Automobile half shaft leakproof ball cage mechanism
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202522213049.1
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-10-20
- Publication Date
- 2026-10-16
- Estimated Expiration
- 2035-10-20
AI Technical Summary
首先，传统球笼机构采用“一次性填充润滑脂”的润滑方案，即在出厂装配时向内外球笼之间的滚道与钢珠间隙内填充固态润滑脂，后续使用过程中无法根据润滑脂的消耗情况进行补充或调整，在长期使用中，随着钢珠与滚道的摩擦损耗、球笼内部温度升高，润滑脂会逐渐老化、干涸或因密封微量渗漏而减少，导致润滑效果持续下降，当润滑脂不足时，钢珠与滚道之间会出现干摩擦，不仅产生明显的传动异响，还会加速部件磨损，严重时甚至引发钢珠卡滞、滚道磨损变形，直接导致球笼机构失效；
1. 本实用新型润滑机构的设置，在进行使用时，能够通过汽车中控系统控制微型水泵的启停，进而能够根据用户需要，将储油盒内部存储的润滑油依次穿过供油管、第二滑环、第一滑环和输油流道，进入到外球笼和内球笼之间，进而对外球笼和内球笼之间进行润滑。
Smart Images
Figure CN224859922U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of automotive parts technology, and in particular relates to an anti-leakage ball cage mechanism for automotive half shafts. Background Technology
[0002] As a core component of the automotive transmission system, the half-shaft plays a crucial role in transmitting engine power from the gearbox to the drive wheels. The leak-proof CV joint mechanism of the half-shaft is a key component in the half-shaft assembly, achieving both "flexible power transmission" and "leak-proof sealing." Essentially, it is a precision transmission structure that maintains efficient and smooth power transmission even when there is an angle between the two axles (such as wheel deflection during steering or suspension bounce during bumps). Simultaneously, it requires a sealing design to prevent leakage of internal lubricating media and intrusion of external impurities. This is a critical element in ensuring the smoothness of vehicle operation, safety, and the lifespan of the transmission system.
[0003] In the current mainstream technology of the automotive industry, the structure of the traditional automotive half-shaft CV joint is relatively simple, mainly composed of five basic components: a first driveshaft, a second driveshaft, an outer CV joint, an inner CV joint, steel balls, and a dust cover. The specific assembly relationship is as follows: one end of the first driveshaft is rigidly fixed to the outer CV joint, which has a "bowl-shaped" structure and wraps around the outer side of the inner CV joint. Both the inner and outer walls of the two CV joints have matching arc-shaped raceways. Several steel balls are embedded between the raceways of the inner and outer CV joints, forming a sliding power transmission interface. The other end of the inner CV joint is fixedly connected to the second driveshaft. Ultimately, the power transmission between the first and second driveshafts is achieved through the rolling and sliding of the steel balls within the raceways, allowing the angle between them to change. Furthermore, to prevent external dust, mud, rainwater, and other impurities from entering the CV joint and to prevent internal lubricant loss, the traditional structure includes a rubber dust cover fitted over the outer CV joint and the second driveshaft. The two ends of the dust cover are sealed and fixed to the outer CV joint and the second driveshaft respectively by clamps, forming basic sealing protection.
[0004] However, traditional automotive half-shaft CV joint mechanisms have the following drawbacks in actual use: Firstly, traditional ball cage mechanisms use a "one-time grease filling" lubrication scheme, which means that solid grease is filled into the gap between the raceway and the steel balls between the inner and outer ball cages during factory assembly. During subsequent use, it is impossible to replenish or adjust the grease according to its consumption. In long-term use, with the friction wear between the steel balls and the raceway and the increase in the internal temperature of the ball cage, the grease will gradually age, dry out, or decrease due to minor leakage from the seal, resulting in a continuous decline in lubrication effect. When the grease is insufficient, dry friction will occur between the steel balls and the raceway, which will not only produce obvious transmission noise, but also accelerate the wear of components. In severe cases, it may even cause steel balls to jam and the raceway to wear and deform, directly leading to the failure of the ball cage mechanism. Secondly, dust boots in traditional structures are mostly made of a single rubber material. Although they have a certain degree of elasticity and sealing, their puncture resistance is weak. During driving, if the vehicle runs over foreign objects such as gravel or branches, these objects can easily puncture the dust boot. Once the dust boot is damaged, its original sealing function is immediately lost, and external dust and mud will directly enter the raceway between the inner and outer ball cages. They will mix with the residual grease to form an "abrasive mixture," which will aggravate the abnormal wear of the steel balls and the raceway. More importantly, the grease inside the ball cage will leak out quickly through the damaged opening, further aggravating the lubrication failure problem.
