A high-stability gimbal assembly

Abstract

The utility model discloses a kind of high-stability universal joint assembly, it is related to mechanical transmission component technical field, including axle fork, cross shaft, contact mechanism and centering mechanism, contact mechanism includes the bearing seat body fixed in fork arm, a plurality of contact pads distributed along circumference are fixed in seat body, connecting sleeve is rotatably cooperated in contact pad, annular groove is also provided on connecting sleeve, limit ring is clamped in annular groove, centering mechanism includes the inner sleeve shaft of interference fit in the neck of cross shaft, centering bushing clearance fit in the outer periphery of inner sleeve shaft, guide sleeve is connected in centering bushing end portion.The utility model eliminates the matching gap by the multilayer nesting of centering mechanism, solves the radial wobble problem, and the radial pressure is dispersed by the multi-point contact of contact mechanism, and the maximum deflection angle is limited, realizes the beneficial effect of transmission stable, stress dispersion, high stability.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of mechanical transmission components, and in particular to a highly stable universal joint assembly. Background Technology

[0002] Universal joint assemblies, especially cross-type universal joints, are key components in mechanical transmission systems. They are used to connect two drive shafts that are not on the same straight line, allowing a certain angle between them while reliably transmitting torque and motion.

[0003] In applications such as heavy machinery, vehicle transmission, or industrial automation, universal joints not only transmit high torque but also withstand vibration, impact loads, and complex radial forces. Existing universal joint structures typically rely on the fit between the cross shaft journal and the bearing to transmit power. However, to ensure rotational flexibility and ease of assembly, this fit structure inevitably contains manufacturing and assembly clearances. During actual operation, when the universal joint is subjected to torque, the clearances cause slight radial wobble and vibration at the center of the cross shaft. At the same time, when subjected to external radial impacts, the load is concentrated at local points on the bearing rather than being evenly distributed, which exacerbates local wear and deformation. When the deflection angle is large, this clearance and the lack of effective constraint in the structure can also lead to uncontrolled yaw, generating transmission impacts and seriously affecting the smoothness of the transmission and the reliability of the entire system.

[0004] Therefore, this utility model proposes a highly stable universal joint assembly to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art. Utility Model Content

[0005] In view of the problems in the existing high-stability universal joint assembly, such as radial wobble and vibration during transmission due to the fit clearance between the cross shaft and the bearing, and stress concentration caused by the single torque transmission path, resulting in poor overall transmission stability and low reliability, this utility model aims to provide a high-stability universal joint assembly with an improved structure that can effectively solve the above problems.

[0006] This utility model provides a highly stable universal joint assembly, including a fork with a fork arm, a cross shaft, a contact mechanism, and a centering mechanism.

[0007] The fork arm is connected to the contact mechanism, and the centering mechanism is connected to the cross shaft.

[0008] The contact mechanism includes a bearing housing, which is fixedly connected to the fork arm. Multiple contact bushings distributed circumferentially are fixed on the inner wall of the bearing housing, as well as a connecting bushing. The connecting bushing is rotatably fitted within the accommodating space defined between the multiple contact bushings.

[0009] The centering mechanism includes an inner sleeve shaft that is interference-fitted into the journal of the cross shaft, a centering bushing, a centering bushing that is clearance-fitted into the outer circumference of the inner sleeve shaft, a guide sleeve connected to the end of the centering bushing, a threaded journal at the end of the journal of the cross shaft, a locking ring threadedly connected to the threaded journal, and a connecting key.

[0010] The centering mechanism is connected to the connecting sleeve of the contact mechanism via a connecting key.

[0011] Preferably, the outer periphery of the connecting bushing is provided with an annular groove, the limiting ring is engaged in the annular groove, and the side end face of the limiting ring is in contact with the side of multiple contact pads.

[0012] Preferably, the bearing housing is provided with a flange, the flange is rigidly connected to the fork arm, the bearing housing is provided with a mounting groove, the bushing seat is interference-fitted to the bottom of the mounting groove, and the bushing seat and the flange are coaxially arranged.

[0013] Preferably, the thrust washer is pressed between the end faces of the locking ring and the guide sleeve, and the locking ring achieves axial locking by pressing the thrust washer through its internal protrusion.

[0014] Preferably, the connecting flat key is fixed to the rear side of the locking ring and engages with the keyway of the connecting bushing via a key connection.

[0015] Preferably, the end face of the centering bushing is provided with a pin hole, and the guide sleeve is fixedly connected to the centering bushing by a positioning pin passing through the pin hole, so as to restrict the relative circumferential rotation of the two.

[0016] Preferably, the inner arc surfaces of the multiple contact bushings maintain a small fitting clearance with the outer side of the connecting bushing, and the multiple contact bushings are respectively fixedly connected to the inner wall of the bearing housing by connecting rods.

