Joining joint for an externally cylindrical component
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- DE · DE
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO KG
- Filing Date
- 2016-11-30
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-23
AI Technical Summary
Existing technologies face challenges in anchoring cylindrical components, such as ring gears, in a rotationally fixed manner within transmission housings while minimizing production costs and maintaining tight dimensional tolerances.
A joint assembly is created by pressing a first cylindrical component into a second component with a profiled outer surface, forming a complementary geometry through plastic deformation, which results in a high-strength, non-rotatable connection using a press fit and a circumferential groove for chip collection.
This method allows for a cost-effective, high-strength, and precise anchoring of cylindrical components in transmission systems, effectively reducing vibrations and ensuring a secure, non-rotatable coupling.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Field of invention
[0001] The invention relates to a joining connection of an externally cylindrical component, in particular a ring- or bushing-like component, with a structure that receives this component in a seat section. In particular, the invention relates to joining connections for achieving a rotationally fixed coupling of components, e.g., within transmission systems, such as the fixing of a ring gear of a planetary gear in a transmission housing. Furthermore, the invention also relates to a method for achieving a joining connection of the aforementioned type.
[0002] US patent 8216107B2 discloses a planetary gear unit comprising a ring gear that is rotationally fixed within the housing of the planetary gear unit. The ring gear is located in the region of a radial parting line between two cup sections of the gear unit housing. The ring gear has projections on its outer circumference that engage with complementary geometries prepared on the housing. A clearance is provided between the gear unit housing and the ring gear, allowing for a slight axial movement of the ring gear relative to the gear unit housing. This enables the mechanical decoupling of the ring gear and the gear unit housing to such an extent that the transmission of vibrations from the ring gear to the gear unit housing is reduced. Object of the invention
[0003] The invention is based on the objective of creating solutions that make it possible to anchor an externally cylindrical, in particular ring- or bushing-like, component in a rotationally fixed manner in a seating area in a manufacturing-technically advantageous way. Inventive solution
[0004] This problem is solved according to the invention by a joining connection between an externally cylindrical first component and a second component which provides an internally cylindrical seating area into which the first component is pressed, wherein a profile is formed on the first component in the area of its outer circumferential surface which deforms the cylindrical seating area during the pressing of the first component into it, forming a complementary geometry.
[0005] This makes it advantageously possible to create a joining arrangement in which the first component can be fixed with high strength in a cylindrical seating area that can be realized cost-effectively and through simple machining with tight form tolerances.
[0006] In the cylindrical seating area, a circumferential groove is preferably formed near one end into which any chips generated during the pressing process can migrate. The axial position of this circumferential groove is preferably such that the distance between the groove wall adjacent to the end of the seating area and that end is at least slightly greater than the axial width of this groove.
[0007] According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the microprofiling provided on the outer circumference of the first component forms a notch profile that rises above a cylindrical base geometry of the outer circumferential surface and presses into and / or cuts into the material of the seat of the second component. The cylindrical base geometry is preferably dimensioned such that, without the profiling, a transitional or slight press fit of the first component would result in the cylindrical seat area. The radial elevation of the profiling is preferably in the range of 0.25% to 1.15% of the diameter of the profiled circumferential surface.
[0008] The joining mechanism according to the invention is preferably used in a planetary gear system. In this case, the first component functions as a ring gear formed by a ring body having an outer circumferential surface, a first end face, a second end face, and internal teeth. The second component then functions as a gear housing whose cylindrical seating area forms a ring gear seat into which the ring gear is axially pressed. A profile is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the ring gear, and this profile deforms the ring gear seat during the pressing process, creating a complementary geometry and thus anchoring the ring gear securely and rotationally fixed in the gear housing.
[0009] According to a particular aspect of the present invention, the profile formed on the outer circumference of the ring gear is produced by plastically deforming the ring gear. This achieves a special effect: when the profile is lifted from the basic geometry of the ring gear, a clearance is provided in the immediate vicinity of the lift, into which material from the gearbox housing can penetrate. During the pressing-in process on the gearbox housing, this creates a retaining geometry complementary to the profile, which provides extremely effective, backlash-free support of the ring gear in the circumferential direction without excessive stretching or tensioning of the ring gear seat.
[0010] The plastic deformation of the outer circumference of the internal gear is preferably achieved by a rolling tool whose rolling head rolls on the internal gear, plastically forcing the profile out of the basic geometry. The profile can also be formed by a chisel or punch tool. As an alternative to plastic deformation, the formation of the profile on the outer circumference of the internal gear can also be achieved by machining, in particular by broaching. However, forming the profile by machining is preferred due to the special effect described above.
