and has a width of about two-thirds of the vertical width of FIG. 6B. That is, the power transmission surface 42 is located on the back surface side of the deepest portion of the tripod contact surface 41. And the power transmission surface 42 has the range which can contact the rolling element 50 of multiple (this embodiment 3-4 pieces).

  The axial end faces 44 and 45 are parts located at both upper and lower ends in FIG. Both axial end surfaces 44 and 45 are flat surfaces orthogonal to the power transmission surface 42. That is, the axial end surfaces 44 and 45 are formed of a plane orthogonal to the side surface of the raceway groove 11.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the rolling element 50 is a needle. The rolling element 50 includes a columnar portion 51 and small-diameter shaft portions 52 that are circular in cross section cut in the column stretching orthogonal direction (left-right direction in FIG. 2) and are provided at both ends in the column stretching direction. As shown in FIG. 4B, the small-diameter shaft portion 52 may have a shape or a stepped shape (not shown) that becomes smaller in diameter as it approaches the end portion. And the some rolling element 50 is provided so that it may circulate in the outer periphery at the time of seeing a pair of intermediate member 40a, 40b as integral. A part (three to four in the present embodiment) of the plurality of rolling elements 50 is formed between the side surface of the raceway groove 11 and the power transmission surface 42 of the pair of intermediate members 40a and 40b. Rollers are provided along the side surfaces and the power transmission surface 42. That is, power is transmitted between the power transmission surface 42 and the side surface of the raceway groove 11 via the rolling elements 50.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8A, the cage 60 has an annular shape as a whole. The cage 60 includes a pair of circulation path forming members 61 and 62 that form a circulation path of the rolling element 50, and a pair of connecting portions 63 and 64. The pair of circulation path forming members 61 and 62 is located on the periphery of the cage 60 and has an oval shape. The pair of circulation path forming members 61 and 62 has a shape surrounding the pair of intermediate members 40a and 40b.

  Specifically, the circulation path forming member 61 includes linear portions 61a and 61b facing each other and semicircular arc-shaped curved portions 61c and 61d connecting the linear portions 61a and 61b. The other circulation path forming member 62 is composed of a straight portion and a curved portion, like the circulation path forming member 61.

  Furthermore, each of the pair of circulation path forming members 61 and 62 is formed in a U-shaped cross-sectional shape in which the small diameter shaft portion 52 of the rolling element 50 can be inserted and engages with the cylindrical portion 51. . That is, the width (the distance between the inner peripheral edge and the outer peripheral edge) of the pair of circulation path forming members 61 and 62 is formed smaller than the maximum diameter of the columnar portion 51 of the rolling element 50. The U-shaped opening sides of the circulation path forming members 61 and 62 are provided so as to face each other in a state of being separated by a distance longer than the axial length of the columnar portion 51 of the rolling element 50. The maximum width in the facing direction of the pair of circulation path forming members 61 and 62 is set slightly smaller than the width of the side surface of the raceway groove 11. That is, the cage 60 is configured such that its inclination with respect to the track groove 11 is regulated by the groove bottom surface and the locking projection 12 of the track groove 11 and can be inserted into the track groove 11.

  The pair of connecting portions 63 and 64 connect the central portion in the circumferential direction (upper and lower end portions in FIG. 8A) of the curved portions 61c and 61d of the pair of circulation path forming members 61 and 62, respectively. That is, the space between the pair of circulation path forming members 61 and 62 is open at a portion other than the connecting portions 63 and 64 as shown in FIG.

  The connecting portions 63 and 64 are formed in a U-shape that opens to the outside of the cage 60. The U-shaped bottom opening opposite side of the connecting portions 63 and 64 (inside the retainer 60) is formed in a planar shape. And the U-shaped bottom opening opposite side of a pair of connection parts 63 and 64 is provided so that it may oppose in parallel. Further, the distance between the pair of connecting portions 63 and 64 on the opposite side of the bottom surface of the U-shape is substantially the same as the distance between the axial end surfaces 44 and 45 of the intermediate members 40a and 40b. Further, the U-shaped bottom opening side (outside of the retainer 60) of the connecting portions 63 and 64 is formed in a planar shape parallel to the U-shaped bottom opening opposite side.

  In addition, one of the end portions of the connection portions 63 and 64 on the opening side of the U-shape is connected to the central portion in the circumferential direction of each of the curved portion 61c and the curved portion 61d of the circulation path forming member 61, and the other end portion is connected. The curved portion 62c and the curved portion 62d of the circulation path forming member 62 are connected to the respective circumferential center portions.

