Variable-speed and center-adjustable knuckle bearing unit

Abstract

The invention relates to the field of knuckle bearings, and discloses a variable-speed and center-adjustable knuckle bearing unit which comprises an annular helical tooth worm gear, an inner spline is arranged on the inner wall of the helical tooth worm gear, a spherical worm meshed with the helical tooth worm gear is arranged on the inner wall of the helical tooth worm gear, a convex spherical gear is arranged on the inner side of the helical tooth worm gear, and a plurality of concave spherical gears are evenly distributed on the outer side of the convex spherical gear in the circumferential direction. End covers are arranged on the two sides of the worm gear pair support, spherical raceways are arranged in the middles of the end covers and used for supporting the convex spherical gear in a rolling mode, the two ends of the concave spherical gear are rotationally connected to the end covers, the end covers are rotationally connected to the inner side of the worm gear pair support, and the two end covers are connected through a connecting piece. The speed reduction and shock absorption mechanism has the advantages of high bearing capacity and impact resistance of a knuckle bearing, system transmission stability, self-aligning and the like, the speed change advantage of a planetary gear and a hub bearing and the steering and constant-speed transmission advantages of a spherical worm gear pair, and is suitable for the field of speed reduction and shock absorption mechanisms of automobiles and related equipment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of spherical bearings, and in particular to a speed-variable and center-adjustable spherical bearing unit. Background Art

[0002] Spherical bearings are spherical sliding bearings whose sliding contact surfaces are an inner sphere and an outer sphere, and can rotate and swing at any angle during movement. Spherical bearings are widely used in the automotive industry, aerospace, engineering machinery, agricultural machinery, industrial robots and other fields due to their unique structure and performance characteristics. With the development of engineering automation equipment, automotive shock absorbers, industrial robots and other industry technologies, the requirements for the swinging, tilting and rotating movements of spherical bearings are getting higher and higher. The rotation direction and rotation speed of existing spherical bearings are limited after design and manufacturing. Obviously, this kind of spherical bearing that cannot turn and change speed cannot meet the comprehensive needs of the current new energy vehicles, related equipment deceleration and shock absorption mechanisms or industrial robot markets. Summary of the invention

[0003] The present invention is intended to provide a variable-speed and adjustable spherical bearing unit to solve the problem that the rotation direction and rotation speed of the spherical bearings in the prior art are limited and cannot meet the current market demand.

[0004] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the present invention adopts the following technical scheme: a variable-speed and adjustable spherical bearing unit, including a worm gear pair bracket, a circular ring-shaped helical worm wheel is arranged in the worm gear pair bracket, an internal spur spline is arranged on the inner wall of the helical worm wheel, the minor diameter of the internal spur spline is an arc surface, a spherical worm gear meshing with the helical worm wheel is rotatably connected to the worm gear pair bracket, a convex spherical gear is arranged on the inner side of the helical worm wheel, a plurality of concave spherical gears are evenly distributed circumferentially on the outer side of the convex spherical gear, the concave spherical gears are meshed with the internal spline of the helical worm wheel and the convex spherical gear at the same time, end covers are arranged on both sides of the worm gear pair bracket, spherical raceways are arranged in the middle of the end covers for rolling support of the convex spherical gears, both ends of the concave spherical gear are rotatably connected to the end covers, the end covers are rotatably connected to the inner side of the worm gear pair bracket, and the two end covers are connected by a connecting piece.

[0005] Preferably, as an improvement, the worm gear pair bracket includes a ring-shaped worm gear bracket, a vertical shaft tube is integrally formed on the outer circle of the worm gear bracket, the axes of the vertical shaft tube and the worm gear bracket are vertically distributed, and the spherical worm is rotatably installed in the vertical shaft tube through a bearing.

[0006] Preferably, as an improvement, the convex spherical gear includes a convex spherical tooth in the middle and convex spherical surfaces located on both sides of the convex spherical tooth axial direction, the convex spherical surface ball diameter is the same as the convex spherical tooth dividing spherical diameter, and the convex spherical surface and the spherical raceway of the end cover form two sets of joint bearings.

