Device for assembling a cage and a sealing ring of a constant-velocity joint of a vehicle

Abstract

The present assembling device is a device for assembling a cage and a seal ring, which are assembled with each other in a constant velocity joint, to an inner ring, in which a fixed portion of the cage is fixed to the inner ring through the seal ring, the device including a guide having a guide surface for guiding the cage and the seal ring to enable the cage and the seal ring to move along a longitudinal axis of the inner ring on an outer peripheral surface, and a pushing member providing a force for pushing the cage and the seal ring to enable the cage and the seal ring to move along the guide surface and reach a support surface of the inner ring.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a constant velocity joint for transmitting power in a vehicle, and more specifically, to a device for assembling a cover and sealing ring of a constant velocity joint onto an inner ring. Background Technology

[0002] A constant velocity joint is a device that transmits rotational driving force and is used to transmit rotational driving force by connecting with the drive shaft, transmission shaft, etc. of a vehicle.

[0003] A constant velocity joint, such as the Rzeppa universal joint, comprises an outer ring, an inner ring, a plurality of balls disposed between the outer and inner rings, and a ball cage housing these balls. In such a constant velocity joint, the outer ring typically has an open side through which the balls, ball cage, and inner ring are inserted. The space between the outer and inner rings containing the balls and ball cage is filled with grease for lubrication. To seal the grease, a cover is typically attached to both the outer and inner rings. Generally, the cover is secured to both the outer and inner rings using a clamping method.

[0004] In general, constant velocity joints and their housings require a compact design. Specifically, constant velocity joints used in drive shafts necessitate a compact housing design due to their high-speed rotation. This leads to a method of using a sealing ring between the two housing attachments, rather than the traditional belt clamp, to secure the housing to a relatively small-diameter inner ring. However, during assembly, there is a potential problem that the sealing ring may damage the housing, which is typically made of rubber-like materials.

[0005] <Existing Literature>

[0006] - U.S. Patent No. US8,313,107 (November 20, 2012)

[0007] - U.S. Patent No. US9,494,199 (November 15, 2016) Summary of the Invention

[0008] Technical Purpose

[0009] The purpose of this invention is to provide an assembly apparatus that allows for the simple and efficient assembly of the shield and sealing ring without damaging the shield.

[0010] Technical solution

[0011] An assembly apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is an apparatus for assembling a cover and a sealing ring to the inner ring of a constant velocity universal joint, wherein a fixed portion of the cover is fastened to the inner ring by the sealing ring. The assembly apparatus includes: a guide having a guide surface on its outer surface for guiding the cover and the sealing ring along a longitudinal surface of the inner ring; and a pusher providing a force for moving the cover and the sealing ring along the guide surface to a support surface of the inner ring.

[0012] The guide surface can be an inclined guide surface that is tilted relative to the direction of movement of the shield and the sealing ring.

[0013] The inclined guide surface can be formed to be inclined at an angle of 1° to 5°.

[0014] The assembly apparatus according to another embodiment of the invention may further include a support member, which is located between the assembled shield and the sealing ring and is configured to move along the circumference of the guide in the direction of movement of the shield and the sealing ring as the pusher moves, thereby allowing the shield and the sealing ring to be pushed.

[0015] The fixing part may have an annular shape, and the support member has a protrusion inserted between the inner surface of the fixing part and the guide surface.

[0016] The protrusion can have a wedge shape that becomes sharper towards the leading edge.

[0017] The pusher can be configured to move under loads of 300N to 1500N when pushing the guard and sealing ring.

[0018] Invention Effects

[0019] According to the present invention, the protective cover and sealing ring can be assembled in a simple and efficient manner without damaging the protective cover during the assembly process. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a front view of a constant velocity universal joint for assembling a protective cover and a sealing ring, which can be applied according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 An exploded three-dimensional view of a constant velocity universal joint.

[0022] Figure 3 It is along Figure 1 The sectional view taken from line III-III.

[0023] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A magnified view of a portion of the image.