  Then, the small-diameter shaft portion 52 of the rolling element 50 is inserted into the U-shape inside the pair of circulation path forming members 61 and 62. In this way, the rolling element 50 is supported by the pair of circulation path forming members 61 and 62. That is, the pair of circulation path forming members 61 and 62 supports the rolling elements 50 such that the plurality of rolling elements 50 can circulate around the outer circumferences of the pair of intermediate members 40a and 40b. Here, the U-shaped shape of the pair of circulation path forming members 61 and 62 is a shape having a slight gap with respect to the outer peripheral surface of the small-diameter shaft portion 52 of the rolling element 50. Further, in a state where the small diameter shaft portion 52 of the rolling element 50 is inserted into the circulation path forming members 61 and 62, the rolling element 50 protrudes inward from the inner peripheral edge of the circulation path forming members 61 and 62, and the circulation path is formed. The members 61 and 62 protrude outward from the outer peripheral edge.

  Here, in a state where the pair of intermediate members 40a and 40b are arranged on the outer peripheral side of the tripod shaft portion 22 and the pair of intermediate members 40a and 40b are arranged inside the cage 60, the respective circulation path forming members 61, The straight portions 61a and 61b of 62 (left and right straight portions in FIG. 8A) are substantially parallel to the power transmission surface 42 of the intermediate members 40a and 40b and the side surface of the raceway groove 11 (following state). ). That is, the circulation path formed by the straight portions 61 a and 61 b is a circulation path when the rolling element 50 moves on the power transmission surface 42. Further, a gap is formed in at least one of the straight portions 61 a and 61 b and the side surfaces of the power transmission surface 42 and the raceway groove 11.

  Furthermore, the curved portions 61c and 62c of the pair of circulation path forming members 61 and 62 and both end portions of the curved portions 61d and 62d follow the introduction surfaces formed at both ends of the power transmission surface 42 of the intermediate members 40a and 40b. Placed in. That is, the circulation path formed by the curved portions 61c and 62c and both end portions of the curvature portions 61d and 62d is a circulation path when the rolling element 50 moves on the introduction surface. The circulation path is connected so as to be smoothly continuous with the circulation path formed by the straight portions 61a and 62a and the straight portions 61b and 62d. Further, gaps are formed between the curved portions 61c and 62c and the both ends of the curved portions 61d and 62d forming the circulation path and the introduction surface. In addition, naturally the clearance gap is formed between the both ends of the curved parts 61c and 62c and the curved parts 61d and 62d which form the said circulation path, and the side surface of the track groove 11. FIG.

  Then, depending on the relationship between the shape and the separation distance of the axial end surfaces 44 and 45 of each intermediate member 40a and 40b and the shape and the separation distance of the U-shaped bottom surface of the connection portions 63 and 64 and the separation distance, The intermediate members 40a and 40b are provided between the connecting portions 63 and 64 so that 64 restricts the relative movement of the intermediate members 40a and 40b in the axial direction of the outer ring 10 (vertical direction in FIG. 8A). However, since the intermediate members 40 a and 40 b are not restricted in the radial direction of the outer ring 10 (the vertical direction in FIG. 8B) with respect to the cage 60, the intermediate members 40 a and 40 b are separated from the cage 60. Can be moved in the radial direction (vertical direction in FIG. 8B). That is, the cage 60 does not contact the side surfaces of the pair of intermediate members 40 and the raceway grooves 11 in the power transmission direction.

  The operation of the constant velocity joint 1 described above will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 9 is a view seen from the opening side of the outer ring 10 in a state where a joint angle is added to the constant velocity joint 1. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line F-F in FIG. 9. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line GG in FIG.

  When the outer ring 10 whose one end is connected to the differential gear receives power and rotates, each tripod shaft portion 22 transmits power through each roller unit 30 fitted in the raceway groove 11, and the tripod 20. The intermediate shaft connecting the two parts rotates at a constant speed. At this time, if the joint angle is not 0 deg, the tripod 20 rotates around the intermediate shaft while being inclined by the joint angle with respect to the rotation axis orthogonal cross section of the outer ring 10. Therefore, when viewed from the side surface of the raceway groove 11, the tripod shaft portion 22 reciprocates in the extending direction of the raceway groove 11 and swings with respect to the raceway groove 11 as the outer ring 10 and the tripod 20 rotate. To do.

