An integrated ball cage drive shaft assembly and drive system

Abstract

The application relates to the technical field of transmission shafts, in particular to an integrated ball cage transmission shaft assembly and a transmission system. The integrated ball cage transmission shaft assembly comprises a transmission shaft rod, a ball cage universal joint and a transmission gear. The ball cage universal joint comprises a bell-shaped shell, a star-shaped sleeve, steel balls and a retainer; the star-shaped sleeve is fixedly connected with the transmission shaft rod; the star-shaped sleeve, the steel balls and the retainer are located in the bell-shaped shell; the steel balls are arranged to roll between the rolling tracks of the bell-shaped shell and the star-shaped sleeve; the steel balls are embedded in the retainer; the transmission gear comprises a gear body and an extension shaft sleeve; the gear body is coaxial with and fixedly connected with the extension shaft sleeve; the extension shaft sleeve is located on one side of the gear body in the axial direction; the gear body is provided with a coaxial positioning shaft hole; the transmission gear is fixedly connected with the bell-shaped shell; the bell-shaped shell is at least partially located in the positioning shaft hole; and the transmission shaft rod is partially located in the extension shaft sleeve. Thus, the problem of a large volume of the connection between the transmission shaft and the gearbox is solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of drive shaft technology, and more specifically, to an integrated ball cage drive shaft assembly and drive system. Background Technology

[0002] The driveshaft assembly includes the driveshaft rod, ball joint, and spline drive assembly. The primary function of the driveshaft rod is to stably transmit the torque output from the power source to subsequent actuators (such as wheels). The driveshaft rod must meet the requirements of high strength and low weight to ensure reliability and transmission efficiency under high-speed rotation conditions. The ball joint, as a key angle compensation component, is usually installed at one end of the driveshaft rod, enabling smooth torque transmission even when there is a certain angle between the driveshaft rod and the gearbox. The spline drive assembly, through the meshing of internal and external splines, achieves detachable connection and torque transmission between components, while allowing a certain degree of relative movement in the axial direction to compensate for axial displacement caused by temperature changes, vibration, and other factors during operation, ensuring the normal operation of the transmission system.

[0003] However, the large size of the connection between the driveshaft assembly and the gearbox is a significant issue. This problem arises primarily because, to achieve a reliable connection and torque transmission between the driveshaft and the gearbox, a matching connection structure (such as a flange) is required at the gearbox output end to match the splined transmission assembly at the driveshaft end. Furthermore, to ensure sufficient angular compensation space for the ball joint at this connection point, appropriate dimensional design is needed for the housing and protective structure at the connection. This results in the stacking and assembly of various components at the connection point, increasing the overall structural size. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the issue of the large volume at the connection between the driveshaft and the gearbox, this invention provides an integrated ball joint driveshaft assembly and transmission system.

[0005] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a drive shaft assembly for an integrated ball cage, the drive shaft assembly of the integrated ball cage comprising:

[0006] Drive shaft;

[0007] A ball cage universal joint includes a bell-shaped shell, a star-shaped sleeve, steel balls, and a cage; the star-shaped sleeve is fixedly connected to the drive shaft; the star-shaped sleeve, the steel balls, and the cage are all located inside the bell-shaped shell; the steel balls are rotatably disposed between the raceways of the bell-shaped shell and the raceways of the star-shaped sleeve; the steel balls are embedded in the cage.

[0008] A transmission gear, comprising a gear body and an extension bushing; the gear body and the extension bushing are coaxial and fixedly connected; the extension bushing is located on one side of the axial direction of the gear body; the gear body has a coaxial positioning shaft hole; the transmission gear is fixedly connected to a bell-shaped shell; the bell-shaped shell is at least partially located within the positioning shaft hole; and the transmission shaft is partially located within the extension bushing.

[0009] In some embodiments, the bell-shaped housing portion is located within the extended bushing.

[0010] In some embodiments, the extended bushing includes a first positioning sleeve, a second positioning sleeve, and a third positioning sleeve; the diameter of the first positioning sleeve is smaller than the diameter of the third positioning sleeve; the second positioning sleeve is located between the first positioning sleeve and the third positioning sleeve; the second positioning sleeve is fixedly connected to the first positioning sleeve and the third positioning sleeve respectively; the second positioning sleeve is conical; a positioning protrusion is integrally formed on the inner wall of the second positioning sleeve near the third positioning sleeve; the positioning protrusion abuts against one end face of the bell-shaped shell; the inner peripheral wall of the third positioning sleeve abuts against the outer peripheral wall of the bell-shaped shell.