[0005] Therefore, it is essential to invent a leak-proof ball cage mechanism for automobile half-shafts. Utility Model Content
[0006] To address the above problems, this utility model proposes a leak-proof ball cage mechanism for automotive half-shafts, and the technical solution used is as follows: A leak-proof ball joint mechanism for automotive half-shafts includes a first drive shaft, an outer ball joint, a lubrication mechanism, an inner ball joint, steel balls, a second drive shaft, and a sealing sleeve. One end of the first drive shaft is fixed to the outer ball joint, wherein the outer ball joint wraps around the outer side of the inner ball joint. A plurality of steel balls are slidably installed between the outer ball joint and the inner ball joint. The lubrication mechanism is fixed to the outer side of the outer ball joint, wherein the output end of the lubrication mechanism communicates with the outer ball joint and the inner ball joint. The second drive shaft is fixed to the outer side of the inner ball joint. The outer sides of the outer ball joint and the second drive shaft are wrapped and fixed with a sealing sleeve.
[0007] Furthermore, the lubrication mechanism includes a first slip ring, a second slip ring, an oil channel, an oil supply pipe, and an oil reservoir. The first slip ring is fixed to the outer side of the outer CV joint, and the second slip ring is rotatably mounted on the outer side of the first slip ring via a sealed bearing. An inner cavity is formed between the first and second slip rings. An oil channel is formed inside the outer CV joint, with one end of the channel communicating with the inner cavity between the first and second slip rings, and the other end communicating with the interior of the outer CV joint. The second slip ring is fixed to the vehicle frame by bolts, and an oil supply pipe is fixed to the outer side of the second slip ring via a connector. One end of the oil supply pipe communicates with the inner cavity between the first and second slip rings, and the other end is fixed to the oil reservoir, which is also fixed to the vehicle frame by bolts. This arrangement allows lubricating oil to be supplied between the outer and inner CV joints.
[0008] Furthermore, the oil reservoir consists of a housing and a miniature water pump. The housing is fixed to the vehicle frame with bolts, and the miniature water pump is fixed inside the housing with bolts. The output end of the miniature water pump is fixed to the oil supply pipe. The miniature water pump is electrically connected to the vehicle's central control system via a data cable. This configuration allows the vehicle's central control system to control the start and stop of the miniature water pump, thereby enabling lubrication between the outer and inner CV joints as needed by the user.
[0009] Furthermore, the sealing sleeve includes a sleeve body and a filler. One end of the sleeve body wraps around and is fixed to the outer side of the outer ball cage, and the other end of the sleeve body wraps around and is fixed to the outer side of the second drive shaft. A filling cavity is provided inside the sleeve body, and the filling cavity is filled with a filler, wherein the filler is a catalyst-curing sealant (moisture-curing polyurethane). This arrangement can prevent lubricating oil from leaking out.
[0010] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects: 1. The lubrication mechanism of this utility model can control the start and stop of the micro water pump through the vehicle's central control system during use. It can then, according to the user's needs, allow the lubricating oil stored in the oil reservoir to pass through the oil supply pipe, the second slip ring, the first slip ring, and the oil delivery channel in sequence, and enter the space between the outer and inner ball cages to lubricate the space between the outer and inner ball cages.
[0011] 2. The sealing sleeve of this utility model can seal the space between the outer and inner ball cages during use, preventing external impurities from entering between them and causing abnormal wear and corrosion. Furthermore, when the sleeve is punctured by a foreign object, the filler inside the sleeve will come into contact with the external gas and then solidify into a flexible solid at the rupture point, thereby blocking the rupture and preventing lubricating oil leakage. Attached Figure Description
[0012] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments 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 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of this utility model.
[0014] Figure 2 This is an exploded structural diagram of the present invention.
[0015] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the lubrication mechanism and the outer ball cage of this utility model.
[0016] Figure 4 This is a utility model Figure 3 A magnified schematic diagram of the structure at position "A" in the middle.
