Low-temperature-resistant maintenance-free universal joint assembly

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of universal joint assemblies, in particular to a low-temperature-resistant maintenance-free universal joint assembly, which comprises a cross shaft body, and is characterized in that four shaft heads are arranged on the cross shaft body, rubber sealing rings are sleeved at the end parts of the shaft heads, shaft sleeves are sleeved outside the shaft heads, and the shaft sleeves are sleeved outside the shaft heads. A bearing assembly is arranged on the inner wall of the shaft sleeve and matched with the end of the shaft head, a radial oil duct and an annular oil injection nozzle associated with the radial oil duct are jointly arranged in the shaft sleeve and the end of the shaft head, the low-temperature-resistant maintenance-free universal joint assembly adopts the low-temperature-resistant rubber sealing ring to sleeve the end of the shaft head, and efficient sealing and impurity and grease leakage prevention are achieved; the radial oil duct is provided with a spiral flow guide groove, an annular grease storage cavity and a one-way valve plate, so that lubricating grease is uniformly stored, and maintenance-free is realized; the cross-shaped stress dispersion groove and the honeycomb aluminum buffer coating are used for dispersing stress impact and improving the fatigue resistance; the bearing assembly fixes an equidistant cylindrical roller bearing through a retainer, bearing is uniform, and abrasion is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of universal joint assembly technology, and in particular to a low-temperature resistant, maintenance-free universal joint assembly. Background Technology

[0002] Universal joints, as key components in mechanical transmission systems used to connect two shafts and transmit power through angular changes, are widely used in automobiles, construction machinery, mining equipment, and other fields. Traditional universal joints typically employ simple sealing structures and lubrication methods. While these may meet general usage requirements, they are prone to problems such as grease leakage, seal failure, structural fatigue, and accelerated wear under harsh conditions like extreme low temperatures, high loads, and high impacts. This leads to decreased performance or even failure of the universal joint, affecting the reliability and lifespan of the entire transmission system. Furthermore, traditional universal joints often require frequent lubrication maintenance, increasing operating costs and maintenance complexity. Existing universal joints have significant shortcomings in low-temperature resistance, sealing effectiveness, lubrication system design, and impact resistance, making it difficult to meet the long-term stable operation requirements of modern high-demand operating conditions.

[0003] Chinese patent discloses a high-sealing universal joint (publication number: CN 208578896 U) including a shaft, journal, bushing, and gasket. The contact surfaces of the bushing and gasket are respectively provided with a plurality of mutually matching positioning protrusions and positioning grooves. The bottom of the positioning groove is provided with an adsorption groove, and an adsorption magnet is provided in the adsorption groove. The positioning protrusion is provided with an iron block that cooperates with the adsorption magnet. However, this universal joint has shortcomings in terms of low temperature resistance, sealing performance, lubrication and maintenance, impact resistance and load-bearing capacity, and it is difficult to meet the long-term stable operation requirements under extreme working conditions. Therefore, a low-temperature resistant maintenance-free universal joint assembly is needed. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to address the shortcomings of traditional universal joints in terms of low-temperature resistance, sealing performance, lubrication and maintenance, impact resistance and load-bearing capacity, which make it difficult to meet the long-term stable operation requirements under extreme working conditions. Therefore, this invention proposes a low-temperature resistant, maintenance-free universal joint assembly.

[0005] The technical solution adopted by this utility model to solve its technical problem is as follows: A low-temperature resistant, maintenance-free universal joint assembly, comprising a cross shaft body, is characterized in that: the cross shaft body has four shaft ends, each shaft end is fitted with a rubber sealing ring made of low-temperature resistant rubber material, a bushing is fitted outside the shaft end, the inner wall of the bushing is provided with a bearing assembly that cooperates with the shaft end, and the bushing and shaft end both have radial oil passages and an annular grease nipple associated with the radial oil passages, the radial oil passages and the annular grease nipple being concentrically and coaxially arranged. By directly fitting the rubber sealing rings onto the shaft end and using low-temperature resistant material, effective sealing of the universal joint's internal lubrication system is achieved, preventing external impurities from entering and grease leakage; simultaneously, by setting radial oil passages and annular grease nipples inside the bushing and shaft end, an internal lubrication channel system is constructed, allowing grease to be easily injected and evenly distributed, thereby achieving the maintenance-free function of the universal joint and improving its long-term reliability.