[0011] In some embodiments, the transmission gear further includes a reinforcing rib; the reinforcing rib is fixedly connected to the gear body and the extension bushing respectively; the reinforcing rib is located on the outside of the extension bushing and the gear body.

[0012] In some embodiments, the bell-shaped housing includes a bell-shaped cover and a bearing stop; the bell-shaped cover is fixedly connected to the bearing stop; the bearing stop is located outside the bell-shaped cover; the bearing stop is located outside the transmission gear; the bearing stop is used to cooperate with the bearing to provide support for the transmission shaft assembly.

[0013] In some embodiments, the outer peripheral surface of the bell-shaped shell has a weight-reducing cavity.

[0014] In some embodiments, the depth of the weight reduction cavity gradually increases along the direction approaching the bearing stop;

[0015] The bell-shaped shell also includes a support ring; the support ring is integrally formed with the bell-shaped cover; the support ring is located at one end of the bell-shaped cover near the bearing stop; one end face of the support ring is the inner wall of the weight reduction cavity; the outer peripheral surface of the support ring abuts against the inner peripheral surface of the positioning shaft hole.

[0016] In some embodiments, the drive shaft assembly of the integrated ball cage further includes a sealing ring; the sealing ring is located within the weight reduction cavity.

[0017] In some embodiments, the drive shaft assembly of the integrated ball cage further includes:

[0018] A flexible sheath, in which the drive shaft passes; one end of the flexible sheath is fixedly connected to the extension bushing, and the other end is fixedly connected to the drive shaft.

[0019] In a second aspect, the present invention provides a transmission system comprising the drive shaft assembly of the integrated ball cage as described in any one of the first aspects;

[0020] A gearbox, comprising a housing and a gear set; a transmission gear located within the gearbox; an output end of the gear set meshing with the transmission gear; and an extension bushing rotatably connected to the housing.

[0021] To address the issue of the large volume at the connection point between the drive shaft and the gearbox, this invention offers the following advantages:

[0022] By fixing the transmission gear to the bell-shaped housing, with the bell-shaped housing at least partially located within the positioning shaft hole of the transmission gear's body, the transmission gear and bell-shaped housing achieve axial partial overlap, forming an integrated design. When installed on a vehicle, the CV joint mounting position can be moved from the outside of the transmission to the inside, thereby shortening the axial dimension of the integrated CV joint driveshaft assembly, saving installation space, and ultimately solving the problem of large volume at the connection between the driveshaft and the transmission. Simultaneously, by providing an extension sleeve on the axial side of the transmission gear's body, with the driveshaft portion located within the extension sleeve, the extension sleeve provides some space for the driveshaft's swing and also protects the inside of the CV joint. Utilizing the positioning of the extension sleeve on the vehicle, such as rotatably connecting the extension sleeve to the transmission housing, stable support can be provided simultaneously for the transmission gear, CV joint, and driveshaft, simplifying the support structure and further addressing the problem of large volume at the connection between the driveshaft and the transmission. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 A partial cross-sectional view of a drive shaft assembly in the related art of this application is shown;

[0024] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a transmission system according to one embodiment is shown;

[0025] Figure 3 It shows Figure 2 A partially enlarged schematic diagram of point A in the transmission system;

[0026] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of another embodiment of the transmission system is shown;

[0027] Figure 5 It shows Figure 4 A magnified view of part B of the transmission system in the diagram.

[0028] Reference numerals: Drive shaft 10; Ball cage universal joint 20; Bell-shaped housing 21; Bell-shaped cover 211; Bearing stop 212; Weight reduction cavity 213; Support ring 214; Star sleeve 22; Steel ball 23; Cage 24; Drive gear 30; Gear body 31; Extension bushing 32; First positioning sleeve 321; Second positioning sleeve 322; Third positioning sleeve 323; Reinforcing rib 33; Flexible sheath 40; Spline drive assembly 50; Spline shaft 51; Spline sleeve 52; Gearbox 60; Drive shaft assembly 70; Drive shaft 71; Ball cage universal joint 72; Cage 721; Star sleeve 722; Steel ball 723; Bell-shaped cover 724. Detailed Implementation

[0029] The present disclosure will now be discussed with reference to several exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that these embodiments are discussed only to enable those skilled in the art to better understand and thus implement the present disclosure, and are not intended to imply any limitation on the scope of the disclosure.

