JP3583190B2 - Boot for constant velocity joint with adapter - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Industrial applications]
The present invention relates to a constant velocity joint boot mainly used for a propeller shaft of an automobile. More specifically, the present invention includes an adapter having one end fixed to a drive shaft of a constant velocity joint, and an adapter holding the other end of the bellows and one end fixed to an outer ring of the constant velocity joint. The present invention relates to a structure of an adapter for a constant velocity joint boot.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The constant velocity joint boot with an adapter having such a structure usually includes a metal adapter and a rubber bellows, and is generally used at a small operating angle. For example, it is mainly used for constant velocity joints of propeller shafts of FR vehicles and four-wheel drive vehicles. Generally, the operating angle of the constant velocity joint of the propeller shaft is relatively small (about 12 ° at the maximum), and the diameter of the metal adapter supporting the other end of the bellows is relatively small. The adapter has a flange portion formed at a base end portion, and the flange portion is attached to the outer ring so as to be mounted across the outer ring of the constant velocity joint and the drive shaft.
[0003]
However, in some cases, it may be necessary to set a larger operating angle. In this case, the conventional constant-velocity joint boot with an adapter expands the distal end side of the adapter 7 as shown in FIG. For example, the front end side of the flange portion 7a of the metal adapter 7 is expanded by drawing or the like. In the drawing, reference numeral 7c denotes a portion subjected to drawing processing, and the tip 7d of the adapter 7 is bent inward and caulked, and the other end of the bellows 8 is held. The diameter is increased from the narrowed portion 7c to the caulked portion 7d.
[0004]
In the boot 3, the tip of the bellows 8 is fitted to the drive shaft 6 of the constant velocity joint 1, and is fixed by an appropriate tightening band 9. The adapter 7 of the boot 3 is fixed by abutting the flange portion 7 a and the folded portion at the tip so as to fit into the outer ring 4 of the constant velocity joint 1.
[0005]
A seal is formed between the end face of the outer race 4 and the flange portion 7a in contact with the end face to prevent the grease filled in the boot from flowing out. The contact between the outer ring 4 and the inner ring 5 is smoothly performed by grease.
[0006]
Here, since the diameter of the adapter 7 of the boot 3 is increased from the base end to the tip end, even if the inner race 5 and the drive shaft 6 rotate at a relatively large angle with respect to the outer race 4, the drive shaft 6 and the bellows The rotation is performed without the interference of the adapter 8 with the adapter 7.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when the diameter is increased by drawing or the like from the vicinity of the flange 7a of the adapter 7 to the distal end thereof, a considerably large drawing amount is required in order to sufficiently secure the size of the sealing surface 7b of the flange 7a. . For this reason, when the adapter 7 is formed, there is a possibility that the sealing surface 7b of the flange portion 7a may be distorted, flatness may not be secured, and the sealing function may not be sufficiently exhibited.
[0008]
In addition, drawing is difficult, and when the drawing amount is large, a predetermined shape cannot be obtained by a single processing, so that it is necessary to apply the processing many times, and the forming process becomes complicated and processing costs increase. is there.
[0009]
In view of the above, the present invention provides a constant velocity joint boot in which the sealing function of the flange portion is sufficiently ensured even when the diameter of the distal end portion of the adapter is enlarged, and the working work at the time of manufacturing is not difficult. The purpose is.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve this object, the present invention comprises a bellows having one end fixed to a drive shaft of a constant velocity joint, and an adapter holding the other end of the bellows and one end fixed to an outer ring of the constant velocity joint. In a constant velocity joint boot with an adapter, the adapter is a common adapter having one end attached to the outer ring of the constant velocity joint and having an engagement means on the other end, and one end holding the other end of the bellows and the other end. And an exchange adapter provided with an engagement means, and are integrated by connecting the engagement means of the common adapter and the exchange adapter.
[0011]
Further, according to the present invention, a slope is formed in the vicinity of the engagement means of the exchange adapter so as to increase in diameter as the distance from the engagement means increases.