[0006] Preferably, the inner wall of the radial oil passage is provided with a spiral guide groove with a spiral angle of 15°~45°. The inner wall of the radial oil passage is connected to an annular grease reservoir, and there are two annular grease reservoirs arranged correspondingly. A one-way valve is provided at the inlet of the radial oil passage. By providing a spiral guide groove in the radial oil passage, the grease forms an orderly rotating flow during its flow, which helps to distribute the grease more evenly to each lubrication point. The two corresponding annular grease reservoirs can store more grease, extending the lubrication cycle. At the same time, the one-way valve at the inlet of the radial oil passage effectively prevents grease backflow or leakage, ensuring the long-term stable operation of the lubrication system and improving the service life and operational stability of the universal joint.

[0007] Preferably, the top and bottom surfaces of the cross shaft body are provided with cross-shaped stress dispersion grooves at their centers, and the cross-shaped stress dispersion grooves are surrounded by a honeycomb aluminum buffer coating. The cross-shaped stress dispersion grooves located at the center of the cross shaft body can effectively disperse the concentrated stress generated during the operation of the universal joint, reducing local fatigue and deformation; combined with the surrounding honeycomb aluminum buffer coating, it further absorbs and mitigates impact energy, enhancing the overall structure's impact resistance and durability, allowing the universal joint to maintain good working condition even under complex operating conditions.

[0008] Preferably, the bearing assembly includes a cage on which cylindrical roller bearings are mounted, the number of which is 25 to 35 and arranged in an equally spaced array. By arranging multiple cylindrical roller bearings at equal intervals through the cage, the load can be evenly distributed across the rollers, preventing overload on individual rollers and improving the overall load-bearing capacity and operational stability of the bearing. This structural design effectively reduces friction and wear, extends the bearing's service life, and simultaneously improves the universal joint's rotational efficiency and response speed.

[0009] Preferably, the bushing is provided with a groove, and the groove is provided with a positioning clamp. The groove on the bushing, combined with the positioning clamp, securely fixes the bushing to the shaft head, preventing loosening, displacement, or detachment of the bushing during operation. This ensures the stability and concentricity of the universal joint's internal structure, improving operational safety and reliability.

[0010] Preferably, the low-temperature resistant rubber material of the rubber sealing ring is silicone rubber, with a glass transition temperature (Tg) ≤ -50℃. Using a low-temperature resistant rubber material with an extremely low glass transition temperature to make the sealing ring ensures that it maintains good elasticity and sealing performance even in extremely cold environments, effectively preventing grease leakage and the intrusion of external contaminants. This ensures that the universal joint can still operate normally under low-temperature conditions, expanding its applicable environmental range and improving the product's environmental adaptability.

[0011] The advantages of this utility model are as follows: The low-temperature resistant, maintenance-free universal joint assembly of this application achieves efficient sealing of the internal lubrication system by directly fitting a rubber sealing ring onto the shaft end and using low-temperature resistant rubber material. This effectively prevents external impurities from entering and grease leakage, improving its adaptability to harsh environments. The internal radial oil passage and annular grease nipple structure, combined with the spiral guide groove and grease reservoir design, allow for uniform grease distribution and long-term storage, achieving maintenance-free functionality, reducing the frequency of maintenance during use, and improving the operating efficiency and reliability of the equipment. The cross-shaped stress dispersion groove and honeycomb aluminum buffer coating on the cross shaft body effectively disperse stress during operation. The concentrated stress and impact energy generated during rotation enhance the fatigue and impact resistance of the overall structure, extending its service life. The bearing assembly uses cages to fix multiple equally spaced cylindrical roller bearings, making the load distribution more uniform, reducing friction and wear, and improving the smoothness and efficiency of rotation. The groove and positioning clamp design on the bushing ensures a firm fit between the bushing and the shaft head, preventing loosening and misalignment, and further ensuring the structural stability and concentricity of the universal joint. The rubber seal is made of a material with an extremely low glass transition temperature, which allows it to maintain good elasticity and sealing performance even in extremely cold environments, expanding the product's applicable temperature range and enhancing its environmental adaptability. Attached Figure Description

[0012] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0013] Figure 1This is a schematic diagram of the structure of this utility model.

[0014] Figure 2 This is a top view of the structure of this utility model.

[0015] Figure 3 This utility model Figure 2 A sectional view of CC.

[0016] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of this utility model from another perspective.