[0007] Preferably, as an improvement, a plurality of step holes are evenly distributed circumferentially on the outer side of the spherical raceway on the end cover, and step raceways are provided on the shaft necks at both ends of the concave spherical gear. The step holes and the step raceways are connected by steel balls, retaining frames, and sealing rings to form a double-row angular contact bearing for supporting the concave spherical gear.

[0008] Preferably, as an improvement, the concave spherical teeth of the concave spherical gear and the convex spherical teeth of the convex spherical gear have the same dividing spherical diameter, and the concave spherical surface is limited axially and radially so that the convex spherical teeth and the concave spherical teeth can be self-aligned synchronously with the two sets of spherical bearings.

[0009] Preferably, as an improvement, an outer step raceway is machined on the outer end of the end cover, inner raceways are provided on the inner walls on both sides of the worm gear pair bracket, and the outer step raceway and the inner raceway are connected by steel balls, retaining frames and sealing rings to form a double-row angular contact bearing.

[0010] Preferably, as an improvement, a plurality of radial and axial oil grooves are provided on the spherical raceway.

[0011] Preferably, as an improvement, six concave spherical gears are provided.

[0012] Preferably, as an improvement, six rivet holes are evenly distributed in a ring between the six step holes on the end cover, rivets are connected between the rivet holes of the two end covers, and a spacer sleeve is provided on the rivet and is located between the two end covers. The spacer sleeve is used to ensure the groove center distance of each row of double-row angular contact bearings and the axial clearance of the bearings.

[0013] Preferably, as an improvement, the arc size of the internal spur spline is the same as the arc size of the bottom diameter of the concave spherical gear, and when the worm gear moves circumferentially, its internal spline teeth mesh with the concave spherical gear.

[0014] The principle and advantages of this scheme are: in actual application, when the worm gear pair bracket is fixed, the spherical worm is used as input, meshing with the tooth surface of the helical worm gear, driving the helical worm gear to move circumferentially, and the spline teeth inside the helical worm gear meshing with the concave spherical gear to make the concave spherical gear move circumferentially. The concave spherical gear meshes with the convex spherical teeth at the same time to form a planetary gear transmission. Under the meshing action of the convex spherical gear and the concave spherical gear, the spherical raceway of the end cover plate and the two spherical surfaces of the convex spherical teeth slide and operate, and the input torque is transmitted to the output end after the transmission ratio is changed to drive the rotation. The internal angular contact bearing is used in the input shaft, output shaft and intermediate shaft, and plays the role of supporting, rotating and transmitting torque. The external integral angular contact bearing meshes with the worm gear pair reduction mechanism while bearing the weight of the vehicle body, ensuring the compact structure of the bearing unit and stable and durable rotation. The above-mentioned angular contact bearing, convex spherical gear and concave spherical gear are neatly integrated into the inner cavity of the hub bearing unit, making full use of the space of the bearing unit and reducing the volume of the entire hub bearing unit. Each angular contact bearing is lubricated with grease and has permanent seals on both sides to prevent impurities or large particles from the planetary gear mechanism from splashing into the bearing, polluting the bearing working environment and thus affecting the bearing service life.

[0015] The first set of angular contact bearings is between the worm gear support and the end cover. The outer ring raceway on the worm gear support is an integrated design structure, forming the outer ring of the hub bearing unit, which is used to connect the surrounding shell; the inner ring raceway and the end cover are designed as an integrated structure, and the end covers on both sides are connected by six hollow rivets and six spacers, and the six spacers support and fix the end covers. This new connection method effectively reduces the number of components, has a simple structure and is easy to install, and can effectively carry the transmission of force and torque during the meshing process of all gear trains, which plays a very critical role in the high load-bearing, high rigidity and stable operation of the hub bearing unit.