[0017] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the sealing sleeve of this utility model.
[0018] In the picture: 1-First drive shaft, 2-Outer ball cage, 3-Lubrication mechanism, 31-First slip ring, 32-Second slip ring, 33-Oil delivery channel, 34-Oil supply pipe, 35-Oil reservoir, 4-Inner ball cage, 5-Steel ball, 6-Second drive shaft, 7-Sealing sleeve, 71-Sleeve body, 72-Filling agent. Detailed Implementation
[0019] 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 skilled in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.
[0020] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "upper", "middle", "outer", "inner", "around", etc., which indicate orientation or positional relationship, are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the components or elements referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this utility model.
[0021] Please see Figures 1 to 5 As shown, this utility model is a leak-proof ball cage mechanism for automotive half-shafts, including a first drive shaft 1, an outer ball cage 2, a lubrication mechanism 3, an inner ball cage 4, steel balls 5, a second drive shaft 6, and a sealing sleeve 7. One end of the first drive shaft 1 is fixed to the outer ball cage 2, wherein the outer ball cage 2 wraps around the outer side of the inner ball cage 4; a plurality of steel balls 5 are slidably installed between the outer ball cage 2 and the inner ball cage 4; the lubrication mechanism 3 is fixed to the outer side of the outer ball cage 2, wherein the output end of the lubrication mechanism 3 communicates with the outer ball cage 2 and the inner ball cage 4; the second drive shaft 6 is fixed to the outer side of the inner ball cage 4; the sealing sleeve 7 is wrapped around and fixed to the outer sides of the outer ball cage 2 and the second drive shaft 6.
[0022] Specifically, the lubrication mechanism 3 includes a first slip ring 31, a second slip ring 32, an oil channel 33, an oil supply pipe 34, and an oil reservoir 35. The first slip ring 31 is fixed to the outer side of the outer ball cage 2, and the second slip ring 32 is rotatably mounted on the outer side of the first slip ring 31 via a sealed bearing. An inner cavity is formed between the first slip ring 31 and the second slip ring 32. An oil channel 33 is formed inside the outer ball cage 2, with one end of the oil channel 33 communicating with the inner cavity between the first slip ring 31 and the second slip ring 32, and the other end of the oil channel 33 communicating with the interior of the outer ball cage 2. The second slip ring 32 is secured by bolts. The oil supply pipe 34 is fixed to the vehicle frame and the outer side of the second slip ring 32 is fixed to the outer side of the slip ring 32 by a connector. One end of the oil supply pipe 34 communicates with the inner cavity opened between the first slip ring 31 and the second slip ring 32, and the other end of the oil supply pipe 34 is fixed to the oil storage box 35. The oil storage box 35 is fixed to the vehicle frame by bolts. When in use, it can store lubricating oil inside the oil storage box 35. The lubricating oil will pass through the oil supply pipe 34, the second slip ring 32, the first slip ring 31 and the oil flow channel 33 in sequence, and enter between the outer ball cage 2 and the inner ball cage 4, thereby lubricating the space between the outer ball cage 2 and the inner ball cage 4.
[0023] Specifically, the oil reservoir 35 consists of a housing and a micro water pump. The housing is fixed to the vehicle frame by bolts, and the micro water pump is fixed inside the housing by bolts. The output end of the micro water pump is fixed to the oil supply pipe 34. The micro water pump is electrically connected to the vehicle's central control system via a data cable. This configuration allows the central control system to control the start and stop of the micro water pump, thereby enabling lubrication between the outer ball joint 2 and the inner ball joint 4 as needed by the user.
[0024] Specifically, the sealing sleeve 7 includes a sleeve body 71 and a filler 72. One end of the sleeve body 71 is wrapped around and fixed to the outer side of the outer ball cage 2, and the other end of the sleeve body 71 is wrapped around and fixed to the outer side of the second drive shaft 6. The sleeve body 71 has a filling cavity inside, which is filled with filler 72, wherein filler 72 is a catalyst-curing sealant (moisture-curing polyurethane). In use, the sleeve body 71 can seal between the outer ball cage 2 and the inner ball cage 4, preventing external impurities from entering between the outer ball cage 2 and the inner ball cage 4, which would cause abnormal wear and corrosion of the outer ball cage 2 and the inner ball cage 4. Secondly, when the sleeve body 71 is punctured by a foreign object, the filler inside the sleeve body 71 will come into contact with the external gas and then solidify into a flexible solid at the rupture site, thereby blocking the rupture site and preventing lubricating oil leakage.
