Three-pin-shaft type universal joint

Abstract

The invention relates to a three-pin-shaft type universal joint (100). The three-pin-shaft type universal joint (100) comprises a universal joint shell (1); a cardan shaft (2), the cardan shaft end (2.1) of which is arranged in the cardan joint housing (1) and which is coupled to the cardan joint housing (1) in a rotationally fixed manner via a tripod coupling (3); the cardan shaft end (2.1) is connected to the universal joint housing (1) through the connecting device (4), both a thrust load and a tension load can be transmitted between the cardan shaft end (2.1) and the universal joint housing (1) through the connecting device (4), and the connecting device (4) comprises an elastic element (4.1) which is connected to the cardan shaft end (2.1) through the elastic element (4.1). The resilient element is configured to buffer both a transmitted thrust load and a transmitted tensile load.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a three-pin universal joint, comprising: a universal joint housing and a universal shaft, wherein the universal shaft end is arranged in the universal joint housing and is connected to the universal joint housing in a non-torsional manner via a three-pin coupling. Background Technology

[0002] Such three-pin universal joints are known from DE 29 50 222 C2, wherein the universal joint end is loaded away from the universal joint housing by a spring device, the spring device being abutted against the universal joint end via a concave plate. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to realize a three-pin universal joint with low axial force pulsation in the universal joint.

[0004] According to the present invention, this objective is achieved by a three-pin universal joint having the features of claim 1.

[0005] The three-pin universal joint according to the invention includes a universal joint housing and a universal shaft, the universal shaft end of which is disposed within the universal joint housing and is connected to the universal joint housing in a known manner via a three-pin coupling in a non-torsional manner. The three-pin coupling includes three supports formed on the radially inner side of the universal joint housing and three radially extending pins fixed to the radially outer side of the universal shaft, each pin engaging in one of the supports for torque transmission. Typically, the three-pin coupling includes a preferably annular, individual three-pin element attached to the universal shaft end, with three pins formed at the universal shaft end. Preferably, the pins are equipped with ball, roller, or ball bearings to reduce friction.

[0006] According to the present invention, a three-pin universal joint includes a connecting device via which the universal joint end is non-detachably connected to the universal joint housing, wherein the connecting device is configured such that both thrust loads and tensile loads can be transmitted between the universal joint end and the universal joint housing via the connecting device. The connecting device typically includes an elongated rigid connecting element such that, in the linear position of the three-pin universal joint, it is coaxially arranged with the universal joint rotation axis and the universal joint housing rotation axis, and is hinged to the universal joint and the universal joint housing.

[0007] During operation of a three-pin universal joint, the joint housing and the universal joint shaft are typically not arranged coaxially, but rather tilted towards each other. This induces axial loads on the connection device when rotational motion is transmitted through the three-pin universal joint. These axial loads alternate between thrust and tensile loads three times per revolution. At high speeds, this results in very high-frequency and material-consuming alternating loads. Additionally, the alternating axial loads on the connection device can also be caused by external forces.

[0008] According to the invention, the connecting device therefore includes an elastic element configured to buffer transmitted thrust loads and transmitted tensile loads. Thus, the elastic element is configured and arranged such that it elastically deforms when transmitting thrust loads between the universal joint end and the universal joint housing, and when transmitting tensile loads between the universal joint end and the universal joint housing. Preferably, the elastic element is arranged between the rigid connecting element of the connecting device and the universal joint, or between the rigid connecting element of the connecting device and the universal joint housing. However, it is also generally conceivable that the connecting device includes multiple rigid connecting elements, and the elastic element is arranged between two rigid connecting elements.

[0009] By means of the connecting device according to the invention, axial force pulsation in the universal joint can be effectively reduced.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the elastic element is a disc spring. Preferably, the elastic element is connected to a universal joint, universal joint housing, or rigid connecting element via the edge region of the disc spring, and to another of the aforementioned components via the inner region of the leaf spring.

[0011] Particularly preferably, the elastic element configured as a disc spring is arranged in a recess or opening in the universal joint housing or universal shaft end, and is held in the universal joint housing or universal shaft end via its outer periphery, preferably held in an annular groove configured on the universal joint housing or universal shaft end.

[0012] Preferably, the elastic element comprises a spoke structure having a plurality of radially extending spokes. The spoke structure allows the elasticity of the elastic element to be adapted particularly well to the corresponding geometry of the three-pin universal joint, as well as the resulting specific load direction and load strength.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the connecting device includes a rigid connecting element that is connected at one end to a universal joint end or universal joint housing via a ball joint. The rigid connecting element is preferably rod-shaped, pin-shaped, or sleeve-shaped. Preferably, the spherical element of the ball joint includes a hole and is pushed onto the rigid connecting element. Preferably, the ball joint includes an annular ball-and-socket element that is received in a recess or opening in the universal joint housing or universal joint end.

