JPS6095220A - Universal joint - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent breakage of a bearing due to drop-off and jolting of a cap, by a method wherein a bearing made of synthetic resin is engaged with a recess in the cap, and the edge of the recess is curled to secure the bearing thereto. CONSTITUTION:A cylindrical recess 11a is formed in the one side of a cap 11, a staged projection 11b is formed on the closed part on the other side, and grooves 12b extending between both end surfaces is formed in the inner surface of a bearing 12 made of synthetic resin. The bearing 12 made of synthetic resin 12 is engaged with the recess 11a in the cap 11, and the edge of the recess 11a is curled to secure the bearing 12 made of synthetic resin thereto. A trunnion 9 of a spider is engaged with the inner surface of the bearing 12 made of synthetic resin, and the cap 11 is engaged with a hole 7 for a bearing device in a yoke 2 or 3. A given spot on the periphery of the hole 7 is caulked and secured so as to bring the periphery of the hole into contact with a staged part (b) of the staged projection 11b. This eliminates firm tightening of the bearing 12 against the inside of the recess 11a in the cap, and permits reliable prevention of pulling-off and ensures securing thereof.

Description

【発明の詳細な説明】 本発明は、自在軸継手、特に自動車のステアリング部に
用いられる自在軸継手に係りζ詳しくは一般にカルダン
形と呼ばれる自在軸継手におけるトラニオンとヨークと
の間の軸受装置部分に関する。DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a universal joint, particularly a universal joint used in the steering section of an automobile.More specifically, the present invention relates to a bearing device portion between a trunnion and a yoke in a universal joint generally called a cardan type. Regarding.

従来、この種自在軸継手の軸受装置には、ニードル軸受
が用いられておシ、このため、トラニオンの表面硬度、
粗度及び寸法を厳格に管理する必要があシ、ニードル軸
受自体の高価格及び組立ての面倒さと相俟ってコストア
、ブの原因になっていた。Conventionally, needle bearings have been used in the bearing devices of this type of universal joint, and for this reason, the surface hardness of the trunnion,
It is necessary to strictly control the roughness and dimensions, which, together with the high price of the needle bearing itself and the trouble of assembly, causes cost savings.

そこで、本出願人は、合成樹脂製軸受を用いた自在軸継
手を提案したが（実開昭５８−１１６８２４号公報参照
）、該自在軸継手の軸受装置は、デルリン（商品名）等
の合成樹脂製軸受を単にキャップに圧入して構成される
ため、圧入に際して該樹脂製軸受に永久歪が生じゃすく
、また樹脂製軸受の特性である低摩擦性徴に起因して軸
受がキャップから抜けやすく、使用に際して、軸受にけ
回転摺接の外にトラニオン軸方向の振動摺接が加わシ、
合成樹脂製軸受が早期に摩耗して大きなガタを生じ、ひ
いては軸受を破損してしまう虞れがあった。更に、キャ
ップもヨークに対し単に圧入により固定されているだけ
なので、キャップが抜は落ちてしまう虞れがあシ、また
、合成樹脂製軸受の内面は全周が平滑面からなるため、
トラニオン軸部の嵌挿に際して空気が抜けず、自在継手
の組合せを面倒なものにしていると共に、軸受内面に潤
滑剤の溜る部分が力＜、軸受の早期摩耗の一原因になっ
ていた。このため、破損又は脱落すると重大な事故につ
ながり、更に整備毎の点検事項となっていない自動車ス
テアリング部の自在軸継手としての信頼性に欠ける虞れ
がある。Therefore, the present applicant proposed a universal shaft joint using a synthetic resin bearing (see Utility Model Application Publication No. 116824/1982), but the bearing device of the universal shaft joint is made of synthetic resin such as Delrin (trade name). Since the resin bearing is simply press-fitted into the cap, permanent deformation occurs in the resin bearing during press-fitting, and due to the low friction characteristics of the resin bearing, the bearing is easily removed from the cap. In use, vibration sliding contact in the axial direction of the trunnion is applied to the bearing in addition to rotational sliding contact.
There was a risk that the synthetic resin bearing would wear out prematurely, causing large play, and eventually damaging the bearing. Furthermore, since the cap is simply press-fitted into the yoke, there is a risk that the cap may fall off when removed.Also, since the inner surface of the synthetic resin bearing is smooth all around,
Air does not escape when the trunnion shaft is inserted, making it difficult to assemble the universal joint, and the lubricant buildup on the inner surface of the bearing causes premature wear of the bearing. For this reason, if it breaks or falls off, it may lead to a serious accident, and there is also a risk that it will lack reliability as a universal shaft joint for an automobile steering section, which is not an item to be inspected during every maintenance.