[0030] As used herein, the term "comprising" and its variations are to be interpreted as open-ended terms meaning "including but not limited to". The term "based on" is to be interpreted as "at least partially based on". The terms "one embodiment" and "an embodiment" are to be interpreted as "at least one embodiment". The term "another embodiment" is to be interpreted as "at least one other embodiment". The terms "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "front", "rear", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "vertical", "horizontal", "lateral", "longitudinal", etc., indicate orientations or positional relationships based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings. These terms are primarily for the purpose of better describing this application and its embodiments and are not intended to limit the indicated devices, elements, or components to having a specific orientation or being constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Furthermore, some of the above terms may be used to indicate other meanings besides orientations or positional relationships; for example, the term "upper" may in some cases indicate a dependency or connection relationship. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of these terms in this application according to the specific circumstances. In addition, the terms "installed", "set up", "equipped with", "connected", and "linked" should be interpreted broadly. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral structure; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, or an internal connection between two devices, elements, or components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application according to the specific circumstances. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," etc., are mainly used to distinguish different devices, elements, or components (the specific types and structures may be the same or different), and are not used to indicate or imply the relative importance or quantity of the indicated devices, elements, or components. Unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0031] like Figure 1 As shown, the current driveshaft assembly 70 includes a driveshaft rod 71, a ball joint 72, and a spline drive assembly. The main function of the driveshaft rod 71 is to stably transmit the torque output from the power source to the subsequent actuator (such as a wheel). The ball joint 72 contains a bell-shaped housing, a star-shaped sleeve 722, a steel ball 723, and a cage 721, forming a complete angle compensation component. The spline drive assembly enables detachable connection and torque transmission between components. Figure 1The left side connects to the gearbox, and the right side connects to the actuator (such as a wheel). The driveshaft assembly 70 is located outside the gearbox enclosure, and the gearbox output shaft extends from the gearbox housing and connects to the ball joint 72. The gearbox output shaft is threadedly connected to the bell housing 724 of the ball joint 72 via a flange, thus achieving the connection from the output shaft to the bell housing 724 and then to the ball joint 72 via the flange. This results in a relatively large size at the connection point between the driveshaft assembly 70 and the gearbox.

[0032] Example 1:

[0033] In this embodiment, as Figure 2 , Figure 3 As shown, the drive shaft assembly of the integrated ball cage includes a drive shaft rod 10, a ball cage universal joint 20, and a drive gear 30.

[0034] By setting the transmission shaft 10, a main support component is provided for torque transmission, ensuring stable power transmission and achieving the function of a basic transmission carrier.

[0035] The ball joint 20 includes a bell-shaped housing 21, a star-shaped sleeve 22, steel balls 23, and a cage 24. By incorporating the bell-shaped housing 21, star-shaped sleeve 22, steel balls 23, and cage 24 within the ball joint 20, a complete angle compensation component is formed, laying the structural foundation for smooth torque transmission. The star-shaped sleeve 22 is fixedly connected to the drive shaft 10, ensuring torque transmission between the ball joint 20 and the drive shaft 10, effectively transferring power from the ball joint 20 to the drive shaft 10, achieving reliable linkage between the two. The star-shaped sleeve 22, steel balls 23, and cage 24 are all located within the bell-shaped housing 21. The bell-shaped housing 21 protects the internal components, preventing external impurities from affecting their operation, while also providing installation and positioning space for the star-shaped sleeve 22, steel balls 23, and cage 24, ensuring stable operation of the ball joint 20. The steel balls 23 are rolled between the raceways of the bell-shaped shell 21 and the star-shaped sleeve 22, enabling relative rotation between them and thus achieving angle compensation. This ensures smooth torque transmission even when the transmission angle changes, reducing torque fluctuations. The steel balls 23 are embedded in the cage 24, which provides circumferential positioning, preventing them from shifting or colliding within the raceways. This ensures even force distribution on each ball, improving the transmission stability and service life of the ball cage universal joint 20.