[0011] Furthermore, the formation of the profile on the outer circumference of the ring gear is preferably carried out in a manufacturing step preceding the hardening of the ring gear. The profile can then be hardened together with the internal teeth, in particular by nitriding.
[0012] The profiling can be advantageously designed with respect to its cross-section in a radial plane of the ring gear in such a way that a particularly effective positive-locking support of the ring gear in both circumferential directions is achieved in the ring gear seat.
[0013] The invention is preferably used in transmission systems in which the transmission housing is made of an aluminum material and the ring gear is made of a steel material, or at least of a material with a strength exceeding that of aluminum.
[0014] Furthermore, circumferential grooves can advantageously be formed in the area of the ring gear seat to receive chips that are pushed off the ring gear seat during the pressing-in process. This makes it possible to manufacture the complementary geometry in the ring gear seat as a broaching profile, whereby the ring gear then directly functions as a one-way broaching tool that remains in the gearbox housing along with the removed chips.
[0015] According to a further particular aspect of the present invention, the ring gear is designed such that the outer circumferential surface bearing the profile also includes a non-profiled circumferential zone which serves as a guide surface during the pressing-in of the ring gear and as a centering surface when the final position is reached. The inner diameter of the ring gear seat and the outer diameter of the ring gear are matched to each other with respect to this non-profiled zone in such a way as to result in a transition or press fit. The formation of the non-profiled zone can optionally be achieved in a machining step following the hardening of the ring gear, e.g., by grinding to final dimensions. This, in turn, makes it possible to first form the profile over the entire circumferential surface and then to locally at least partially remove material to create the guide zone.
[0016] The concept according to the invention particularly comprises the creation of a notched joint in connection with a press fit or a transition fit of a ring gear in the area of its seat in a gearbox housing. This notched joint is preferably realized by structures formed by plastic deformation, in particular by rolling, on the outer circumferential region of the ring gear. In the area of the ring gear seat, a catch groove is preferably provided at the end of the sliding fit, which catches any chips and other contaminants that may be dislodged during the joining process. During joining, this groove is first crossed by a non-profiled circumferential section, so that any chips that may fall into it are necessarily retained in this groove.
[0017] With regard to the production of a joining element according to the invention, the problem stated at the outset is also solved by a method for producing a joining element between a first externally cylindrical component and a second component that forms an internally cylindrical seating area, in which, during a joining step, the first component is pressed into the seating area formed in the second component, wherein, in a manufacturing step preceding this joining step, a profile is formed on the outer circumference of the first component which, during the joining step, forms and / or cuts into the seating area of the second component, creating a complementary geometry. For details regarding the design of the profile, reference is made to the above descriptions.
[0018] The first component is preferably pressed in until it reaches a stop, i.e., until the end face of the first component, which is at the front in the pressing direction, abuts a corresponding counter-surface of the second component. List of characters
[0019] Further details and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description in conjunction with the drawing. It shows: Fig. 1 a sectional view to illustrate a joining connection according to the invention used in a planetary gear unit between a gear housing and a ring gear fixed therein; Fig. 2 a perspective view of a first component profiled on the outside according to the invention with a non-profiled guide and centering circumferential zone; Fig. 3 Two detailed sectional views to illustrate a preferred cross-section of the profiling in two axially successive radial section planes of the first component, wherein the upper section view shows the profiling in a plane which supports clockwise rotation, and the lower section view shows a plane in which the profiling supports a counterclockwise rotation of the first component; Detailed description of the characters
[0020] The representation according Fig. Figure 1 shows a section of a planetary gear unit realized using the joining mechanism according to the invention. This unit comprises a ring gear H formed by an annular body having an outer circumferential surface H3, a first end face H1, a second end face H2, and internal teeth H4. This ring gear H corresponds to the element referred to as the first component in the above context. Furthermore, the planetary gear unit comprises a gear housing G that forms a ring gear seat G1 into which the ring gear H is axially pressed. This gear housing corresponds to the element referred to as the second component in the above context, and the ring gear seat G1 corresponds to the cylindrical seating area of the second component. The measures and features described for the ring gear H and the gear housing G apply generally to the first and second components used to realize the joining mechanism according to the invention.
[0021] On the ring gear H, a profile P is formed in the area of its outer circumferential surface H3, which deforms the ring gear seat H1 during the pressing of the ring gear H into the ring gear seat H1, forming a complementary geometry.
[0022] The profile P formed on the outer circumferential surface H3 forms a notch profile that rises above a cylindrical basic geometry of the outer circumferential surface H3 and, within the scope of this interference, presses into the material of the ring gear seat G1 and / or cuts into this material.