また、トラニオンをテーパー面とし、該チー／く一面に
摺接するテーパー内面を有する合成樹脂製軸受を適正予
圧を付与して配設した自在軸継手も案出されている（実
公昭５６−２２０２９号公報及び実開昭５６−１６３８
２０号公報参照）。しかし、該樹脂製軸受は、テーパー
内面よりなるため、その成形は極めて面倒であって、前
述した円筒形の樹脂製軸受より大きく精度が低下する虞
れがあり、従ってトラニオンテーパー面との間に全面に
亘って慴接することが困帷で、部分当りを生じてトラニ
オンに望ましくないみそすり運動及び振動を発生する虞
れがある。In addition, a universal joint has been devised in which the trunnion has a tapered surface and a synthetic resin bearing with a tapered inner surface that slides into contact with the tee/wheel surface is provided with an appropriate preload (Utility Model Publication No. 56-22029). Publication and Utility Model Publication 1986-1638
(See Publication No. 20). However, since the resin bearing has a tapered inner surface, its molding is extremely troublesome, and there is a risk that the precision will be significantly lower than that of the cylindrical resin bearing described above. It is difficult to make full-surface contact and can cause spotting, which can cause undesirable shearing motion and vibration in the trunnion.

本発明は、上述事情に鑑みなされたものであり、容易か
つ安価に組立て・製造できるものでありながら、所定精
度を長期に亘って維持して、軸受装置の破損及び脱落を
防止し、もって上述欠点を解消した、信頼性の高い自在
軸継手を提供することを目的とするものである。The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and while it can be easily and inexpensively assembled and manufactured, it maintains a predetermined accuracy over a long period of time, prevents damage and falling off of the bearing device, and thereby achieves the above-mentioned results. The purpose of this invention is to provide a highly reliable universal shaft joint that eliminates the drawbacks.

そして、本発明の特徴とするところは、キャップ−側に
円筒形の四部をまたその他側閉塞部に段付突部を形成し
、寸だ合成樹脂製軸受の内面に両側端面に亘って延びる
凹溝を形成し、そしてキャップの四部に合成樹脂製軸受
を嵌合しかつ該凹部の周縁をカールして該軸受を固定し
、更に該合成樹脂製軸受の内面にスパイダーのトラニオ
ンを嵌挿すると共に、キャップをヨークの軸受装置用の
孔に嵌合しかつ該孔周囲の所定箇所を段付突出音５の段
部に当接するようにカシメて固定してなる自在軸継手に
ある。The present invention is characterized by forming four cylindrical parts on the cap side and a stepped protrusion on the other side closing part, and forming a concave part on the inner surface of the synthetic resin bearing that extends across both end faces. A groove is formed, a synthetic resin bearing is fitted into the four parts of the cap, the peripheral edge of the recess is curled to fix the bearing, and a spider trunnion is fitted into the inner surface of the synthetic resin bearing. This is a universal shaft joint in which a cap is fitted into a hole for a bearing device in a yoke, and fixed at a predetermined location around the hole by caulking so as to abut the stepped portion of the stepped protrusion 5.