[0036] The transmission gear 30 includes a gear body 31 and an extension bushing 32. The gear body 31 and the extension bushing 32 are coaxial and fixedly connected to ensure synchronous rotation, avoiding transmission deviation or structural damage caused by misalignment, thus ensuring transmission accuracy and structural reliability. The fixed connection can be achieved through integral molding, welding, or other methods, with integral molding being preferred for higher strength. The extension bushing 32 is located on one side of the axial direction of the gear body 31, which has a coaxial positioning shaft hole. The transmission gear 30 is fixedly connected to the bell-shaped housing 21. The fixed connection includes an interference fit between the transmission gear 30 and the bell-shaped housing 21, and welding of the transmission gear 30 to the bell-shaped housing 21 on the side away from the transmission shaft 10. This achieves a reliable connection between the transmission gear 30 and the ball joint 20, ensuring that torque is transmitted from the transmission gear 30 to the ball joint 20, achieving stable linkage between the two. The bell-shaped housing 21 is at least partially located within the locating shaft hole, allowing the transmission gear 30 to partially overlap with the bell-shaped housing 21 in the axial direction, achieving an integrated design. This shortens the axial dimension of the transmission shaft assembly, thus saving installation space. When installed on a vehicle, the CV joint 20 can be moved from the outside of the transmission 60 to the inside of the transmission 60, further shortening the axial dimension of the integrated CV joint transmission shaft assembly and saving installation space. The transmission shaft rod 10 is partially located within the extension bushing 32, further saving installation space outside the transmission 60 and solving the problem of excessive installation space in traditional transmission shaft assemblies.

[0037] In other embodiments, the drive shaft assembly of the integrated ball cage further includes a spline drive assembly 50. The spline drive assembly 50 includes a spline shaft 51 and a spline sleeve 52, the spline shaft 51 being rotatably connected to the drive shaft rod 10, and the spline sleeve 52 being fitted onto the outer wall of the spline shaft 51.

[0038] Furthermore, such as Figure 4 , Figure 5 As shown, the bell-shaped housing 21 is partially located within the extension bushing 32. With the CV joint 20 installed in the gearbox 60 in the same position, placing part of the bell-shaped housing 21 within the extension bushing 32 increases the axial distance between the gear body 31 and the gearbox 60 housing, providing more operating space for subsequent installation operations. It also facilitates disassembly and repair of related components during maintenance. Furthermore, the location of the bell-shaped housing 21 within the extension bushing 32 reduces the length of the spline shaft 51 inside the CV joint, preventing a decrease in the CV joint's swing angle (interference with the outer sleeve) due to an excessively long spline shaft 51. This effectively reduces the cantilever of the driveshaft, improving its stability and reducing vibration or component wear caused by excessive cantilever length. Additionally, the location of the bell-shaped housing 21 within the extension bushing 32 optimizes the system space arrangement along the vehicle's length, minimizing the use of extra space while ensuring the normal function of each component, thus further improving the overall vehicle space utilization efficiency.

[0039] Furthermore, such as Figure 3 As shown, the extension bushing 32 includes a first positioning sleeve 321, a second positioning sleeve 322, and a third positioning sleeve 323. The diameter of the first positioning sleeve 321 is smaller than that of the third positioning sleeve 323, creating a diameter difference at both ends of the extension bushing 32. This allows it to be fitted to the smaller diameter drive shaft 10 and the larger diameter bell-shaped shell 21, avoiding assembly gaps caused by diameter mismatch and improving assembly accuracy. The second positioning sleeve 322 is located between the first positioning sleeve 321 and the third positioning sleeve 323, enabling a transitional connection between them and preventing stress concentration due to abrupt diameter changes, thus enhancing the structural stability of the extension bushing 32. The second positioning sleeve 322 is fixedly connected to both the first positioning sleeve 321 and the third positioning sleeve 323. Preferably, the fixed connection is integrally formed, ensuring the integrity and rigidity of the overall structure of the extension bushing 32. This prevents relative displacement of the first positioning sleeve 321, second positioning sleeve 322, and third positioning sleeve 323 during transmission, ensuring the stability of torque transmission and guaranteeing the reliability of the extension bushing 32's transmission. The second positioning sleeve 322 is tapered, facilitating better adaptation of the extended bushing 32 to the large-diameter ball joint 20 and the small-diameter drive shaft 10. The second positioning sleeve 322 has an integrally formed positioning protrusion near the inner wall of the third positioning sleeve 323. This integral structure enhances the connection strength of the positioning protrusion, preventing it from detaching or deforming during contact. Simultaneously, it provides a clear axial positioning reference for the bell-shaped housing 21, ensuring the precise assembly position of the bell-shaped housing 21. The positioning protrusion abuts against one end face of the bell-shaped housing 21, and the inner peripheral wall of the third positioning sleeve 323 abuts against the outer peripheral wall of the bell-shaped housing 21. This provides radial positioning and support for the bell-shaped housing 21, limiting its radial offset and further optimizing the stability of the integrated ball joint drive shaft assembly.

