JP4170716B2 - Transmission joint spider assembly and corresponding transmission joint - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a spider assembly for a transmission joint and a corresponding transmission joint.
[0002]
The subject of the present invention is to rotate and slide on each arm via a ring of needles, a hub adapted to be connected to a shaft projecting a plurality of arms each having a cylindrical runway surface A spider assembly for a transmission joint, comprising a roller mounted in such a way that it can and a member that holds the ring of each roller and needle on an arm.
[0003]
The present invention is particularly applicable to a constant-velocity tripot joint used in an automobile transmission.
[0004]
[Prior art]
[Patent Document 1]
French Patent No. 2434297 [Patent Document 2]
French Patent No. 2795467 [Patent Document 3]
US Pat. No. 4,224,806 [Patent Document 4]
US Pat. No. 2,234,296 [Patent Document 5]
In these transmission joints, the rollers are captured in the track of the female element of the joint when the joint is assembled. As a result, the roller cannot be removed from its arm once the joint has been assembled. However, it is often necessary to deliver spiders with rollers and needles on the one hand and female elements on the other hand, and the assembly takes place on the vehicle assembly line. Therefore, it is appropriate to provide means for holding each roller on the arm.
[0005]
The current technology used to hold the rollers, for example the current technology of GI type joints on the market by GKN GLENZER SPICER, has an axial retaining ring that simultaneously incorporates the functions of holding the needle and holding the roller. used.
[0006]
Thus, the portion of the ring that holds the needle is circular and closed, while the portion that holds the roller has one or more nibs that protrude radially outward. . This ring is mounted on the arm so as to be axially and angularly free. This ring is associated with a split snap ring in which the snap fits into a groove at the end of the shaft, which allows the retaining ring to be mounted and retained. Once attached, the retaining ring is retained between the needle and the split snap ring and is shaped like a dish so that the nibs holding the rollers are free end of the arm against the surface holding the needles Is offset in the axial direction so that the roller can slide in the axial direction when the joint is in operation.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
For reasons of space constraints, the retaining ring is formed such that its middle portion covers the split snap ring when the needle is attached. Therefore, attachment is performed as follows. Slide the retaining ring over the arm, snap the split snap ring into the groove, and slide the retaining ring toward the split snap ring, thereby covering the split snap ring and for the next attached needle Free up space. Next, the roller must be pressed firmly onto the retaining nib of the retaining ring. These nibs must both allow the roller to pass through for attachment and then hold the roller. Therefore, the holding force on the roller is limited by this double requirement, this holding is generally expressed in terms of “semi-positive” and installation has proven to be complex and expensive. .
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
It is an object of the present invention to provide a means for holding a roller and a needle that is easy to install and allows positive retention of the roller even under the space constraints typically present in the above types of Jonto. Is to provide.
[0009]
Thus, the subject of the present invention is a spider assembly of the type described above, in which the retaining member is substantially in the form of an arm fixed angularly and axially with respect to the free end of the arm. It is composed of a closed ring consisting of a rotating body that is coaxial.
[0010]
Other features of this spider assembly include the following features, either separately or in any technically feasible combination.