[0024] Figure 5This is a schematic diagram illustrating an apparatus for assembling a protective cover and a sealing ring according to an embodiment of the present invention, and a process for assembling the protective cover and the sealing ring onto the inner ring.

[0025] Figure 6 This is a view showing the guide and support members of an apparatus for assembling a shield and a sealing ring according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the cover and sealing ring have been assembled onto the inner ring using the apparatus for assembling the cover and sealing ring according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0027] In the following detailed description of embodiments of the present invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0028] Figures 1 to 4 A constant velocity universal joint is shown, comprising an inner ring having a protective cover and a sealing ring assembled by means of an embodiment of the invention, while Figures 5 to 7 An apparatus for assembling a protective cover and a sealing ring according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown, as well as the protective cover and sealing ring assembled on the inner ring. First, reference will be made to... Figures 1 to 4 This describes an exemplary constant velocity universal joint that uses a device assembled with a shield and sealing ring according to an embodiment of the present invention, and will refer to... Figures 5 to 7 This invention describes an apparatus for assembling a protective cover and a sealing ring, as well as the associated assembly process, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0029] Reference Figures 1 to 3 The constant velocity universal joint 10 includes an outer ring 11 and an inner ring 13 configured to connect to separate power transmission elements. Balls 15 serve as the medium for transmitting torque and are positioned between the outer ring 11 and the inner ring 13, housed within cavities 171 of a ball carrier 17. Multiple balls 15 can be provided, and the outer ring 11 and the inner ring 13 may each have paired outer ball grooves 114 and inner ball grooves 133 forming spaces to accommodate each ball 15. Rotational power transmission between the outer ring 11 and the inner ring 13 is achieved through the balls 15 positioned within the spaces formed by the outer ball grooves 114 and the inner ball grooves 133. Figure 2 An example is shown with eight balls 15, but the number of balls 15 is not limited to this and can vary, for example, six, ten, etc.

[0030] The outer ring 11 may include a power transmission portion 111 with an outer ball groove 114 formed on its inner surface, a connecting portion 113 configured to connect to a power transmission shaft (not shown), and a connecting portion 112 connecting the power transmission portion 111 and the connecting portion 113. The outer ring 11 may form a through hole 118 extending along the axial direction X1 and penetrating the power transmission portion 111, the connecting portion 112, and the connecting portion 113. The inner ring 13 may include a power transmission portion 131 with an inner ball groove 133 formed on its outer surface and a shaft portion 132 extending from the power transmission portion 131 in the axial direction X2. The inner ring 13 may form a through hole 138 extending along the axial direction X2 and penetrating the power transmission portion 131 and the shaft portion 132. For example, when the constant velocity universal joint according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed between the differential gear and the drive shaft, the inner ring 13 can be coupled to the output shaft of the differential gear inserted in the through hole 138 via spline coupling, and the connecting portion 113 of the outer ring 11 can be coupled to the hollow shaft of the drive shaft via welding.

[0031] The outer ring 11 and the inner ring 13 can be configured to rotate while being angularly displaced from each other to transmit power. Figure 3 In this design, the longitudinal axes X1 and X2 of the outer ring 11 and the inner ring 13 are represented as being coaxial without angular displacement. In the angular displacement state, the relative positions of the outer ring 11 and the inner ring 13 change, causing the two longitudinal axes X1 and X2 to no longer align parallel to each other. The constant velocity universal joint according to an embodiment of the invention is designed to allow the outer ring 11 and the inner ring 13 to rotate while simultaneously displacing angularly within a predetermined angular range.

[0032] Although not shown in the figure, grease fills the space between the balls 15 and the ball carrier 17 for lubrication. (See reference...) Figure 2 and Figure 3 In order to prevent grease from leaking through the through hole 118 of the outer ring 11 and the through hole 138 of the inner ring 13, the grease retainers 25 and 27 that can block these through holes 118 and 138 can be coupled to the outer ring 11 and the inner ring 13, respectively.