[0040] Furthermore, such as Figure 3As shown, the transmission gear 30 also includes a reinforcing rib 33. The reinforcing rib 33 is fixedly connected to the gear body 31 and the extension bushing 32 respectively. The fixed connection can be achieved by welding or integral molding, preferably integral molding, to ensure that the reinforcing rib 33 can effectively transmit and disperse the force between the gear body 31 and the extension bushing 32. The reinforcing rib 33 is located on the outside of the extension bushing 32 and the gear body 31. This avoids the reinforcing rib 33 occupying internal assembly space and does not affect the normal assembly of the transmission shaft 10 and the bell-shaped housing 21. At the same time, the reinforcing rib 33 can directly act on the outer connection area between the gear body 31 and the extension bushing 32, reducing the stress concentration in this connection area during transmission due to torque transmission. Through the support and force dispersion effect of the outer reinforcing rib 33, the stress distribution in this connection area is optimized, reducing the situation of excessive local stress, and ultimately achieving the effect of reducing stress concentration. At the same time, it enhances the overall structural rigidity of the transmission gear 30, avoids deformation or damage to the transmission gear 30 due to stress concentration, and improves the service life of the integrated ball cage transmission shaft assembly.

[0041] Furthermore, such as Figure 3 As shown, the bell-shaped housing 21 includes a bell-shaped cover 211 and a bearing retainer. The bell-shaped cover 211 and the bearing retainer are fixedly connected, preferably using an integral molding process, to ensure the connection strength between the bell-shaped cover 211 and the bearing retainer, while ensuring that the sealing function of the bell-shaped cover 211 is not affected, thereby improving the structural reliability of the bell-shaped housing 21. The bearing retainer is located on the outside of the bell-shaped cover 211 and on the outside of the transmission gear 30. The bearing retainer is used to cooperate with the bearing to provide support for the transmission shaft assembly. This provides a support structure for both the transmission shaft rod 10 and the transmission gear 30 simultaneously, eliminating the need for additional independent support components, thus simplifying the support structure design, reducing the number of components, and avoiding the occupation of axial space by independent support components, thereby saving axial space and further helping to solve the problem of large volume at the connection between the transmission shaft and the gearbox 60.

[0042] In other embodiments, the side of the bell-shaped cover 211 near the bearing stop is closed. By making the side of the bell-shaped cover 211 near the bearing stop closed, a sealing structure can be formed on that side, blocking the communication channel between the inside and outside space of the bell-shaped cover 211, and providing structural conditions for achieving the sealing function. This closed structure plays a sealing role, preventing the lubricating medium of the ball joint 20 from mixing with the gear lubricating medium in the gearbox 60. Through this sealing effect, the performance of the two lubricating media can be prevented from deteriorating due to mixing, ensuring normal lubrication of the ball joint 20 and the internal components of the gearbox 60, avoiding component wear or failure due to lubrication failure, and reducing the risk of lubricating medium leakage, thereby improving the reliability and service life of the transmission system.

[0043] Furthermore, such as Figure 3 , Figure 5As shown, by providing a weight-reducing cavity 213 on the outer peripheral surface of the bell-shaped shell 21, redundant material in the non-load-bearing areas of the outer peripheral surface of the bell-shaped shell 21 can be removed without compromising the core structural strength of the bell-shaped shell 21, thus creating conditions for reducing the overall weight of the bell-shaped shell 21. Simultaneously, while ensuring that the original sealing and support functions of the bell-shaped shell 21 are not affected, the weight-reducing cavity 213 can reduce the amount of material used in the bell-shaped shell 21, lower manufacturing costs, and the reduced weight can indirectly reduce the overall load on the drive shaft assembly, reducing energy loss during power transmission.

