A side oil injection universal joint assembly

Abstract

This utility model relates to the field of universal joint assembly technology, and in particular to a side-lubricated universal joint assembly, comprising a cross shaft body. Its features include: four shaft ends on the cross shaft body; oil seal seats fitted at the ends of the shaft ends; bushings fitted outside the shaft ends; bearing assemblies on the inner walls of the bushings and cooperating with the ends of the shaft ends; radial oil passages and annular grease nipples associated with the radial oil passages, the radial oil passages and annular grease nipples being concentrically and coaxially arranged; a side grease nipple on one side of the cross shaft body. This universal joint assembly achieves flexible lubrication through the side grease nipple and internal oil passages, facilitating maintenance; the spiral guide groove and diffuser groove cooperate to ensure uniform grease distribution, avoiding localized insufficient lubrication; the cage secures the roller bearing, ensuring sufficient lubrication and improving operational stability; the bushing has a wear-resistant coating to reduce wear; and the cross shaft body is made of high-strength steel with quenching treatment, resulting in strong load-bearing capacity.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of universal joint assembly technology, and in particular to a universal joint assembly with side-lubrication. Background Technology

[0002] Universal joints, as key components in mechanical transmission systems that connect two shafts and transmit power through angular changes, are widely used in automobiles, construction machinery, and agricultural machinery. Their performance directly affects the smoothness, durability, and reliability of the transmission system. Traditional universal joints typically use top or end lubrication methods, resulting in a relatively simple lubrication system structure. However, in practical applications, this method suffers from problems such as inconvenient grease injection, uneven lubrication, and susceptibility to contamination. This is especially problematic in space-constrained or specially designed installation locations, where traditional lubrication methods struggle to meet the demands for efficient and convenient maintenance. Furthermore, existing universal joints also have shortcomings in grease distribution, bearing assembly structure, and bushing wear resistance, leading to poor lubrication, accelerated component wear, and shortened service life.

[0003] Chinese patent discloses a three-dimensional universal joint cross shaft (publication number: CN 202732747 U) having an intermediate shaft and an arm body integrated with the intermediate shaft. The feature is that the surface roughness Ra of the universal joint cross shaft composed of the intermediate shaft and the arm body is 0.4μm. However, this universal joint cross shaft has problems such as inconvenient lubrication, uneven distribution of grease, and insufficient structural wear resistance, making it difficult to meet the requirements of efficient and stable operation under complex working conditions. Therefore, a universal joint assembly with side lubrication is needed. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to solve the problems of inconvenient lubrication, uneven grease distribution, and insufficient wear resistance of traditional universal joints in the prior art, which make it difficult to meet the requirements of efficient and stable operation under complex working conditions. Therefore, this invention proposes a side-lubricated universal joint assembly.

[0005] The technical solution adopted by this utility model to solve its technical problem is as follows: A side-lubricated universal joint assembly, comprising a cross shaft body, characterized in that: the cross shaft body is provided with four shaft ends, each shaft end is fitted with an oil seal seat, 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, the bushing and the shaft end are both provided with radial oil passages and an annular grease injection nozzle associated with the radial oil passages, the radial oil passages and the annular grease injection nozzle are concentrically and coaxially arranged, and a side grease injection nozzle is provided on one side of the cross shaft body. By setting a structure in which the side grease injection nozzle is connected to the internal radial oil passage, the function of injecting grease from the side is realized, making the lubrication system layout more flexible, facilitating lubrication operations under space-constrained or special installation conditions, and improving maintenance convenience.

[0006] Preferably, the side-mounted grease injector includes a one-way valve and a removable dust cover associated with the one-way valve, the removable dust cover being threadedly connected to the one-way valve. The one-way valve design prevents grease backflow or leakage, while the removable dust cover effectively prevents external dust, moisture, and other contaminants from entering the grease injection system, thereby ensuring the cleanliness of the lubrication channels and extending the service life of the lubrication system.

[0007] Preferably, the inner wall of the radial oil passage is provided with a spiral guide groove with a spiral angle of 15°~45°, and the shaft head is provided with a grease diffusion groove associated with the radial oil passage. By providing a guide structure in the radial oil passage and a diffusion groove on the shaft head, the grease can be more evenly distributed to all parts of the bearing assembly during the flow process, improving the comprehensiveness and consistency of the lubrication effect and avoiding the problem of insufficient local lubrication.

[0008] Preferably, the bearing assembly includes a cage on which cylindrical roller bearings are mounted. The number of cylindrical roller bearings is 20-30, arranged in an equally spaced array. The bearing assembly is associated with a grease diffusion groove. This cage-fixed cylindrical roller bearing design allows grease to be effectively transferred to the contact area between the rollers and the bushing through the diffusion groove, thereby improving the smoothness and wear resistance of the rollers, reducing frictional loss, and enhancing overall operational stability.