The ring has at least one surface on the outer periphery that holds the roller in the axial direction, and a neck on the inner periphery that secures the ring on the arm, and the surface that holds the roller has Offset or displaced axially towards the free end,
The neck of the ring is provided with a surface that angularly or angularly holds the ring with respect to the arm;
The angular direction holding surface has a form including a protrusion and a recess (uneven portion),
The ring is secured by crimping at least one peripheral zone of the free end of the arm onto the neck of the ring, the zone being at least partly covering the neck and an axial retaining bulge, and with respect to the axis of the arm Projecting radially and having at least one protrusion formation for fixing the angular position of the ring on the arm in cooperation with the angular holding surface of the fixing neck;
The ring has at least one nib that holds the roller, and the or each face that holds the roller axially is formed on the nib and has a normal that is essentially parallel to the axis of the arm. And
The ring has a flat annular portion defining a neck for securing the ring on the arm inside, and a projection forming portion disposed across the annular portion on the outside in the region of each nib. Is arranged at the free end of the corresponding projection forming part,
The ring includes at least an external portion that connects between two continuous protrusion forming portions on the outer periphery of the annular portion,
The connecting portion is connected in a tangential direction to a peripheral portion of the annular portion,
The ring has a peripheral rim that holds the roller, the rim has a shape that is essentially complementary to the chamfering of the hole in the roller, and a surface that holds the roller in the axial direction is formed on the rim,
The ring has on its lower surface a surface for holding the needle, which surface extends at least partially towards the free end of the arm and defines a space for the needle to roll,
At least a portion of the surface holding the needle is essentially flat.
[0011]
Another subject of the present invention is a transmission joint of the type comprising a shaft provided with a spider assembly and a female element containing the spider assembly, in which the spider assembly The female element has a track in which the rollers of the spider assembly are housed.
[0012]
According to another feature of this joint, each ring of the spider assembly comprises at least one nib holding a roller, essentially aligned with the longitudinal direction of the female element.
[0013]
Preferably, each ring of the spider assembly has two diametrically opposed nibs holding the rollers, essentially aligned with the longitudinal direction of the female element.
[0014]
Preferably, each ring has on its lower surface two diametrically opposed surface portions that hold the needle, which surface portions align the two nibs that hold the roller. It is arranged essentially perpendicular to the direction.
[0015]
【Example】
The invention will be better understood on reading the following description given by way of example only and given with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0016]
1 and 2 show a transmission tripod constant velocity joint with a spider assembly. The spider assembly comprises a spider 1 consisting of an annular central body or hub 2 having an X-X axis and is spaced from the annular central body or hub 2 at an angle of 120 ° to each other. , Three arms with Y-Y axes project. Each arm 3 is provided with a runway surface 4 for receiving the needle (s) 5 which are arranged in a ring, the roller 6 with a spherical outer diametric surface and the cylindrical bore. Each arm 3 also includes a member 8 that holds the needle and roller.
[0017]
The spider assembly is disposed on a shaft 9, the axis of which is substantially coaxial with the axis XX and is received by the female element 10 of the axis X'-X ' The roller 6 of each arm 3 is accommodated in a corresponding pair of tracks 11 provided in the female element.
[0018]
The retaining member 8 is composed of a ring 12 that independently provides complete axial retention of the needle 5 and complete retention of the roller 6 on the arm 3, particularly before the spider assembly is attached to the female element 10. Is done.
[0019]
The expressions “bottom”, “upper”, “lower”, “upper” described below refer to the axis XX and the arrangement of FIGS. 1 and 2, and thus “lower”. Indicates a position close to this axis. Similarly, the terms “inner” and “outer” are used with respect to the axis YY, so that “inner” indicates a position close to this axis YY.
[0020]
The ring 12 is a closed ring made of a rotating body substantially coaxial with the axis Y-Y, and preferably made of spring steel. The ring 12 comprises a dish-shaped body 14 of essentially constant thickness. The ring 12 has an essentially cylindrical first portion 14A with an axis Y-Y, and an axis Y-Y fixed to the first portion 14A and disposed transverse to the first portion 14A. It includes a second portion 14B that essentially forms a flat annulus.
[0021]
The lower surfaces of the first and second portions of the main body 14 intersect along the tangent at the rounded portion, and form a surface 16 that holds the needle 5. This surface 16 extends upward and defines the sliding space for the needles on the surface 4, these needles being held at the bottom by a chamfered shoulder 18 formed in the hub 2 at the base of the arm 3. Is done.
[0022]
In the illustrated embodiment, this surface 16 is essentially annular. The surface 16 may alternatively be essentially a frustoconical.