[0017] In the figure: 1. Honeycomb aluminum buffer coating; 2. Cross shaft body; 3. Bushing; 4. Positioning clamp; 5. Groove; 6. Annular grease nipple; 7. Annular grease reservoir; 8. Spiral guide groove; 9. Radial oil passage; 10. One-way valve plate; 11. Cage; 12. Cylindrical roller bearing; 13. Shaft head; 14. Cross stress dispersion groove. Detailed Implementation

[0018] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present utility model. Example

[0019] Please see Figure 1-4 As shown, a low-temperature resistant, maintenance-free universal joint assembly includes a cross shaft body 2. The cross shaft body 2 is characterized by having four shaft ends 13. Each shaft end 13 is fitted with a rubber sealing ring made of low-temperature resistant rubber. A bushing 3 is fitted outside each shaft end 13. The inner wall of the bushing 3 has a bearing assembly that mates with the ends of the shaft ends 13. Both the bushing 3 and the ends of the shaft ends 13 have a radial oil passage 9 and an annular grease nipple 6 associated with the radial oil passage 9. The radial oil passage 9 and the annular grease nipple 6 are concentrically and coaxially arranged. By directly fitting the rubber sealing rings onto the ends of the shaft ends 13 and using low-temperature resistant material, effective sealing of the universal joint's internal lubrication system is achieved, preventing the entry of external impurities and grease leakage. Simultaneously, by providing the radial oil passage 9 and the annular grease nipple 6 inside the bushing 3 and shaft ends 13, an internal lubrication channel system is constructed, allowing for convenient injection and uniform distribution of grease, thereby achieving the maintenance-free function of the universal joint and improving its long-term reliability.

[0020] In this embodiment, the inner wall of the radial oil passage 9 is provided with a spiral guide groove 8, the spiral angle being 15°~45°. The inner wall of the radial oil passage 9 is connected to an annular grease reservoir 7, and there are two annular grease reservoirs 7 arranged correspondingly. A one-way valve 10 is provided at the inlet of the radial oil passage 9. By providing the spiral guide groove 8 within the radial oil passage 9, the grease forms an orderly rotating flow during its flow, which helps to distribute the grease more evenly to each lubrication point. The two corresponding annular grease reservoirs 7 can store more grease, extending the lubrication cycle. Simultaneously, the one-way valve 10 at the inlet of the radial oil passage 9 effectively prevents grease backflow or leakage, ensuring long-term stable operation of the lubrication system and improving the service life and operational stability of the universal joint.

[0021] In this embodiment, the top and bottom surfaces of the cross shaft body 2 are provided with cross stress dispersion grooves 14, and the cross stress dispersion grooves 14 are surrounded by a honeycomb aluminum buffer coating 1. The cross stress dispersion grooves 14 are provided at the center of the cross shaft body 2, which can effectively disperse the concentrated stress generated by the universal joint during operation, reduce local fatigue and deformation; together with the honeycomb aluminum buffer coating 1 around them, they can further absorb and mitigate impact energy, enhance the impact resistance and durability of the overall structure, and enable the universal joint to maintain a good working condition under complex working conditions.

[0022] In this embodiment, the bearing assembly includes a cage 11, on which cylindrical roller bearings 12 are mounted. The number of cylindrical roller bearings 12 is 25-35, arranged in an equally spaced array. By arranging multiple cylindrical roller bearings 12 at equal intervals through the cage 11, the load can be evenly distributed across each roller, preventing overload on individual rollers and improving the overall load-bearing capacity and operational stability of the bearing. This structural design effectively reduces friction and wear, extends the bearing's service life, and simultaneously improves the universal joint's rotational efficiency and response speed.

[0023] In this embodiment, the bushing 3 is provided with a groove 5, and the groove 5 is provided with a positioning clamp 4. By providing a groove 5 on the bushing 3 and cooperating with the positioning clamp 4, the bushing 3 can be firmly fixed on the shaft head 13, preventing the bushing 3 from loosening, shifting or falling off during operation, thereby ensuring the stability and concentricity of the internal structure of the universal joint and improving the safety and reliability of operation.

[0024] In this embodiment, the low-temperature resistant rubber material of the rubber sealing ring is silicone rubber, with a glass transition temperature (Tg) ≤ -50℃. Using a low-temperature resistant rubber material with an extremely low glass transition temperature to make the sealing ring ensures that it maintains good elasticity and sealing performance even in extremely cold environments. This effectively prevents grease leakage and the intrusion of external contaminants, ensuring that the universal joint can still function normally under low-temperature conditions, expanding its applicable environmental range and improving the product's environmental adaptability.