[0009] Preferably, the outer wall of the bushing is provided with a wear-resistant coating, which is a tungsten carbide coating or a ceramic coating. Providing a dedicated wear-resistant protective layer on the outer wall of the bushing can effectively improve its wear resistance under high-speed rotation and heavy-load conditions, reduce wear between the bushing and related components, extend the service life of components, and improve the overall operational reliability.

[0010] Preferably, the cross shaft body is made of medium carbon alloy steel, and its surface is induction hardened with a hardened layer depth of 2.5mm~4.0mm, achieving a surface hardness of HRC58~63. Using high-strength medium carbon alloy steel and improving its surface strength and hardness through induction hardening ensures that the cross shaft body maintains good structural stability and fatigue resistance even under heavy loads and frequent rotation, enhancing overall durability and safety.

[0011] The advantages of this utility model are:

[0012] This application's side-lubricated universal joint assembly achieves grease injection from the side through a collaborative structure of a side grease nozzle, an internal radial oil passage, and an annular grease nozzle. This makes the lubrication system more flexible and facilitates maintenance operations under space-constrained or special installation conditions. The spiral guide grooves on the inner wall of the radial oil passage cooperate with the grease diffusion grooves on the shaft head, ensuring that the grease is evenly distributed to all parts of the bearing assembly during flow, improving the comprehensiveness and consistency of lubrication and effectively avoiding the problem of insufficient local lubrication. The bearing assembly adopts a structure in which the cylindrical roller bearing is fixed by a cage, and... The grease diffusion grooves are interconnected, allowing the grease to fully reach the contact area between the roller and the bushing, improving the smoothness and wear resistance of the roller operation and enhancing the overall operational stability. The wear-resistant coating on the outer wall of the bushing significantly improves its wear resistance under high load and high speed rotation conditions, reduces wear between the bushing and related components, and extends its service life. The cross shaft body is made of high-strength medium carbon alloy steel and undergoes induction hardening treatment, enabling it to maintain good structural strength and fatigue resistance even under large loads and frequent rotation, thus enhancing overall durability and safety. Attached Figure Description

[0013] 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.

[0014] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of this utility model.

[0015] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the disassembled structure of this utility model.

[0016] Figure 3 This utility model Figure 2 Enlarged view of I in the middle.

[0017] Figure 4 This is a top view of the structure of this utility model.

[0018] Figure 5 This utility model Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of BB.

[0019] In the diagram: 1. Cross shaft body; 2. Bushing; 3. Oil seal seat; 4. Annular grease nipple; 5. Side grease nipple; 6. Grease diffusion groove; 7. Cylindrical roller bearing; 8. Cage; 9. Dust cover; 10. Check valve; 11. Radial oil passage; 12. Spiral guide groove. Detailed Implementation

[0020] 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

[0021] Please see Figure 1-5 As shown, a side-lubricated universal joint assembly includes a cross shaft body 1. The cross shaft body 1 has four shaft ends, each with an oil seal seat 3 fitted at its end. A bushing 2 is fitted around each shaft end, and the inner wall of the bushing 2 has a bearing assembly that mates with the shaft end. Both the bushing 2 and the shaft end have a radial oil passage 11 and an annular grease nipple 4 associated with the radial oil passage 11. The radial oil passage 11 and the annular grease nipple 4 are concentrically and coaxially arranged. A side grease nipple 5 is provided on one side of the cross shaft body 1. By connecting the side grease nipple 5 to the internal radial oil passage 11, the function of injecting grease from the side is achieved, making the lubrication system layout more flexible and facilitating lubrication operations under space-constrained or special installation conditions, thus improving maintenance convenience.

[0022] In this embodiment, the side-mounted grease injector 5 includes a one-way valve 10 and a removable dust cover 9 associated with the one-way valve 10. The removable dust cover 9 is threadedly connected to the one-way valve 10. The one-way valve 10 design prevents grease backflow or leakage, while the removable dust cover 9 effectively prevents external dust, moisture, and other contaminants from entering the grease injection system, thereby ensuring the cleanliness of the lubrication channel and extending the service life of the lubrication system.

[0023] In this embodiment, the inner wall of the radial oil passage 11 is provided with a spiral guide groove 12, the spiral angle being 15°~45°, and the shaft head is provided with a grease diffusion groove 6 associated with the radial oil passage 11. By providing a guide structure in the radial oil passage 11 and a diffusion groove on the shaft head, the grease can be more evenly distributed to all parts of the bearing assembly during the flow process, improving the comprehensiveness and consistency of the lubrication effect and avoiding the problem of insufficient local lubrication.