[0016] The second set of angular contact bearings between the convex spherical gear and the end cover has an outer ring raceway set on the end cover and an inner ring raceway set on the spherical surface of the convex spherical gear. It plays a supporting and rotating role in the process of transmitting the input torque of the motor, and at the same time bears axial and radial forces in the meshing of the gear system, and realizes the self-aligning function.

[0017] The third set of angular contact bearings is located between the concave spherical gear and the end cover. The outer ring raceway is arranged at the end cover, and the inner ring raceway is arranged on the intermediate shaft of the concave spherical gear. It supports and rotates the concave spherical gear and bears axial and radial forces in the meshing of the planetary gear system.

[0018] When the worm gear pair bracket is fixed, the spherical worm acts as input and meshes with the tooth surface of the helical worm wheel, driving the helical worm wheel to move circumferentially, and the spline teeth inside the helical worm wheel mesh with the concave spherical gear (making the concave spherical gear mesh for circumferential motion); the concave spherical gear also meshes with the convex spherical teeth to form a planetary gear transmission, and the convex spherical gear acts as output.

[0019] When the internal spline of the helical worm gear drives the concave spherical gear, the concave spherical gear has rotated more than one circle, while the convex spherical gear has only rotated one circle, then the transmission ratio is less than 1, which is deceleration.

[0020] This is a new type of steerable, self-aligning and speed-variable structure formed by joint bearings and convex spherical gears, concave spherical gears and helical worm wheels, spherical worms and the outer hub of worm gear pairs. This structure combines the advantages of high load-bearing capacity and impact resistance of joint bearings, system transmission stability, self-alignment, etc., the speed-variable advantages of planetary gears and hub bearings, and the steering and uniform-speed transmission advantages of spherical worm gear pairs. It is suitable for the field of deceleration and shock-absorbing mechanisms of automobiles and related equipment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 It is a radial cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 2 It is an axial cross-sectional view of the self-aligning state of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the structure of the worm gear support in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the structure of the helical worm gear in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the structure of the end cover in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the structure of the concave spherical gear in the embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 7 Schematic diagram of the structure of the convex spherical gear in an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] The following is further described in detail through specific implementation methods:

[0029] The figure marks in the drawings of the specification include: worm gear bracket 1, vertical shaft tube 2, spherical worm 3, helical worm gear 4, internal spur spline 41, concave spherical gear 5, intermediate shaft 51, hollow rivet 6, spacer 7, convex spherical gear 8, convex spherical teeth 81, convex spherical surface 82, end cover 9, step hole 91, spherical raceway 92, oil groove 93.

[0030] The embodiment is basically as shown in the attached Figure 1 , Figure 2 As shown: A variable speed and adjustable center spherical bearing unit, including a worm gear pair bracket, combined with Figure 3 As shown, the worm gear pair bracket includes a circular worm gear bracket 1, and a vertical shaft tube 2 is integrally formed on the outer circle of the worm gear bracket 1, and the axes of the vertical shaft tube 2 and the worm gear bracket 1 are vertically distributed. A circular helical worm gear 4 is provided in the worm gear bracket 1, and a spherical worm 3 is installed in the vertical shaft tube 2 through a bearing. Step holes 91 are provided at both ends of the vertical shaft tube 2 for radially fixing the deep groove ball bearing, and a retaining ring groove is provided at the outer end of the step hole 91 for axially fixing the deep groove spherical bearing. The worm tooth surface of the spherical worm 3 is based on a plane as a parent surface, and through relative circular motion, the tooth surface of the spherical worm 3 is enveloping, and then the tooth surface of the worm is used as a parent line, and the tooth surface of the helical worm wheel 4 is enveloping through relative motion. The spherical worm 3 is meshed with the tooth surface of the helical worm wheel 4, driving the helical worm wheel 4 to move circumferentially. It has the function of ensuring that the spherical worm 3 and the helical worm wheel 4 can simultaneously enter into meshing with multiple teeth, increasing the contact area, reducing the tooth surface pressure, and bearing large impact loads. The step distance of the step outer circle at both ends of the worm is consistent with the step distance of the two inner step holes 91 of the vertical axis of the worm gear pair bracket. The two small step outer circles radially fix the inner hole of the deep groove ball bearing. The smallest step outer circle on one side is connected with the power device, and a single keyway is set on the smallest step outer circle.