[0033] A grease seal structure 20 provides a grease seal between the outer ring 11 and the inner ring 13. The grease seal structure 20 may include a shroud 19, a clamping cap 21, and a sealing ring 23. The shroud 19 fits tightly with both the outer ring 11 and the inner ring 13 to prevent grease filling the space between the balls 15 and the ball carrier 17 from leaking through the space between the outer ring 11 and the inner ring 13. The shroud 19 can be compressed by the clamping cap 21 to fit tightly with the outer ring 11 and can be compressed by the sealing ring 23 to fit tightly with the inner ring 13.

[0034] The cover 19 may include a first fixing portion 191 for fastening to the outer ring 11, a second fixing portion 194 for fastening to the inner ring 13, and connecting portions 192 and 193 connecting the first fixing portion 191 and the second fixing portion 194. The cover 19 may be made of a material capable of elastic deformation, such as rubber. The connecting portions 192 and 193 may be configured to allow shape deformation during operation in a state of angular displacement. The first fixing portion 191 may be configured to fit tightly with an axial support surface 116 provided at the axial end X1 of the outer ring 11, and the second fixing portion 194 may be configured to fit tightly with a radial support surface 134 provided on the radially outer surface of the inner ring 13.

[0035] In one embodiment of the present invention, such as Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the first fixing part 191 can extend substantially perpendicular to the axial direction X1 of the outer ring 11, and the second fixing part 194 can extend substantially parallel to the axial direction X2 of the inner ring 13. In embodiments of the present invention, as Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the connecting portion may include two parts: an axially extending portion 192 extending substantially parallel to the axial direction X2 of the inner ring 13 from the inner end of the first fixing portion 191, and a corrugated portion 193 having a corrugated shape for connecting one end of the axially extending portion 192 to the second fixing portion 194. The corrugated portion 193 may have a corrugated shape extending in a sawtooth shape relative to the radial direction, thereby allowing for [various connections] in both the axial direction X2 and the radial direction ([missing information]). Figure 4 It can easily shift in the vertical direction.

[0036] The clamping cap 21 is configured to be fixed to the outer ring 11 and to pressurize the first fixing portion 191, which is to be securely fixed to the axial support surface 116, in the axial direction X1. For more details, see... Figure 4 The clamping cap 21 includes a fastening portion (i.e., an axial extension 211) attached to the power transmission portion 111 of the outer ring 11, and a support portion 212 extending radially inward from one end of the axial extension 211 to press and clamp the first fixing portion 191 in the axial direction X1. The axial extension 211 has a hollow cylindrical shape and can be press-fitted with the power transmission portion 111. In this respect, the motion limiting portion 214 is deformed by a chamfering to be engaged by the claws 219 of the outer ring 11, thereby providing a fastening force in the axial direction X1. For example, the motion limiting portion 214 can be... Figure 4 The dashed circle shows the parallel axial extension 211 extending to the outer ring 11, which is press-fitted with the outer ring 11, and after press-fitting, it can be crimped to achieve the desired fit. Figure 4The shape is deformed as shown to be fastened to the claw 219 of the outer ring 11. In this respect, to make the deformation of the motion limiting part 214 easier, a slope 215 can be provided on the outer surface of the motion limiting part 214.

[0037] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, while the clamping cap 21 is constrained in the axial direction X2 by the axial extension 211 and the motion limiting part 214 and fixed to the outer ring 11, the support part 212 presses against the first fixing part 191 in the axial direction X1. As a result, the first fixing part 191 of the cover 19 is tightly attached to the axial support surface 116 of the power transmission part 111 while being pressurized in the axial direction X1. Since the first fixing part 191 of the cover 19 is fixed to the axial support surface 116 of the outer ring 11 instead of the radial outer periphery of the outer ring 11, the rotation radius can be reduced.

[0038] Meanwhile, in order to enhance the sealing characteristics between the first fixing part 191 and the axial support surface 116, a groove 115 can be formed on the axial support surface 116, and the first fixing part 191 can be provided with a sealing protrusion 195 inserted in the groove 115. The groove 115 and the sealing protrusion 195 can have an annular shape extending along the circumferential direction of the power transmission part 111 of the outer ring 11.

