Tripod constant velocity universal joint and assembly method thereof

Abstract

The tripod type constant velocity universal joint comprises the universal joint shell and the tripod frame structure arranged in the universal joint shell, the tripod frame structure is movably arranged in the universal joint shell, the tripod frame structure can reduce friction force between the tripod frame structure and the universal joint shell, temperature rise of the tripod type constant velocity universal joint is effectively reduced, and the service life of the tripod type constant velocity universal joint is prolonged. The tripod structure can disperse interaction force, so that axial derived force is effectively reduced, the problem of whole vehicle NVH caused by the tripod type universal joint and a driving shaft is effectively solved, and the invention further provides an assembling method for conveniently assembling the tripod type constant velocity universal joint.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the field of tripod type constant velocity universal joints for driving shafts, and in particular relates to a tripod type constant velocity universal joint and an assembly method thereof. Background Art

[0002] With the rapid development of my country's automobile industry and the rapid rise of new energy vehicles in recent years, the car has been defined not only as a means of transportation, but also a mobile space for the pursuit of driving pleasure and comfort. As an important part of the automobile running system, the drive shaft is generally composed of a fixed joint, a shaft and a movable joint. Most of the commonly used movable joints in the industry are tripod universal joints. The tripod universal joint is a commonly used mechanical connection device, mainly used to transmit rotational motion and torque. It is usually composed of three spherical pins and a housing, and can rotate flexibly in multiple directions to adapt to the movement requirements of different angles.

[0003] However, the tripod joint is limited by its structure and will generate derived force along the axis direction when the vehicle is driving. When the axial derived force exceeds a certain range, it will cause NVH problems (Noise, Vibration, Harshness) such as low-speed yaw and acceleration jitter of the whole vehicle. It will also affect the lubrication state and service life of the tripod joint, easily accelerate the wear of the tripod joint, cause a large temperature rise of the tripod joint during operation, reduce the transmission efficiency of the tripod joint, and affect the normal operation of the tripod joint.

[0004] Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop a tripod constant velocity joint and an assembly method thereof that can effectively reduce axial derived forces, optimize the NVH problems of the entire vehicle caused by the tripod universal joint and the drive shaft, effectively reduce the loss of the tripod universal joint, and increase the service life of the tripod universal joint. Summary of the invention

[0005] The present invention is made to solve the above problems, and aims to provide a tripod constant velocity joint and an assembly method thereof, which can effectively reduce axial derivative force, optimize the NVH problem of the whole vehicle caused by the tripod universal joint and the drive shaft, effectively reduce the loss of the tripod universal joint, and increase the service life of the tripod universal joint. In order to achieve the above purposes, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is:

[0006] The invention provides a tripod type constant velocity universal joint, which has the following characteristics: it comprises a universal joint housing and a tripod frame structure arranged in the universal joint housing, wherein the tripod frame structure is movably arranged in the universal joint housing.

[0007] The tripod type constant velocity universal joint provided by the present invention may also have the following characteristics: the tripod structure includes a tripod body and a bearing assembly arranged on the tripod body.

[0008] The tripod type constant velocity universal joint provided by the present invention may also have such a feature that a ball track is provided on the universal joint housing, and the bearing assembly is movably arranged in the ball track.

[0009] The tripod type constant velocity universal joint provided by the present invention may also have the following characteristics: the tripod body is provided with journals, the journals are evenly arranged on the tripod body, and the bearing assembly is sleeved on the journals.

[0010] In the tripod type constant velocity universal joint provided by the present invention, it can also have such a feature that the bearing assembly includes a first bearing, the first bearing includes a first bearing inner ring, a first bearing outer ring, a first needle roller and an axial retaining ring, the first bearing inner ring is sleeved on the shaft neck, the first bearing outer ring is sleeved on the outside of the first bearing inner ring, the first needle roller is movably arranged between the first bearing inner ring and the first bearing outer ring, and the axial retaining ring is arranged on both sides of the first needle roller.

[0011] The tripod type constant velocity universal joint provided by the present invention may also have the following characteristics: the inner end surface of the first bearing inner ring is a cylindrical surface, and the journal abuts against the first bearing inner ring.

[0012] In the tripod type constant velocity universal joint provided by the present invention, it can also have such a feature that the bearing assembly includes a second bearing, the second bearing includes a second bearing inner ring, a second bearing outer ring and a second needle roller, the second bearing inner ring is sleeved on the shaft neck, the second bearing outer ring is sleeved on the outside of the second bearing inner ring, the second needle roller is arranged between the second bearing outer ring and the second bearing inner ring, and a limiting flange is provided on the second bearing outer ring.