[0014] Particularly preferably, the rigid connecting element is fixedly connected to the elastic element at its end opposite to the ball-and-socket joint, the elastic element being constructed as a disc spring. The elastic element preferably includes a central opening and is pushed onto the rigid connecting element. Attached Figure Description

[0015] The following text is based on Figure 1 Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described below.

[0016] Figure 1The three-pin universal joint according to the invention is schematically shown in a partially sectional view. Detailed Implementation

[0017] Figure 1 A three-pin universal joint 100 according to the present invention is shown, which has a universal joint housing 1 and a universal shaft 2 constructed as a hollow shaft, wherein the universal shaft end 2.1 of the universal shaft is arranged in the universal joint housing 1.

[0018] Universal joint housing 1 and universal joint 2 are connected to each other in a manner that prevents relative torsion via a three-pin coupling 3 constructed in a generally known manner.

[0019] The three-pin coupling 3 includes a three-pin element 3.1 fixed on the universal joint end 2.1. The three-pin element has three pins 3.1.1, wherein a roller element 3.2 is rotatably held on each pin 3.1.1.

[0020] The three-pin coupling 3 also includes three supports 3.3 constructed on the universal joint housing 1, wherein each of the three pins 3.1.1 is received in the support in a known manner and guided via a roller element 3.2.

[0021] The universal joint end 2.1 is further connected to the universal joint housing 1 via the connecting device 4.

[0022] The connecting device 4 includes an elastic element 4.1 configured as a disc spring, which is arranged in an opening 1.1 constructed in the universal joint housing 1, wherein the elastic element 4.1 is held in the universal joint housing 1 by its outer periphery 4.1.1.

[0023] The elastic element 4.1 includes a central opening 4.1.2 and a plurality of radially extending spokes 4.1.3.

[0024] The connecting device 4 includes a sleeve-shaped or tubular rigid connecting element 4.2, which is arranged in... Figure 1 In the linear position of the three-pin universal joint 100 shown, it is coaxial with the rotation axis of the universal shaft 2 and the rotation axis of the universal joint housing 1.

[0025] The rigid connecting element 4.2 is arranged in the opening 4.1.2 of the elastic element 4.1 with its first end 4.2.1 and is fixedly connected to the elastic element 4.1.

[0026] The second end 4.2.2 of the rigid connecting element 4.2, which is opposite to the first end 4.2.1, is connected to the universal joint end 2.1 via a ball joint 4.3, wherein the spherical element 4.3.1 of the ball joint 4.3 is pushed onto the second end 4.2.2 of the rigid connecting element 4.2, and the ball joint 4.3's ball element 4.3.2 is held in the hollow universal joint end 2.1 via its outer periphery.

[0027] Therefore, the connecting device 4 is configured to transmit thrust load and tensile load between the universal joint end 2.1 and the universal joint housing 1, wherein the transmitted thrust load and the transmitted tensile load are both buffered by the elastic element 4.1.

[0028] Furthermore, the defined contact between the spherical element 4.3.1 and the ball-and-socket element 4.3.2 is always ensured by the elastic element 4.1.

[0029] It should be noted that a similar mode of operation can be achieved when the connecting device 4 rotates, that is, when the correspondingly constructed elastic element 4.1 is arranged in the universal joint end 2.1 and the ball joint 4.3 is arranged in the correspondingly constructed opening 1.1 of the universal joint housing 1.

Claims

1. A three-pin universal joint (100), comprising: Universal joint housing (1), and A universal joint (2), the universal joint end (2.1) of which is arranged in a universal joint housing (1) and connected to the universal joint housing (1) in a non-torsional manner via a three-pin coupling (3). Its features are, A connecting device (4) is provided, through which the universal joint end (2.1) is connected to the universal joint housing (1), wherein both thrust load and tensile load can be transmitted between the universal joint end (2.1) and the universal joint housing (1) via the connecting device (4), wherein the connecting device (4) includes an elastic element (4.1), the elastic element being configured to buffer the transmitted thrust load and the transmitted tensile load.

2. The three-pin universal joint (100) according to claim 1, wherein, The elastic element (4.1) is a disc spring.

3. The three-pin universal joint (100) according to claim 2, wherein, The elastic element (4.1) is held in the universal joint housing (1) or the universal joint end (2.1) via its outer periphery (4.1.1).

4. The three-pin universal joint (100) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein, The elastic element (4.1) includes a plurality of spokes (4.1.3).

5. The three-pin universal joint (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The connecting device (4) includes a rigid connecting element (4.2), which is connected at one end (4.2.2) to the universal joint end (2.1) or the universal joint housing (1) via a ball joint (4.3).

6. The three-pin universal joint (100) according to any one of claims 5 and 2 to 4, wherein, The rigid connecting element component (4.2) is fixedly connected to the elastic element (4.1) at the end (4.2.1) opposite to the ball-and-socket joint (4.3).

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