[0039] The second fixing portion 194 of the cover 19 can be positioned radially inside the first fixing portion 191 and axially spaced apart. By pressing the radially outer surface of the second fixing portion 194 with the sealing ring 23, the second fixing portion 194 can be pressed tightly and attached to the radial support surface 134 of the inner ring 13. In this regard, in order to enhance the sealing characteristics between the second fixing portion 194 and the radial support surface 134, a groove 135 can be formed at a position corresponding to the position of the sealing ring 23, and a portion of the second fixing portion 194 can be configured to be inserted into the groove 135 due to its shape deformation when pressed.

[0040] Meanwhile, according to an embodiment of the present invention, an expansion limiting portion 213 is provided to limit the axial extension portion 192 in the radial direction ( Figure 4 The expansion in the vertical direction (within the structure) limits the radial expansion of the shield 19. For example... Figure 4As shown, the expansion limiting portion 213 can extend from the radially inner end of the support portion 212, substantially parallel to the axial direction X1. The expansion limiting portion 213 can have a hollow cylindrical shape that extends in the axial direction X1 while being radially outwardly separated from the outer periphery of the axial extension portion 192. By limiting the radial expansion of the cover 19 by the expansion limiting portion 213, excessive expansion of the cover 19 can be prevented, and stress on the cover 19 can be minimized, thereby improving its durability. In addition, the expansion limiting portion 213 can also be used to protect the radially outer surface of the cover 19 from external contaminants or impacts. The distance between the expansion limiting portion 213 of the clamping cap 21 and the axial extension portion 192 of the cover 19 can be of an appropriate size, and the gap between them can be kept consistent along the axial direction or can be configured to increase or decrease.

[0041] An assembly apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention assembles the protective cover 19 and the sealing ring 23 onto the inner ring 13. (See also...) Figure 5 The assembly device 100 pushes the assembled cover 19 and sealing ring 23 in a press-fit direction parallel to the longitudinal direction X2 of the inner ring 13, so that the second fixing part 194 of the cover 19 is positioned on the support surface 134 of the inner ring 13. Figure 7 The diagram illustrates a state in which the cover 19 and the sealing ring 23 are assembled onto the inner ring 13 using an assembly apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention. In this state, the sealing ring 23 is positioned along the longitudinal direction X2 of the inner ring 13, corresponding to a groove 135 on the support surface 134. The support surface 134 of the inner ring 13 has a columnar shape, and the fixing portion 194 of the cover 19 may correspondingly have an annular shape capable of surrounding the support surface 134.

[0042] Reference Figure 5 The assembly apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a guide 61 and a pusher 81. Figure 5 The guide 61, support 71 and pusher 81 are shown in cross-section. They can be configured to perform the assembly of the sealing ring 23 of the cover 19 while being arranged coaxially with the longitudinal direction X2 of the inner ring 13.

[0043] First, such as Figure 5 As shown, guide 61 is coaxially arranged with inner ring 13. Guide 61 has a guide surface 62 on its outer surface, which guides the movement of the assembled shield 19 and sealing ring 23 in the assembly direction (i.e., press-fit direction). (Refer to...) Figure 6The inclined guide surface 62 can be formed with an inclination angle A, such that its diameter gradually increases as it travels in the assembly direction. The inclination angle A of the inclined guide surface 62 can be approximately 1° to 5°. This inclination angle A allows the shield 19 and the sealing ring 23 to move smoothly without damaging the shield 19 in contact with the inclined guide surface 62.