[0017] Preferably, in the centering mechanism, the cross shaft and multiple inner sleeve shafts are fitted with an interference fit, and the centering bushing is fitted on the outside of the inner sleeve shaft with a small gap to precisely fill the fit gap between the cross shaft and the bearing.

[0018] This utility model has the following beneficial effects: 1. This utility model solves the problem of radial wobbling in transmission caused by the fit clearance between the cross shaft and the bearing in the prior art by setting a centering mechanism consisting of multiple nested parts such as the inner sleeve shaft, the centering bushing, and the guide sleeve.

[0019] 2. This utility model, through the multi-layer uniform contact structure of the centering mechanism, transmits torque, solving the stress concentration problem caused by the single torque transmission path in the prior art, realizing the dispersion of torque transmission stress, avoiding local fatigue damage, and improving the reliability and service life of the universal joint.

[0020] 3. This utility model solves the problem of local wear and sway caused by radial load concentration in the prior art by setting up a ring-shaped multi-point contact structure formed by multiple contact blocks evenly distributed along the circumference, thereby achieving a significant increase in support area, uniform distribution of radial pressure, and enhanced impact resistance. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a highly stable universal joint assembly proposed in this utility model; Figure 2 This is a split view of the contact mechanism of a high-stability universal joint assembly proposed in this utility model; Figure 3 This is an exploded view of the centering mechanism of a highly stable universal joint assembly proposed in this utility model; Figure 4 This is a partial structural diagram of a high-stability universal joint assembly proposed in this utility model.

[0022] Legend: 1. Shaft fork; 2. Contact mechanism; 201. Bearing housing; 202. Flange; 203. Bushing seat; 204. Contact liner; 205. Connecting rod; 206. Connecting bushing; 207. Annular groove; 208. Limiting ring; 209. Fork arm; 3. Centering mechanism; 301. Cross shaft; 302. Threaded journal; 303. Inner shaft; 304. Centering bushing; 305. Locating pin; 306. Guide sleeve; 307. Thrust washer; 308. Locking ring; 309. Connecting key. Detailed Implementation

[0023] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this utility model clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this utility model, and not all of them. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this utility model without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this utility model. Example

[0024] Please refer to Figures 1 to 4 This utility model provides a highly stable universal joint assembly, which aims to solve the problems in the prior art where the universal joint is prone to radial wobble and vibration during transmission due to the fit clearance between the cross shaft 301 and the bearing, the single torque transmission path causes stress concentration, radial load causes local wear, and impact occurs at large deflection angles, resulting in poor overall transmission stability and low reliability.

[0025] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the high-stability universal joint assembly includes a shaft fork 1, a cross shaft 301, a contact mechanism 2, and a centering mechanism 3. The shaft fork 1 has a fork arm 209, which is connected to the contact mechanism 2, and the centering mechanism 3 is connected to the cross shaft 301.

[0026] Specifically, refer to Figure 2 The contact mechanism 2 includes a bearing housing 201, which is fixedly connected to the fork arm 209. A flange 202 is provided on the bearing housing 201, and the flange 202 is rigidly connected to the fork arm 209. A mounting groove is provided inside the bearing housing 201, and a bushing seat 203 is interference-fitted to the bottom of the mounting groove. The bushing seat 203 and the flange 202 are coaxially arranged. Multiple contact blocks 204 distributed circumferentially are fixed on the inner wall of the bearing housing 201. 204 are fixedly connected to the inner wall of the bearing housing 201 by connecting rods 205. The connecting bushing 206 is rotatably fitted within the accommodating space defined between the multiple contact bushings 204. The inner arc surface of the multiple contact bushings 204 maintains a small fitting gap with the outer side of the connecting bushing 206. The outer periphery of the connecting bushing 206 is provided with an annular groove 207. The limiting ring 208 is snapped into the annular groove 207. The side end face of the limiting ring 208 is in contact with the side of the multiple contact bushings 204.

[0027] Reference Figure 3 The centering mechanism 3 includes an inner sleeve shaft 303, a cross shaft 301 and multiple inner sleeve shafts 303 with an interference fit, a centering bushing 304, and a centering bushing 304 with a clearance fit on the outer circumference of the inner sleeve shaft 303. The centering bushing 304 is fitted with the outer side of the inner sleeve shaft 303 with a small clearance to precisely fill the fit gap between the cross shaft 301 and the bearing. A guide sleeve 306 is connected to the end of the centering bushing 304. The end face of the centering bushing 304 is provided with a pin hole. The guide sleeve 306 is fixed to the centering bushing 304 by a positioning pin 305 passing through the pin hole. The connection restricts the relative circumferential rotation of the two. The journal end of the cross shaft 301 is provided with a threaded journal 302. The locking ring 308 is threadedly connected to the threaded journal 302. The thrust washer 307 is pressed between the end faces of the locking ring 308 and the guide sleeve 306. The locking ring 308 achieves axial locking by pressing the thrust washer 307 through its internal protrusion. The connecting key 309 is fixed to the rear side of the locking ring 308 and engages with the keyway of the connecting sleeve 206 by key connection, thereby key connecting the centering mechanism 3 and the contact mechanism 2 together.