[0025] The implementation principle of this embodiment is as follows:

[0026] First, the cross shaft body 2, as the core support component of the entire universal joint, has four shaft ends 13 connected to external drive shafts, enabling angle changes and power transmission during power transmission. Each shaft end 13 is fitted with a rubber sealing ring made of low-temperature resistant rubber material. This sealing ring fits tightly between the shaft end 13 and the bushing 3, forming an effective sealing barrier to prevent external dust, moisture, and other impurities from entering the universal joint, while also preventing internal grease leakage and ensuring long-term stable operation of the lubrication system. The bushing 3 is fitted onto the outside of the shaft end 13, and its inner wall is equipped with a bearing assembly, including a cage 11 and multiple equally spaced cylindrical roller bearings 12. These bearings provide rolling support between the shaft end 13 and the bushing 3, enabling the universal joint to achieve smooth relative rotation during operation, while evenly distributing the load and reducing friction and wear.

[0027] Regarding the lubrication system, the bushing 3 and the shaft head 13 are both equipped with radial oil passages 9 and concentric annular grease nipples 6. Grease is injected into the radial oil passages 9 in one go through the annular grease nipples 6 and flows evenly in a specific direction under the guidance of the spiral guide grooves 8 on the inner wall of the oil passages, ensuring that the grease can fully cover all lubrication points. The radial oil passages 9 also have two corresponding annular grease reservoirs 7 to store excess grease and extend the lubrication cycle. The one-way valve 10 at the inlet of the radial oil passages 9 effectively prevents grease backflow or leakage, ensuring a reliable seal in the lubrication system. In terms of structural strength and impact resistance, the top and bottom surfaces of the cross shaft body 2 are equipped with cross-shaped stress dispersion grooves 14 to disperse concentrated stress generated during operation, preventing localized fatigue and deformation. Simultaneously, the surrounding honeycomb aluminum buffer coating 1 further absorbs and mitigates impact energy, improving the overall impact resistance and durability of the structure. The groove 5 and positioning clamp 4 design on the bushing 3 ensures the bushing 3 is firmly fixed to the shaft head 13, preventing loosening and displacement, and guaranteeing the stability and concentricity of the universal joint's internal structure.

[0028] In the description of this specification, references to terms such as "an embodiment," "example," "specific example," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0029] The foregoing has shown and described the basic principles, main features, and advantages of this utility model. Those skilled in the art should understand that this utility model is not limited to the above embodiments. The embodiments and descriptions in the specification are merely illustrative of the principles of this utility model. Various changes and modifications can be made to this utility model without departing from its spirit and scope, and all such changes and modifications fall within the scope of the claimed utility model.

Claims

1. A low-temperature resistant, maintenance-free universal joint assembly, comprising a cross shaft body (2), characterized in that... The cross shaft body (2) is provided with four shaft heads (13). The ends of the shaft heads (13) are fitted with rubber sealing rings. The rubber sealing rings are made of low-temperature resistant rubber material. The shaft heads (13) are fitted with bushings (3). The inner wall of the bushings (3) is provided with bearing assemblies that cooperate with the ends of the shaft heads (13). The bushings (3) and the ends of the shaft heads (13) are provided with radial oil passages (9) and annular oil nozzles (6) associated with the radial oil passages (9). The radial oil passages (9) and annular oil nozzles (6) are arranged concentrically and coaxially.

2. The low-temperature resistant, maintenance-free universal joint assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The radial oil passage (9) has a spiral guide groove (8) on its inner wall with a spiral angle of 15°~45°. The radial oil passage (9) is connected to an annular grease reservoir (7). There are two annular grease reservoirs (7) and they are arranged in a corresponding manner. A one-way valve plate (10) is provided at the inlet of the radial oil passage (9).

3. The low-temperature resistant, maintenance-free universal joint assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cross shaft body (2) has a cross stress dispersion groove (14) at the center of the top and bottom surfaces, and a honeycomb aluminum buffer coating (1) is provided around the cross stress dispersion groove (14).

4. The low-temperature resistant, maintenance-free universal joint assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bearing assembly includes a cage (11) on which cylindrical roller bearings (12) are provided. The number of cylindrical roller bearings (12) is 25 to 35 and they are arranged in an equally spaced array.

5. The low-temperature resistant, maintenance-free universal joint assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bushing (3) is provided with a slot (5), and the slot (5) is provided with a positioning clamp (4).

6. The low-temperature resistant, maintenance-free universal joint assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The low-temperature resistant rubber material of the rubber sealing ring is silicone rubber, with a glass transition temperature (Tg) ≤ -50℃.

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