[0031] Combination Figure 4 As shown, the outer circle of the helical worm wheel 4 is provided with a helical worm wheel 4 tooth surface, which meshes with the multi-tooth of the spherical worm 3. The inner wall of the helical worm wheel 4 is provided with an internal spur spline 41, and the minor diameter of the internal spur spline 41 is an arc surface. The inner side of the helical worm wheel 4 is provided with a convex spherical gear 8, which is combined with the Figure 7 As shown, the convex spherical gear 8 includes a convex spherical tooth 81 in the middle and convex spherical surfaces 82 located on both sides of the convex spherical tooth 81. The ball diameter of the convex spherical surface 82 is the same as the indexing ball diameter of the convex spherical tooth 81. End covers 9 are provided on both sides of the worm gear bracket 1. The outer end of the end cover 9 is processed with an outer step raceway. The inner walls of the two sides of the worm gear bracket are provided with inner raceways. The outer step raceway and the inner raceway are connected by steel balls, retaining frames, and sealing rings to form a double-row angular contact bearing. Figure 5 As shown, a spherical raceway 92 is provided in the middle of the end cover 9 for rolling support of the convex spherical gear 8, and a plurality of radial and axial oil grooves 93 are provided on the spherical raceway 92. The convex spherical surface 82 and the spherical raceway 92 of the end cover 9 form two sets of spherical bearings.

[0032] There are six concave spherical gears 5 evenly distributed on the outer side of the convex spherical gear 8. Figure 6As shown, the concave spherical gear 5 has an intermediate shaft 51 integrally formed at both ends, and the end cover 9 has six step holes 91 evenly distributed in the circumferential direction on the outer side of the spherical raceway 92. The shaft necks at both ends of the concave spherical gear 5 are provided with step raceways, and the step holes 91 and the step raceways are connected by steel balls, retainers, and sealing rings to form a double-row angular contact bearing for supporting the concave spherical gear 5. The concave spherical gear 5 is meshed with the internal spur spline 41 of the helical worm gear 4 and the convex spherical gear 8 at the same time. The arc size of the internal spur spline 41 is the same as the arc size of the bottom diameter of the concave spherical gear 5. The concave spherical teeth of the concave spherical gear 5 and the convex spherical teeth 81 of the convex spherical gear 8 have the same indexing sphere diameter. The concave spherical surface is limited axially and radially, so that the convex spherical teeth 81 and the concave spherical teeth can be synchronously self-aligning with the two sets of spherical bearings.

[0033] Six riveting holes are evenly distributed in a ring between the six step holes 91 on the end cover 9. A hollow rivet 6 is connected between the riveting holes of the two end covers 9. A spacer sleeve 7 located between the two end covers 9 is sleeved on the rivet. A groove for positioning the spacer sleeve 7 is provided on the inner side of the end cover 9. The spacer sleeve 7 is used to ensure the groove center distance of each row of double-row angular contact bearings and the axial clearance of the bearings.