[0028] Please refer to Figure 2 and Figure 4The contact mechanism 2 consists of multiple arc-shaped contact blocks 204 evenly distributed around the circumference of the connecting sleeve 206 and rigidly connected to the bearing housing 201 via connecting rods 205, forming a ring-shaped multi-point contact structure. The inner arc surface of the contact blocks 204 maintains a small fitting clearance with the outer side of the connecting sleeve 206, ensuring smooth rotation of the connecting sleeve 206 while significantly increasing the support area through multi-point contact. This evenly distributes radial pressure to each contact block 204, preventing wear and sway caused by excessive local stress. Simultaneously, the limiting ring 208 is inserted into the annular groove 207 of the connecting sleeve 206. One end face of the limiting ring 208 fits against the side of multiple contact bushings 204, and the structure strictly limits the maximum deflection angle to avoid transmission impact and structural damage caused by excessive deflection angle. The bushing seat 203 in the contact mechanism 2 is fixed to the bottom of the mounting groove inside the bearing housing 201 by interference fit, and is coaxial with the rear flange 202, providing a precise positioning reference for the contact bushings 204 and the connecting bushing 206. The bearing housing 201 is rigidly connected to the fork arm 209 through the flange 202 to form a closed assembly space, realizing stable transmission of the universal joint under complex working conditions.

[0029] As a preferred embodiment, to limit the maximum deflection angle, please refer to... Figure 2 and Figure 4 The outer periphery of the connecting bushing 206 is provided with an annular groove 207, and the limiting ring 208 is engaged in the annular groove 207. The side end face of the limiting ring 208 is in contact with the side of multiple contact pads 204 to avoid transmission impact and structural damage caused by excessive sway angle.

[0030] As another preferred embodiment, to provide a rigid connection and precise positioning reference, please refer to... Figure 2 The bearing housing 201 is provided with a flange 202, which is rigidly connected to the fork arm 209. The bearing housing 201 is provided with an installation groove, and the bushing seat 203 is interference-fitted to the bottom of the installation groove. The bushing seat 203 and the flange 202 are coaxially arranged to provide precise positioning for the contact liner 204 and the connecting bushing 206.

[0031] As another preferred embodiment, for reliable axial locking, please refer to... Figure 3 The thrust washer 307 is pressed between the end faces of the locking ring 308 and the guide sleeve 306. The locking ring 308 presses the thrust washer 307 tightly against the end face of the guide sleeve 306 through its internal protrusion, so as to prevent the axial movement of parts such as the inner sleeve shaft 303 and the centering bushing 304.

[0032] As another preferred embodiment, in order to clarify the torque transmission path, the connecting key 309 is fixed to the rear side of the locking ring 308 and is connected to the keyway of the connecting bushing 206 by a key connection, so as to combine the centering mechanism 3 and the contact mechanism 2.

[0033] As another preferred embodiment, to ensure the coaxiality of torque transmission, please refer to... Figure 3 The centering bushing 304 has a pin hole on its end face. The guide sleeve 306 is fixedly connected to the centering bushing 304 by a positioning pin 305 that passes through the pin hole, which restricts the relative rotation of the two in the circumferential direction and forms a multi-layer centering chain.

[0034] As another preferred embodiment, to ensure smooth rotation and rigid fixation, please refer to... Figure 2 The inner arc surfaces of multiple contact bushings 204 maintain a small fitting clearance with the outer side of the connecting bushing 206, and the multiple contact bushings 204 are respectively fixedly connected to the inner wall of the bearing housing 201 by connecting rods 205.

[0035] As another preferred embodiment, in order to eliminate transmission backlash at its source, please refer to... Figure 3 In the centering mechanism 3, the cross shaft 301 and multiple inner sleeve shafts 303 are fitted with an interference fit. The centering bushing 304 is fitted on the outside of the inner sleeve shaft 303 with a small gap, which precisely fills the fit gap between the traditional cross shaft 301 and the bearing, eliminates radial wobble, and at the same time changes the single contact into a multi-layer uniform contact, which disperses the stress concentration in the torque transmission process.