[0013] The tripod type constant velocity universal joint provided by the present invention may also have the following characteristics: the inner end surface of the second bearing inner ring is spherical, and the journal is matched with the inner end surface of the second bearing inner ring.

[0014] In the three-ball pin type constant velocity universal joint provided by the present invention, it can also have the following characteristics: the ball track includes a circular groove and a petal groove, the petal grooves are evenly distributed on the circular groove, the petal groove includes a first inner arc wall surface and a second inner arc wall surface, the first inner arc wall surface and the second inner arc wall surface are respectively located on both sides of the bearing assembly, the petal groove also includes a clearance groove, and the clearance groove is located on the side of the bearing assembly away from the circular groove.

[0015] The present invention also provides an assembly method for the above-mentioned tripod type constant velocity universal joint, which is characterized by comprising the following steps: step S1, assembling the tripod structure; step S2, installing the tripod structure in the universal joint housing.

[0016] The technical effect of the present invention is as follows: the tripod type constant velocity universal joint provided by the present invention comprises a universal joint housing and a tripod structure arranged in the universal joint housing, the tripod structure can be movably arranged in the universal joint housing, the tripod structure can reduce the friction between itself and the universal joint housing, effectively reduce the temperature rise of the tripod type constant velocity universal joint, the tripod structure can disperse the interaction force, thereby effectively reducing the axial derived force, and effectively optimizing the NVH problem of the whole vehicle caused by the tripod type universal joint and the drive shaft. The present invention also provides an assembly method for conveniently assembling the above-mentioned tripod type constant velocity universal joint.

[0017] Therefore, the tripod type constant velocity universal joint provided by the present invention effectively reduces the axial derived force, effectively optimizes the NVH problem of the whole vehicle caused by the tripod type universal joint and the drive shaft, effectively reduces the loss of the tripod type universal joint, and increases the service life of the tripod type universal joint. The present invention also provides an assembly method for conveniently assembling the tripod type constant velocity universal joint. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] This specification includes the following drawings, which show the following contents:

[0019] Figure 1 2 is a schematic structural diagram of a tripod type constant velocity universal joint according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 2 is a schematic structural diagram of a tripod type constant velocity universal joint in an embodiment of the present invention in a bottom view direction;

[0021] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a first bearing in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a second bearing in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 5 It is a cross-sectional view of the ballway in the axial direction in the embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Marked in the figure are: universal joint housing -10, ball track -11, circular groove -12, petal groove -13, first inner arc wall -131, second inner arc wall -132, gap groove -133, tripod structure -20, tripod body -21, bearing assembly -22, first bearing -221, first bearing inner ring -2211, first bearing outer ring -2212, first needle roller -2213, axial retaining ring -2214, second bearing -222, journal -23, second bearing inner ring -2221, second bearing outer ring -2222, second needle roller -2223, limiting flange -2224. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] The specific implementation methods of the present invention are further explained in detail below by describing the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, with the aim of helping those skilled in the art to have a more complete, accurate and in-depth understanding of the inventive concept and technical solution of the present invention and facilitating their implementation.

[0026] Figure 1 2 is a schematic structural diagram of a tripod type constant velocity universal joint according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 It is a schematic structural diagram of a tripod type constant velocity universal joint in an embodiment of the present invention in a bottom view direction.

[0027] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the tripod type constant velocity universal joint provided by the present invention includes a universal joint housing 10 and a tripod structure 20 arranged in the universal joint housing 10. The tripod structure 20 can be movably arranged in the universal joint housing 10. The tripod structure 20 can reduce the friction between itself and the universal joint housing 10, effectively reduce the temperature rise of the tripod type constant velocity universal joint, and the tripod structure 20 can disperse the interaction force, thereby effectively reducing the axial derived force, and effectively optimizing the NVH problem of the whole vehicle caused by the tripod type universal joint and the drive shaft.

[0028] The tripod structure 20 includes a tripod body 21 and a bearing assembly 22 arranged on the tripod body 21. The bearing assembly 22 can reduce the friction between the tripod body 21 and the universal joint housing 10, which is beneficial to reducing the temperature rise of the tripod constant velocity universal joint, reducing the wear of the tripod structure 20, and extending the service life of the tripod structure 20.