[0012]
Further, in the present invention, a sealing means is interposed between the engaging means of the shared adapter and the exchange adapter.
[0013]
In the present invention, a spring washer is interposed between the tip of the exchange adapter and the common adapter.
[0014]
Further, in the present invention, the engagement means between the shared adapter and the exchange adapter is a screw.
[0015]
Further, in the present invention, the engagement means of the common adapter and the exchange adapter is composed of a convex portion and a concave portion, and is engaged by fitting both adapters.
[0016]
Further, in the present invention, the engagement means between the shared adapter and the exchange adapter is constituted by an annular convex portion and a concave portion extending along the circumferential direction, and is engaged by fitting both adapters.
[0017]
[Action]
Therefore, the common adapter that forms the seal surface is formed by press working or the like separately from the replacement adapter that needs to have a larger diameter due to a change in the operating angle, so that the flatness can be ensured with high accuracy. In addition, the exchange adapter does not need to consider the sealing surface and can use simple drawing instead of complicated drawing such as U-shape. Then, the separately manufactured common adapter and the exchange adapter are engaged with each other by the engagement means and connected, whereby the adapter is integrally assembled.
[0018]
Here, when the engagement means is a screw, the adapter is easily assembled by screwing the shared adapter and the replacement adapter. In the case where the engaging means is uneven or streaky uneven extending in the circumferential direction, the adapter can be easily assembled by fitting and inserting the common adapter and the replacement adapter.
[0019]
Further, in the case where sealing means is formed at a contact portion between the flange portion of the adapter and the outer ring, leakage of grease from between the flange portion and the outer ring is reliably prevented. And, when the liquid seal is provided between the engagement means of the common adapter and the exchange adapter, it is possible to reliably prevent the grease from leaking from between the common adapter and the exchange adapter.
[0020]
Further, when a slope is formed near the engagement means of the exchange adapter, the diameter of which increases as the distance from the engagement means increases, even if grease filling the boot attempts to leak out of the engagement means, the slope is formed by centrifugal force acting on the grease. It is pushed radially outward on the top.
[0021]
Further, when a spring washer is provided between the common adapter and the exchange adapter, the common adapter and the exchange adapter are constantly pressed in a direction in which they are separated from each other. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the engagement means from being loosened due to vibration or the like, and to reliably prevent the leakage of grease.
[0022]
【Example】
Hereinafter, the configuration of the present invention will be described in detail based on an embodiment shown in the drawings. In this embodiment, a boot adapter suitable for a constant velocity joint mounted on a propeller shaft of an automobile is described.
[0023]
FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a boot with an adapter according to the present invention. The boot includes a bellows 26 having one end fixed to the drive shaft 20 of the constant velocity joint 10, and an adapter 25 holding the other end of the bellows 26 and having one end fixed to the outer ring 18 of the constant velocity joint 10. It is configured. The adapter 25 has one end attached to the outer ring 18 of the constant velocity joint 10 and has an engagement means 22c at the other end, and has the other end of the bellows 26 at one end and the other end at the other end. It is composed of two members, an exchange adapter 24 having an engagement means 24a. Then, the common adapter 22 and the exchange adapter 24 are integrated by connecting the engagement means 22c and 24a. In the drawings, reference numeral 12 denotes a joint body, and reference numeral 16 denotes an inner ring. The common adapter 22 and the exchange adapter 24 are preferably made of metal or synthetic resin.
[0024]
The substantially cylindrical common adapter 22 has a flange portion 22a formed at the base end thereof, and is fixed by fitting the flange portion 22a to the outer ring 18 of the constant velocity joint 10 and screwing it. A seal surface 22b that forms a seal with the end surface of the outer ring 18 is formed on the surface of the flange portion 22a that contacts the end surface of the outer ring 18. The flange portion 22 a is provided with a turn around the periphery thereof so as to be fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the outer race 18.