[0036] Working principle: When the power source inputs torque through the shaft fork 1, the torque is first transmitted to the cross shaft 301. Since the journal of the cross shaft 301 and the inner sleeve shaft 303 are interference fit, the centering bushing 304 is tightly fitted on the outer side of the inner sleeve shaft 303 with a small gap. The guide sleeve 306 is locked to the centering bushing 304 through the positioning pin 305. The entire centering mechanism 3 forms a gapless multi-layer nested structure, which eliminates the radial wobble of the cross shaft 301 at the center of rotation from the root, ensuring the initial coaxiality of the power transmission. At the same time, the torque is transmitted to the connecting sleeve 206 through the connecting key 309 via the cross shaft 301, inner sleeve shaft 303, centering bushing 304, guide sleeve 306, and locking ring 308. This multi-layer path evenly distributes the concentrated stress to multiple mating surfaces, avoiding early fatigue caused by stress concentration. When the universal joint deflects at an angle, the resulting radial force acts on the connecting bushing 206. The radial force is not borne by a single contact point, but is evenly distributed to multiple contact pads 204 distributed along the circumference, which greatly increases the support area, effectively resists radial impact, and prevents swaying and wear caused by excessive local force. If the deflection angle is close to the design limit, the side end face of the limiting ring 208 on the connecting bushing 206 will contact the side of multiple contact pads 204 to form a rigid physical limit, thereby strictly limiting the maximum deflection angle and avoiding transmission impact and structural damage caused by excessive swaying. Throughout the process, the axial locking structure composed of the locking ring 308 and the thrust washer 307 ensures that the internal parts of the centering mechanism 3 will not move axially, further enhancing the stability of the overall structure. By eliminating gaps and dispersing stress from the inside through the centering mechanism 3, and working synergistically with the contact mechanism 2 to provide multi-point radial support and limit the limit angle from the outside, the transmission instability caused by gaps, stress concentration and runaway loss of control in the prior art is solved, and highly stable and reliable torque transmission is achieved.

Claims

1. A high-stability universal joint assembly, comprising a shaft fork (1) with fork arms (209), a cross shaft (301), a contact mechanism (2), and a centering mechanism (3), wherein the fork arms (209) of the shaft fork (1) are connected to the contact mechanism (2), and the centering mechanism (3) is connected to the cross shaft (301); Its features are, The contact mechanism (2) includes a bearing housing (201), which is fixedly connected to the fork arm (209). Multiple contact bushings (204) and a connecting bushing (206) are fixed on the inner wall of the bearing housing (201). The connecting bushing (206) is rotatably fitted between the multiple contact bushings (204). The centering mechanism (3) includes an inner sleeve shaft (303) that is interference-fitted into the journal of the cross shaft (301), a centering bushing (304), a centering bushing (304) that is clearance-fitted into the outer periphery of the inner sleeve shaft (303), a guide sleeve (306) connected to the end of the centering bushing (304), a threaded journal (302) provided at the end of the journal of the cross shaft (301), a locking ring (308) threadedly connected to the threaded journal (302), and a connecting key (309). The connecting key (309) of the centering mechanism (3) is connected to the connecting bushing (206) of the contact mechanism (2).

2. The high-stability universal joint assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The outer periphery of the connecting bushing (206) is provided with an annular groove (207), and the limiting ring (208) is engaged in the annular groove (207). The side end face of the limiting ring (208) is in contact with the side of the plurality of contact pads (204).

3. The high-stability universal joint assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bearing housing (201) is provided with a flange (202), which is rigidly connected to the fork arm (209). The bearing housing (201) is provided with an installation groove, and the bushing seat (203) is interference-fitted to the bottom of the installation groove. The bushing seat (203) and the flange (202) are coaxially arranged.

4. The high-stability universal joint assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The thrust washer (307) is pressed between the end face of the locking ring (308) and the guide sleeve (306), and the locking ring (308) presses the thrust washer (307) through its internal protrusion to achieve axial locking.

5. The high-stability universal joint assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that, The connecting key (309) is fixed to the rear side of the locking ring (308) and engages with the keyway of the connecting bushing (206) by means of key connection.

6. The high-stability universal joint assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The centering bushing (304) has a pin hole on its end face. The guide sleeve (306) is fixedly connected to the centering bushing (304) by a positioning pin (305) passing through the pin hole, so as to restrict the relative rotation of the two in the circumferential direction.

7. The high-stability universal joint assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inner arc surfaces of the multiple contact bushings (204) maintain a small fitting clearance with the outer side of the connecting bushing (206), and the multiple contact bushings (204) are respectively fixedly connected to the inner wall of the bearing housing (201) by connecting rods (205).

8. The high-stability universal joint assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, In the centering mechanism (3), the cross shaft (301) and the plurality of inner sleeve shafts (303) are fitted with an interference fit. The centering bushing (304) is fitted with a small gap on the outside of the inner sleeve shaft (303) to precisely fill the fit gap between the cross shaft (301) and the bearing.

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