[0029] A ball track 11 is provided on the universal joint housing 10, and a bearing assembly 22 is adapted to the ball track 11. The bearing assembly 22 can be movably arranged in the ball track 11. A shaft journal 23 is provided on the tripod body 21. The shaft journal 23 is evenly arranged on the tripod body 21. Three shaft journals 23 are evenly arranged on the tripod body 21. The angle between the three shaft journals 23 is 120°. A bearing assembly 22 is sleeved on each shaft journal 23. The three bearing assemblies 22 are slidably arranged in the ball track 11, so that the tripod body 21 can flexibly rotate in the universal joint housing 10, thereby improving the reliability of the structure.

[0030] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a first bearing in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] like Figure 3As shown, the bearing assembly 22 includes a first bearing 221, and the first bearing 221 includes a first bearing inner ring 2211, a first bearing outer ring 2212, a first needle roller 2213 and an axial retaining ring 2214. The first bearing inner ring 2211 is sleeved on the shaft neck 23 of the tripod body 11, the first bearing outer ring 2212 is sleeved on the outside of the first bearing inner ring 2211, the first needle roller 2213 is arranged between the first bearing inner ring 2211 and the first bearing outer ring 2212, and the axial retaining ring 2214 is arranged on both sides of the first needle roller 2213. The outer edge of the axial retaining ring 2214 abuts against the first bearing outer ring 2212, and the inner edge of the axial retaining ring 2214 abuts against the first bearing inner ring 2211, so as to limit the first needle roller 2213 between the first bearing inner ring 2211 and the first bearing outer ring 2212, thereby preventing the first needle roller 2213 from slipping off and improving the stability and reliability of the first bearing 221. The first bearing 221 can reduce the friction between the tripod structure 20 and the universal joint housing 10, effectively reduce the temperature rise of the tripod constant velocity joint, and improve the transmission efficiency of the tripod constant velocity joint. The first bearing 221 can disperse the axial component of the interaction force between the first bearing inner ring 2211 and the journal 23 of the tripod body 21, thereby effectively reducing the axial derived force and effectively optimizing the NVH problem of the whole vehicle caused by the tripod universal joint and the drive shaft.

[0032] The inner end face of the first bearing inner ring 2211 is cylindrical, and the shaft neck 23 abuts against the first bearing inner ring 2211, which facilitates the processing of the first bearing inner ring 2211, reduces the processing cost of the first bearing inner ring 2211 and the first bearing 221, facilitates the assembly of the first bearing inner ring 2211 and the shaft neck 23, and facilitates the assembly of the first bearing 221, which is beneficial to improving the assembly efficiency of the first bearing 221 and the tripod-type constant velocity universal joint.

[0033] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a second bearing in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] like Figure 4As shown, the bearing assembly 22 also includes a second bearing 222, which includes a second bearing inner ring 2221, a second bearing outer ring 2222 and a second needle roller 2223. The second bearing inner ring 2221 is sleeved on the shaft neck 23 of the tripod body 21, and the second bearing outer ring 2222 is sleeved on the outside of the second bearing inner ring 2221. The second needle roller 2223 is arranged between the second bearing outer ring 2222 and the second bearing inner ring 2221. A limiting flange 2224 is provided on the inner end surface of the second bearing outer ring 2222. The limiting flange 2224 is evenly distributed on the two side edges of the second bearing outer ring 2222. The limiting flange 2224 is located on both sides of the second needle roller 2223. The limiting flange 2224 can limit the second needle roller 2223 to prevent the first needle roller 2213 from slipping, thereby improving the stability and reliability of the first bearing 221. Compared with the first bearing 221, the second bearing 222 cancels the structural design of the axial retaining ring 2214, and limits the second needle roller 2223 through the limiting flange 2224 on the inner end surface of the second bearing outer ring 2222, which is conducive to reducing the width of the second bearing outer ring 2222, and at the same time simplifies the transfer process of the second needle roller 222, which is conducive to improving the assembly efficiency of the second bearing 222. After canceling the structural design of the axial retaining ring 2214, the friction pair between the axial retaining ring 2214 and the inner and outer rings of the bearing can be reduced, so that the second bearing 222 can further reduce the temperature rise of the tripod constant velocity universal joint and improve the transmission efficiency of the tripod constant velocity universal joint.