[0023]
The ring 12 includes a neck 19 for fixing the ring to the arm 3 on the inner periphery of the second portion 14B. The neck 19 is provided with a set of teeth 20 that are formed, for example, during the cutting and molding of the ring 12. As shown in more detail in FIG. 3, this set of teeth 20 has an inner diameter that is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the upper end 22 of the arm 3 forming the cap. In the illustrated embodiment, the cap 22 is generally cylindrical with an axis Y-Y and has an outer diameter that is significantly smaller than the diameter of the runway surface 4 of the arm 3. Thus, the cap 22 defines a surface 24 substantially parallel to the axis YY, the projections of the set of teeth 20 are in contact with the surface 24, and the upward free end of the arm 3 is relative to the surface 24. A flat surface 25 is defined around the cap 22 that is disposed outwardly and forms a bearing surface for the annular portion 14B of the body of the ring.
[0024]
In order to hold the ring 12 axially and angularly in the cap 22, the three peripheral zones 26 of the cap 22 are crimped or pressed against the inner zone of the portion 14B of the ring 12, thereby each of these zones 26. Thus, the material of the cap is adapted to at least partially cover the fixing neck 19 of the ring 12. This overlapped material forms three bulges 28 (eg, three bulges that are equally spaced around the periphery on the cap 22) to hold the ring in the axial direction. This caulked or pressed material also forms one or more protrusions 30 that extend radially outward with respect to the axis Y-Y in each zone 26. These metal projections, depicted only in FIG. 3, are designed to hold the ring 8 angularly, ie prevent any axial rotation about the axis YY.
[0025]
The ring 12 includes two nibs 32 that hold rollers on the outer periphery of the first portion 14A. These two nibs are diametrically opposed and each project radially about the axis Y-Y. Each nib 32, as in FIG. 2, the roller 6 has a surface 34 for holding the at roller 6 at the uppermost position. This surface 34 is preferably essentially flat, i.e. has a normal substantially parallel to the axis Y-Y of the corresponding arm 3, thereby ensuring that the roller 6 is held . This surface prevents the roller from coming off by sliding towards the outside of the arm 3 carrying the roller.
[0026]
The two nibs 32 are suitably arranged with respect to the female element 10 in such a way as to limit the internal volume of the female element 10. Thus, in the example showing the female element 10 having a generally circular cross-section anterior arch 10A about the longitudinal axis X′-X ′ of the female element, the two nibs 32 are shown in FIG. As can be seen from FIG. 3 and FIG. 3, it is advantageous to align the longitudinal direction of the female element 10.
[0027]
For attachment of such arrangement, the needle (s) 5 and roller 6 arranged in a ring shape is first is first attached to each arm 3. Nib for retaining the rollers, if necessary, by rotating the shaft Y-Y ring 12 around the, suitably angularly positioned in alignment with the longitudinal axis X'-X 'in, then The ring 12 is forced to slide into the corresponding arm cap 22 until the ring 12 presses against the arm surface 25 . Next, a caulking or pressure contact pressure S is applied to each zone 26 to form the axial direction holding bulge 28 and the angular direction holding projection forming portion 30. To facilitate caulking or pressure welding, zone 26 is not pre-treated with any surface hardening heat treatment.
[0028]
In operation, the ring 12 does not impede the free movement of the tripod within the female element of the joint, the needle 5 has sufficient clearance for translation of the shaft, and the roller 6 is It has sufficient flexibility with respect to translational movement of the shaft.
[0029]
Therefore, the spider assembly according to the present invention is easy to assemble and inexpensive. The ring 12 alone provides complete retention of the needle and roller while simultaneously limiting the volume of the female element of the joint.
[0030]
The exemplary embodiments described above do not limit the present invention, and various alternative embodiments are possible. Accordingly, the caulking or pressure contact zones 26 may be greater or lesser in number, or may further extend around the entire outer periphery of the cap 22 of each arm 3. Similarly, the ring may have more than two nibs that fully hold the rollers, and these nibs are advantageously positioned along the axis of the bell housing. Furthermore, the respective proportions of the portions 14A and 14B of the body 14 of the ring 12 can vary according to the type and size of the joint to which the spider assembly according to the invention is mounted.