[0044] The guide 61 may additionally include a final guide portion 63 that follows the inclined guide surface 62. For example... Figure 5 As shown, the final guide portion 63 is formed to extend to the support surface 134 of the inner ring 13 in an assembled state. Considering the position of the support surface 134 on the inner ring 13, the final guide portion 63 may include an insertion space 64 that allows a portion of the inner ring 13 to be inserted. Figure 5 As shown, by extending the outer surface of the final guide portion 63 to the support surface 134 of the inner ring 13, the shield 19 and the sealing ring 23 can be stably guided along the outer surface of the final guide portion 63 to the support surface 134 of the inner ring 13. In this embodiment, a final guide portion 63 is provided adjacent to the inclined guide surface 62, but in other embodiments, the inclined guide surface 62 may also extend to the support surface 134 of the inner ring 13 without requiring a separate final guide portion 63.

[0045] The pusher 81 is configured to provide a force capable of moving the shield 19 and the sealing ring 23 in the assembly direction. For example... Figure 5 As shown, the pusher 81 is configured to push and move the assembled shield 19 and sealing ring 23 while moving in the assembly direction. For example, the pusher 81 can be driven by an actuator such as a hydraulic cylinder, pneumatic cylinder, electric motor, etc., to move in the assembly direction. The pusher 81 may include a front end 82 that provides a force pushing the shield 19 and sealing ring 23 while moving along the outer surface of the guide 62. In this respect, the front end 82 may form an insertion space 83 that allows insertion of a portion of the guide 62, such that the pusher 81 can move relative to the fixed guide 62. Figure 5 In this configuration, the right side portion of the guide 61 is inserted into the insertion space 83 of the pusher 81, thereby allowing the pusher 81 to move. The pusher 81 can be configured to move under loads of 300N to 1500N during assembly.

[0046] Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the invention, the assembly apparatus may further include a support 71 configured to support the shield 19 and the sealing ring 23 relative to the pusher 81 during assembly. The support 71 is configured to move along the outer surface of the guide 61 in the assembly direction; for this purpose, the support 71 may form a through hole 72 into which the guide 61 is inserted. Figure 6As shown, the support member 71 may have a wedge-shaped protrusion 73 on the inner end of its leading edge in the radial direction. The protrusion 73 may have a shape that varies with its orientation toward the leading edge ( Figure 5 The left side of the middle part (in the image) progresses to a more pointed wedge shape. For example... Figure 5 As shown by the dotted lines, the support member 71 is positioned with the protrusion 73 inserted between the second fixing portion 194 of the cover 19 and the inclined guide surface 62, and the support member 71 is configured to be pushed by the pusher 81 to move in the assembly direction from this position. The press-fit of the cover 19 occurs when the protrusion 73 of the support member 71 is inserted into the inner circumferential surface, thereby preventing the cover 19 from being pushed inward during assembly.

[0047] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, but also includes all modifications and variations that are readily made by those skilled in the art and are considered equivalents thereto.

[0048] Industrial applicability

[0049] This invention pertains to a device for assembling constant velocity universal joints for vehicles, and therefore has industrial applicability.

Claims

1. An assembly apparatus for assembling a protective cover and a sealing ring to the inner ring of a constant velocity universal joint, wherein a fixing portion of the protective cover is fastened to the inner ring by the sealing ring, the assembly apparatus comprising: A guide member having a guide surface on its outer surface for guiding the shield and the sealing ring along the longitudinal surface of the inner ring; A pusher that provides a force for moving the shield and the sealing ring along the guide surface to reach the support surface of the inner ring; A support member, positioned between the assembled shield and sealing ring and the pusher member, is configured to move along the circumference of the guide member in the direction of movement of the shield and sealing ring as the pusher member moves, thereby allowing the shield and sealing ring to be pushed. The fixing part has an annular shape. The support member has a protrusion that is inserted between the inner surface of the fixing part and the guide surface.

2. The assembly apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The guide surface is an inclined guide surface that is tilted relative to the direction of movement of the shield and the sealing ring.

3. The assembly apparatus according to claim 2, wherein, The inclined guide surface is formed to be inclined at an angle of 1° to 5°.

4. The assembly apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The protrusion has a wedge shape that becomes sharper towards the leading edge.

5. The assembly apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The pusher is configured to move under a load of 300N to 1500N when pushing the shield and the sealing ring.

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