[0034] The specific implementation process is as follows: when the worm gear bracket is fixed, the spherical worm 3 is used as the input, meshing with the tooth surface of the helical worm wheel 4, driving the helical worm wheel 4 to make circumferential motion, and the spline teeth inside the helical worm wheel 4 mesh with the concave spherical gear 5 to make the concave spherical gear 5 make circumferential motion. The concave spherical gear 5 is also meshed with the convex spherical gear 81 to form a planetary gear transmission. Under the meshing action of the convex spherical gear 8 and the concave spherical gear 5, the spherical raceway 92 of the end cover plate and the convex spherical gear 81 slide and operate, and the input torque is transmitted to the output end after the transmission ratio is changed to drive the rotation. The internal angular contact bearing is used in the input shaft, output shaft and intermediate shaft 51 to support, rotate and transmit torque. The external integral angular contact bearing is meshed with the worm gear reduction mechanism while bearing the weight of the vehicle body, ensuring the compact structure of the bearing unit and stable and durable rotation. The angular contact bearing, the convex spherical gear 8 and the concave spherical gear 5 are neatly integrated into the inner cavity of the hub bearing unit, making full use of the space of the bearing unit and reducing the volume of the entire hub bearing unit. Each angular contact bearing is lubricated with grease and has a permanent sealing structure on both sides to prevent impurities or large particles from the planetary gear mechanism from splashing into the bearing, polluting the working environment of the bearing and thus affecting the service life of the bearing.

[0035] The first set of angular contact bearings is formed between the worm gear support and the end cover 9. The outer ring raceway on the worm gear support is an integrated design structure, which constitutes the outer ring of the hub bearing unit and is used to connect the surrounding shell; the inner ring raceway and the end cover 9 are designed as an integrated structure, and the end covers 9 on both sides are connected by six hollow rivets 6 and six spacers 7. The six spacers 7 support and fix the end covers 9. This new connection method effectively reduces the number of components, has a simple structure and is easy to install, and can effectively carry the transmission of force and torque during the meshing process of all gear trains, which plays a very critical role in the high load-bearing, high rigidity and stable operation of the hub bearing unit.

[0036] The second set of angular contact bearings between the convex spherical gear 8 and the end cover 9 has an outer ring raceway set on the end cover 9 and an inner ring raceway set on the spherical surface of the convex spherical gear 8. It plays a supporting and rotating role in the process of transmitting the motor input torque, and at the same time bears axial and radial forces in the meshing of the gear system, and realizes the self-aligning function.

[0037] There is a third set of angular contact bearings between the concave spherical gear 5 and the end cover 9. The outer ring raceway is set at the end cover 9, and the inner ring raceway is set on the intermediate shaft 51 of the concave spherical gear 5. It supports and rotates the concave spherical gear 5 and bears axial and radial forces in the meshing of the planetary gear system.

[0038] When the worm gear pair bracket is fixed, the spherical worm 3 acts as input and meshes with the tooth surface of the helical worm wheel 4, driving the helical worm wheel 4 to move circumferentially, and the internal spline teeth of the helical worm wheel 4 mesh with the concave spherical gear 5 (making the concave spherical gear 5 mesh for circumferential motion); the concave spherical gear 5 simultaneously meshes with the convex spherical teeth 81 to form a planetary gear transmission, and the convex spherical gear 8 acts as output.

[0039] When the internal spline of the helical worm gear 4 drives the concave spherical gear 5, the concave spherical gear 5 has rotated more than one circle, while the convex spherical gear 8 has only rotated one circle, then the transmission ratio is less than 1, which is deceleration.

[0040] This is a new type of steerable, self-aligning and speed-variable structure formed by a joint bearing and a convex spherical gear 8, a concave spherical gear 5 and a helical worm wheel 4, a spherical worm 3 and an outer hub of a worm gear pair. This structure combines the advantages of the high load-bearing capacity and impact resistance of the joint bearing, the smoothness of the system transmission, and self-alignment, the speed-variable advantages of the planetary gear and the hub bearing, and the steering and uniform-speed transmission advantages of the spherical worm gear pair, and is suitable for the field of deceleration and shock-absorbing mechanisms of automobiles and related equipment.

[0041] The above is only an embodiment of the present invention, and the common knowledge such as the known specific technical solutions and / or characteristics in the solution is not described in detail here. It should be pointed out that for those skilled in the art, without departing from the technical solution of the present invention, several modifications and improvements can be made, which should also be regarded as the protection scope of the present invention, and these will not affect the effect of the implementation of the present invention and the practicality of the patent. The scope of protection required by this application shall be based on the content of its claims, and the specific implementation methods and other records in the specification can be used to interpret the content of the claims.