  Further, as described above, the tripod 20 is inclined by the joint angle with respect to the rotation axis orthogonal cross section of the outer ring 10, so the angle formed by the tripod shaft parts 22 when viewed from the rotation axis direction of the outer ring 10 is Varies depending on the phase of the intermediate shaft. Therefore, since the three tripod shaft portions 22 are respectively accommodated in the raceway grooves 11, the rotation shaft of the shaft connecting the tripod 20 rotates eccentrically relative to the rotation shaft of the outer ring 10. Therefore, the end of the tripod shaft 22 reciprocates in the radial direction of the outer ring 10 as the outer ring 10 and the tripod 20 rotate.

  Here, the tripod contact surfaces 41 of the pair of intermediate members 40 a and 40 b constituting the roller unit 30 are fitted to the tripod shaft portion 22 so as to be swingable. Further, the pair of intermediate members 40 a and 40 b are regulated in the axial direction of the outer ring 10 by the cage 60 constituting the roller unit 30. Furthermore, the cage 60 is fitted in the raceway groove 11. Therefore, the cage 60 can move in the extending direction of the track groove 11 with respect to the track groove 11, but the inclination with respect to the track groove 11 is substantially constant. And the rolling element 50 has circulated through the outer periphery of a pair of intermediate member 40a, 40b.

  Accordingly, the rolling element 50 has the raceway groove 11 with respect to the raceway groove 11 and the power transmission surface 42 between the power transmission surface 42 of the member on the power transmission side of the intermediate members 40 a and 40 b and the side surface of the raceway groove 11. Rolls without sliding in the stretching direction.

  By the way, the outer ring 10 or the intermediate shaft is not connected to the vehicle when transporting the sliding tripod type constant velocity joint for mounting on the vehicle. Due to these, external force may be applied so that the joint angle is larger than the joint angle when the vehicle is mounted. For this reason, the roller unit 30 may be damaged due to the contact between the intermediate shaft and the roller unit 30 during transportation or assembly to the vehicle. Therefore, it is necessary to regulate the joint angle so that the intermediate shaft and the roller unit 30 do not come into contact with each other during conveyance of the constant velocity joint.

  Here, in the reference posture, the tip portions of the three tripod shaft portions 22 are set so as not to contact the groove bottom surface of the raceway groove 11. Then, the intermediate shaft is tilted with respect to the rotation axis of the outer ring 10 so as to add the joint angle from the reference posture state where the joint angle is 0 deg. Specifically, the phase shifted by 30 degrees clockwise with respect to the central axis of the lower left tripod shaft portion 22 in FIG. 9, that is, the intermediate shaft is tilted with respect to the outer ring 10 to the left side in FIG. Append. Then, since the intermediate shaft rotates eccentrically with respect to the outer ring 10 as described above, the tripod 20 moves upward in FIG. At this time, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the tripod shaft portion 22 located in the upper part of the figure moves upward in FIGS. 9 and 10, that is, in a direction approaching the groove bottom surface of the raceway groove 11. In this embodiment, the tripod shaft portion 22 moves upward in FIGS. 9 and 10 until the tip portion comes into contact with the groove bottom surface of the track groove 11. Therefore, the contact between the tip of the tripod shaft 22 and the groove bottom surface of the raceway groove 11 can be regulated so that no further joint angle is added.

  As described above, since the tip of the tripod shaft portion 22 is set so as to contact the groove bottom surface of the raceway groove 11, it is restricted so that the joint angle is not added any more. That is, the intermediate shaft does not tilt even if an external force that adds a joint angle to the intermediate shaft is applied from the state where the tip of the tripod shaft portion 22 and the groove bottom surface of the raceway groove 11 are in contact with each other.

  In the state where the joint angle is regulated by the contact between the tip of the tripod shaft 22 and the groove bottom surface of the raceway groove 11, the intermediate shaft is not in contact with the cage 60 as shown in FIG. 11. Therefore, breakage of the cage 60 due to contact between the intermediate shaft and the cage 60 can be prevented.

  In the reference posture, a predetermined joint angle to be regulated can be set by the distance between the tip of the tripod shaft portion 22 and the groove bottom surface of the raceway groove 11 into which the tip is inserted. This can be set as appropriate depending on the shape of the tip of the tripod shaft 22, the size of the roller unit 30 and the intermediate shaft, the radius of eccentric rotation of the intermediate shaft as described above, and the like. In this way, it is possible to prevent the roller unit 30 from being damaged while securing the joint angle required when the vehicle is mounted.