以下、図面に沿って、本発明による実施夕目について説
明する。Hereinafter, implementation of the present invention will be described along with the drawings.

自在軸継手１は、第１図に示すように、駆ｔｕｂ軸に連
結しているヨーク２及び被動軸に連結しているヨーク３
、そして十字状のスノくイタ゛−５よシなる。更に、各
ヨーク２，３にはそれぞれ１伯受装置用の孔７・・・が
穿設されており、これら孔７にはそれぞれスパイダー５
の各トラニオン９・・・力；本発明に係る軸受装置１０
を介在して嵌挿している。As shown in FIG. 1, the universal joint 1 includes a yoke 2 connected to a drive shaft and a yoke 3 connected to a driven shaft.
, and the cross-shaped snow is like I-5. Further, each yoke 2, 3 is provided with a hole 7 for a receiving device, and each hole 7 is provided with a spider 5.
Each trunnion 9...force; bearing device 10 according to the present invention
It is inserted by intervening.

そして、軸受装置１０は、第２図、第４図ないし第６図
に示すように、キャップ１１及び合成樹脂製軸受１２よ
シなシ、キーｗｙプ１１．はその中央−側に円筒形の四
部１１ａが形成されていると共に、他側閉塞部に段付突
部１１ｂが形成されている。また、合成樹脂製軸受１２
はポリアセタール、ポリアミド又はふっ素樹脂等の低摩
擦特性を有する合成樹脂を円筒形に成形してなシ、更に
その内面１２ａには３箇の凹溝１２ｂが上下両側端面に
亘って形成されていると共に、該上下側端面部にテーパ
ー面１２ｃが形成されている。As shown in FIGS. 2, 4 to 6, the bearing device 10 includes a cap 11, a synthetic resin bearing 12, a key 11. has four cylindrical portions 11a formed on its center side, and a stepped protrusion 11b formed on the other closed portion. In addition, synthetic resin bearing 12
is made of a synthetic resin having low friction properties such as polyacetal, polyamide or fluororesin, and is molded into a cylindrical shape, and furthermore, three grooves 12b are formed on the inner surface 12a extending over both the upper and lower end surfaces. , tapered surfaces 12c are formed on the upper and lower end surfaces.

そして、第７図に示すように、キャップ１１の円筒形凹
部１１ａに合成樹脂製軸受１２が中間嵌め状態又は僅か
なすきま嵌め状態で嵌挿される。Then, as shown in FIG. 7, the synthetic resin bearing 12 is fitted into the cylindrical recess 11a of the cap 11 in an intermediate fit state or a slight clearance fit state.

更に、凹部１１ａに軸受１２が嵌挿した状態で、プレス
により凹部周縁ａが押圧・カーリングされ、該カール部
ａ′により軸受１２が凹部１１ａ内に抜止め・固定され
る。従って、樹脂製軸受１２は強い圧入に伴う永久歪を
生じることがなく、正確な寸法精度が維持されると共に
、軸受１２が軸方向に移動することを確実に阻止される
。Furthermore, with the bearing 12 fitted into the recess 11a, the peripheral edge a of the recess is pressed and curled by a press, and the bearing 12 is prevented from slipping out and fixed in the recess 11a by the curled portion a'. Therefore, the resin bearing 12 does not undergo permanent deformation due to strong press-fitting, maintains accurate dimensional accuracy, and reliably prevents the bearing 12 from moving in the axial direction.