[0031]
4 and 5 show an alternative form of the spider assembly according to the present invention, which differs from the spider assembly of FIGS. 1 and 3 only in the shape of the body 14 of the ring 12.
[0032]
More specifically, the generally cylindrical portion 14A of the body 14 is partially truncated or truncated between the two nibs 32 around the ring. Thus, in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the portion 14A across the flat annulus 14B of the ring 12 is arranged with a nib 32 at each upper end in the form of a cylindrical section (sector). It comprises two protrusion forming portions 35 and two peripheral edge connecting portions 36 that connect these protrusion forming portions 35. The connecting portion 36 extends continuously and intersects the outer end of the flat annular portion 14B at a tangent, and has no transverse portion (ie, has an essentially flat surface) at the periphery of the flat annular portion 14B. Two zones 37 are formed. These zones 37 are aligned essentially perpendicular to the direction in which the nibs 32 are aligned.
[0033]
Further, the flat annular portion 14B carries a surface 16 for holding the needle 5 on its lower surface. In this alternative, the portion 16A of the surface 16 of the zone 37 is advantageously substantially flat so as to form a large area for contact between the needle and the ring, thereby perpendicular to the axis XX. Ensuring a good holding of the needle arranged in a flat plane, i.e. the needle is most loaded when the joint is operated at a predetermined angle.
[0034]
The manner in which this spider assembly is fitted and functioning is essentially the same as described above.
[0035]
Accordingly, the spider assembly of FIGS. 4 and 5 further limits the internal volume of the female element of the joint than the ring 12.
[0036]
FIG. 6 illustrates another alternative spider assembly according to the present invention, which differs from the spider assembly of FIGS. 1-3 only in the following.
[0037]
The cylindrical portion 14A of the ring 12 no longer carries a nib as described above, but has a peripheral rim 38 that holds the roller 6. The rim 38 has a surface 40 that is inclined with respect to the axis XX and is designed to hold the roller 6 axially. This surface 40 is substantially complementary to the chamfer 42 at the end of the hole of the roller 6.
[0038]
Thus, the ring 12 in this alternative is generally generally circular, easy to assemble, and has fewer restrictions on angularly positioning the ring on the arm. Furthermore, this ring limits the volume inside the female element of the joint. In addition, holding the ring 12 angularly by the fixed neck 19 prevents rattling when the spider assembly is operating, particularly rattling caused by frictional contact of the roller 6 against the rim 38.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a transmission joint with a spider assembly according to the present invention.
2 is an intermediate longitudinal cross-sectional view of the spider assembly of FIG. 1 with a roller at another position on the plane labeled II-II in FIG. 1;
3 is a cross-sectional view of the spider assembly of FIG. 1 on a plane labeled III-III in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a half-sectional view of a transmission joint with an alternative spider assembly according to the present invention.