Claims

1. A variable speed and adjustable center spherical bearing unit, characterized in that: It includes a worm gear pair bracket, in which a circular helical worm gear is arranged, the inner wall of the helical worm gear is provided with an internal spur spline, the minor diameter of the internal spur spline is an arc surface, a spherical worm gear meshing with the helical worm gear is rotatably connected to the worm gear pair bracket, a convex spherical gear is arranged on the inner side of the helical worm gear, a plurality of concave spherical gears are evenly distributed circumferentially on the outer side of the convex spherical gear, the concave spherical gears are meshed with the internal spline of the helical worm gear and the convex spherical gear at the same time, end covers are arranged on both sides of the worm gear pair bracket, a spherical raceway is arranged in the middle part of the end covers for rolling support of the convex spherical gear, both ends of the concave spherical gear are rotatably connected to the end covers, the end covers are rotatably connected to the inner side of the worm gear pair bracket, and the two end covers are connected by a connecting piece.

2. The variable speed and adjustable center spherical bearing unit according to claim 1, characterized in that: The worm gear pair bracket comprises a circular worm gear bracket, a vertical shaft tube is integrally formed on the outer circle of the worm gear bracket, the axes of the vertical shaft tube and the worm gear bracket are vertically distributed, and the spherical worm is rotatably installed in the vertical shaft tube through a bearing.

3. The variable speed and adjustable center spherical bearing unit according to claim 2, characterized in that: The convex spherical gear comprises a convex spherical tooth in the middle and convex spherical surfaces located on both sides of the convex spherical tooth axial direction. The ball diameter of the convex spherical surface is the same as the dividing spherical diameter of the convex spherical tooth. The convex spherical surface and the spherical raceway of the end cover form two sets of spherical bearings.

4. The variable speed and adjustable center spherical bearing unit according to claim 3, characterized in that: The end cover is provided with a plurality of step holes evenly distributed in the circumferential direction on the outer side of the spherical raceway, and the shaft necks at both ends of the concave spherical gear are provided with step raceways. The step holes and the step raceways are connected by steel balls, retainers and sealing rings to form a double-row angular contact bearing for supporting the concave spherical gear.

5. The variable speed and adjustable center spherical bearing unit according to claim 4, characterized in that: The concave spherical teeth of the concave spherical gear and the convex spherical teeth of the convex spherical gear have the same indexing sphere diameter, and the concave spherical surface is limited axially and radially so that the convex spherical teeth and the concave spherical teeth can be synchronously self-aligned with the two sets of spherical bearings.

6. The variable speed and adjustable center spherical bearing unit according to claim 5, characterized in that: An outer step raceway is machined on the outer end of the end cover, and inner raceways are arranged on the inner walls on both sides of the worm gear pair bracket. The outer step raceway and the inner raceway are connected by steel balls, retainers and sealing rings to form a double-row angular contact bearing.

7. The variable speed and adjustable center spherical bearing unit according to claim 6, characterized in that: There are multiple radial and axial oil grooves on the spherical raceway.

8. The variable speed and adjustable center spherical bearing unit according to claim 7, characterized in that: There are six concave spherical gears.

9. The variable speed and adjustable center spherical bearing unit according to claim 8, characterized in that: Six riveting holes are evenly distributed in a ring between the six step holes on the end cover, and rivets are connected between the riveting holes of the two end covers. A spacer sleeve located between the two end covers is sleeved on the rivet, and the spacer sleeve is used to ensure the groove center distance of each row of double-row angular contact bearings and the axial clearance of the bearings.

10. The variable speed and adjustable center spherical bearing unit according to claim 9, characterized in that: The arc size of the internal spur spline is the same as the bottom diameter arc size of the concave spherical gear. When the worm gear moves in a circumferential direction, its internal spline teeth mesh with the concave spherical gear.

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