更に、第１図、第２図及び第３図に示すように、トラニ
オ７９０円筒軸部９ａをヨーク２，３の孔７内に位置し
た状態で、０リング１５をトラニオン９の段部９ｂとの
間に介在して、軸受装置１０が孔７内に挿入される。こ
の際、トラニオン軸部９ａと合成樹脂製軸受内面１２ａ
との間は略々整合状態になりており、かつ予め軸受内面
１２ａにグリス、２硫化モリブデン又はポロンナイトラ
イド等の潤滑剤が付着される。従って、トラニオン軸部
９ａの軸受内面１２ａへの挿入によル、四部１１ａ内に
空気が圧縮されるが、該空気は軸受内面１２ａの凹溝１
２ｂを通りて排出され、支障なくトラニオン軸部９ａを
軸受１２に嵌挿し得、更に潤滑剤はキャップ凹部１１ａ
内の空隙Ｃ及び軸受１２の凹溝１２ｂに溜められる。そ
して、この状態で、ヨーク２，３の孔７周囲に形成され
たカシメ用の爪１６・・・をカシメてキャップ１１の段
付突部１１ｂの段部すに当接し、これによシ軸受装置１
０が抜止め一固定されて、自在軸継手１が組立てられる
。なお、上述実施例は、ヨーク２，３の孔７周囲に爪１
６を形成したが、爪１６を形成せず、軸受装置１０を孔
７に圧入した後、孔７周囲をカシメ工具によりカシメて
抜止めしてもよい。Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, with the cylindrical shaft portion 9a of the trunnion 790 positioned within the hole 7 of the yokes 2 and 3, the O-ring 15 is inserted into the stepped portion 9b of the trunnion 9. The bearing device 10 is inserted into the hole 7 interposed therebetween. At this time, the trunnion shaft portion 9a and the synthetic resin bearing inner surface 12a
The bearing inner surface 12a is in a substantially aligned state, and a lubricant such as grease, molybdenum disulfide, or poron nitride is applied to the bearing inner surface 12a in advance. Therefore, when the trunnion shaft portion 9a is inserted into the bearing inner surface 12a, air is compressed in the fourth portion 11a, but the air is compressed into the groove 1 of the bearing inner surface 12a.
2b, the trunnion shaft portion 9a can be inserted into the bearing 12 without any problem, and the lubricant is discharged through the cap recess 11a.
It is stored in the gap C inside and the groove 12b of the bearing 12. In this state, the caulking pawls 16 formed around the holes 7 of the yokes 2 and 3 are caulked and brought into contact with the stepped part of the stepped protrusion 11b of the cap 11, and thereby the bearing Device 1
0 is fixed to prevent it from coming out, and the universal joint 1 is assembled. In addition, in the above embodiment, the claw 1 is provided around the hole 7 of the yokes 2 and 3.
6 is formed, but the pawl 16 may not be formed, and after the bearing device 10 is press-fitted into the hole 7, the circumference of the hole 7 may be caulked with a caulking tool to prevent it from coming out.

本実施例は、以上のような構成よシなるので、自在軸継
手１の使用によシ、軸受装置１０の樹脂製軸受１２内面
とトラニオン軸部９ａとの間に相対摺接運動が生じるが
、なじみ運１中の初期摩耗段階で樹脂製軸受１２の内面
が僅かに削られ、望ましいクリアランス（０，３〜０．
１皿程度）が与えられる。そして、この状態で、キャッ
プ凹部１１ａ奥の空隙Ｃに溜められた潤滑剤が凹溝１２
ｂを通って僅かづつ前記り丞アランスの全周に亘って略
々均一に補給され、無給油でありながら軸部９ａと軸受
表面１２ａとを完全に分離・被覆し、それ以上の軸受１
２の摩耗をなくして、長期間に亘って所定の軸受性能を
保持し得ると共に、該潤滑剤の膜が、合成樹脂材料の有
する粘弾性と相俟って、自在軸継手１に作用する衝撃荷
重を分散・吸収し得る。Since this embodiment has the above-described configuration, when the universal joint 1 is used, a relative sliding movement occurs between the inner surface of the resin bearing 12 of the bearing device 10 and the trunnion shaft portion 9a. , the inner surface of the resin bearing 12 is slightly ground during the initial wear stage during break-in 1, resulting in a desired clearance (0.3~0.
Approximately 1 plate) will be given. In this state, the lubricant accumulated in the gap C at the back of the cap recess 11a is transferred to the recess 12.
b, and is replenished little by little almost uniformly over the entire circumference of the bearing balance, completely separating and covering the shaft portion 9a and the bearing surface 12a, even without oil supply, and further bearing 1.
The lubricant film, together with the viscoelasticity of the synthetic resin material, reduces the impact acting on the universal joint 1. Capable of distributing and absorbing loads.