[0025]
As shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 2, a male screw portion 22c as an engagement means is formed at a distal end portion of the common adapter 22, and a stopper portion is provided at a base end portion of the male screw portion 22c. 22d are formed. The stopper portion 22d is brought into contact with the tip of the exchange adapter 24 to prevent the exchange adapter 24 from moving and forms a seal with the exchange adapter 24. The outer peripheral surface of the exchange adapter 24 has a roughened surface to facilitate screwing into the common adapter 22, and is provided so as not to slip.
[0026]
On the other hand, the exchange adapter 24 has a female screw portion 24a as an engagement means formed at a base end thereof. The female screw portion 24a can be screwed to the male screw portion 22c of the common adapter 22. The other end of the bellows 26 is held at the tip of the exchange adapter 24. The connection between the exchange adapter 24 and the bellows 26 is performed by bending the leading edge 24b of the exchange adapter 24 inward and holding the edge of the bellows 26 while caulking. In the case of the present embodiment, the exchange adapter 24 is enlarged in diameter so as to form a conical surface from the female screw portion 24a on the proximal end side to the distal end edge 24b. However, the shape and the like of the exchange adapter 24 are not particularly limited to those illustrated, and the shape and dimensions are set as needed. For example, when the operating angle of the constant velocity joint is set to a general maximum of 12 ° or less, the joint is formed into a substantially straight cylindrical shape, and if necessary, the diameter can be reduced.
[0027]
Further, the bellows 26 supported on the distal end edge 24b of the exchange adapter 24 is folded in the middle and curved so as to approach the joint body 12 once, and the distal end portion is mounted on the drive shaft 20, and the tightening band 28 and the like are provided. To the drive shaft 20.
[0028]
According to the constant velocity joint boot with an adapter of the present embodiment configured as described above, the adapter 25 is composed of two members, the common adapter 22 and the exchange adapter 24, and each can be manufactured relatively easily. For this reason, compared with a structure using a single member that requires several drawing operations, it can be easily manufactured with extremely small processing, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.
[0029]
In addition, since the exchange adapter 24 can be formed into a substantially cylindrical shape, even when the diameter of the exchange adapter 24 is increased only at the distal end side, it can be performed by a simple operation of expanding the diameter without folding or orthogonal bending. Further, since the common adapter 22 having the flange portion 22a is also manufactured independently, high-precision processing can be performed. Therefore, the sealing function of the sealing surface 22b formed on the flange portion 22a can be sufficiently ensured, and leakage of grease in the boot can be reliably prevented.
[0030]
The boots are connected and integrated by screwing male and female screw portions 22c and 24a as engagement means between the exchange adapter 24 and the common adapter 22. After that, the flange portion 22a of the common adapter 22 and the distal end of the bellows 26 are fastened to the outer ring 18 and the drive shaft 20 of the constant velocity joint 10, and mounted in a grease sealed state. Preferably, a liquid seal or the like is applied between the male screw part 22c and the female screw part 24a at the time of screwing, so that the sealing property between the common adapter 22 and the replacement adapter 24 is improved, and the grease is leaked. Is prevented.
[0031]
When the operating angle of the constant velocity joint is set to a small value, it is not necessary to widen the end of the adapter 25, but rather it is preferable to make the diameter smaller, so that a substantially cylindrical exchange adapter 24 is employed. In this case, the same adapter can be used as the common adapter 22, so that the production cost can be reduced. That is, according to the present embodiment, since the exchange adapter 24 having the caulking portion 24b is a single member, the exchange adapter having an appropriate shape according to the size of the angle that the drive shaft 20 can take with respect to the driven shaft. 24 can be selected. That is, if the diameter of the female screw portion 24a is substantially constant and a plurality of replacement adapters in which the diameter of the caulking portion 24b is appropriately changed are prepared in advance, an appropriate replacement adapter can be selected. For this reason, it is possible to easily attach an adapter having a large size without waste.