[0044] Furthermore, the depth of the weight-reducing cavity 213 gradually increases along the direction close to the bearing stop. The amount of material removed can be further increased near the bearing stop (the area where the bell-shaped shell 21 is subjected to relatively less force) to maximize the weight reduction effect, while retaining sufficient material thickness in the area far from the bearing stop to ensure that the structural strength of the core stress area of ​​the bell-shaped shell 21 is not affected, and to avoid a decrease in the containment function or overall rigidity of the bell-shaped shell 211 due to weight reduction.

[0045] The bell-shaped housing 21 also includes a support ring 214. The support ring 214 is integrally formed with the bell-shaped housing 211. The support ring 214 is located at the end of the bell-shaped housing 211 near the bearing stop. One end face of the support ring 214 is the inner wall of the weight-reducing cavity 213, and the outer peripheral surface of the support ring 214 abuts against the inner peripheral surface of the positioning shaft hole. Due to the presence of the weight-reducing cavity 213, the side of the bell-shaped housing 211 near the bearing stop 212 is a cantilever structure. By adding the support ring 214 in the bell-shaped housing 21, an inner wall support structure is provided for the weight-reducing cavity 213, preventing a decrease in the structural stability of the corresponding area of ​​the bell-shaped housing 211 due to the presence of the weight-reducing cavity 213. At the same time, it provides a support point for the engagement between the bell-shaped housing 21 and the positioning shaft hole of the transmission gear 30, improving the reliability of their engagement. It can also limit the radial displacement of the bell-shaped shell 21 in the positioning shaft hole, improve the coaxiality of the two, avoid transmission vibration caused by radial clearance, and at the same time, the support ring 214 can help disperse the force between the two during the transmission process and reduce local stress concentration.

[0046] Furthermore, the integrated ball joint drive shaft assembly also includes a sealing ring located within the weight reduction chamber 213. This further prevents external impurities from entering or internal lubricating medium from leaking, laying a structural foundation for improving the sealing performance of the transmission system. At the same time, the space of the weight reduction chamber 213 allows for concealed installation of the sealing ring, eliminating the need for an additional independent mounting slot for the sealing ring and avoiding the occupation of external or axial space in the drive shaft assembly.

[0047] Furthermore, such as Figure 3As shown, the integrated ball cage drive shaft assembly also includes a flexible sleeve 40, in which the drive shaft 10 passes. One end of the flexible sleeve 40 is fixedly connected to the extension sleeve 32, and the other end is fixedly connected to the drive shaft 10. The flexible sleeve 40 can protect the drive shaft 10 passing through it, preventing interference between the drive shaft 10 and external components during high-speed rotation, while also isolating external dust, moisture, and other impurities, preventing them from adhering to the surface of the drive shaft 10 and affecting transmission efficiency. Furthermore, the axial position of the extension sleeve 32 can shorten the distance between the two ends of the flexible sleeve 40, achieving effective protection of the drive shaft 10 without additional sleeve length extension, thus saving the length of the flexible sleeve 40. At the same time, this allows for sufficient expansion space for the flexible sleeve 40, as the flexible sleeve 40 will expand during high-speed rotation. Since the flexible sleeve 40 cannot be designed to be longer or irregularly shaped, by extending the bushing 32, interference between the flexible sleeve 40 and surrounding components during expansion can be avoided, preventing damage to the sleeve due to interference or excessive expansion. This ensures that the flexible sleeve 40 can still stably perform its protective function under high-speed rotation conditions, further improving the operational reliability of the integrated ball cage drive shaft assembly without taking up additional space.

[0048] Example 2:

[0049] In this embodiment, as Figure 2 , Figure 4 As shown, the transmission system includes an integrated ball joint driveshaft assembly and a gearbox 60.

[0050] The gearbox 60 includes a housing and a gear set. The transmission gear 30 is located within the gearbox 60, and the output end of the gear set meshes with the transmission gear 30. An extension sleeve 32 is rotatably connected to the housing. The gearbox 60 enables speed changes and torque regulation, providing a suitable power input to the drive shaft assembly. Simultaneously, the gearbox housing protects the gear set, preventing external impurities from affecting its operation, thus ensuring power transmission accuracy and extending the gear set's service life.