[0024] In this embodiment, the bearing assembly includes a cage 8, on which cylindrical roller bearings 7 are mounted. The number of cylindrical roller bearings 7 is 20-30, arranged in an equally spaced array. The bearing assembly is associated with a grease diffusion groove 6. The structural design of the cage 8 fixing the cylindrical roller bearings 7 allows grease to be effectively transferred to the contact area between the rollers and the bushing 2 through the diffusion groove, thereby improving the smoothness and wear resistance of the rollers, reducing frictional loss, and enhancing overall operational stability.

[0025] In this embodiment, the outer wall of the bushing 2 is provided with a wear-resistant coating, which is a tungsten carbide coating or a ceramic coating. Providing a dedicated wear-resistant protective layer on the outer wall of the bushing 2 can effectively improve the wear resistance of the bushing 2 under high-speed rotation and heavy-load conditions, reduce wear between the bushing 2 and related components, extend the service life of components, and improve the overall operational reliability.

[0026] In this embodiment, the cross shaft body 1 is made of medium carbon alloy steel, and its surface is induction hardened with a hardened layer depth of 2.5mm~4.0mm, achieving a surface hardness of HRC58~63. The use of high-strength medium carbon alloy steel and the induction hardening process to enhance its surface strength and hardness ensure that the cross shaft body 1 maintains good structural stability and fatigue resistance even under heavy loads and frequent rotation, thereby improving overall durability and safety.

[0027] The implementation principle of this embodiment is as follows:

[0028] During operation, the cross shaft body 1 serves as the core support component, with its four shaft ends respectively engaging with corresponding bushings 2. The bushings 2 contain bearing assemblies, including cages 8 and multiple cylindrical roller bearings 7, used to support and guide the rotational movement of the shaft ends. When the universal joint operates, the shaft ends drive the bushings 2 and bearing assemblies to rotate relative to each other, generating friction and heat. At this time, timely injection of grease is necessary to reduce wear, lower frictional resistance, and improve operational smoothness.

[0029] The lubrication process is mainly achieved through the side grease injector 5. The operator can inject grease into the side grease injector 5 from the side. The grease first enters the annular grease injector 4 integrated with it, and then flows inward along the radial oil passage 11. The inner wall of the radial oil passage 11 is provided with a spiral guide groove 12, which makes the grease form a vortex during the flow process, enhancing the fluidity and uniformity of distribution. At the same time, the grease diffusion groove 6 provided on the shaft head is connected to the radial oil passage 11, which allows the grease to further diffuse from the oil passage into the bearing assembly, especially the contact area between the cage 8 and the cylindrical roller bearing 7, ensuring that the grease can fully cover the roller surface and reduce the direct friction between the roller and the bushing 2.

[0030] In addition, the wear-resistant coating on the outer wall of the bushing 2 effectively reduces the wear of the bushing 2 under high-speed rotation and heavy load conditions, improving its durability and anti-seize ability; the cross shaft body 1 is made of high-strength medium carbon alloy steel and is subjected to induction hardening treatment, which gives it excellent strength and surface hardness, enabling it to withstand large loads and frequent rotation, ensuring the stability and safety of the overall structure in long-term use.

[0031] 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.

[0032] 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 side-lubricated universal joint assembly, comprising a cross shaft body (1), characterized in that... The cross shaft body (1) is provided with four shaft ends. The ends of the shaft ends are fitted with oil seal seats (3). The shaft ends are fitted with bushings (2). The inner wall of the bushings (2) is provided with bearing assemblies that cooperate with the ends of the shaft ends. The bushings (2) and the ends of the shaft ends are provided with radial oil passages (11) and annular oil nozzles (4) associated with the radial oil passages (11). The radial oil passages (11) and annular oil nozzles (4) are arranged concentrically and coaxially. The cross shaft body (1) is provided with a side oil nozzle (5) on one side. The side oil nozzle (5) includes a one-way valve (10) and a removable dust cover (9) associated with the one-way valve (10). The removable dust cover (9) is threadedly connected to the one-way valve (10). The radial oil passages are provided with four shaft ends. The bearing assemblies (2) ... (11) The inner wall is provided with a spiral guide groove (12) with a spiral angle of 15°~45°. The shaft head is provided with a grease diffusion groove (6) and associated with a radial oil passage (11). The bearing assembly includes a cage (8) and cylindrical roller bearings (7) are provided on the cage (8). The number of cylindrical roller bearings (7) is 20~30 and they are arranged in an equally spaced array. The bearing assembly is associated with the grease diffusion groove (6). The outer wall of the bushing (2) is provided with a wear-resistant coating. The wear-resistant coating is a tungsten carbide coating or a ceramic coating. The cross shaft body (1) is made of medium carbon alloy steel. Its surface is induction hardened and the hardened layer depth is 2.5mm~4.0mm. The surface hardness reaches HRC58~63.

Images