[0035] like Figure 4 As shown, the inner end face of the second bearing inner ring 2221 is spherical, the journal 23 on the tripod body 21 is matched with the inner end face of the second bearing inner ring 2221, and the outer peripheral surface of the journal 23 is in close contact with the inner end face of the second bearing inner ring 2221 to form a spherical pair. Therefore, when there is a swing angle of the tripod type constant velocity joint, the axial component of the interaction force between the second bearing inner ring 2221 and the journal 23 on the tripod body 21 can be better dispersed, thereby further effectively reducing the axial derived force, and further effectively optimizing the NVH problem of the whole vehicle caused by the tripod type universal joint and the drive shaft.

[0036] Through the first bearing 221 and the second bearing 222 provided by the present invention, the first bearing 221 or the second bearing 222 can be flexibly selected according to actual conditions to meet different production requirements.

[0037] Figure 5 It is a cross-sectional view of the ballway in the axial direction in the embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] like Figure 5As shown, the ballway 11 includes a circular groove 12 and a petal groove 13, the petal groove 13 is evenly arranged on the circular groove 12, the bearing assembly 22 is slidably arranged in the petal groove 13, three petal grooves 13 are evenly arranged on the circular groove 12, and the three petal grooves 13 correspond to the positions of the three groups of bearing assemblies 22 on the tripod body 21, respectively, the petal groove 13 includes a first inner arc wall surface 131 and a second inner arc wall surface 132, the first inner arc wall surface 131 and the second inner arc wall surface 132 are respectively located on both sides of the bearing assembly 22, respectively located on both sides of the first bearing outer ring 2212 or the second bearing outer ring 2222, the outer end surfaces of the first bearing outer ring 2212 and the second bearing outer ring 2222 are both arc-shaped, and the first bearing outer ring 2212 and the second bearing outer ring 2222 are both arc-shaped. The inner arc wall 131 and the second inner arc wall 132 are adapted to each other, and the outer end surface of the first bearing outer ring 2212 or the second bearing outer ring 2222 abuts against the first inner arc wall 131 and the second inner arc wall 132, so that a two-point contact is formed between the bearing assembly 22 and the petal groove 13, so that the bearing assembly 22 can slide in the petal groove 13 along the first inner arc wall 131 and the second inner arc wall 132, thereby improving the smoothness of the tripod structure 20 in the universal joint housing 10, further reducing the friction of the tripod structure 20 in the universal joint housing 10, effectively reducing the temperature rise of the tripod constant velocity joint, and effectively optimizing the NVH problem of the whole vehicle caused by the tripod universal joint and the drive shaft.

[0039] like Figure 5 As shown, the petal groove 13 also includes a clearance groove 133, which is located on the side of the bearing assembly 22 away from the circular groove 12. The clearance groove 133 can provide a certain clearance space for the bearing assembly 22, which is convenient for installing the tripod structure 20. At the same time, it ensures that during the working process of the tripod type constant velocity universal joint, a clearance space is provided between the bearing assembly 22 and the universal joint housing 10 to avoid scratches and friction between the side of the bearing assembly 22 and the universal joint housing 10, thereby improving the reliability of the structure.

[0040] The present invention also provides an assembly method according to a tripod type constant velocity universal joint, comprising the following steps:

[0041] Step S1, assembling the tripod structure 20, includes the following sub-steps:

[0042] Step S1-1, according to actual production needs, select the first bearing 221 or the second bearing 222. When the first bearing 221 is selected, the axial retaining ring 2214 on one side is placed into the first bearing outer ring 2212, the first needle roller 2213 is placed, and the first bearing inner ring 2211 is pressed, and finally the axial retaining ring 2214 on the other side is pressed between the first bearing inner ring 2211 and the second bearing outer ring 2212 to complete the assembly of the first bearing 221. When the second bearing 222 is selected, the second needle roller 2223 is placed into the second bearing outer ring 2222, and then the second bearing inner ring is pressed into the second bearing outer ring 2222 to complete the assembly of the second bearing 222.

[0043] Step S1 - 2 , press-fit the three first bearings 221 or the three second bearings 222 onto the three shaft shoulders 23 on the tripod body 21 , thereby completing the assembly of the tripod structure 20 .

[0044] Step S2, installing the tripod structure 20 in the universal joint housing 10, and installing the three first bearings 221 or the three second bearings 222 in the three petal grooves 13 in a one-to-one correspondence, thereby completing the assembly of the tripod type constant velocity universal joint.

[0045] Therefore, the assembly method of the tripod type constant velocity universal joint provided by the present invention can improve the assembly efficiency of the tripod type constant velocity universal joint, which is beneficial to improving the production efficiency of the tripod type constant velocity universal joint.