[0051] Those skilled in the art will understand that the above embodiments are specific examples of implementing this disclosure, and in practical applications, various changes can be made in form and detail without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

Claims

1. A drive shaft assembly for an integrated ball cage, characterized in that, The drive shaft assembly of the integrated ball cage includes: Drive shaft; A ball cage universal joint includes a bell-shaped shell, a star-shaped sleeve, steel balls, and a cage; the star-shaped sleeve is fixedly connected to the drive shaft; the star-shaped sleeve, the steel balls, and the cage are all located inside the bell-shaped shell; the steel balls are rotatably disposed between the raceways of the bell-shaped shell and the raceways of the star-shaped sleeve; the steel balls are embedded in the cage. A transmission gear includes a gear body and an extended bushing; the gear body and the extended bushing are coaxial and fixedly connected; the extended bushing is located on one side of the axial direction of the gear body; the gear body has a coaxial positioning shaft hole; the transmission gear is fixedly connected to a bell-shaped housing; the bell-shaped housing is at least partially located within the positioning shaft hole; a portion of the transmission shaft is located within the extended bushing; the transmission gear and the bell-shaped housing are located within a gearbox. The extended bushing includes a first positioning sleeve, a second positioning sleeve, and a third positioning sleeve; the diameter of the first positioning sleeve is smaller than the diameter of the third positioning sleeve; the second positioning sleeve is located between the first positioning sleeve and the third positioning sleeve; the second positioning sleeve is fixedly connected to the first positioning sleeve and the third positioning sleeve respectively; the second positioning sleeve is conical; a positioning protrusion is integrally formed on the inner wall of the second positioning sleeve near the third positioning sleeve; the positioning protrusion abuts against one end face of the bell-shaped shell; the inner peripheral wall of the third positioning sleeve abuts against the outer peripheral wall of the bell-shaped shell.

2. The drive shaft assembly of an integrated ball cage according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bell-shaped shell portion is located within the extended bushing.

3. The drive shaft assembly of an integrated ball cage according to claim 1, characterized in that, The transmission gear also includes a reinforcing rib; the reinforcing rib is fixedly connected to the gear body and the extension bushing respectively; the reinforcing rib is located on the outside of the extension bushing and the gear body.

4. The drive shaft assembly of an integrated ball cage according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bell-shaped housing includes a bell-shaped cover and a bearing stop; the bell-shaped cover is fixedly connected to the bearing stop; the bearing stop is located on the outside of the bell-shaped cover; the bearing stop is located on the outside of the transmission gear; the bearing stop is used to cooperate with the bearing to provide support for the transmission shaft assembly.

5. The drive shaft assembly of an integrated ball cage according to claim 4, characterized in that, The outer circumferential surface of the bell-shaped shell has a weight-reducing cavity.

6. The drive shaft assembly of an integrated ball cage according to claim 5, characterized in that, The depth of the weight reduction cavity gradually increases along the direction close to the bearing stop; The bell-shaped shell also includes a support ring; the support ring is integrally formed with the bell-shaped cover; the support ring is located at one end of the bell-shaped cover near the bearing stop; one end face of the support ring is the inner wall of the weight reduction cavity; the outer peripheral surface of the support ring abuts against the inner peripheral surface of the positioning shaft hole.

7. The drive shaft assembly of an integrated ball cage according to claim 5, characterized in that, The drive shaft assembly of the integrated ball cage also includes a sealing ring; the sealing ring is located inside the weight reduction cavity.

8. The drive shaft assembly of an integrated ball cage according to claim 1, characterized in that, The integrated ball cage drive shaft assembly also includes: A flexible sheath, in which the drive shaft passes; one end of the flexible sheath is fixedly connected to the extension bushing, and the other end is fixedly connected to the drive shaft.

9. A transmission system, characterized in that, The transmission system includes the drive shaft assembly of the integrated ball cage as described in any one of claims 1-8; A gearbox, comprising a housing and a gear set; the output end of the gear set meshes with the transmission gear; and an extension bushing is rotatably connected to the housing.

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