5 is a cross-sectional view of the spider assembly of FIG. 4 on the plane VV in FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a view essentially similar to the view of FIG. 2 showing another alternative spider assembly according to the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Spider 2 Hub 3 Arm 4 Cylindrical runway surface 5 Needle 6 Roller 8 Holding member 10 Female element 11 Track 12 Ring 14B Flat annular part 16 Surface 16A holding needle Needle 19 A part of surface holding needle 19 Neck 20 Ring Angularly held surface 26 Peripheral zone 28 Bulge 30 Protrusion forming portion 32 Nibs 30, 40 Surface holding roller 35 Protrusion forming portion 36 Portion connecting projection forming portions 38 Peripheral rim 42 holding roller Roller hole Chamfering

Claims (13)

A spider assembly for a transmission joint,
A hub (2) connected to the shaft and projecting from a plurality of arms (3) each having a cylindrical runway surface (4);
A roller (6) mounted so as to be able to rotate and slide on each arm via a plurality of needles (5) arranged in a ring ;
A spider assembly of the type consisting of a spider (1) having a needle (5) and a holding member (8) for holding the roller (6),
The retaining member (8), said a substantially coaxial with the arm (3), the arm (3) fixed rotating body closed ring in the axial and angular to the free end of (12) Consisting of
The ring (12) has at least one surface (34, 40) for holding the roller (6) in the axial direction (Y-Y direction) on the outer periphery, and the arm (3) on the inner periphery. There is a neck (19) on which the ring (12) is fixed, and the surfaces (34, 40) holding the roller face the free end of the arm (3) with respect to the neck (19). Offset in the axial direction,
The neck (19) of the ring (12) comprises a surface (20) that holds the ring (12) angularly relative to the arm (3);
The ring (12) is fixed by pressing at least one peripheral zone (26) of the free end of the arm (3) onto the neck (19) of the ring (12), the peripheral zone ( 26) an axial retaining bulge (28) at least partly covering the neck (19) and a surface projecting radially with respect to the axis of the arm (3) and the angular retaining surface of the neck (19) (20) in cooperation with, and having at least one projection forming portion (30) for fixing the angular position of the ring on the arm (3), the spider assembly. The angularly held to the surface (20) is characterized by having a form including projections and recess, spider assembly according to claim 1. The ring (12) has at least one nib (32) that holds the roller (6), and the or each surface (34) that holds the roller (6) axially is on the nib. Spider assembly according to claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that it is formed and has a normal that is essentially parallel to the axis of the arm (3). The ring (12) has a flat annular part (14B) defining the neck (19) for fixing the ring on the arm (3) inside, and in the region of each nib (32), the annular part A protrusion forming portion (35) disposed across the portion (14B) is provided outside, and each nib (32) is disposed at a free end of a corresponding protrusion forming portion. Item 4. The spider assembly according to item 3 . The said ring (12) equips the outer periphery of the said annular part (14B) with the connection part (36) which connects between the two continuous protrusion formation parts (35) at least outside, The characterized by the above-mentioned. 5. The spider assembly according to 4 . The spider assembly according to claim 5 , characterized in that the connecting portion (36) is tangentially connected to a peripheral edge of the annular portion (14B). The ring (12) has a peripheral rim (38) that holds the roller (6), the rim (38) having a shape that is essentially complementary to the chamfer (42) of the hole in the roller. Spider assembly according to claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the surface (40) holding the roller (6) axially is formed on the rim (38). The ring (12) has on its lower surface a surface (16) for holding the needle (5), which surface (16) is at least partially towards the free end of the arm (3). spreading, said needle (5) is characterized by defining a space for rolling, spider assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7. Spider assembly according to claim 8 , characterized in that at least a part (16A) of the surface (16) holding the needle (5) is essentially flat (Fig. 4). A transmission joint of the type comprising a shaft provided with a spider assembly and a female element (10) for accommodating the spider assembly, wherein the spider assembly is any one of claims 1 to 9. A transmission joint according to claim 1, characterized in that the female element (10) has a track (11) in which a roller (6) of the spider assembly is accommodated. Each ring (12) of the spider assembly comprises at least one nib (32) holding the roller (6) essentially aligned with the longitudinal direction of the female element (10). The transmission joint according to claim 10 . Each ring (12) of the spider assembly has two diametrically opposed nibs (32) holding the roller (6), essentially aligned with the longitudinal direction of the female element (10). The transmission joint according to claim 10 , comprising: a transmission joint. Each ring (12) has on its lower surface two diametrically opposed surface portions (16A) holding the needle (5), which surface portions are said rollers (6). Transmission joint according to claim 12 , characterized in that it is arranged essentially perpendicular to the direction of alignment of the two nibs (32) holding the).

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