  Further, since the pair of intermediate members are independent from each other, even if the load position by the tripod shaft portion 22 generated on the power transmission side is changed, the operation of the intermediate member 40a (40b) on the power transmission side The operation of the intermediate member 40b (40a) on the side is not affected. Therefore, since the back side of the roller unit 30 can be prevented from applying a large force to the raceway groove, the generation of the induced thrust force can be greatly reduced. Further, since the rolling element 50 is a cylindrical needle, the needle abuts against the side surface of the raceway groove 11 of the outer ring 10 in the cylindrical axis direction to transmit power, so that the roller unit 30 has a small rotational play as a whole. Stable power transmission.

<Second embodiment>
The constant velocity joint of 2nd embodiment is demonstrated with reference to FIGS. FIG. 12 is a view seen from the opening side of the outer ring 10 in a state where a joint angle is added to the constant velocity joint 101 of the second embodiment. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line HH in FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line JJ of FIG.

  Here, the constant velocity joint 101 of the second embodiment is mainly different in that the shapes of the tripod shaft portion 22 and the intermediate member 40 of the constant velocity joint 1 of the first embodiment are changed. Only the differences will be described below.

  In the constant velocity joint 1 of the first embodiment, the tip portion of the tripod shaft portion 22 is formed at the groove bottom surface of the track groove 11 at a predetermined joint angle so that the intermediate shaft and the roller unit 30 do not contact when the intermediate shaft is tilted. The joint angle was regulated. On the other hand, the constant velocity joint 101 of the second embodiment can regulate the joint angle by bringing the intermediate member 140 into contact with the groove bottom surface of the raceway groove 11 at a predetermined joint angle.

  Specifically, the tripod 120 of the second embodiment includes a boss portion 21 and three tripod shaft portions 122. The boss portion 21 is the same as that of the first embodiment. The tripod shaft part 122 is set to have a shorter length in the tripod shaft direction than the tripod shaft part 22 of the first embodiment. That is, when the joint angle is added from the reference posture in which the joint angle is 0 deg, the tip portion of the tripod shaft portion 122 is not in contact with the groove bottom surface of the raceway groove 11.

  The intermediate member 240 of the second embodiment has a shape obtained by extending the intermediate member 40 of the first embodiment outward in the radial direction of the outer ring 10. That is, in the reference posture, in the first embodiment, the tripod shaft portion 22 protrudes outward in the radial direction of the outer ring 10 from the roller unit 30, and the intermediate member 40 has a diameter of the outer ring 10 from the roller unit 30. It was formed so as not to protrude outward in the direction. On the other hand, in the reference posture, in the second embodiment, the tripod shaft portion 122 does not protrude outward in the radial direction of the outer ring 10 from the roller unit 30, and the intermediate member 140 has a diameter of the outer ring 10 from the roller unit 30. It was formed so as to protrude outward in the direction.

  Here, the tripod contact surfaces of the pair of members 140a and 140b constituting the intermediate member 140 are formed in a spherical concave shape in substantially the same manner as the tripod contact surface 41 in the first embodiment. That is, the tripod shaft portion 122 and the intermediate member 140 are spherically fitted.

  Therefore, when the tripod shaft 122 reciprocates in the radial direction of the outer ring 10 with respect to the raceway groove 11, the intermediate member 140 moves with the reciprocation of the tripod shaft 122 relative to the raceway groove 11. That is, when the tripod shaft portion 122 moves outward in the radial direction of the outer ring 10, the intermediate member 140 similarly moves outward in the radial direction of the outer ring 10.

  Then, the intermediate shaft is tilted with respect to the rotation axis of the outer ring 10 so as to add the joint angle from the reference posture state where the joint angle is 0 deg. Specifically, the phase shifted by 30 degrees clockwise with respect to the central axis of the lower left tripod shaft 122 in FIG. 12, that is, the joint shaft is tilted to the outer ring 10 to the left in FIG. Append. Then, as described above, since the intermediate shaft rotates eccentrically with respect to the outer ring 10, the tripod 120 moves upward in FIG. At this time, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the tripod shaft portion 122 positioned above the drawing moves in the direction above FIGS. 12 and 13, that is, the direction approaching the groove bottom surface of the raceway groove 11. With this operation, the intermediate member 140 located above FIGS. 12 and 13 moves in the direction approaching the groove bottom surface of the raceway groove 11 above FIG. 12 and FIG.