以上説明したように、本発明によると、キヤ。As explained above, according to the present invention, Kya.

プ１１の凹部１１ａに合成樹脂製軸受１２を嵌合しかつ
該凹部の周縁ａをカールａ′シて該軸受を固定したので
、軸受１２をキャップ凹部１１ａ内に嵌合する際にきつ
い締り嵌めにする必要がなく、樹脂製軸受１２に永久歪
を生じて寸法精度を損うことを防止したものであり々か
ら、軸受工２けキャップ凹部１１ａ内に確実に抜止め・
固定され、軸受１２が軸方向に振動することを防止し得
る。The synthetic resin bearing 12 was fitted into the recess 11a of the cap 11, and the peripheral edge a of the recess was curled a' to secure the bearing. This prevents permanent distortion from occurring in the resin bearing 12 and impairing dimensional accuracy.
This can prevent the bearing 12 from vibrating in the axial direction.

また、キャップ１１をヨーク２，３の軸受装置用の孔７
に嵌合しかつ該孔周囲の所定箇所をキャップの段付突部
１１ｂの段部すに当接するようにカシメて固定したので
、キャップ１１がヨーク２゜３から脱落することを完全
に防止できる。更に、合成樹脂製軸受１２内面に両側端
面に亘って延びる凹溝１２ｂを形成したので、軸受内に
軸部９ａを挿入する際、空気は該凹溝１２ｂを通って排
出され、極めて容易に挿入することができると共に、使
用に際して凹溝１２ｂは潤滑剤の溜シ部及び通路になる
ため、無給油でありながら軸部９ａと軸受表面１２ａと
の間に長期に亘ってかつ均一に潤滑剤を補給することが
でき、かつ衝撃荷重を分散・吸収し得る。また、軸受装
置１０はその軸受１２が円筒形よりなり、かつその寸法
精度も正確であるため、トラニオン９との間に部分当り
を生じることがｋく、トラニオン９がみそすり運動及び
振動等の望ましくない運動を生じることを確実に防止す
ることができる。以上効果が総合して、本発明によると
、長期に亘って所定の軸受性能を保持し、かつキャップ
１１の脱落及びガタに起因する軸受１２の破損等の重大
な事故忙つながる不具合をなくして、容易かつ安価に組
立・製造できるものでありながら、信頼性の高い自在軸
継手１を得ることができる。In addition, the cap 11 is attached to the hole 7 for the bearing device of the yokes 2 and 3.
Since the cap 11 is fitted into the hole and fixed at a predetermined location around the hole by caulking so as to abut against the stepped portion of the stepped protrusion 11b of the cap, it is possible to completely prevent the cap 11 from falling off from the yoke 2°3. . Furthermore, since grooves 12b extending across both end faces are formed on the inner surface of the synthetic resin bearing 12, when inserting the shaft portion 9a into the bearing, air is discharged through the grooves 12b, making insertion extremely easy. In addition, since the concave groove 12b serves as a reservoir and passage for lubricant during use, lubricant can be uniformly distributed between the shaft portion 9a and the bearing surface 12a over a long period of time even though no lubrication is required. It can be replenished and can disperse and absorb impact loads. In addition, since the bearing device 10 has a cylindrical bearing 12 and its dimensional accuracy is accurate, there is no possibility of partial contact between the bearing device 10 and the trunnion 9, and the trunnion 9 is free from grinding motion, vibration, etc. Undesirable movements can be reliably prevented from occurring. As a result of the above effects, according to the present invention, a predetermined bearing performance can be maintained over a long period of time, and problems that can lead to serious accidents, such as damage to the bearing 12 due to falling off of the cap 11 and play, can be eliminated. It is possible to obtain a highly reliable universal joint 1 that can be easily and inexpensively assembled and manufactured.