[0046] Functions and Effects of the Embodiments

[0047] The tripod type constant velocity universal joint provided by the present invention comprises a universal joint housing 10 and a tripod structure 20 arranged in the universal joint housing 10, the tripod structure 20 being movably arranged in the universal joint housing 10, the tripod structure 20 being able to reduce the friction between itself and the universal joint housing 10, and effectively reducing the temperature rise of the tripod type constant velocity universal joint, the tripod structure 20 being able to disperse the interaction force, thereby effectively reducing the axial derived force, and effectively optimizing the NVH problem of the whole vehicle caused by the tripod type universal joint and the drive shaft, the tripod type constant velocity universal joint provided by the present invention effectively reduces the axial derived force, effectively optimizes the NVH problem of the whole vehicle caused by the tripod type universal joint and the drive shaft, effectively reduces the loss of the tripod type universal joint, and increases the service life of the tripod type universal joint, and the present invention also provides an assembly method for conveniently assembling the tripod type constant velocity universal joint.

[0048] The present invention is described above by way of example in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the specific implementation of the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned methods. As long as various non-substantial improvements are made using the method concept and technical solution of the present invention; or the above-mentioned concept and technical solution of the present invention are directly applied to other occasions without improvement, they are all within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A tripod type constant velocity universal joint, characterized in that: The invention comprises a universal joint housing (10) and a tripod structure (20) arranged in the universal joint housing (10); the tripod structure (20) is movably arranged in the universal joint housing (10).

2. The tripod type constant velocity universal joint according to claim 1, characterized in that: The tripod structure (20) comprises a tripod body (21) and a bearing assembly (22) arranged on the tripod body (21).

3. The tripod type constant velocity universal joint according to claim 2, characterized in that: A ball track (11) is provided on the universal joint housing (10), and the bearing assembly (22) is movably arranged in the ball track (11).

4. The tripod type constant velocity universal joint according to claim 3, characterized in that: The tripod body (21) is provided with a journal (23), the journal (23) is evenly arranged on the tripod body (21), and the bearing assembly (22) is sleeved on the journal (23).

5. The tripod type constant velocity universal joint according to claim 4, characterized in that: The bearing assembly (22) comprises a first bearing (221), wherein the first bearing (221) comprises a first bearing inner ring (2211), a first bearing outer ring (2212), a first needle roller (2213) and an axial retaining ring (2214), wherein the first bearing inner ring (2211) is sleeved on the shaft neck (23), the first bearing outer ring (2212) is sleeved on the outside of the first bearing inner ring (2211), the first needle roller (2213) is movably arranged between the first bearing inner ring (2211) and the first bearing outer ring (2212), and the axial retaining ring (2214) is arranged on both sides of the first needle roller (2213).

6. The tripod type constant velocity universal joint according to claim 5, characterized in that: The inner end surface of the first bearing inner ring (2211) is a cylindrical surface, and the shaft neck (23) is in contact with the first bearing inner ring (2211).

7. The tripod type constant velocity universal joint according to claim 4, characterized in that: The bearing assembly (22) comprises a second bearing (222), the second bearing (222) comprises a second bearing inner ring (2221), a second bearing outer ring (2222) and a second needle roller (2223), the second bearing inner ring (2221) is sleeved on the shaft neck (23), the second bearing outer ring (2222) is sleeved on the outside of the second bearing inner ring (2221), the second needle roller (2223) is arranged between the second bearing outer ring (2222) and the second bearing inner ring (2221), and a limiting flange (2224) is provided on the second bearing outer ring (2222).

8. The tripod type constant velocity universal joint according to claim 7, characterized in that: The inner end surface of the second bearing inner ring (2221) is spherical, and the shaft journal (23) is adapted to the inner end surface of the second bearing inner ring (2221).

9. The tripod type constant velocity universal joint according to claim 4, characterized in that: The ballway (11) comprises a circular groove (12) and petal grooves (13), wherein the petal grooves (13) are evenly distributed on the circular groove (12), wherein the petal grooves (13) comprise a first inner arc wall surface (131) and a second inner arc wall surface (132), wherein the first inner arc wall surface (131) and the second inner arc wall surface (132) are respectively located on two sides of the bearing assembly (22), and the petal grooves (13) further comprise a clearance groove (133), wherein the clearance groove (133) is located on a side of the bearing assembly away from the circular groove (12).

10. An assembly method of a tripod type constant velocity universal joint according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: The following steps are involved: Step S1, assembling a tripod structure (20); Step S2, installing the tripod structure (20) in the universal joint housing (10).

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