[0032]
The above embodiment is an example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but is not limited thereto, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the common adapter 22 is provided with a male screw portion 22c and a stopper portion 22d, the replacement adapter 24 is provided with a female screw portion 24a, and the female screw portion 24a is provided with a male screw portion. Although the base portion of the exchange adapter 24 is screwed to the portion 22c so as to abut the stopper portion 22d, another structure may be used.
[0033]
For example, as shown in FIG. 3, a structure in which the spring washer 30 is sandwiched between the base end of the replacement adapter 24 and the stopper 22d may be employed. According to this structure, the gap between the male screw part 22c and the female screw part 24a is substantially closely adhered because the base part of the exchange adapter 24 and the stopper part 22d are pressed in the direction in which they are separated. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the grease from leaking from between the common adapter 22 and the exchange adapter 24 and to prevent the male screw portion 22c and the female screw portion 24a from being loosened.
[0034]
Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the engagement means may be a combination of an annular ridge and a ridge. That is, the common adapter 32 is provided with a projection 32a as an annular engagement projection, and a groove 34a as an annular engagement recess is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the base end of the exchange adapter 34. The end may be fitted to the tip of the common adapter 32 so that the protrusion 32a is engaged with the groove 34a. According to this structure, the work of the combination of the shared adapter 32 and the exchange adapter 34 can be easily performed by simply pushing in. In particular, if a plurality of projections 32a are provided, and the projections 32a are made smaller toward the distal end side of the common adapter 32, a structure that can be easily fitted, hardly detached, and hardly leaks grease can be obtained. it can.
[0035]
Further, according to the above-described structure, the common adapter 32 and the exchange adapter 34 are rotatable with respect to each other. Therefore, if necessary, the common adapter 32 and the exchange adapter 34 are shifted in the rotational direction, and the bellows 26 are twisted. This can be eliminated when the user has a problem.
[0036]
Further, the engagement means may be a combination of irregularities as shown in FIGS. That is, an engagement protrusion 36a as an engagement protrusion is formed at an appropriate position around the distal end of the common adapter 36, and an engagement hole 38a as an engagement recess is provided on the inner side surface of the base end of the exchange adapter 38. Alternatively, the proximal end of the exchange adapter 38 may be fitted to the distal end of the common adapter 36 so that the engagement protrusion 36a is engaged with the engagement hole 38a. According to this structure, the work of combining the common adapter 36 and the exchange adapter 38 can be easily performed. If a plurality of engaging protrusions 36a are provided, and the engaging protrusion 36a on the distal end side of the common adapter 36 is made small, A structure that can be easily mounted and hardly detached can be obtained. In this case, when the common adapter and the exchange adapter are attached, the fitting can be facilitated by making the unevenness on the front side smaller than that on the back side.
[0037]
Further, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, on the inner peripheral surface near the engagement means of the exchange adapters 34, 38, there are formed sloped portions 34b, 38b which are separated from the engagement means 34a or 38a and whose diameter is enlarged. It can also be structured. According to this structure, the grease near the contact portion between the common adapters 32 and 36 and the exchange adapters 34 and 38 is pushed back in a direction away from the engagement means by centrifugal force when the boot 14 rotates. For this reason, the grease is prevented from leaking from the engagement means of both adapters.
[0038]
In addition, a structure in which the fitting relationship and structure between the shared adapters 22, 32, 36 and the exchange adapters 24, 34, 38 in each of the above-described embodiments can be reversed. For example, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a structure in which a female screw portion is formed in the common adapter 22 and a male screw portion is formed in the replacement adapter 24 can be used. Further, a structure in which a stopper portion is formed on the exchange adapter 24 may be employed. Further, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a groove or an engagement hole can be formed in the common adapter 32, 36, and a protrusion or an engagement protrusion can be formed in the exchange adapters 34, 38. For this reason, an appropriate processing method can be selected according to the shape of each adapter, and the manufacturing operation can be performed efficiently.