【図面の簡単な説明】[Brief explanation of drawings]

第１図は本発明に係る自在軸継手を示す斜視図、第２図
はその■〜■紳による断面図、第３図はヨークの軸受装
置用孔部分を示す斜視図、第４図はキャップを示す斜視
図、＠５図は合成樹脂製１１＋受１・・・自在軸継手　
、　２．３・・・ヨーク　、５・・・スパイダー　、　
７・・・軸受装置用孔　、９・・・トラニオン　、　１
０・・・軸受装置　、１１・・・キャップ　、１１ａ・
・・四部　、１１ｂ・・・段付突部　、　ｂ・・・段部
　、１２・・・合成樹脂製軸受　、　１２ａ・・・内面
　、　１２ｂ・・・口碑　、　ａ・・・周縁　ａ／・・
・カール部 出願人　共和産業株式会社 代理人　近　島　−：夫　゛ ヒ一部 第１図 第２図 第３図 第６図 第７図Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the universal joint according to the present invention, Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the universal joint according to the invention, Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the hole for the bearing device in the yoke, and Fig. 4 is the cap. A perspective view showing @5 is a synthetic resin 11 + receiver 1...universal shaft joint
, 2.3...Yoke, 5...Spider,
7... Bearing device hole, 9... Trunnion, 1
0... Bearing device, 11... Cap, 11a.
...four parts, 11b...stepped protrusion, b...stepped part, 12...synthetic resin bearing, 12a...inner surface, 12b...mouth mark, a...periphery a/...
・Carl Department Applicant Kyowa Sangyo Co., Ltd. Agent Chikashima -: Husband Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 6 Figure 7

Claims (1)

【特許請求の範囲】[Claims] （１）駆動側及び被動側のヨーク、そして十字状のスパ
イダーを有し、更にヨークの軸受装置用の孔とスパイダ
ーのトラニオンとの間に軸受装置を介在してなる自在軸
継手において、前記軸受装置がキャップ及び円筒形の合
成樹脂製軸受からなり、更に該キャップはその一側に円
筒形の凹部をまたその他側閉塞部に段付突部を有し、ま
た前記合成樹脂製軸受はその内面に両側端面に亘って延
びる凹溝を有し、そして前記キャップの凹部に合成樹脂
製軸受を嵌合しかつ該凹部の周縁をカールして該軸受を
固定し、更に該合成樹脂製軸受の内面に前記スパイダー
のトラニオンを嵌挿すると共に、前記キャップを前記ヨ
ークの軸受装置用の孔に嵌合しかっ該孔周囲の所定箇所
を前記段付突出部の段部に当接するようにカシメて固定
してなる自在軸継手。(1) A universal shaft joint having drive-side and driven-side yokes and a cross-shaped spider, and further comprising a bearing device interposed between a bearing device hole in the yoke and a trunnion of the spider, in which the bearing The device consists of a cap and a cylindrical synthetic resin bearing, the cap has a cylindrical recess on one side and a stepped protrusion on the other side, and the synthetic resin bearing has an inner surface thereof. has a groove extending across both end faces of the cap, a synthetic resin bearing is fitted into the recess of the cap, the peripheral edge of the recess is curled to fix the bearing, and the inner surface of the synthetic resin bearing is fixed. At the same time, the trunnion of the spider is fitted into the hole for the bearing device of the yoke, and a predetermined portion around the hole is caulked and fixed so as to abut against the stepped portion of the stepped protrusion. Universal shaft joint.