  In the present embodiment, the intermediate member 140 moves upward in FIGS. 9 and 10 along with the operation of the tripod shaft portion 122 until the intermediate member 140 comes into contact with the groove bottom surface of the raceway groove 11. Therefore, the contact between the intermediate member 140 and the groove bottom surface of the raceway groove 11 can be regulated so that no further joint angle is added.

  Thus, since the intermediate member 140 is set so as to come into contact with the groove bottom surface of the raceway groove 11, it is restricted so that the joint angle is not added any more. That is, even if an external force that adds a joint angle to the intermediate shaft is applied from a state in which the intermediate member 140 and the groove bottom surface of the raceway groove 11 are in contact, the intermediate shaft does not tilt.

  In a state where the joint angle is regulated by the contact between the intermediate member 140 and the groove bottom surface of the raceway groove 11, the intermediate shaft is not in contact with the cage 60 as shown in FIG. 14. Therefore, breakage of the cage 60 due to contact between the intermediate shaft and the cage 60 can be prevented.

  In this way, it is possible to prevent the roller unit 130 from being damaged while securing a joint angle required when the vehicle is mounted. If the intermediate member 140 is lighter than the tripod shaft 122, the overall weight can be reduced while restricting the maximum joint angle.

<Others>
As another aspect, in the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the intermediate member 40 (140) is composed of a pair of members, but may be integrally formed. In this case, it is excellent in terms of productivity and ease of assembly. However, when the intermediate member 40 (140) is constituted by a pair of independent members, it contributes to a reduction in generation of induced thrust force.

  Further, although the rolling element 50 is a needle, it may be a spherical body or a barrel-shaped roller. However, in the second embodiment, when the rolling element 50 is a sphere or a barrel-shaped roller, a configuration that can slide between the intermediate member 140 and the rolling element is not suitable. It is preferable to employ a member. With such a configuration, when the intermediate shaft tilts and the tripod shaft portion 122 moves close to the bottom surface of the raceway groove 11, the pair of intermediate members 140 are separated from each other in conjunction with this. Therefore, the power transmission surface 42 of the intermediate members 140a and 140b presses the rolling element against the concave groove on the side surface of the raceway groove 11, whereby the joint angle can be restricted.

1st embodiment: It is the figure seen from the opening side of the outer ring | wheel 10 in the one part assembly state of the constant velocity joint 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is a radial sectional view of a part of the constant velocity joint 1. 3 is a perspective view of a roller unit 30. FIG. (A) It is a top view of the roller unit 30, (b) It is AA sectional drawing (sectional view on the short diameter side) of the roller unit 30, (c) BB partial sectional view (long diameter) of the roller unit 30 FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one pair of intermediate members 40. FIG. (A) It is a front view of the intermediate member 40, (b) It is a side view of the intermediate member 40, (c) It is a C direction arrow view of the intermediate member 40. 3 is a perspective view of a cage 60. FIG. (A) It is a top view of cage 60, (b) It is DD sectional view (sectional view on the short diameter side) of cage 60, (c) EE sectional view (long diameter side) of cage 60 FIG. It is the figure seen from the opening side of the outer ring | wheel 10 in the state which added the joint angle to the constant velocity joint 1. FIG. It is FF sectional drawing of FIG. It is GG sectional drawing of FIG. 2nd embodiment: It is the figure seen from the opening side of the outer ring | wheel 10 in the state which added the joint angle to the constant velocity joint 101. FIG. It is HH sectional drawing of FIG. It is JJ sectional drawing of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,101: Constant velocity joint 10: Outer ring, 11: Track groove 20, 120: Tripod, 21: Boss part, 21a: Inner periphery spline 22, 122: Tripod shaft part 30, 130: Roller unit 40, 140: Intermediate member 40a, 40b, 140a, 140b: each intermediate member 41: tripod contact surface, 42: power transmission surface, 44, 45: axial end surface 50, 150: rolling element, 51: cylindrical portion, 52: small diameter shaft portion 60 : Retainer 61, 62: Circulation path forming member 61a, 61b, 62a, 62b: Straight part 61c, 61d, 62c, 62d: Curved part, 63, 64: Connection part

Claims (8)