[0023] In the illustrated embodiment, the profile P formed on the outer circumference of the ring gear H is produced by plastic deformation of the ring gear H, whereby this plastic deformation is accomplished here by a rolling tool. This deformation takes place during the manufacturing of the ring gear in a manufacturing step preceding the hardening of the ring gear H. As will be shown below in conjunction with Fig. 3. To be further detailed, the cross-section of the profile P in a section plane radial to the ring gear axis is selected such that a positive-locking support of the ring gear H in the circumferential direction is achieved in the ring gear seat G1. The gear housing G is made of an aluminum alloy and the ring gear H is made of a steel alloy.
[0024] As can be further seen, a circumferential groove G2 is formed on the gearbox housing G in the area of the ring gear seat H1, to receive any chips that are pushed off the ring gear seat G1 during the pressing in of the ring gear H. The circumferential groove G3, also visible in this illustration, serves to receive a retaining ring by which the ring gear H is axially secured in the gearbox housing G by a positive locking mechanism.
[0025] The perspective representation according to Fig. Figure 2 illustrates the design of the outer circumferential surface H3 of the ring gear H. The internal teeth H4 are not shown here; they are preferably manufactured before the profiling P is formed. As can be seen from this illustration, the outer circumferential surface H3 includes a non-profiled circumferential zone H5 which acts as a guide and centering surface. The outer diameter of this cylindrical circumferential zone H5 is such that it fits into the ring gear seat G1 of the gearbox housing G with a transition or press fit, thus guiding and centering the ring gear H. The non-profiled area H5 can also be implemented on a stepped circumferential section of the ring gear H; however, it preferably corresponds in its basic geometry to that area of the ring gear in which the profiling P is preferably formed by local plastic deformation.
[0026] The ring gear shown here has an outer diameter of 193 mm. The camber of the profile P is 1 mm at its outermost radial points. For ring gears with larger or smaller diameters, this ratio of profile height to diameter is preferably maintained. The profile P here comprises four profile rows: P1, P2, P3, and P4. Profile rows P1 and P3 primarily prevent clockwise rotation of the ring gear, while profile rows P2 and P4 primarily prevent counterclockwise rotation. The profile P is manufactured using a rolling tool.
[0027] The representation according Fig. 3 shows the position of the ring gear after Fig.Two profiles are formed in two axially spaced radial planes. The upper sectional view shows a profile row P1 that prevents the ring gear H from rotating clockwise. The lower sectional view shows the ring gear H in a radial section plane in which the profile row P2 prevents the ring gear H from rotating counterclockwise. The height difference between the lowest points of the profile and its apex is 1 mm. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION
[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature
[0000] US 8216107 B2
[0002]
Claims
[1] Joining connection between an externally cylindrical first component (H) and a second component (G) which provides an internally cylindrical seating area (G1) into which the first component (H) is pressed, wherein a profile (P) is formed on the first component (H) in the area of its outer circumferential surface (H3), which deforms the cylindrical seating area (G1) during the pressing of the first component (H) into it, forming a complementary geometry. [2] Joining assembly according to claim 1, characterized by , that the profiling (P) formed on the outer circumference (H3) forms a notch profile which rises above a cylindrical basic geometry of the outer circumferential surface (H3) and presses into the material of the ring gear seat (G1) and / or cuts into this material. [3] Joining assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by, that the profiling (P) formed on the outer circumference of the first component (H) is produced by plastic deformation of the first component (H). [4] Joining assembly according to claim 3, characterized by , that the plastic deformation of the outer circumference of the first component (H) is accomplished by a rolling tool. [5] Joining assembly according to at least one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by , that the formation of the profiling (P) on the outer circumference of the first component (H) is accomplished by machining. [6] Joining assembly according to at least one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by , that the formation of the profiling (P) on the outer circumference of the first component (H) is accomplished within the framework of a manufacturing step preceding the hardening of the first component (H). [7] Joining assembly according to at least one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by, that the cross-section of the profiling (P) is chosen such that a positive-locking support of the first component (H) in the circumferential direction is achieved in the cylindrical seating area (G1). [8] Joining assembly according to at least one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by , that the second component (G) is made of an aluminum material and the first component (H) of a steel material, and / or that circumferential grooves (G2) are formed in the area of the cylindrical seat (G1) to receive chips which are pushed off the wall forming the cylindrical seat area (G1) during the pressing in of the first component (H), [9] Joining assembly according to at least one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by , and / or that the outer circumferential surface (H3) includes a non-profiled circumferential zone (H5) which acts as a guide and centering surface. [10] Method for producing a joining connection between a first externally cylindrical component and a second component which provides an internally cylindrical seating area, in which, during a joining step, the first component is pressed into the seating area formed in the second component, wherein, during a manufacturing step preceding this joining step of the first component, a profile is formed on its outer circumferential area which, during the joining step, forms and / or cuts into the seating area of the second component by forming a complementary geometry.