[0025] Please see Figure 1-5As shown, this utility model is a leak-proof ball cage mechanism for automobile half shafts. Its working principle is as follows: When in use, the first drive shaft 1 and the second drive shaft 6 are first connected to the corresponding parts of the automobile. Then, through the cooperation of the first drive shaft 1, the outer ball cage 2, the steel ball 5, the inner ball cage 4, and the second drive shaft 6, the rotational force of the automobile power source is transmitted to the corresponding actuator of the automobile. Among them, through the cooperation of the lubrication mechanism 3 and the automobile central control system, lubrication can be performed between the outer ball cage 2 and the inner ball cage 4 according to the user's needs. In addition, the setting of the sealing sleeve 7 can prevent external impurities from entering between the outer ball cage 2 and the inner ball cage 4.
[0026] 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.
[0027] The preferred embodiments of this utility model disclosed above are merely illustrative of the present utility model. These preferred embodiments do not exhaustively describe all details, nor do they limit the utility model to the specific implementations described. Clearly, many modifications and variations can be made based on the content of this specification. This specification selects and specifically describes these embodiments to better explain the principles and practical applications of this utility model, thereby enabling those skilled in the art to better understand and utilize it. This utility model is limited only by the claims and their full scope and equivalents.
Claims
1. A leak-proof ball cage mechanism for automotive half-shafts, comprising a first drive shaft (1), an outer ball cage (2), a lubrication mechanism (3), an inner ball cage (4), steel balls (5), a second drive shaft (6), and a sealing sleeve (7), characterized in that: One end of the first drive shaft (1) is fixed to the outer ball cage (2), wherein the outer ball cage (2) is wrapped around the outer side of the inner ball cage (4); a number of steel balls (5) are slidably installed between the outer ball cage (2) and the inner ball cage (4); a lubrication mechanism (3) is fixed on the outer side of the outer ball cage (2), wherein the output end of the lubrication mechanism (3) is connected to the outer ball cage (2) and the inner ball cage (4); a second drive shaft (6) is fixed on the outer side of the inner ball cage (4); a sealing sleeve (7) is wrapped around and fixed on the outer side of the outer ball cage (2) and the second drive shaft (6).
2. The automobile half-shaft anti-leakage ball cage mechanism as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The lubrication mechanism (3) includes a first slip ring (31), a second slip ring (32), an oil channel (33), an oil supply pipe (34), and an oil reservoir (35). The first slip ring (31) is fixed to the outer side of the outer ball cage (2), and the second slip ring (32) is rotatably and sealingly mounted on the outer side of the first slip ring (31). An inner cavity is formed between the first slip ring (31) and the second slip ring (32). An oil channel (33) is formed inside the outer ball cage (2), and one end of the oil channel (33) is connected to the first slip ring (34). The inner cavity between the slip ring (31) and the second slip ring (32) is connected, and the other end of the oil supply channel (33) is connected to the inside of the outer ball cage (2); the second slip ring (32) is fixed to the vehicle frame, and an oil supply pipe (34) is fixed on the outer side of the second slip ring (32); one end of the oil supply pipe (34) is connected to the inner cavity between the first slip ring (31) and the second slip ring (32), and the other end of the oil supply pipe (34) is fixed to the oil storage box (35), which is fixed to the vehicle frame.
3. The automobile half-shaft anti-leakage ball cage mechanism as described in claim 2, characterized in that: The oil storage box (35) consists of a box body and a micro water pump. The box body is fixed to the vehicle frame by bolts, and the micro water pump is fixed inside the box body. The output end of the micro water pump is fixed to the oil supply pipe (34). The micro water pump is electrically connected to the vehicle central control system through a data cable.
4. The automobile half-shaft anti-leakage ball cage mechanism as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The sealing sleeve (7) includes a sleeve body (71) and a filler (72). One end of the sleeve body (71) is wrapped around and fixed to the outer side of the outer ball cage (2), and the other end of the sleeve body (71) is wrapped around and fixed to the outer side of the second drive shaft (6). A filling cavity is provided inside the sleeve body (71), and the filling cavity is filled with filler (72), wherein the filler (72) is a catalyst-cured sealant.