An outer ring having a cylindrical shape and formed with three raceway grooves extending in the outer ring rotation axis direction on the inner peripheral surface;
A boss portion coupled to the shaft, and three tripod shaft portions that are erected so as to extend radially outward of the boss portion from the outer peripheral surface of the boss portion and are inserted into the raceway grooves, respectively. Tripod,
A roller unit provided so as to be swingable with respect to the tripod shaft portion, and capable of rolling along a side surface of the raceway groove;
A sliding tripod type constant velocity joint comprising:
A posture in which the outer ring rotation axis and the rotation axis of the shaft coincide with each other is defined as a reference posture,
In the reference posture, the three tripod shaft portions are set so that the tip portions thereof do not contact the groove bottom surface of the raceway groove,
When the shaft is tilted with respect to the outer ring rotating shaft so as to add a joint angle from the state of the reference posture, at least one of the tip portions of the three tripod shaft portions is a groove of the raceway groove. A sliding tripod type constant velocity joint characterized in that the joint angle is regulated by contacting the bottom surface.   When the shaft is tilted, the shaft and all the roller units are in contact with each other in a state in which at least one tip of the three tripod shaft portions is in contact with the bottom surface of the raceway groove. The sliding tripod type constant velocity joint according to claim 1, wherein the constant velocity joint is not provided. In the state of the reference posture, when the tilting of the shaft is performed to a phase shifted by 30 deg from the central axis direction of any of the tripod shaft portions in the circumferential direction of the outer ring, at least of the three tripod shaft portions One of the tip portions contacts the groove bottom surface of the raceway groove,
3. The sliding tripod type according to claim 2, wherein the shaft and all of the roller units are not in contact with each other in a state in which the tip of the tripod shaft and the groove bottom surface of the raceway groove are in contact with each other. Constant velocity joint. The roller unit is
A plurality of rolling elements provided between the side surface of the raceway groove and the outer peripheral surface of the tripod shaft part so as to be rollable along the side surface of the raceway groove;
A cage that supports the rolling element such that the rolling element can circulate around the outer periphery of the tripod shaft;
With
The sliding tripod constant velocity joint according to claim 2 or 3, wherein a joint angle is regulated without contact between the shaft and the cage. An outer ring having a cylindrical shape and formed with three raceway grooves extending in the outer ring rotation axis direction on the inner peripheral surface;
A boss portion coupled to the shaft, and three tripod shaft portions that are erected so as to extend radially outward of the boss portion from the outer peripheral surface of the boss portion and are inserted into the raceway grooves, respectively. Tripod,
An intermediate member provided on the outer periphery of the tripod shaft portion so as to be swingable with respect to the tripod shaft portion, and having a power transmission surface facing the side surface of the raceway groove on the outer surface;
A plurality of rolling elements provided between the side surface of the raceway groove and the power transmission surface so as to roll along the side surface of the raceway groove;
A cage that supports the rolling element such that the rolling element can circulate around the outer periphery of the intermediate member;
A sliding tripod type constant velocity joint comprising:
The intermediate member moves with the reciprocating motion of the tripod shaft portion with respect to the raceway groove when the tripod shaft portion reciprocates in the radial direction of the outer ring with respect to the raceway groove,
A posture in which the outer ring rotation axis and the rotation axis of the shaft coincide with each other is defined as a reference posture,
In the reference posture, each of the intermediate members is set so as not to contact the groove bottom surface of the raceway groove,
When the shaft is tilted with respect to the outer ring rotation shaft so as to add a joint angle from the state of the reference posture, at least one of the intermediate members contacts the groove bottom surface of the raceway groove, Sliding tripod type constant velocity joint, characterized in that the angle is regulated.   When the tilting of the shaft is performed, the shaft and all the cages are not in contact with each other in a state where at least one of the intermediate members is in contact with the groove bottom surface of the raceway groove. The sliding tripod constant velocity joint according to claim 5. When the shaft is tilted to a phase shifted by 30 deg from the central axis direction of any of the tripod shafts in the reference posture in the circumferential direction of the outer ring, at least one of the intermediate members is Contact the bottom of the raceway groove,
The sliding tripod constant velocity joint according to claim 6, wherein the shaft and all the cages are not in contact with each other in a state where the intermediate member and the groove bottom surface of the raceway groove are in contact with each other.   The joint angle to be regulated is set to be larger than a joint angle when the sliding tripod constant velocity joint is mounted on a vehicle. The sliding tripod type constant velocity joint as described.

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