[0039]
【The invention's effect】
As is clear from the above description, according to the boot for the constant velocity joint with the adapter according to the present invention, since the adapter is composed of two members, the common adapter and the exchange adapter, for example, only the tip of the adapter needs to be expanded. Even in such a case, an adapter having such a shape can be easily manufactured with a small number of processing steps. In addition, since the common adapter that is attached to the outer ring of the constant velocity joint and forms a seal is a single member that does not need to be expanded, the fabrication process is easy, and the surface in contact with the outer ring The flatness can be obtained with high accuracy, and the sealing function of the sealing means can be sufficiently ensured.
[0040]
Furthermore, in the case of the invention of claim 2, even if the grease moves to the connecting portion between the common adapter and the exchange adapter, it can be prevented from being pushed back by the centrifugal force and leaking out from that portion.
[0041]
Furthermore, in the case of the invention of claim 3, it is possible to more reliably prevent the grease from leaking from the connecting portion after the adapter is integrated.
[0042]
Furthermore, in the case of the invention of claim 4, even after the common adapter and the exchange adapter are connected and integrated, they are always pressed in opposite directions, so that there is no slack between the two adapters and the grease can be prevented from leaking. .
[0043]
Furthermore, according to the fifth, sixth, and seventh aspects of the present invention, the common adapter and the exchange adapter can be easily connected and integrated.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view showing an embodiment of a constant velocity joint boot according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a part of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a partially omitted cross-sectional view in which a part of another embodiment is enlarged.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of another embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a partially omitted cross-sectional view in which a part of another embodiment is enlarged.
6A and 6B are schematic front views showing the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, wherein FIG. 6A shows a proximal end of an exchange adapter, and FIG. 6B shows a distal end of a shared adapter.
FIG. 7 is a schematic sectional view showing a conventional constant velocity joint boot.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Constant velocity joint 12 Joint body 14 Boot 16 Inner ring 18 Outer ring 20 Drive shaft 22 Shared adapter 22a Flange part 22b Seal surface 22c Male screw part 24 Exchange adapter 24a Female screw part 25 Adapter 26 Bellows 30 Spring washer 32 Shared adapter 32a Projection ( Engagement projection)
34 Replacement adapter 34a Groove (engaging recess)
36 Shared adapter 36a Engagement protrusion (engagement protrusion)
38 Exchange adapter 38a Engagement hole (engagement recess)

Claims (7)

A boot for a constant velocity joint with an adapter, comprising: a bellows having one end fixed to a drive shaft of the constant velocity joint; and an adapter holding the other end of the bellows and having one end fixed to an outer ring of the constant velocity joint. A common adapter having one end attached to the outer ring of the constant velocity joint and having an engagement means on the other end side, and a replacement adapter having one end holding the other end of the bellows and having an engagement means on the other end side. A constant velocity joint boot with an adapter, wherein the boot is composed of two members, an adapter and integrated by connecting the engagement means of the shared adapter and the replacement adapter. 2. The constant velocity joint boot with an adapter according to claim 1, wherein a slope is formed in the vicinity of the engaging means of the replacement adapter, the slope being increased in diameter as the distance from the engaging means increases. 3. The boot for a constant velocity joint with an adapter according to claim 1, wherein a sealing means is interposed between the engaging means of the common adapter and the exchange adapter. The constant velocity joint boot with an adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a spring washer is interposed between a tip of the exchange adapter and the common adapter. The boot for a constant velocity joint with an adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the engagement means between the shared adapter and the replacement adapter is a screw. 5. The constant velocity joint with an adapter according to claim 1, wherein the engagement means of the common adapter and the exchange adapter includes a convex portion and a concave portion, and is engaged by fitting both adapters. 6. boots. The engaging means of the common adapter and the exchange adapter comprises a convex part and a concave part along a circumferential direction, and engages by fitting both adapters. For constant velocity joints with an adapter.

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